Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing

2023 course information for Domestic Students
2023 course information for International Students

updated 6:16 AM on Fri, 19 May

Domestic snapshot

International snapshot

IELTS
View full English language requirements
ATAR
40
Duration
0.5 years full-time; 1 year part-time
0.5 years full-time
Location
Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, Lismore
Start date
March, July
Course code
2004640
Course abbreviation
CertNurs
Credit points
48
Equivalent units
4
CRICOS
View in availability and fee details
Fees
Commonwealth supported
Fees
View in availability and fee details

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Course overview

If you are interested in a career in health or as a registered nurse, the Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing is a fantastic place to start your journey.

This course will prepare you for Diploma and Bachelor-level studies with four core units designed to develop your academic skills and to introduce you to foundational knowledge and skills in nursing and health. 

Graduates of this course are eligible for entry (subject to meeting English Language requirements) and up to four units of credit towards the Diploma of Health (Nursing) or the Bachelor of Nursing.

If you are interested in a career in health or as a registered nurse, the Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing is a fantastic place to start your journey.

This course will prepare you for Diploma and Bachelor-level studies, with four core units designed to develop your academic skills and to introduce you to foundational knowledge and skills in nursing and health. 

Graduates of this course are eligible for entry (subject to meeting English Language requirements) and up to four units of credit towards the Diploma of Health (Nursing) or the Bachelor of Nursing.

Please note: Applicants must have an assessable entry qualification from a country where English is the main language and where the medium of instruction for that qualification was English, or meet the University’s English Language Proficiency Requirement.

Current Southern Cross students – to access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook.

Entry requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

Applicants who are not Australian-born, Australian citizens and whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English, must have achieved an IELTS Academic test score equal to or above IELTS 6.5 with no band less than 6.5 (or equivalent).

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall Score6.5
Reading6.5
Writing6.5
Listening6.5
Speaking6.5

About the course

Domestic students

Location Teaching period
Coffs HarbourTerm  1, Term  3
Gold CoastTerm  1, Term  3
LismoreTerm  1, Term  3

International students

How to apply

Where and when do you want to study?

Applications for this course are made directly to Southern Cross University via our online application service.

Australian/Domestic students

Coffs Harbour
Term 3 July 2023
Gold Coast
Term 3 July 2023
Lismore
Term 3 July 2023
View domestic application details View international application details

Course requirements

Entry Award

To be eligible to receive the Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing (2004640) students must complete 4 units (48 credit points), comprising:

Exit Pathway

Students admitted to the Bachelor of Nursing may be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing after completing 4 approved core units (48 credit points), as listed in the Schedule of Units, from the Bachelor of Nursing.


Course structure


Schedule of units

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
Select one (1) unit (12 credit points) from the following Option units:
INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
To be eligible to exit from the Bachelor of Nursing with the Undergraduate Certificate in Nursing, complete four (4) core units from the Bachelor of Nursing including at least one of the following units:
NURS1002Essentials of Nursing and Care
HLTH1001Introduction to Science for Health Professions
NURS1005Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
HLTH1007Foundations of Clinical Practice


Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

EDUC1001Language and Learning in your Discipline
Term1,3,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Brisbane - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Gold Coast
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Hayman Island - Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3,5
Melbourne - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3,5
SydneyN/A
Term1,3,5
Sydney - The Hotel School
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
HLTH1005Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
Term1,4
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,4
Term1,4
HBIO1009Introductory Anatomy and Physiology
Term2,5
LocationDomesticInternational
Coffs Harbour
Term2,5
Term2,5
Gold Coast
Term2,5
Term2,5
Lismore
Term2,5
Term2,5
Enrolment informationPlease note this unit has assessments scheduled in Week 7. Details will be provided closer to the time.
Option Unit


Unit groups

Option Unit

Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
INDG2001Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples
HLTH1006Foundations of Interprofessional Health Practice

Why choose SCU?

Excellence in research

Outstanding ratings of 'at world standard' or above in 23 research fields.

Excellence in Research Australia (ERA) 2018

Top 200 Young Universities

Only 25 years young and ranked in the top 200 universities in the world.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2020

Outstanding student support

5-Star Student Support across undergraduate and postgraduate studies

Good Universities Guide 2021

Learning outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

Course Learning Outcome

-

-

-

Demonstrate an understanding of foundational scientific and social concepts that are essential for successful tertiary study in nursing and health.

Apply independent learning and self-management strategies to university studies.

Identify and use different forms of communication relevant to defined health settings.

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Assessment methods

Assessment may be in the form of essays, reports, audio or video presentations, online quizzes, case analyses or problem resolution. Under the Southern Cross Model, assessment is designed to help you learn. Most units don't have exams, and instead focus on real-life tasks and scenarios that allow you to gain experience and confidence in the same tasks you'll be doing in your future career.

Teaching methods

The Southern Cross Model has a strong focus on scenario-based and problem-based learning. The Southern Cross Model is highly interactive, engaging, and flexible.

Career opportunities

This award is a pathway to further study and a nursing career in a number of settings including primary health, mental health, chronic disease, leadership and care management. 

Graduates of this course are eligible for entry (subject to meeting English Language requirements) and up to four units of credit towards the Diploma of Health (Nursing) or the Bachelor of Nursing.

International student graduates of the course who also present an Academic IELTS 7.0, with no band less than 7.0 (or equivalent OET scores), qualify for direct entry into the Bachelor of Nursing at Southern Cross University.

To be accepted into the Bachelor of Nursing, applicants need to meet the English Language standards specified by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, in order to meet the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC) accreditation standards.

Ask a question

Domestic future
students

Call 1800 626 481 during business hours.

International future
students

Call +61 2 6620 3876 during business hours.

Current
students

Email: enquiry@scu.edu.au
Call 1800 005 687 during business hours.

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