University of the Sunshine Coast
1 year
An honours degree for registered nurses seeking to advance into academic or professional roles, combining clinical expertise with research skills and contemporary health investigation. Ideal for nurses wanting to transition from practice to leadership, education, or research-focused careers.
Applicants must hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Nursing Science award or equivalent qualification and be registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). A minimum GPA of 5.0 over the second and third year of the undergraduate nursing degree is required. Applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds must meet specified English language requirements. Students must also consider and meet the Inherent Academic Requirements of the program, which ensure fundamental skills and capabilities necessary for nursing practice are maintained.
The program comprises 8 courses totalling 96 units, divided into coursework and research components. Coursework includes: NUR713 Independent Study, NUR721 Research in Health Care, HLT701 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice, and PUB708 Quantitative Research Methods. The research component consists of four research project courses (NUR731A, NUR731B, NUR731C, NUR731F) where students investigate contemporary health issues of their choice. Topics covered include maternal and child health, acute and complex care of adults, health professional education, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, and independent scholarly inquiry.
The University of the Sunshine Coast is Queensland's number one public university for student support (Good Universities Guide 2026) and holds a 5-star rating for teaching quality. UniSC provides experienced supervisors working in the industry, ensuring students learn from practitioners with lived experience. The program offers flexible delivery through blended learning and online modes, accommodating working professionals. UniSC is committed to supporting diverse learners through reasonable adjustments and accessibility services, with strong emphasis on clinical experience across a range of health settings.
Graduates are well-positioned for academic careers as nurse researchers and clinical educators in universities and research institutions. The program prepares nurses for professional roles in government health agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and private healthcare services. Graduates may pursue further study in Master's and PhD programs in nursing, health sciences, or biomedical research. The honours qualification enhances career progression opportunities and eligibility for membership with the Australian College of Nursing, opening pathways to leadership positions in clinical practice, health education, and research-focused careers across the health and biomedical science sectors.
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