Western Sydney University
Master of Nursing Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
- Course Type: Master's
Strengthen your nursing practice through advanced study in evidence-based care, clinical leadership and health diversity, with flexible electives shaped around your professional goals and future career direction.
Course overview
Strengthen your nursing practice through advanced study in evidence-based care, clinical leadership and health diversity, with flexible electives shaped around your professional goals and future career direction.
The Master of Nursing is designed for registered nurses who want to extend their professional knowledge for advanced clinical, leadership or research-related work. You will examine evidence-based health care, cultural and social diversity, primary health care, perspectives on nursing and leadership in clinical practice.
This generalist pathway lets you build a broad program without committing to a named specialisation. Depending on your entry pathway, you will complete 80 or 120 credit points. The longer pathway adds study in health promotion and the policy, power and politics of health care provision, while general electives allow you to pursue subjects relevant to your professional interests.
Towards the end of the course, you will consolidate your learning through an approved final study option. The course can support career development across community health, mental health care, disability services, rehabilitation, aged care, research and education. Full-time and part-time study options make it easier to balance postgraduate study with ongoing nursing practice.
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
19th July, 2027
What you will study
Qualification for this award requires completing one of the pathways below. Unless otherwise indicated, each subject is valued at 10 credit points.
Core subjects (70 credit points)
- Cultural and Social Diversity in Health Care
- Evidence-Based Health Care
- Health Promotion and the Nurse
- Leadership in Clinical Practice
- Perspectives on Nursing
- Policy, Power and Politics in Health Care Provision
- Primary Health Care and Its Applications
Electives (50 credit points)
Select one of the following 20 credit point subjects:
- Capstone Experience in Health Care
- Research Project in Health Care
OR
Complete the two following 10 credit points subjects:
- Scholarship for Practice Change in Health Care
- Writing for Publication
AND
Select three other elective subjects (Contact the university for details).
Entry requirements
Candidature for admission to the Master of Nursing is detailed below:
1.5-year pathway (120 credit points)
- Registered nurses are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or have been registered as nurses in their own country within the last five years. Any other registration type (non-practising, limited, or student) is unacceptable for this program.
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in nursing (AQF Level 7 or equivalent).
One-year pathway (80 credit points)
- Registered nurses are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia or have been registered as nurses in their own country within the last five years. Any other registration type (non-practising, limited, or student) is unacceptable for this program.
- Completion of an undergraduate or higher nursing degree (AQF Level 7 or equivalent).
- Two years of full-time equivalent work experience as a registered nurse within the last five years.
Applicants seeking admission based on work experience must support their application with a Statement of Service for all work experience listed on the application.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. If your application is successful, you can reduce the number of courses you need to study, saving you time and money. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to many exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:
- Community Health
- Mental Health Care Services
- Disability Services
- Rehabilitation Services
- Aged Care Services
- Research and Education
Fees and CSP
Estimated first-year tuition fee in 2026: $4,738 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 80 credit points (normally eight units) per year.
Student 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 courses.
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.