#14 in the world for nursing
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia-approved degree
#2 Victorian university for psychology
Why choose nursing and psychological science at Deakin
Study at the world's #14 ranked nursing school and complete 800 hours of professional placements across metropolitan, regional and rural healthcare settings in this course, which prepares you to apply for registration as a registered nurse with a deeper understanding of the human mind and behaviour.
Build strong nursing capability through hands-on learning in our clinical simulation centres, where you will gain the skills to deliver safe, evidence-based care. You will also develop expertise in psychological theory, brain function, assessment and research - equipping you to better understand, communicate with and support patients across diverse health settings. After graduating, you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, or undertake further study with the goal of becoming a registered psychologist.
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World-ranked health education
Study nursing at a university ranked #14 in the world, while gaining a strong foundation in psychological science to understand behaviour, mental health and wellbeing.
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A holistic approach to healthcare
Combine clinical nursing skills with psychological insight to better support patients’ physical, mental and emotional health across diverse healthcare settings.
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Extensive hands-on experience
Complete 800 hours of supervised nursing placements across metropolitan, regional and rural healthcare environments.
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Flexible career pathways
Graduate eligible to apply for registration as a nurse, with psychology studies providing a pathway to further study in psychology or mental health.
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
Combine nursing practice with psychological science knowledge for careers supporting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Registered nurse
Provide person-centred care, coordinate treatment and support health outcomes across hospitals, community services and specialist settings.
- 13.9%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $93k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Clinical psychologist
After completing further study, support mental health and wellbeing through assessment, evidence-based intervention and behaviour change strategies.
- 13.3%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- $123K
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Mental health nurse
- Community nurse
- Case manager
- Research assistant
- Health promotion officer
- Support coordinator
Key dates
VTAC
FAQs
Yes – every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning (WIL) in their degree. Each year, more than 30,000+ students complete a placement or internship with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, EY and the National Australia Bank. You can access WIL through placements, industry projects, field-based experiences, simulations and global programs, helping you apply your skills and graduate with the experience and confidence employers value.
DeakinTALENT is Deakin's award-winning career service, and you can access it for life – not just while you're studying. From personalised career coaching sessions and AI-enhanced resume support to a jobs and internships board with employment opportunities, it’s designed to give you the career management skills and connections you need to stand out. Every Deakin degree is built with input from employers, so your course is designed around real workplace needs, now and into the future.
Entry requirements and the minimum ATAR vary by degree and are detailed on the degree page, but if your ATAR is below the cut-off, you still have options. Use the pathway finder tool to find the opportunities available to you, including associate degrees and Deakin Guaranteed ATAR, which offers eligible students a guaranteed entry score that's on average 10 points below the lowest selection rank. If you don't have an ATAR, Deakin Uni Ready is a free, supported program designed to build your skills and confidence and open doors to degrees in arts, health, science and business. Access programs and equity schemes are also available.
At Deakin, employability isn't an add-on – it's built in. Our degrees are designed with industry input, so your skills are aligned to what employers actually need. Every Deakin student can access work-integrated learning through opportunities such as placements, internships and industry projects, helping you build your professional network and practical experience before you even graduate. It's an approach that works: nine out of 10 Deakin graduates get a job within four to six months of finishing their degree.
Yes. Most eligible undergraduate students are offered a Commonwealth Supported Place meaning the government subsidises part of your tuition fees. If eligible, you can pay your student contribution using a HECS-HELP loan that you only start repaying once your income is above the repayment threshold. Deakin has scholarships that cater to our diverse student community, ranging from $5,000 per year for high ATAR achievers to $10,000 per year for students facing financial or personal hardship. The University also offers support services including financial counselling, budgeting help and access to short-term, interest-free loans to help you stay on track.
Deakin is the #1 Victorian university for student support and that starts the moment you accept your offer. Orientation is designed to help you feel welcome and get to know your community of classmates and teachers from day one. Across all campuses, there's a vibrant student community with clubs, events and opportunities to build real friendships. Deakin offers a range of services to help students stay healthy and safe, including sport and fitness facilities, free counselling, on-campus medical services and around-the-clock security.
Yes, and it's straightforward. You can transfer to Deakin in a few steps and apply for credit through recognition of prior learning (RPL), so you won't necessarily repeat subjects you've already completed. If you're coming from a TAFE partner, you may get guaranteed entry into second year with guaranteed RPL. Deakin's three-trimester system also means you may be able to start mid-year rather than waiting until March.
Most Deakin courses run across three trimesters per year instead of the traditional two semesters. Trimester 1 begins around March, Trimester 2 around July and Trimester 3 around November, each with roughly 12 weeks of teaching followed by an exam period. This means you can usually start your degree at three different points in the year and have more flexibility to manage your study load. Check the intakes by location section on the course page for details.
*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/Bachelor of Psychological Science?
This four-year double degree integrates nursing practice with foundational psychological science. You will graduate eligible to apply for registration as a nurse, while building your knowledge in behavioural science to support you to apply for postgraduate psychology study.
Foundations in health and behaviour
Human biosciences
Develop your foundational knowledge in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to understand how the body functions in health and disease and to support safe, evidence-based nursing care.
Introduction to nursing practice
Build essential clinical and communication skills to work in healthcare environments on your placement experience. Learn how to assess patients, provide safe care and work effectively within healthcare teams.
Foundations of psychological science
Explore core theories of cognition, behaviour and human development, and examine how psychological processes influence health, wellbeing and human interaction.
Clinical and analytical development
Clinical reasoning and patient care
Strengthen clinical judgement by conducting structured patient assessments and interpreting clinical information to support safe and responsive care decisions.
Research methods in psychology
Choose to start learning how psychological research is designed and conducted, developing skills in experimental design, statistical analysis and interpreting behavioural data.
Clinical nursing placements
Gain practical experience through supervised placements in hospitals and community health services, applying nursing knowledge and developing confidence in clinical environments.
Complex nursing care and mental health
Mental health nursing
Apply psychological knowledge to support individuals experiencing mental health conditions, focusing on therapeutic communication, recovery-oriented care and holistic support.
Cognitive and behavioural science
Analyse how thinking patterns, emotions and behaviour influence wellbeing, decision-making and engagement with treatment and healthcare services.
Interdisciplinary practice
Develop collaborative approaches that integrate nursing care with psychological perspectives to support holistic mental health and wellbeing outcomes.
Consolidation and application
Advanced nursing practice
Apply clinical reasoning to manage complex and high-acuity patient presentations across diverse healthcare environments.
Psychological science application
Integrate behavioural insights and psychological frameworks into patient-centred care planning and health behaviour change.
Transition to practice
Complete extended supervised placements that consolidate clinical capability and prepare you for professional nursing practice.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science, you must pass 32 credit points.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters 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
Year 1 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 2 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 3 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Year 4 - Trimester 1
Trimester 2
Professional recognition
Upon successful completion of your course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).
The Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
If you are seeking to become a registered psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) as a graduate from this course, you must next apply for a fourth year of study in psychology, such as Deakin's Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours) or Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced)
The NMBA has mandatory registration standards that applicants need to meet to be registered. Core registration standards are available on the NMBA website.
This course is accredited with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) and is an NMBA approved course.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
Department of Health – Safety Screening Requirements - Police Record Check, Working With Children Check and Immunisation Status
Police Record Check
In accordance with the Department of Health policy, all students are required to undertake a Police Record Check prior to professional experience placements in each calendar year of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Police Record Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Working With Children Check
In accordance with the Worker Screening Act 2020, all students are required to undertake a Working with Children Check at the commencement of their course. Students who fail to obtain a Working with Children Check prior to the commencement of professional experience placement will not be able to undertake professional experience placement and this will impede progress in the course.
Immunisation Status
Students are 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.
As a student in the Faculty of Health you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, practicals and online interaction. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time. There is an expectation that you are available to undertake clinical practicum outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
Professional experience placement can occur at any time, including during the standard holiday breaks.
There is an expectation that you are available to undertake professional experience placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your responsibility.
Unit information
If you are studying at Waterfront (Geelong) and Warrnambool some units may only be available online in years two, three and four. If you are enrolled at the Waterfront (Geelong), you will be required to take some units at Waurn Ponds (Geelong).
Inherent requirements
In order to participate in on-campus learning activities, and to safely engage in placements in clinical environments, there are a number of skills and functions that students need to be able to demonstrate, with or without reasonable adjustments. These skills and functions are known as Inherent Requirements. Find out more about the School of Nursing and Midwifery’s Undergraduate Courses Inherent Requirements.
To discuss these requirements and the adjustments we can provide to support your success, please contact the Disability Resource Centre.
Professional experience practice - Nursing
Beginning soon after commencement of the course, early exposure to the clinical environment gives you extensive opportunities to develop clinical skills in a variety of settings such as acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, paediatrics, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing. These may be undertaken in hospitals and community health settings in metropolitan rural and regional areas.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
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 Bachelor of Nursing (H326) |
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| Think critically, analyse and apply evidence and evaluate outcomes to inform safe and quality nursing practice |
| Foster effective therapeutic and professional relationships to ensure safe and quality care across the lifespan. |
| Exhibit professionalism through self-management and engagement with feedback to maintain capability for practice of self and others. |
| Apply nursing knowledge and capability in accordance with professional, legal and ethical requirements to deliver comprehensive, safe and quality care based on best available evidence. |
| Provide person-centred, culturally safe, and respectful nursing care that upholds the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all people, enriched by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ cultures and knowledges, and responsive to the diversity of all communities. |
| Critically and ethically apply digital technologies to locate, interpret and disseminate information and deliver safe and quality care. |
| Course Learning Outcomes Bachelor of Psychological Science (H344) |
| Integrate theoretical knowledge of the discipline of psychology in relation to: health, social, cognitive, methodology, neuroscience, development, and personality. Demonstrate appropriate communication, counselling, and research methods skills. |
| Communicate psychological knowledge and arguments effectively using the most appropriate means utilising clear, discipline appropriate, coherent and well-developed communication skills. Demonstrate appropriate interpersonal communication and interview skills in situations appropriate to psychological practice. This includes active listening, clarifying and reflecting, effective questioning, summarising and paraphrasing, developing rapport, appropriate cultural responsiveness and empathic responding. |
| Utilise online technologies to interact with others, access research and evaluate empirical evidence; and create and disseminate psychology-relevant content. |
| Identify and critique the factors that contribute to the development of unhealthy mental processes and behaviours, develop arguments, reports, or commentaries based on empirical research and apply the results to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself or others, and; apply the skills required to affect healthy behaviour change in oneself and in others in diverse contexts. |
| Apply knowledge of the scientific method when addressing problems related to behaviour and mental processes; design, plan, and conduct research that addresses these problems; and apply analytic and statistical skills to interpret the results and validity of research. |
| Engage in independent learning as a reflective practitioner to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology; and manage resources, timelines and other constraints to achieve quality and timely outcomes. |
| Collaborate and communicate psychological principles and practices effectively in interdisciplinary teams to work and learn in a range of environments including communities of practice, research and professional practice. |
| Embody the values and attitudes of the scientist-practitioner; apply ethical and professional responsibilities to local and global communities, apply knowledge and skills in culturally appropriate and inclusive ways. |
- Award granted
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400414081 - Waterfront (Geelong), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400514081 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
1400714081 - Warrnambool, Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) - Deakin code
- D387
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$6,347
for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
The estimated tuition (student contribution) fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your student contribution is determined by the units you enrol in and will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may also be eligible for a HECS-HELP loan to defer payment of all or part of your student contribution.
Check your eligibility or learn more about CSP or HECS-HELP.
Scholarships
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best.
If you're eligible, the Commonwealth Prac Payment (CPP) can help with the costs of completing a mandatory placement as part of your course.
Key dates
VTAC
Apply now
Apply through VTAC
- currently in Year 12 and applying for Trimester 1 or Semester 1
- applying for multiple undergraduate courses
Need help? Follow our step-by-step undergraduate guide to prepare and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Enrolled Nurses
Enrolled nurses who hold a Diploma of Nursing (approved by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia) and are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), can be granted up to 6 credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) towards this degree. Please obtain further clarification by contacting a Student Adviser in Student Central enquire.
Not sure if you'll meet entry requirements?
Deakin offers a range of pathways into the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Psychological Science to suit your background and goals. Explore the pathways finder to see how previous study, diplomas or alternative qualifications can lead you into the course.