Master of Nursing Science : Entry requirements

You're considered a domestic student if you're an Australian or New Zealand citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or have a permanent humanitarian visa. This applies even if you're studying abroad or have dual Australian citizenship.

Admission criteria

To be considered for entry into this course, you must:

Have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, completed not more than 10 years prior to the date of application, OR
An older undergraduate degree AND either more recent graduate study that demonstrates current capacity for graduate study OR five years of documented relevant work experience.
- Work experience relevant to this course may include roles in the healthcare sector.

Weighted Average Mark (WAM)

We encourage all applicants with a WAM of 65 or above to apply. This WAM is an indication only and may vary year to year depending on the applicant pool, achieving this WAM does not guarantee entry. Domestic applicants who have special circumstances are encouraged to apply through Graduate Access Melbourne to increase their eligibility.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

Where our admission criteria includes a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) and/or specific subject criteria, these are based on University of Melbourne grades and subjects. If you've studied elsewhere, we'll assess your relevant prior studies and equivalent grades. Your final WAM may be adjusted depending on your previous institution's accreditation, subject grading, and pass marks.

You can use our graduate coursework grade conversion eligibility calculator to get an indication of whether you are eligible for this course based on your previous studies and Weighted Average Mark (WAM).

Calculate your eligibility

English language requirements

All applicants to the University of Melbourne must satisfy the English language requirements. This may be achieved in a number of ways, including recognised previous study taught and assessed entirely in English or an approved English language test. If you are from a non-English speaking background, the required standard of English for this degree is one of the following English proficiency test scores:

English language test score requirements
If you need to undertake an English language test, you must meet one of the scores* below:

IELTS

7.0

with no band less than 7.0
TOEFL

94+

with writing 27; speaking 24; reading 24; listening 24
PEARSON

72+

with written communicative skill of 75 and no other communicative skill below 72
CAMBRIDGE

N/A

*Accepted tests: IELTS (Academic English Only); TOEFL Internet-based test; Pearson Test of English Academic; Cambridge English: Advanced/Certificate of Advanced English (CAE). If a test displays N/A, it means it is not accepted for this course.

In addition to meeting these scores, you are also required to complete the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia English Language Skills Declaration to satisfy the accreditation requirements for this course. This will be a requirement in the application form.
We strongly encourage international applicants whose primary language is not English to demonstrate their English proficiency via the approved English language test pathways. This is also required by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) under the English language skills registration standard.

About selection

When assessing applications, the Selection Committee will consider your previous studies and academic performance.

The Selection Committee may request additional information to clarify any aspect of an application, according to the University’s Academic Board rules regarding selection instruments.

Meeting the published entry requirements for this course does not guarantee selection.

If relevant to your application, the Selection Committee will also assess your professional experience.

Indigenous applicants (Domestic applicants only)

Applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent are given priority access to Nursing at the University of Melbourne.

Prospective Indigenous applicants are encouraged to:

Complete the relevant section under the Graduate Access Melbourne requirement in the application form.

Contact the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science Indigenous Student Support Office for application and admission support.

Rural and Regional Background applicants (Domestic applicants only)

Domestic applicants with a rural or regional background have priority access to the Master of Nursing Science at the University of Melbourne. If you have resided, according to principal home address, for at least 5 years consecutively or 10 years cumulatively in a rural or regional area of Australia, please let us know in the application process.

Rural and regional background applicants are encouraged to:

Use the workforce location map to check their geographical classification according to the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Modified Monash Model (MMM). A rural/regional background is anywhere from MM2 to MM7.
Complete the relevant section under the Graduate Access Melbourne requirement in the application form including providing relevant supporting documentation.

Additional information

Introductory Human Physiology for Nursing Students

As a student in this course, you are presumed to have a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology.

If you are from a non-science background, or if you have not studied for several years, the online short course Biochemical Basis for Human Life is highly recommended. This is not compulsory, but highly recommended as you prepare to commence study in the Master of Nursing Science.

Inherent requirements

This course has inherent requirements. Refer to the Master of Nursing Science Handbook for important information on these requirements.

Clinical placements

Clinical Placements are undertaken as part of this course. All students must undertake a Police Record Check, obtain a Working with Children Check and comply with immunisation requirements. Refer to the following pages for important information:

Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM)

We encourage domestic students to explore eligibility for Graduate Access Melbourne (GAM). GAM offers an opportunity for admission to this course even if your tertiary marks are below the standard entry requirements. GAM applicants may also be considered for financial bursaries and Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) where available.

GAM categories include coming from a rural area, being an Indigenous Australian, experiencing financial hardship or personal difficulties, having refugee status, or living with a disability or medical condition. In assessing applications, we look to balance opportunity and your capacity to succeed.

Advanced Standing

Prior studies may be credited towards your degree and potentially reduce the duration of your course. This is known as Advanced Standing (also known as credit or recognition of prior learning).

Advanced standing applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that as the Master of Nursing Science is a graduate course, only nursing subjects undertaken at a graduate level will be considered for credit. Any subjects completed as part of a Bachelor of Nursing degree cannot be credited as part of the Master of Nursing Science degree. Please refer to the Advanced Standing page for further information.

For additional, in-depth details on entry requirements and admissions for this course, refer to the University Handbook.

Need more information on the University’s general entry requirements?

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