Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Gerontology)

What you will study

To earn this degree, students must complete four units.

Core courses

• Contexts of Practice
• The Law and Health Care Practice OR Culture as Determinants of Health

Specialisation courses

• Foundations of Gerontology Practice
• Perspectives of Healthy Ageing

Entry requirements

• Completed a three-year bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in nursing from a recognised university.
• Hold current professional registration as a Division 1 Nurse, or equivalent, with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or a relevant regulatory body in the applicant's home country.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

• IELTS (Academic): Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in the four components - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• Pearson Test of English: Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.
• OEFL iBT: Minimum total score of 94 and minimum score in each test section: 24 for listening and reading, 27 for writing and 23 for speaking.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

• A gerontology or geriatric nurse specialises in the care of elderly patients and is a crucial part of healthcare teams.
• Aged care nursing is in demand with international ageing populations.
• Graduates may work in acute, chronic, private practice, community or residential facilities caring for ageing patients with limited mobility, impaired mental abilities, or life-limiting illness.

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Apply specialised knowledge, skills and technical competencies within specific health contexts.
• Effectively communicate using high-level written and oral language skills with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and needs.
• Collaborate with a range of healthcare professionals to achieve the best possible healthcare outcomes for individuals and communities.
• Reflect on practice to facilitate awareness and knowledge of one’s own cognition and abilities.
• Critically analyse, synthesise and evaluate a range of data and evidence to provide solutions to complex nursing problems.

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $4,470 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $13,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)

A student’s annual fee may vary depending on:

• The number of units studied.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• 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 only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is 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 unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.