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Key details
Duration
Locations
Entry requirements
View full entry requirementsCredit points required
80Course code
Overview
Available to high-achieving students, the Bachelor of Nursing Honours course is an additional year of study that provides an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge and skills required for conducting research in an area of nursing practice.
In this course, you will study foundation research methods in preparation for a nursing research project. You will work with a supervisor/s to develop a research question, undertake a literature review and develop a project proposal including an ethics application if required. You will undertake data collection, analysis and interpretation and will communicate your project justification, protocol and findings progressively, using various forms of communication.
You will develop research communication skills as you progress through the stages of the research project and will be guided by a supervisor to develop an honours thesis as a final outcome of your learning.
Career opportunities
Completion of a high quality honours degree can lead directly to entry to Doctor of Philosophy programs or prepare students for career opportunities as a research nurse. An honours degree extends clinical knowledge in a specific area and can enhance practice in students' chosen clinical areas.
Fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) be an Australian citizen, who will complete some of your course of study while resident in Australia; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen; or an Australian permanent visa holder; or an eligible former permanent humanitarian visa holder; who studies the entire course while living in Australia.
Further information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
Why study nursing and midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study nursing and midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Choose to study online, on campus, part-time or full-time as it suits you
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
Why study Nursing and Midwifery at CDU?
Find a rewarding career in healthcare when you study nursing or midwifery at CDU. Our graduates have the academic knowledge and hands-on experience to confidently enter the workplace and deliver evidence-based care to their patients.
- Gain practical experience through placements and state-of-the-art clinical simulation suites located around Australia
- Five-star Australian university for undergraduate employment outcomes (GUG 2024)
What will I study?
This course consists of core units building on the foundation of specialist knowledge and skills, evidence-based practice, cultural safety and introductory research methods acquired during previous undergraduate studies. Students study foundational research concepts followed by three honours units that encompass research proposal development, data collection, analysis and interpretation, and thesis development. Knowledge areas include research methodology, research ethics, communication, project management, critical thinking, decision making and complex problem solving.
Course structure
Students undertake the course in partnership with an experienced nurse academic who will provide mentorship and an induction to research with a specific nursing focus.
The course is delivered in online mode with mentoring and supervision sessions available face-to-face or via alternative technologies.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless otherwise indicated.
| Unit type | Credit Points | Specific requirements |
| Core Units (1 unit) | 20cp | Compulsory Core unit totalling 20 credit points as listed below: HEA425 Research Methodology and Ethics (20cp) |
| Research Units (3 units) | 60cp | Research units totalling 60 credit points as detailed below: HEA706 Honours Thesis 1 (20cp) HEA707 Honours Thesis 2 (20cp) HEA708 Honours Thesis 3 (20cp) |
| 80cp | Total Credit Points |
Course Rules (unless otherwise indicated in the above course structure)
- See the Higher Education Course Rules (Award Requirements) in the Units and Courses Policy.
Study plan
STUDENTS COMMENCING IN SEMESTER 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student enrolling in a full-time study load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
- maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
- check the prerequisite and assumed knowledge for each unit as some units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the unit area at a lower level.
| Legend: | CO = Core Unit | R = Research |
Full-Time Study Plan
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| HEA425 Research Methodology and Ethics (20cp) | CO | HEA707 Honours Thesis 2 (20cp) | R |
| HEA706 Honours Thesis 1 (20cp) | R | HEA708 Honours Thesis 3 (20cp) | R |
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
Successful completion of a recognised bachelor degree or equivalent international qualification in a nursing related field with at least a credit average (GPA of 5.00).
Essential requirements
English language requirements
DOMESTIC STUDENTS
To gain entry into Charles Darwin University, all Higher Education applicants must satisfy the University's English Language Proficiency Requirements for their chosen course of study. From 2025 all applicants will be required to supply evidence of this at the time of application.
The minimum English language requirement for this course can be met by evidencing of one of the following:
| Year 12 | Successful completion of Year 12 within Australia, or an equivalent qualification from an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). |
| 0.5 FTE Higher Education Study | Successful completion of at least 0.5FTE of higher education study from Australia or an approved country where English is the official language (refer to our approved standard and extended lists included below). If studies were completed from a country on the extended list, they must have been completed within the past five (5) years. |
| CDU Enabling Course | Successful completion of a Charles Darwin University enabling program of at least 0.5FTE (40 credit points). |
| TAFE Qualification | Successful completion of a recognised TAFE qualification at a Certificate III level or higher from Australia. |
| AHPRA Registration | Current AHPRA registration as a Division 1 or Division 2 nurse. Registration must be current at the time of course commencement. |
| English Test^ | Completion of an approved English test within two years of commencement, meeting the minimum scores outlined in the table below. |
^ Minimum Requirements for English Tests:
| Postgraduate requirements | Undergraduate requirements | |
| CDU ELICOS - English for Academic Purposes | Successful completion of EAP004 | Successful completion of EAP003 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test | Overall minimum: 6.5 No band below: 6.0 | Overall minimum: 6.0 No band below 6.0 |
| Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) | Overall minimum: 176 No skill below: 169 | Overall minimum: 169 No skill below 169 |
| Pearson Tests of English (PTE) Academic | Overall minimum: 58 No score below 50 | Overall minimum: 50 No score below: 50 |
| Test of English as a Foreign language | Overall minimum: 79 Minimum writing score: 21 | Overall minimum: 60 Minimum writing score: 21 |
IELTS One Skill Retake is accepted, allowing candidates to retake a single skill within 60 days of sitting their initial test. One Skill Retake results are valid for two years from the date of the first test (not from the date of the Retake test) to the date of commencement at CDU.
CDU accepts combined results from two test sittings of IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, taken within a six-month period, if:
- Both tests were under the same testing system; and
- The overall score in both tests meets the overall minimum; and
- The applicant achieved the section minimum for each section in at least one test.
Recognised English-speaking countries:
| Standard List | Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States of America. |
| Extended List | Bermuda, Botswana, Cayman Islands, Ethiopia, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Seychelles, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe. |
For further details on the English requirements for CDU courses, please refer to the CDU English Language Proficiency Policy.
ATAR profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Unlike the other universities I looked at where you spend time in a lab each week, CDU offers one-week practical intensives in a clinical simulation suite (which is a bit like a mock hospital environment) at one of their campuses or centres around Australia.
Michelle
CDU student
The student community and CDU staff welcomed me with open arms, creating such a positive experience.
Hema
CDU student
Unlike the other universities I looked at where you spend time in a lab each week, CDU offers one-week practical intensives in a clinical simulation suite (which is a bit like a mock hospital environment) at one of their campuses or centres around Australia.
Michelle
CDU student
The student community and CDU staff welcomed me with open arms, creating such a positive experience.
Hema
CDU student
Course details
Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.
Student profile
There are no statistics available for this course. It may be that the course is new or the profile data is unavailable.
Additional information
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
You make CDU
Together we are a positive force for change in our communities and the world.
Learn about nursing at CDU
Reeya is from Nepal studying a Bachelor of Nursing at CDU. Hear more about her experience of studying, living, working and playing in Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
How to apply
There are many ways to apply to CDU. The method you use depends on your course type, where you live and whether you are a new or returning student to CDU.
Remember to apply early for your best chance at securing an offer to study with us.
SATAC
SATAC is the application channel for residents of NT, ACT, SA, WA, QLD, VIC, NSW or TAS.
If you do not meet any of the criteria above please visit Pathways to study to view the options available to you.
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