Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science

Course summary for international students

CampusOffered at Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Waterfront Campus, Warrnambool Campus
Off-campusNo
Length4 years full time
Next available intake

March (Trimester 1)

Indicative annual fee 2014$27,250* AUD
LevelUndergraduate
CRICOS course code079499D
IELTS Requirement

IELTS overall score of 7 with no individual band score less than 7. More information is available at www.ielts.org

Deakin course code D387
VTAC Codes
Faculty contactsDeakin International
Tel +61 3 9627 4877
Online enquiry

Course structure applies for students who commenced in 2014 onwards. Students who commenced prior to 2014 should consult the course entry for Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology)

Course sub-headings

Course overview

Deakin University was the first university in Australia to offer combined nursing degree courses. This was in response to signals from the health sector that there is a need for nurses with multidisciplinary skills.

This course is particularly well suited to those interested in the growing field of mental health nursing. It will prepare you with a strong understanding of research methods in psychology, human behaviour and mental processes and provide you with the knowledge and skills to comprehensively care for patients.


Throughout the course you will benefit from our purpose-built Clinical Simulation Centre which provide you with the facilities and equipment required to develop practical skills which are further enhanced through clinical work placements.


In addition you will study a wide range of units that provide the scientific knowledge base for mental health practice such as psychology as a behavioural science, statistics, psychological testing and measurement, mental health promotion and research.

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Professional recognition

On successful completion of this course, you will be eligible for registration as a Registered Nurse (Division 1) with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA). You will also have acquired a three-year undergraduate psychology sequence that is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA).

Fees and charges

Fee paying place - International (IFP)
A Fee paying place is one for which the University does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.

Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.

Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.

* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2014, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2014 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.

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Career opportunities

Upon completion of your studies you will be qualified to work in areas such as mental health rehabilitation, youth work, careers counselling, community development and work/life counselling in addition to more traditional nursing roles.

 

Students interested in pursuing a professional career in psychology will need to complete an approved ‘fourth year’ of study (such as Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Psychology or honours in psychology) after which students may apply for provisional registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA) and seek associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS).

 

In order to gain full registration, provisional psychologists must then complete either two years of supervised practise, or a minimum of two years of postgraduate study, which may include: Master of Psychology, Doctor of Psychology or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (with supervised practise completed outside the degree).

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Course rules

The Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science course comprises thirty two (32) credit points. Two (2) credit points of units are course grouped for both nursing and psychological science; nineteen (19) credit points are specific to nursing and eleven (11) credit points are specific to psychology. These core units provide students with an opportunity to engage in multidisciplinary learning. Students gain an understanding of basic scientific foundations in the areas of biomedical and human behaviour studies.

 

There is an expectation that students be available to undertake clinical placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with clinical placements are the responsibility of the student.

 

For students studying at Geelong and Warrnambool some units may only be available off campus in years two, three and four. Students enrolled at the Geelong Waterfront Campus will be required to take some units at the Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus.


See course entry Bachelor of Nursing (H326) or Bachelor of Applied Science (Psychology) (H344).

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Course structure

Level 1
Trimester 1

HBS109 Human Structure and Function  

HNN112 Principles of Nursing Care  

HNN120 The Discipline of Nursing: Contemporary Issues and Trends 1  

HPS111 Fundamentals of Human Behaviour  

 

Trimester 2

HNN114 Health Assessment  

HNN122 Nursing Management and Interventions 1  

HPS121 Psychology B: Individual and Social Development  


Level 2
Trimester 1
HBS107 Understanding Health  

HBS108 Health Information and Data  (Trimester 2 at W)

HNN222 Mental Health Nursing  (Trimester 2 at W)

 

Trimester 2

HBS110 Health Behaviour  

HNN215 Quality Use of Medicines in Nursing  (Trimester 1 at W)

HNN227 Nursing Management and Interventions 2  (Trimester 1 at W)


Level 3
Trimester 1

HNN217 Nursing in Community Settings  (Trimester 2 at W)

HNN318 Nursing Management of the Older Person  

HPS203 Understanding the Mind  

HPS204 Introduction to Social Psychology  


Trimester 2

HNN300 Child and Adolescent Nursing  

HPS201 Research Methods in Psychology A  (Trimester 1 at W)

HPS202 Child and Adolescent Development  

HPS205 Behavioural Neuroscience  


Level 4
Trimester 1

HNN319 Nursing Management of Chronic Illness  

HNN320 The Discipline of Nursing: Contemporary Issues and Trends 2  

HPS301 Research Methods in Psychology B  

HPS307 Personality  


Trimester 2

HNN301 Mental Health Promotion  

HNN325 Comprehensive Nursing Management and Interventions  

HPS308 Psychopathology  

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Department of Human Services policy and Working with Children check

In accordance with Department of Human Services policy*, all students are required to undertake a National Police Record Check prior to clinical placements in each calendar year of their course. In accordance with the Working with Children Act 2005**, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at commencement of the course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check and a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of clinical placement will not be able to undertake clinical placement and this will impede progress in the course. Students may also be required to declare their immunisation status to satisfy the requirements of health organisations where they will be undertaking their clinical learning experience. A health organisation may refuse to accept a student for placement if the student’s immunisation status is not satisfactory to the health organisation.

 

* Department of Human Services Policy on Working with Children Check and Police Records Checks can be found at: www.dhs.vic.gov.au/facs/bdb/fmu/service-agreement/4.departmental-policies-procedures-and-initiatives/4.6-police-record-check-policy-including-working-with-children-check

** Department of Justice 2007, Working with Children Act 2005, Victoria, Australia retrieved April 2012.

 

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Entry requirements - general

General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table (194kb).

 

Some courses may have additional entry requirements.

 

Students must also meet the English language requirement.

 

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Entry requirements - specific

English language requirements

The English language entry requirement is an IELTS score of 7.0 (with no band less than 7) or equivalent. You will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

 

Please note that the IELTS score for entry into the Bachelor of Nursing may differ from the IELTS score required for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

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Credit for prior learning - general

If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit for prior learning. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit for prior learning.
Your credit for prior learning is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

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Credit for prior learning - specific

Normal University regulations and guidelines will pertain to students who apply for credit for prior learning. The Deakin University policy on credit for prior learning states that students will be provided with the maximum credit for relevant approved post-secondary study, or informal learning, which exceeds the normal entry requirements for the relevant course. This may include previous completed or incomplete degrees, diplomas, and TAFE awards.

In all cases, credit will need to be determined on a case-by-case basis with a maximum credit granted being consistent with University policy (Deakin University, Credit for prior learning policy and procedure, July 2003) and the guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning as approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia.

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How to apply

Tracking your application
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.