Bachelor of Nursing

Make a difference every day

Nurses are highly respected members of the community. They help treat patients in all sorts of health care settings and touch lives with empathy and compassion.

Nursing is flexible, exciting and challenging. It’s a rewarding profession full of problem-solvers and pillars of strength.

The Adelaide Nursing School is ranked first in South Australia for graduate employment and first in Australia for overall educational experience*.

What will you do?

Our Bachelor of Nursing supports you in becoming a confident and responsible registered nurse. You will:

  • develop hands-on skills in high-tech simulation settings
  • benefit from clinical and non-clinical placements across metropolitan and rural locations
  • explore contemporary issues around health promotion, maintenance, advocacy and care
  • undertake interprofessional learning with other health care students.

Where could it take you?

You’ll emerge with a professional qualification recognised Australia-wide, ready to pursue rewarding roles in rural communities, operating theatres, emergency wards, and a multitude of other health care environments.

SATAC CODE
324341 (Pre-Registration)
324345 (Pre-Registration) (Enrolled Nurses only) 

Note:
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.


  • Australia's #1 nursing degree overall experience*
  • Ranked #51-100 for Nursing^
  • Extensive clinical placements and simulation

*Good Universities Guide, 2021
^QS Rankings, by Subject, 2023

Entry Requirements

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Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 324341, 324345
2023 CSP ATAR 70
2023 CSP IB 25.5
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake February
Prerequisites All applicants are required to meet the English Language skills Registration Standard as outlined by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) at https://www.nursingmidwiferyboard.gov.au/. All Domestic applicants will need to submit an English Language Declaration to demonstrate that they meet the standard. All applicants must demonstrate their English Language competency in one of the following ways: PRIMARY LANGUAGE PATHWAY: a. English is their primary language; and b. They have attended and satisfactorily completed at least six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country*, including at least two years between years 7 and 12. OR ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEST PATHWAY Please note that meeting the English language requirements for entry to a nursing program does not guarantee that students will meet the NMBA's nursing registration requirements once they have completed their program.
Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2: Biology IB: Biology
Additional Entry Requirements
All students will require a National Police Clearance Certificate before starting clinical placements. This will be at the students own expense.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors). Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Higher Education Study You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) study You must have completed an AQF Diploma or above from a Registered Training Organisation. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Work and life experience To be eligible to sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2024. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2024 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2023 or 2022), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2022). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Pathway. See Wirltu Yarlu for further information.
Other Entry Pathways

2023 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 62.05
Median ATAR to receive an offer 80.75
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 98.45
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 70
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 85.18
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 65
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2023
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    73 26.0%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study 34 12.1%
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    12 4.3%
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    133 47.3%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students 29 10.3%
    All students 281 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

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Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $4,445

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Scholarships

These scholarships, as well as many others funded by industry and non-profit organisations, are available to potential and currently enrolled students.

Find a Scholarship.

Careers

Career Readiness

This degree provides a professional qualification, which is recognised for registration as a nurse Australia-wide, and supports application for registration in a number of countries around the world.

Qualified nurses have a wide range of career options, from working in public or private hospitals, to community health care, aid organisations and regional health care.

Please see the inherent requirements for nursing programs for more information.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

The objective of this program is to produce graduates with specific attributes as outlined in University of Adelaide Graduate Attributes.
  1. Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
  2. Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
  3. Teamwork and communication skills
  4. Professionalism and leadership readiness
  5. Intercultural and ethical competency
  6. Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency
  7. Digital capabilities
  8. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Students will work in clinical areas as members of a health care team, with additional clinical support from clinical lecturers. Placements will vary across different practice settings, from acute care and tertiary to primary health care areas. For example, clinical placement may be undertaken at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and a range of other health care providers.

One of the most important strengths of this innovative degree is the substantial length of time dedicated to learning in practice. Students will be introduced to the practice environment in a structured manner and will be able to integrate knowledge with practice. Clinical placements are compulsory and not restricted to the University teaching semesters. Placements will be in both metropolitan and rural areas of South Australia and students will be required to attend early, late, night and weekend shifts. Therefore, it is recommended that students have access to a mode of transport for the duration of the degree.

All costs associated with the rural placement are the responsibility of the student. Depending on the locations available, costs to attend rural placement can exceed $1,000 to cover accommodation, food and living-away from-home expenses.

During placement, students will be required to comply with the Adelaide Nursing School dress standards. The cost of uniforms, which must be worn on placement, are the responsibility of the student. Students must be aware that they will need to comply with the policies and procedures (e.g. correct use of theatre attire) as prescribed by the health care site.

Students who undertake clinical placements, internships and research projects involving children, or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable, must obtain the following clearances before attending clinical placement:

  • AHPRA student registration (undertaken on the student's behalf)
  • criminal history clearance and a national police clearance
  • immunisation  
  • prescribed communicable infections screening
  • tuberculosis screening.
Please see the clinical placements page for more information. Students who do not meet the above requirements are at risk of not completing the degree, as placements are a compulsory component of the degree. For further information, visit: Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Nursing is accredited by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council. In Australia, all undergraduate programs leading to registration as a nurse must be accredited every five years. The curriculum at the University of Adelaide is subject to accreditation with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia from 2018.


Graduate Registration


Just prior to completion of the degree, students apply to Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. In order to be able to register as either an enrolled or registered nurse, all applicants must comply with the English language skills requirements as determined by AHPRA.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Health Administrator, Hospital Worker;  Mental Health Worker;  Registered Nurse;  Midwife;  Nurse

Degree Structure

From early in their degree, students attend a combination of lectures and clinical placements, allowing the integration of theory into practice. In later years of the degree, students have further opportunities to blend theory and practice. University-based study and clinically based learning are central to student learning.

A strong commitment to the degree is required, as teaching activity extends beyond the standard semester period. Students are required to attend compulsory skills and simulation classes. 

Students will attend compulsory clinical placements, which involve a range of shifts (including weekends). Clinical placements require a significant time commitment and may include shifts across a 24-hour roster.

Part-time students can complete the Bachelor of Nursing by following the prescribed course structure which can be obtained by contacting the Adelaide Nursing School. The courses to be completed each semester are non-negotiable and students must attend the associated clinical placements.

Enrolled nurse pathway

This pathway is designed for enrolled nurses who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, who wish to study to become registered nurses. Applicants must be registered as an enrolled nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia. Successful applicants will be granted credit towards the Bachelor of Nursing. Applicants considering this pathway need to be aware of the need to complete a rural placement, which begins early in their enrolment.

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative study plan

Year 1               
S1 NURSING 1004 Communication and Professional Nursing  NURSING 1005 Biology for Nursing Practice NURSING 1006 Microbiology and Infection Control NURSING 1007 Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing I
S2 NURSING 1008 Professional & Ethical Nursing Practice Considerations NURSING 1009 Pharmacology for Nursing I NURSING 1011 Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing II NURSING 1012 Aboriginal Healthcare
Year 2 S1

NURSING 2004 Nursing and Older People

NURSING 2005 Biology of Human Disease I NURSING 2006 Chronic Disease and Disability NURSING 2007
Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing III
S2 NURSING 2008 Biology of Human Disease II NURSING 2009 Community and Primary Health Care NURSING 2010 Pharmacology in Nursing II NURSING 2011 Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing IV
Year 3 S1 NURSING 3004 Mental Health Nursing NURSING 3005 Nursing in Complex Settings (Perioperative) NURSING 3006 Nursing in Complex Settings (Maternity and Paediatrics) NURSING 3007 Nursing in an International Context
S2 NURSING 3009
Leadership and Transition to Practice
NURSING 3010
Nursing in Complex Settings (Critical Care)
NURSING 3011OL
Cancer Care and Palliative Care Nursing
NURSING 3014
Safety & Quality Care in an Evidence Based Framework

ALL COURSES ARE WORTH 3 UNITS UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE
Updated: November 2022
Study plan is subject to change due to accreditation and course availability.


Assessment

Assessment in this degree consists of formative and summative work including but not limited to essays, case studies, tests, poster presentations, presentations, structured clinical assessments, examinations, competency workbooks and online virtual simulations.

Further Study

Multiple opportunities exist after graduation for further study in a variety of nursing specialisations. Please visit the postgraduate degree finder for more information.

Testimonial

The nursing degree is great as it's very hands-on. Simulation makes it much easier to go on placement - you know exactly what to do because you've practised it already.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023