University of Queensland
Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry)
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Prepare for a career in nursing through a graduate-entry qualification combining clinical practice, biomedical sciences and patient care, with opportunities to develop practical skills across diverse healthcare settings.
Course overview
The University of Queensland's Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry) is designed for graduates from a range of academic backgrounds seeking to enter the nursing profession. The program provides the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills needed to prepare for registered nursing practice in Australia, combining biomedical sciences with an understanding of patient care across different stages of life and healthcare settings.
You'll study acute care nursing, mental health, chronic disease management, older adults' health, paediatric and primary healthcare nursing, and safe medication management. You'll also explore culturally responsive healthcare for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, alongside professional practice and research appraisal. Through these studies, you'll develop clinical reasoning, communication and decision-making skills to support safe, evidence-based nursing care.
Delivered at UQ's St Lucia campus, the program can be completed in two years of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. You'll undertake at least 840 hours of supervised clinical placements in hospitals and other healthcare organisations, applying your learning in real clinical environments from your first semester. The program prepares graduates to apply for registration as a registered nurse in Australia, subject to professional registration requirements, and pursue careers across a range of nursing specialties.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
What you will study
At UQ, a unit represents the value of individual courses that contribute to the total unit requirements of a program. Most UQ courses have a value of two units, though some may vary depending on the program or course structure.
To earn the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), you must successfully complete 32 units, as detailed below. Unless otherwise noted, each course is worth two units.
Core courses
Complete 32 units from all of the following:
- Fundamental Biomedical Sciences for Nursing
- Clinical Nursing Practice 1
- Older Adults' Health
- Managing Chronic Health Issues
- Acute Care Nursing
- Clinical Nursing Practice 2
- Mental Health
- Therapeutics and Safety in Medicine Management
- Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Families and Communities
- Clinical Nursing Practice 3 (four units)
- Paediatric and Primary Healthcare Nursing
- Critical Appraisal of Research
- Professional Practice
- Clinical Nursing Practice 4 (four units)
Entry requirements
Academic entry requirements
To be eligible for entry to the Master of Nursing (Graduate Entry), applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in any discipline.
- Have a minimum GPA of 4.0 on UQ's 7-point scale in their previous qualification.
- Have completed their previous qualification within the past 10 years. This may include postgraduate coursework or research study undertaken after the qualifying bachelor's degree.
Entry is competitive, and places are limited.
Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and meet the minimum entry requirements will be offered a place, subject to providing the required evidence upon admission.
Additional program requirements
The program follows a prescribed study sequence across two years. Students must maintain continuous enrolment unless an interruption is approved. Students returning after an interruption may need to demonstrate their competencies or complete additional requirements before resuming study.
Before undertaking work-integrated learning activities, students must meet all applicable placement and compliance requirements.
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the program's higher English language proficiency requirements.
Accepted test scores include:
- IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.0, with a minimum of 7.0 in listening, reading, writing and speaking.
- TOEFL iBT: Overall score of 100, with a minimum of 25 in listening, 25 in reading, 27 in writing and 23 in speaking.
- PTE Academic: Overall score of 72, with a minimum of 72 in each communicative skill.
Bridging English results, CES and BEP are not accepted.
Additional program-specific English language conditions apply. UQ specifies requirements relating to six years of primary and secondary education taught and assessed solely in English, including at least two years between Grades 7 and 12.
Contact the university for further information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of units that you need to study to finish your course. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Graduates may pursue career opportunities in roles such as:
- 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
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $5,340 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Indicative annual fees are based on your first year of study.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.
Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.
Your student contribution amount is:
- Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
- Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
- Reviewed and adjusted each year.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
HECS-HELP loans are available to eligible CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.
