Bachelor of Nursing

Admission requirements

Admission to the course is based on a NSW HSC (or equivalent) ATAR of 70.00. Applications are made through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). International students must hold a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 to be eligible for admission.

It is recommended that all applicants read the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia standards relating to English language and criminal history checks, which are available on the Board's website.

Non Year 12 applicants who hold Diploma, Certificate IV or an Advanced Enrolled Nurses Certificate from TAFE are also eligible for admission to the course and will be considered in conjunction with relevant post-enrolment experience and/or completion of post-enrolment courses such as College of Nursing courses or specialty ongoing in-service education. All applicants must clearly document the full-time equivalent of their work experience as an Enrolled Nurse.

Please note that the Bachelor of Nursing studied on campus has a clinical practicum in the first six months. As the hepatitis B immunisation takes six months for full vaccination, it is recommended that students commence immunisation as soon as possible in order to undertake clinical placement.

Distance education applications

To be admitted to the course, applicants are required to hold one of the following:

• Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse (TAFE NSW Cert IV in Nursing Course No. 3262) (undertaken from 2008)
• Enrolled Nurse/Division 2 Nurse with a Cert IV or Conversion to Cert IV TAFE NSW Course No. 3228 (undertaken prior to 2008)
• Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse TAFE Diploma in Nursing Course No. 4393
• Enrolled/Division 2 Nurses Advanced Certificate with at least five years' experience and 1 - 2 in-service courses (1 - 2 day course)
• Enrolled/ Division 2 Nurses Hospital Certificate with at least five years experience, evidence of regular continuing education and 3 - 4 in-service courses (1 - 2 day course)
• completion of the equivalent of the first year of the Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Nursing on campus.

Applicants who have completed the equivalent of Session 1 and 2 full-time at CSU, or are eligible for credit, are eligible to apply to   enrol   in Session 3 or later stages of the course.

For those who are an Enrolled/Division 2 Nurse, you must have a current 'Authority to   Practise  ' at the time of admission and this must be maintained throughout the duration of your course. Photocopied evidence of current 'Authority to   Practise  ' as an Enrolled Nurse in Australia and transcript of TAFE studies must be certified and attached to the application form. 

Additional Admission Information  

Required knowledge

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission, however mathematics, biology and English (Standard) are highly recommended as providing a sound foundation for assumed knowledge. The PDHPE and/or chemistry subjects are also highly recommended. 

STUDY LINK offers a fee paying nursing science short course, SSS016 Transition to Nursing Studies and SSS025 Introduction to Bioscience are offered prior to the commencement of the degree. For more information visit STUDY LINK

Darrambal program

CSU's Darrambal Skills Assessment Program offers an alternative admissions program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People interested in university study.

The program is offered through CSU's Indigenous Student Services and provides the opportunity for prospective students to come on campus and attend classes to learn some of the skills essential for success at university, to find out about university life and meet staff in a supportive and caring environment. An assessment then forms the basis of a possible offer into the applicant's choice of course. More information is available on the Darrambal website.

Previous studies

Previous studies include:

• the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
• the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
• a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
• a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
• an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
• completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.

NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.

Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.

English proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they

1. have undertaken an academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with an average score of 6.5, and with scores of 6 or higher in each of the individual skill areas within the last 12 months;  or
2. undertaken a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 577 (or computerised TOEFL score of 233), with a Test for Written English Score (where reported) of at least 5.0 or an Internet-based score of 90 with a written score of 24 within the last 12 months; or
3. undertaken other equivalent examinations, as determined by the Board of Graduate Studies;  or
4. completed a university degree where the language of assessment is in English;

The Presiding Officer of the Board of Graduate Studies may, in special circumstances, on behalf of the Board waive the above proficiency requirements after consulting the relevant Dean, Sub-Dean and nominated Supervisor.

NOTE: A Faculty may require a higher standard of proficiency than that specified above for programs deemed to be linguistically demanding.

Attainment and experience

You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:

• voluntary or paid work experience;
• performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
• participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
• completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).

Internet access

CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.

The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.

Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.