#14 in the world for nursing
#36 in the world for public health
920 hours of placement opportunities
Why choose Deakin
Graduate ready to succeed in Australia's fastest-growing employment sector. Ranked #14 in the world for nursing and #36 for public health, this double degree covers contemporary theory and allows you to take on 920 hours of professional placements across clinical and community settings. Graduate eligible to apply to be a registered nurse, and develop the skills to empower individuals and communities to lead healthier lives.
Learn in our School of Nursing's clinical simulation centres before gaining hands-on placement experience in a variety of settings, such as acute, medical, aged care, paediatrics, rehabilitation, mental health and community health. From a public health perspective, you will study epidemiology, health policy, communication and global health, and graduate ready to improve health outcomes locally and globally.
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World-ranked health education
Study at a university ranked #14 in the world for nursing and #36 in the world for public health, and gain expertise across clinical and population health.
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Improve health at every level
Combine hands-on nursing skills with public health and health promotion strategies to improve health outcomes for individuals, communities and populations.
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Extensive hands-on experience
Complete 920 hours of placement across your degree, including nursing clinical placements and practical experiences in public health.
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Flexible and rewarding careers
Graduate eligible to apply for NMBA registration as a registered nurse, while developing skills to work in health promotion, policy, prevention and community 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 public health and health promotion knowledge for careers supporting people and communities.
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
Health officer
Support public health programs, policy and community initiatives that improve health outcomes across populations.
- 15.4%
Projected job growth in 5 years for allied health services
- $125k
Typical annual salary in Australia
Other jobs
- Health promotion officer
- Community nurse
- Practice nurse
- Public health nurse
- Program coordinator
- Health educator
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/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion?
This four-year double degree combines clinical nursing practice with population health expertise. You will graduate eligible to apply for registration as a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia while developing capability in prevention and health promotion.
Foundations in nursing and public health and health promotion
Human biosciences
Build a strong scientific foundation in anatomy, physiology and pathophysiology to understand how the body functions in health and disease, supporting safe, evidence-based nursing care.
Foundations of nursing practice
Develop essential nursing skills including patient assessment, communication and clinical reasoning while learning how to deliver safe, compassionate and person-centred care.
Determinants of health
Explore the social, environmental and behavioural factors that influence health outcomes, and examine how inequities and life circumstances shape population health.
Applied capability
Clinical assessment and decision-making
Develop confidence in conducting structured patient assessments and interpreting clinical information to recognise changes in health status and support timely care decisions.
Public health and health promotion principles
Examine evidence-informed strategies used to prevent disease and improve wellbeing across communities, including approaches that influence behaviour, environments and policy.
Further placements
Gain practical experience through a supervised nursing placement in a hospital, community service or other healthcare setting, applying classroom knowledge in clinical environments.
Systems and population health
Complex and acute care
Strengthen clinical reasoning while managing patients with complex or acute conditions across hospital and community settings under professional supervision.
Epidemiology and health policy
Analyse how health data, research evidence and government policy influence healthcare systems, service delivery and population health outcomes.
Program planning and evaluation
Learn how to design, implement and evaluate health promotion initiatives that address community needs and improve population health outcomes.
Integration and leadership
Leadership and systems thinking
Examine leadership approaches, healthcare governance and quality improvement while developing systems thinking skills to strengthen health promotion and healthcare services.
Applied health promotion strategies
Develop and evaluate evidence-based interventions that support disease prevention, health equity and improved wellbeing across diverse populations.
Integrated practice experience
Consolidate your learning through extended supervised placements, integrating nursing and public health and health promotion knowledge in preparation for professional practice.
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion ;students 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 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.
You may also be eligible to become a member of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) and the Australian Health Promotion Association (AHPA).
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.
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.
Clinical practicum requirements
There is an expectation that you will be available to undertake clinical practicum outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your responsibility.
If you are enrolled at the Waterfront (Geelong) campus, you will be required to take your units associated with the Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion course on campus at Waurn Ponds (Geelong) or online.
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 including acute/sub-acute care, medical and surgical care, paediatrics, aged care, rehabilitation, community nursing and mental health nursing.
There is an expectation that you will be available to undertake professional experience placements outside of trimester dates. All expenses associated with professional experience placements are your own responsibility.
To be eligible to undertake placements, you are required to supply mandatory documents (prerequisites) including police checks, working with children check and immunisation status.
Public Health and Health Promotion
The Health Practicum requires you to undertake a minimum of 120 hours of work experience in a health-related agency. In addition to developing a practical understanding of public health and health promotion, this experience will help you further develop the professional and personal skills required to work in a public health and/or health promotion role.
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) |
|---|
| 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 H313 Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion |
| Apply evidence-based research and a determinants-based knowledge of public health and health promotion to advocate for social change, promote good health and wellbeing, prevent poor health and reduce inequalities for individuals and populations alike. |
| Communicate effectively in oral and written forms with a range of stakeholders and promote positive, desired change. |
| Use information technology to effectively communicate, locate information and analyse data. |
| Apply critical thinking and reflection to issues of contemporary health, related to policy and planning in public health and health promotion practice within an evidence-based framework. |
| Apply an evidence-based learning framework to create solutions to diverse and complex health problems. |
| Monitor and reflect on one’s own professional practice. |
| Develop knowledge and implement strategies in collaboration with others to build and enhance relevant partnerships and actions as a public health and health promotion practitioner. |
| Support public health and health promotion practice within diverse social, cultural and environmental contexts and communities. |
- Award granted
Bachelor of Nursing/Bachelor of Public Health and Health Promotion
- Year
2027 course information
- VTAC code
- 1400514023 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place
- Deakin code
- D381
- CRICOS code?Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students
- 018323M Burwood (Melbourne)
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7
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.
Apply through VTAC
If you are an international student completing an Australian Year 12 in Australia or overseas, you must submit an application through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). In addition, you may also apply directly to Deakin through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's international student application service.
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.
Normal University regulations and guidelines will pertain to students who apply for Recognition of prior learning. The Deakin University policy on Recognition of 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, Recognition of 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 (NMBA). Please obtain further clarification by contacting a Student Adviser in Student Central enquire.