#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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World-ranked excellence
Study nursing at a university ranked #14 in the world, gaining a qualification respected by employers across Australia.
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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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High-quality simulation facilities
Build confidence in clinical simulation centres that replicate real hospital and community healthcare environments.
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Industry-shaped and accredited
Graduate eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) and begin practicing as a registered nurse.
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
Key dates
Direct applications
Semester 1 2027 applications close 29 January 2027
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 (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
Semester 1
Semester 2
Part-time enrolment - (not available to international students)
Students may be able to complete in less than four semesters - please contact your course enrolment officer.
Year 1 - Semester 1
Year 1 - Semester 2
Year 2 - Semester 1
Year 2 - Semester 2
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
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.
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 |
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| 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
- 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
$6,151
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
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.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Semester 1 2027 applications close 29 January 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of prior learning will not normally be given to applicants entering the honours sequence and is awarded on a case-by-case basis.
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.