Overview
The Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) from the University of Melbourne is a professional master’s degree that provides exceptional preparation for a nursing career. It is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (formerly Nurses Board of Victoria).
The Master of Nursing Science provides students a higher level degree with enhanced learning outcomes, while meeting the competencies identified by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council as necessary for practice as a registered nurse.
The curriculum emphasises significant contemporary health problems identified as National Health Priority Areas: cardiovascular health, cancer control, injury prevention and control, mental health, diabetes mellitus, and asthma.
Highlights
- We offer the only integrated curriculum where you learn clinical skills and theory concurrently. Students will participate in 6 to 8 weeks of intensive teaching each semester, followed by three or four weeks of professional experience placement with partner hospitals.
- Our clinical placements are in the largest major metropolitan teaching hospitals, ensuring best clinical practice opportunities and research collaborations with up-to-date medical mannequins and equipment, and dedicated laboratory staff to guide your practical skill development.
- Students undertake a capstone subject in the final semester. This will enable you to apply your knowledge and seek innovative solutions to real clinical problems.
Pre-requisites
Admission requirements for the Master of Nursing Science are:
- An undergraduate degree in any discipline, or equivalent, completed not more than ten years prior to the date of application; or
- An older undergraduate degree and either more recent graduate study that demonstrates current capacity for graduate study or five years of documented relevant work experience.
Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider prior academic performance and, where relevant, work experience.
English language skills
All applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements and must also meet the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English Language Skills standard.
For those applicants seeking to meet both these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 7+ is required in one of IELTS, TOEFL iBT (please note the TOEFL iBT (Special Home Edition) is not accepted for this course), or PTE Academic.
All applicants will be required to submit details stating that English is their primary language or that they have undertaken or will undertake an English language test and provide evidence that they have achieved the minimum English language test results as specified in the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia’s (NMBA) English language skills registration standard.
Degree Structure
The Master of Nursing Science comprises 200 credit points over 5 semesters of full time study, including a seven-week summer semester. All subjects are compulsory. All classes are on campus and supported with online learning materials. Several subjects have associated clinical practice or procedural skills and laboratory requirements.
Core Units
First year
- Indigenous Health and Nursing
- Foundations of Nursing
- Nursing Science 1
- Nursing Assessment & Care
- Clinical Inquiry & Nursing Research
- Nursing Science 2
- Clients with Acute and Chronic Illness
Second year
- Mental Health & Recovery
- Nursing Science 3
- Clients with Complex Health States
- Nursing Research
- Contemporary Nursing
- Nursing as Practice
The MNSc has a high number of contact hours. In addition to attending classes and clinical placements, you will be required to undertake personal study, write assignments, prepare for examinations and review your clinical practice. Many students need to balance study commitments with personal commitments; however, you are strongly advised not to undertake employment during semester time. At most, one shift per week is recommended. It is not advisable to undertake night shifts prior to clinical placement days to ensure patient safety.
