#14 in the world for nursing
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia-approved degree
94% students employed soon after graduating
Why choose nursing at Deakin
Take your nursing career further with the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours). Designed for graduates of a Bachelor of Nursing or entry-to-practice postgraduate nursing degree, this specialised honours year will enable you to build the advanced research and evaluation skills that are highly valued in senior nursing and midwifery roles.
Undertake an in-depth research project in an area of professional interest, developing the expertise to analyse evidence, manage data and contribute to improved health outcomes. Gain a strong understanding of research ethics, methodologies and health care principles, and learn how to design, implement and report on a research study.
On graduating, you will gain a competitive edge for leadership roles across acute and sub-acute care, emergency, aged care, paediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as opportunities in government, education and private industry. You could also progress onto postgraduate research, including a masters by research or PhD.
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Proven employability
Study nursing at a university ranked #14 in the world and graduate with a degree recognised by healthcare employers.
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Advanced research capability
Develop skills in evidence-based practice, data analysis and clinical research to support career progression or future postgraduate study.
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Learn with leading experts
Work alongside experienced researchers and academics, contributing to projects that address real healthcare challenges.
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Build on your accredited qualification
Extend your Bachelor of Nursing with advanced research skills to enhance your professional practice.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Build advanced research and evaluation skills to take the next step in your nursing career. Complete an independent project in an area of professional interest and develop the expertise to analyse evidence, manage data and contribute to improved healthcare practice and outcomes.
Areas of specialisation
- Nurse researcher
- Clinical nurse leader
- Research officer
- Nursing practice development officer
- Clinical governance officer
FAQs
Deakin's campuses in Melbourne, Geelong and Warrnambool are set in vibrant, multicultural communities where it is easy to connect and feel at home. As the #1 university in Australia for international student happiness and student satisfaction, you will be supported at every step of your journey. You can join clubs and societies through the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), attend social events, go on trips and live on campus to meet people from around the world. Each campus has fitness centres, cafes and 24-hour security, as well as prayer rooms and multifaith chaplains.
Deakin offers a range of merit-based scholarships that can reduce your tuition fees by 20%, 25%, 50% or 100% for the duration of your degree. Eligibility varies by scholarship and the degree you choose, but you will automatically be considered for most scholarships when you apply to Deakin. Use the Find a scholarship tool and filter by 'citizenship' to see what is available to you, or explore Australia Awards scholarships if you are from an eligible country.
As an international student at Deakin, you can work part time according to the conditions of your visa. On a Student Visa (Subclass 500), you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during trimesters. When you are on a trimester break you can work as much as you want. Compulsory work experience that forms part of your degree does not count toward this limit. Find part-time roles and internships through DeakinTALENT and learn more about working in Australia.
Most students studying full time at Deakin need a Student Visa (Subclass 500). You can apply for this visa after you accept your offer and receive your electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). To apply, you will need a valid passport, your CoE, proof of Overseas Student Health Cover and any other documents required by the Department of Home Affairs. Apply as early as possible, but do not book travel until your visa has been granted. Find out more about student visas.
Australia is widely regarded as one of the safest and most welcoming countries in the world for students, with strong legal protections, reliable public services and a multicultural community. In fact, Melbourne is ranked the #4 student city in the world! At Deakin, you will be part of a supportive community, with 24/7 help, dedicated campus security and practical tools to help you feel safe, confident and connected. Deakin’s SafeZone app also connects you directly to campus security and support services if you ever need help. Find out more about studying in Australia.
Deakin offers a wide range of support to help you settle in and succeed throughout your studies – we are ranked the #1 university in Melbourne for student support. You can access 1:1 study support, English language support, career planning help, disability services and free counselling, as well as financial assistance if you need it. On campus, the SafeZone app and 24/7 security services mean help is always within reach. You can explore the full range of support services for international students or start an online chat with a student ambassador before you arrive.
To enrol in an undergraduate degree at Deakin, many degrees require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 (or equivalent). Some degrees require higher scores so check the entry requirements tab on the degree page for details. You may also meet the requirement through recent secondary or university study completed in English, or by demonstrating five or more years of living and working in an English-speaking country. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis. If you do not yet meet the requirement, the Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) offers pathway programs to help develop your English reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Completion of DUELI’s English for Academic Purposes can give you the minimum English language requirements for most Deakin degrees.
Deakin is the #1 university in Melbourne for international student graduate employment. Our degrees are developed with industry insight, so you will gain career-ready skills from the beginning. Each Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities including placements, internships and projects with well-known industry partners. Our dedicated international student career support program helps you learn about the Australian workforce, make connections and build your network through placements. You will get support with your resume, help looking for an internship or a job after graduation and even advice about your career options overseas.
There is more than one way to study at Deakin. If you do not meet the academic requirements, Deakin College offers a guaranteed pathway to Deakin with small, supportive classes on campus. If you meet the academic requirements but not the English requirements, you can enrol in a Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) English pathway program and progress to your chosen Deakin degree upon successful completion. Deakin also has formal pathway agreements with partner institutions in countries like China, India, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and the United States, so you can start your studies locally before transferring to Australia to complete your degree.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)?
This one-year degree builds on your nursing qualification and develops your ability to use research to improve nursing practice, patient care and health service delivery. Over one year, you will strengthen your understanding of research methods, evidence-based practice and data analysis while completing a supervised independent research project in nursing.
Developing nursing research capability
Research foundations
Explore research design, ethics, literature review and methods used to investigate questions in nursing and health care.
Evidence-based practice
Critically analyse current evidence to identify practice issues, shape research questions and support improvements in care quality and safety.
Independent research project
Work with academic supervision to plan, conduct and communicate a nursing research project, culminating in a thesis or research report.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours), you must pass 8 credit points.
As a full-time student you will study four credit points per semester and usually undertake two semesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Professional recognition
Honours is not a professional accreditation requirement. Honours offers students a competitive edge in the job market and is designed to provide nurses with the knowledge and research skills to undertake a postgraduate research degree, advanced professional training or to pursue diverse employment opportunities.
What to expect while studying
For detailed information, particularly with respect to the selection of areas of study and availability of appropriate supervision, students should consult the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Inherent requirements
Essential knowledge, skills and capabilities are required to undertake and successfully complete the undergraduate nursing and midwifery courses and to practice safely as a registered nurse and/or midwife. The inherent requirements of the course are listed at School of Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate Courses: Inherent Requirements
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Any unit with a work integrated learning component, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. Refer the relevant unit guide.
You should be able to commit 35 hours a week to your honours degree.
Students will participate in online learning, intensive classroom activities, attend the Annual Research School and meet regularly with their supervisor.
The School of Nursing and Midwifery conducts its research through the Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research (QPS). Collaborative research partnerships with health services facilitate knowledge translation particularly in relation to clinical care, quality and patient safety that directly impacts the quality, safety and experience of patient care.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Apply cognitive and technical skills combined with a systematic and coherent body of knowledge to develop a conceptual framework for research inquiry, select the appropriate methodology and procedures for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and disseminate research findings. |
| Autonomously communicate research outcomes to the professional community, defend and discuss all elements of the research project in the chosen field of study via oral and written means to academics, specialists and others. |
| Autonomously undertake research, comprehend and evaluate new information, concepts and evidence to locate, select and collect appropriate technologies to source, interpret, adapt, collate, analyse and disseminate relevant information to an academic audience and specialists. |
| Critically and constructively, evaluate, critique and synthesise the literature in the chosen field of study; select and apply appropriate methodological principles suitable for the research project; select and apply appropriate analytical techniques to test the hypothesis; and interpret, compare and contrast study findings to the wider literature in the chosen field of study. |
| Contribute to advancement of knowledge in the field of health care policy and delivery by identifying a suitable and novel research question based on the literature that can be completed within the given timeframe; conducting the research to address the question in an appropriate, realistic and ethical manner. |
| Identify own learning needs and seek additional knowledge and/or information as required to produce a realistic timeline for the research project that incorporates preparing a literature review, obtaining ethical approval (if applicable), sourcing and/or collecting and analysing data, and disseminating research findings. |
| Collaborate effectively as a member of a research and professional team of specialists, peers, academics and others from a range of disciplines and backgrounds. |
| Apply ethical standards governing research and professional practice in the discipline whilst maintaining confidentiality, and respecting inclusive, cultural sensitivities. |
- Award granted
- Bachelor of Nursing (Honours)
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- H421
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 006227K Burwood (Melbourne), Waterfront (Geelong), Warrnambool
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$45,800
for 1 yr full-time AUD
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course and unit enrolment. Your tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning.
Scholarships
We want to help you excel at Deakin. Our scholarships recognise your dedication and achievements, providing financial support that can ease the cost of living and studying. With less pressure, you'll have more freedom to focus on what matters most – your education and future success.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
Apply directly through StudyLink Connect. Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Deakin Authorised Agent, who can support and submit your application.
See our guide to applying to Deakin for application steps and requirements.
Pathways
Students who achieve a high-grade Honours result can apply for credit for the research component if they decide to progress to a masters degree. A high-grade Honours result also gives students the option of applying for entry to a PhD program.