Adelaide University

Graduate Diploma in Nursing

  • Delivery: Face to Face
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months
  • Course Type: Graduate Diploma

Enhance your understanding to explore advanced fields in clinical nursing practice.

Course overview

Adelaide University’s Graduate Diploma in Nursing will help you meet the challenges in modern Australian healthcare.

This graduate diploma gives you the flexibility to choose your own study pathway that best relates to your clinical practice. Prepare for an elevated scope of practice and work duties. Choose electives that will provide you with advanced care skills in specialist areas. Sharpen your leadership skills and integrate the latest research and clinical evidence into your practice.

Designed to fit around your life and existing clinical practice, you can study both online and part-time. You’ll also engage in workshops with other registered nurses and industry leaders – allowing you to make valuable connections and broaden your networks.

Graduate with the skills to make a difference in your workplace and step into advanced clinical roles to meet Australia’s needs.

CSP Subsidised Fees Available

This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.

Key facts

Delivery
Face to Face
More Information
This degree can be studied mostly online, but in-person participation is mandatory for certain core courses, workshops and clinical placements.
Course Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
More Information
Not available full-time
24 months (Part time)
Campus
Adelaide City Campus
Intake
New start dates announced soon
Units
More Information
You may be required to complete 0 credit point units throughout your course. The university will confirm this as part of your enrolment.

The unit total reflects the number of units required for course completion, not the total credit point weight. Some units may be double- or triple-weighted, so the number of units you complete may be lower.
8
Fees
More Information
FEE-HELP loans and HECS loans are available to assist domestic students.
HECS, CSP

What you will study

Complete 48 units for the following:

  • 36 units for discipline courses
  • 12 units for electives
Discipline courses

36 units from Discipline courses

  • Oncology Nursing (12 units)
  • Skills for Recovery Practice in Mental Health (12 units)
  • Best Practice in Adolescent Mental Health (12 units)
  • Best Practice in Older People's Mental Health (12 units)
  • Leadership and Management in Nursing and Midwifery (12 units)
  • Infection Prevention and Control in Practice (12 units)
Electives

Entry requirements

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

  • A completed bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or higher from a recognised higher education institution.
  • Hold or be eligible to hold registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

Recognition of Prior Learning

You may be able to get credit for your course based on prior formal, non-formal or informal learning. To apply, you will need to provide supporting documentation outlined by the university. Contact the university for more information.

Outcomes

Career outcomes

Registered nurses can enjoy rewarding, lifelong careers that make a real difference in the lives of many.

A Graduate Diploma in Nursing allows you to upskill and take control of your professional development. By committing to further learning, you’ll be prepared to attain positions with greater authority and responsibility, or work in specialist areas. No matter where you work, you’ll be able to apply your new knowledge to operate as an insightful and informed practitioner.

You may find yourself working as a mental health advocate, compassionately meeting patient needs and facilitating healthier ways of working amongst your colleagues. Maybe you’ll work as a team leader in a critical care unit, encouraging teamwork and modelling advanced techniques to provide exceptional patient care.

Fees and CSP

Estimated annual fee in 2026: From $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place)

All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 48 units (normally eight courses) per year.

Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:

  • The number of courses studied per term.
  • The choice of major or specialisation.
  • Choice of courses.
  • Credit from previous study or work experience.
  • Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

Commonwealth Supported Places

The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate programs.

Your student contribution amount is:

  • Calculated per the course you're enrolled in.
  • Dependent on the study areas they relate to.
  • Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.