Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
Course information for - 2025 entry
Domestic
- Domestic
- International
- Domestic
- International
Offered at 6 locations
- Ballarat
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Ballarat
- Blacktown
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Melbourne
- North Sydney
- Duration
- 1 year full-time or equivalent part-time
- ATAR
- New
- Fees (first year)*
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Beginning February 2025Applications open August 2024Midyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2025Applications open April 2025
This is a one-year degree for students who have already completed a relevant Bachelor degree. Please visit the Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine Honours page for further information.
Overview
The Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) is a one-year degree for high-achieving students who have already completed the Bachelor of Nursing or equivalent. The honours degree allows students to build upon the knowledge gained in their past degree, develop research skills that will equip them for future study at a higher degree level and work closely with an academic expert to contribute to a particular area of interest. The main focus of the degree is to produce a research thesis under supervision from experienced academic staff.
Importantly, this degree does not lead to nurse registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
Honours scholarships are available to suitably qualified candidates for 2023 commencement. Please see the below Scholarships section, under Fees.
Supervision arrangements
Your thesis will be prepared under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the School Committee on the advice of the Head of School.
On completion of the course of study and research you will submit a written thesis based on work carried out during the period of study and research. Examination and assessment of the thesis will be congruent with the current Faculty Policy Pertaining to Students Undertaking Honours. You will be required to attend and participate in graduate seminars organised by the school.
Careers
Completion of an honours degree equips graduates with important skills in research, data analysis and interpretation, and project management. It is the most efficient pathway to doctoral studies. An honours degree also provides graduates with greater knowledge of research and interpretation, which can be usefully applied in the clinical setting.
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), a student must complete 80 credit points (cp).
Course map
Graduate statement
AQF framework
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible to apply for admission to the course, a student must have completed a Bachelor of Nursing and attained a GPA of at least 5.50.
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2025 Admission.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with higher education study
You will 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, we’ll assign you with a new selection rank that reflects your study level, duration, and grade point average.
If your prior study or relevant work experience has provided you with knowledge, skills or experience aligned with the learning outcomes of units in your new course, you may be eligible to gain credit for study or have your prior learning recognised. This means you may be able to complete your ACU course in a shorter timeframe.
You can use our credit search tool to see what you might be eligible for. For more information about credit and recognition of prior learning at ACU, follow the link below.
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 the course or unit. Learn more about inherent requirements and how they affect you, and explore the requirements for your course.
Pathways
Further study
Graduates may be eligible to progress to a postgraduate coursework degree in nursing. Specialties include mental health nursing, clinical nursing, clinical education and health administration. Graduates may also be eligible to undertake a Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy.
The Faculty of Health Sciences also offers the National Immunisation Education Program for Health Professionals.
Fees
Course costs
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
Honours Scholarships
ACU is offering honours scholarships of $10,000 (pro-rata payment for part-time enrolment) to the top 10 applicants to the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), (ranked by GPA at the time of application). Scholarships are open to current ACU final-year Bachelor students, for ACU graduates from previous years, and eligible graduates from other institutions.
For further details and instructions on how to apply, visit: ACU Nursing Honours 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.