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.

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

1. previous studies, and
2. other attainments and experience.

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 language proficiency

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

• have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
• were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
• have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
  or
• have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

• an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
• a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
• a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
• a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
• a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
• a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
• completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
• a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
• completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
• completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
• successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
• a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
• a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
• IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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.