Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership)
Shape the future of clinical healthcare. If you are a degree-qualified nurse who is eligible to register (Division 1), this Master’s program equips you with the skills and knowledge to have significant impact on the development and delivery of healthcare services.
In this program you will:
- Prepare for clinical leadership, research and advanced practice roles
- Develop advanced knowledge and expertise in project design and management (research or quality improvement)
- Participate in continuing professional development
Location
Duration
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.Indicative fees
Indicative 2025 fees (A$)
CSP / Fee-paying Annual feeStart
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
Career opportunities
- Clinical education
- Clinical practice
- Leadership
- Start
-
- Semester 1
- Semester 2
- Delivery mode
-
- Online
- Total courses
- 10-12
- Total units
- 144
- Duration
- 1.5 years 1.5 years
- UniSC program code
- SC742
- Program coordinator
Specialised courses (3) 36 units
NUR704 Leadership in Clinical Practice
NUR708 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
NUR721 Research in Health Care
Required courses from a specified list (1) 12 units
Select a total of 12 units from:
HLT701 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
PUB708 Quantitative Research Methods
Required courses from a specified list (4) 48 units
Select one option from:
Option 1 - Project
48 units
HLT703 Special Project: Evaluating Practice Knowledge(24 units)
HLT704 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice(24 units)
Option 2 - Research
48 units
NUR731A Research Project A
NUR731B Research Project B
NUR731C Research Project C
NUR731F Research Project F
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 4 postgraduate level elective courses (48 units) from the postgraduate elective course options, at least 24 units must be from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine options.
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 144 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- Exit points. Students may be eligible to exit with a Graduate Certificate in Nursing based on completion of four courses (48 units) from the Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) if those courses are also available in the Graduate Certificate in Nursing program.
- Some courses in this program require project work and/or independent study and therefore have limited on-campus contact. Please refer to individual course descriptions
-
Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
This study sequence reflects the current program structure. Continuing students must follow their commencing structure, which can be found in the previous student handbooks.
Applicants are required to have successfully completed a Bachelor qualification (AQF level 7) in nursing from a recognised tertiary education provider. Applicants who are Registered Nurses registered in Australia with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) who do not have a Bachelor qualification may be considered for admission based on extensive industry experience and will require approval by the Program Leader.
The Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as well as domestic fee paying places. Offers for both CSP and fee paying places will be made after the application due date for the program.
CSP will be allocated on the basis of your Grade Point Average in the degree used to meet admission requirements and/or your industry experience. Applicants falling below the demand-driven cut-off for a CSP may be offered a domestic fee paying place subject to capacity limitations.
Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent visa holders enrolled in a fee paying place will have the option of applying for a CSP in subsequent semesters if one becomes available. In these cases, the student’s current GPA in the Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership) will be used to assess eligibility for a CSP place using the same entry cut-off applied for new CPS entrants during that admission period.
International students on a Student visa must demonstrate English language skills at an IELTS level of 7 with no subtest less than 7 or equivalent. Refer to the University's English language requirements.
- CSP estimate
- A$12,354
- Fee-paying estimate
- A$26,628 - 2025 Fees
- Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
- A$32,420
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth supported places are substantially subsidised by the Australian Government so that students only pay 'student contribution" amounts. The student contribution amount will vary depending on the course you are studying and how much funding the Government provides.
If you accept a Commonwealth supported place you are a Commonwealth supported student. As a Commonwealth supported student you must make a contribution towards the cost of your education (unless you are enrolled in Enabling or Tertiary Preparation Pathway courses) with the majority of the cost met by the Commonwealth Government.
Commonwealth supported places are only available to domestic students. As a domestic student you are entitled to a Commonwealth supported place in an eligible program if you:
- meet the citizenship and residency requirements
- complete an electronic Commonwealth Assistance Form (eCAF)
- meet the University's entry requirements for your chosen program.
Postgraduate coursework places
All postgraduate coursework programs are subject to tuition fees unless the postgraduate program is offered under Commonwealth support arrangements.
Eligible students (Australian citizens, permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand Citizens who hold a Special Category Visa and meet the eligibility requirements) may seek assistance to defer payment via a FEE-HELP loan.
International fee-paying places
Annual tuition fees are based on 2025 rates and the equivalent full-time student load as per the recommended study sequence in the relevant program.
Actual fees payable are based on the actual enrolment load in a teaching period (excluding Study Abroad and Postgraduate Qualifying Pathway).
All prices quoted are in Australian Dollars (A$).
To apply for the Master of Nursing (Clinical Leadership), submit the completed online application form via Apply USC.
Refer to application dates.
Domestic applicants apply for admission direct to UniSC.
Find out about how to apply and key application closing dates.
No matter what kind of future you’re looking for, you can find it at UniSC. Our programs offer the choice and flexibility you need to get started on any career goal.
Visit How to apply for simple steps to submit your international student application and start your UniSC experience today.
Need help with submitting your application?
UniSC has appointed representatives to assist you with submitting your application and provide information about the steps you need to complete to begin your studies. You can contact a UniSC Representative in your area.
Any questions? Contact us.
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