Master of Nursing Studies
Overview
Learn everything you need to know to work as a registered nurse in Australia.
This program has been specifically designed to prepare you to work as a registered nurse in Australia within two years. You'll learn to work effectively in interprofessional teams to promote quality health outcomes through safe and effective nursing practice developed to meet Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s Registered Nurse Standards for Practice.
All teaching activities take place at the Translational Research Institute at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba. Throughout the program, you'll undertake more than 800 hours of supervised clinical placements in a range of settings, including hospitals and a variety of healthcare organisations. These clinical placements will take place at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and other clinical partner sites.
You'll learn the most relevant theories and the latest skills from health and nursing professionals, and you'll benefit from a program that takes a problem-based approach to learning and integrates classroom-based study with clinical practice. You'll develop clinical reasoning skills to provide high-quality, safe and effective care.
This two-year program is designed for applicants who have completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline within the past 10 years and who can meet minimum GPA requirements.
Program highlights
- Join the school ranked first in Queensland, fourth in Australia and 21st in the world for nursing.
- Prepare for a career with in-demand skills, ready for an industry experiencing high jobs growth.
- Undertake more than 880 hours of clinical practice in both supervised placements and clinical laboratories.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Online study
- Research experience
- Seminars
Placements and work experience
Students will undertake approximately 800 hours of supervised clinical practice in a range of clinical settings that includes hospitals and a variety of health care organisations. During their placements, students will have the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework to practice and develop their clinical skills in real life setting.
Students will commence their clinical placements in week four of the program. During the first year students will normally complete approximately 38 x 8-hour shifts and in the final year students will complete approximately 86 x 8-hour shifts.
Students may be required to undertake clinical placements outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area and students are required to fund their travel, accommodation and daily living expenses.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Early lifespan nursing
- Musculoskeletal health and injury prevention
- Cardiovascular and respiratory nursing
- Neuroendocrine and MH nursing
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Registered nurse
- Critical care nurse
- Paediatric nurse
- Perioperative nurse
- Remote area nurse
- Emergency care nurse
- Registered nurse (aged care)
- Oncology nurse
- Rehabilitation nurse
- Community nurse
Graduate salary
Nursing (postgraduate)
compared.edu.au
Professional memberships
When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.
- Australian College of Nursing
Professional registration
When you graduate, you may be eligible for registration with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to register.
- Nursing And Midwifery Board Of Australia. Please See The Nmba Website For Additional Mandatory Registration Requirements.
Program accreditation
The Master of Nursing Studies is accredited by:
- Australian Nursing And Midwifery Accreditation Council
I moved from Cairns to study at UQ because the master's program is unique, and I undertook rural placements at both Mareeba and Innisfail Hospitals in Far North Queensland. Working in a small country hospital was a fantastic experience.
I moved from Cairns to study at UQ because the master's program is unique, and I undertook rural placements at both Mareeba and Innisfail Hospitals in Far North Queensland. Working in a small country hospital was a fantastic experience.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
- a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
English language requirements
IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.
PTE Academic - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.
Bridging English (BE) results, CES, and BEP not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Nursing Studies are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
English Language Requirements
You must have attended and satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one of the following countries:
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Additional application information
This program has limited intake capacity.<10><10>
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.<10><10>
English Language Requirements<10>
You must have attended and satisfactorily completed at least 6 years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English. At least two years of this education must have been between grades 7 and 12. This education must have been completed in one of the following countries:<10>
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$5,573
2025
$5,573
2025
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $43,200
2025
AUD $43,200
2025
Additional costs
- Annual CPR re-certification (approximately $80 per year)
- First Aid Certificate (including CPR) (approximately $130 renewed every 3 years)
- Police check for criminal history ($45)
- A clinical uniform shirt is required and may be purchased through the School.
- Costs for vaccinations and serology are the responsibility of the student and will vary based on individual and program requirements.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Nursing Studies are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government has approved this master's program for income support payments to be made to eligible students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Nursing Studies is 5491.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying through QTAC
All domestic applications should be submitted to the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC).
The QTAC code for the Master of Nursing Studies is 720202.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- Places have now been filled for this program in the next intake. Applications are welcome for future intakes.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
To check the closing date for this program, go to the QTAC website.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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