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Ranked 4th in Australia for nursing
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Ranked 10th worldwide for nursing
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95% graduates employed
Bachelor of Nursing
Course information for - 2025 entry
Offered at 6 locations
- Duration
- 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200112201
- ATAR
- 60.00 for Ballarat
- Fees (first year)*
$7342 CSP
- Start dates
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Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Not available
For Victorian Students Only:
The Bachelor of Nursing - First Year Entry is aimed at school leavers and other students with no previous nursing qualifications.
The Bachelor of Nursing - Later Year Entry is aimed at applicants with previous nursing qualifications. Domestic applicants with a Diploma of Nursing qualification should apply via VTAC for the Bachelor of Nursing (Later Year Entry) program on the Ballarat (VTAC course code: 1200110271) and/or Melbourne (VTAC course code: 1200210271) campuses.
Overview
ACU graduate nurses are held in high regard for their clinical skills, quick thinking, and compassion. We’re connected to an extensive range of hospitals and health care partners, so you will get the best opportunities for industry placements and future employment. If you’re after an overseas experience, we also work with care facilities in a number of developed and developing countries.
There has never been a better time to study Health Sciences, with State and Territory governments and other external bodies offering various scholarships and support at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Check out these initiatives and others, and don’t forget to look at ACU’s own scholarships.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete at least 800 hours.
Work placement
Students will undertake clinical placements as part of a variety of clinical units throughout the course in hospitals and community facilities. As part of your course, you will be placed in a range of organisations to integrate the theory you learn with practical workplace experiences (placements).
Professional recognition
Eligible graduates can apply for registration as a nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). Please refer to the Registration Standards for Nursing and Midwifery on the Ahpra website .
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.
Careers
Our graduates have pursued careers in:
- public hospitals
- private hospitals
- disability services
- rehabilitation services
- specialist centres
- community health
- residential aged care facilities
- hospital emergency departments
- local and state government health departments
- not-for-profit organisations
- mental health services
- rural health services
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing, a student must complete 240 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Additional course information
Classes
In 2023 we welcomed 232 students to our Blacktown campus, 133 students to our Ballarat campus, 370 students to our Brisbane campus, 126 students to our Canberra campus, 605 students to our Melbourne campus and 313 new students to our North Sydney campus.
All lecture content will be provided by a series of short on-line recordings of ten to fifteen minutes for each module, the total time duration of the recordings for each module is between sixty minutes and ninety minutes. Online recordings provide considerable advantages including the ability to manage time and be self-paced in your learning. The online recordings allow you to review concepts multiple times so that you can master knowledge and link theoretical concepts with practical skills. Tutorial classes concentrate on theoretical concepts that develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning and have one academic facilitating the learning of between 26 and 30 students. The simulation wards are an important part of your learning and the environments are designed to closely simulate real world environments so you can develop the practical skills of administering care. Practical classes in simulation wards have between 24 and 30 students with two academic registered nurses teaching and guiding your learning.
Sample assessments
NRSG138 Transition to Nursing
• Online Quiz (20 per cent) - 20 randomised multiple-choice questions from content within weeks 1-3 inclusive.
• Written Essay (30 per cent) - 800 word essay allowing student to develop written communication skills.
• Case Study (50 per cent) - 1200 words to demonstrate developing skills of identifying health care priorities and person-centred nursing care.
Overseas study available
A number of units are offered each year at our Rome Campus, including NRSG265, NRSG266, NRSG267 (partial) and HLSC220, while NRSG373 (partial) can be studied in Cambodia, India, USA, Timor Leste, Vanuatu, Fiji, and Denmark.
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
All students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12 level, or equivalent.
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| ACT | Assumed knowledge: Nil |
New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: Nil |
Queensland | Assumed Knowledge: English (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL. |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with TAFE and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners or with ACU College, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Further study
An honours year is available to meritorious students, with a grade point average of 5.5, who meet the admission requirements for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours).
The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers a suite of postgraduate coursework degrees in nursing. Specialties include mental health nursing, clinical nursing, clinical education, health administration as well as leadership and management in health care.
The faculty also offers the National Immunisation Education Program for Health Professionals.
Fees
Course costs
$7342 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Staff Profile
Dr Jacqui Young
Course Coordinator, Bachelor of Nursing, Brisbane campus
Dr Jacqui Young is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience in clinical, education, management & research domains. She has worked as a nurse in emergency and intensive care units in major hospitals within Australia and Saudi Arabia. Jacqui has extensive education experience in the hospital sector, working as a clinical facilitator with undergraduate students; a clinical coordinator with new graduate nurses; a clinical educator for coronary/intensive care in a Saudi Arabian hospital, and a nurse re-entry program coordinator for nurses returning to the workforce in a major area health service in Sydney. She brings this extensive experience along with 16 years of tertiary academic experience to the nursing curriculum at Australian Catholic University. Jacqui’s teaching interests relate to primary health care nursing, health promotion and nursing management of chronic diseases.
Testimonial
I choose to study at ACU as when I explored universities in Melbourne, I heard from alumni and other nurses in the workforce how excellent the clinical classrooms are. Also I come from a regional town and wanted to ensure the university I attended did not feel too big, and the ACU campus and community is very welcoming. The academic staff at ACU have been very approachable regarding questions for specific subjects or creating healthy and engaging discussions. The non-academic staff at ACU have also been excellent and supportive. I am involved in societies, sports, ACU gym and the Student Veteran Society at ACU and all staff members of this group always have the time to speak and check in about life and academics.
Shanghai Ranking, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023
Shanghai Ranking, Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023