Advanced Nursing Practice and Clinical Nursing

The course resolutions detailed in this page apply to all courses included in the table below under section 1 (course codes).

These resolutions must be read in conjunction with applicable University By-laws, Rules and policies including (but not limited to) the University of Sydney (Coursework) Rule 2014 (the 'Coursework Rule'), the Coursework Policy 2021 (the 'Coursework Policy'), the Learning and Teaching Policy 2019, the Resolutions of the Faculty, University of Sydney (Student Academic Appeals) Rule 2021, the Academic Integrity Policy 2022 and the Academic Integrity Procedures 2022. Current versions of all policies are available from the Policy Register: http://www.sydney.edu.au/policies

1  Course codes

2  Attendance pattern

The attendance pattern for this course is full time or part time according to candidate choice, except for the Graduate Certificate which is part time only.

3  Master's type

The master's degree in these resolutions is an advanced learning master's course, as defined by the Coursework Policy.

4  Embedded courses in this sequence

(1)  The embedded courses in this sequence are:

(a)  the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing

(b)  the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice

(c)  the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice

(2)  Providing candidates satisfy the admission requirements for each stage, a candidate may progress to the award of any of the courses in this sequence. Only the longest award completed will be conferred.

5  Admission to candidature

(1) Available places will be offered to qualified applicants in the order in which complete applications are received, according to the following admission criteria.

(2) Admission to each course requires the applicant to be registered to practise nursing in an Australian state or territory or the country in which they reside, and satisfy the English language proficiency requirements detailed here:

(a) Applicants require an IELTS overall score of 7.0 with a minimum of 7.0 in each band, or equivalent score in another recognised test completed in the two years prior to their application; or

(b) Successful completion of an appropriate course at the University's Centre for English Teaching in the two years prior to their application;

(c) For admission to postgraduate courses, proof of English language proficiency may also be provided through a record of satisfactory achievement in tertiary studies in which the language of the institution was English and the language of instruction, examination and assessment was English. The school defines satisfactory achievement as:

(i) a three year degree, completed no more than five years prior to commencement; or

(ii) a degree of two or more years duration, completed no more than three years prior to commencement.

(d) For admission to post-registration postgraduate courses, proof of English Language proficiency may also be provided by a record of current registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a (Division 1) Registered Nurse and proof of current employment in this capacity at an appropriate health facility.

 (3) Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing requires:

(a) a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

(b) a minimum of five years experience as a registered nurse.

(c) In exceptional circumstances the Faculty may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the Faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(4) Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice requires:

(a) a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

(b) a minimum of five years experience as a registered nurse; or

(c) a graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

(d) if the applicant does not satisfy paragraphs (a)-(c) they are required to have completed the requirements for an award course (without graduating) leading to an embedded graduate certificate in this discipline at the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification.

(e) In exceptional circumstances the Faculty may admit applicants without these qualifications who, in the opinion of the Faculty, have qualifications and evidence of experience and achievement sufficient to successfully undertake the award.

(5) Admission to the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice requires:

(a) a pre-registration nursing degree from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification with a credit average; or

(b) a graduate diploma or graduate certificate in this discipline from the University of Sydney or equivalent qualification; or

(c) if the applicant does not satisfy paragraphs (a)-(b) they are required to have completed the requirements for an award course (without graduating) leading to an embedded graduate certificate or graduate diploma in this discipline from the University of Sydney, or equivalent qualification.

(6) Qualifications used as the basis of admission must have been completed less than ten years prior to application. Qualifications older than ten years will be considered subject to the applicant providing further information substantiating appropriate continuing education and development. In these cases, admission will be at the discretion of the Faculty.

6  Requirements for award

(1) The units of study that may be taken for the courses are set out in the Units of Study table for Advanced Nursing Practice.

(2) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Nursing a candidate must complete 24 credit points of core units of study.

(3) To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice a candidate must complete 48 credit points, including:

(a) 36 credit points of core units of study; and

(b) 12 credit points of elective units of study.

(4) To qualify for the award of the Master of Advanced Nursing Practice a candidate must complete 60 credit points, including:

(a) 36 credit points of core units of study; and

(b) 12 credit points of elective units of study; and

(c) a 12 credit point capstone core unit of study.

(5) Candidates are required to attend clinical simulation and fieldwork as prescribed. Where appropriate, the Faculty may require individual candidates to undertake further or remedial theoretical, clinical or practical study in addition to the above requirements.

7  Time limits

(1) A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Certificate within three calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension.

(2) A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Graduate Diploma within four calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension.

(3) A candidate must complete all the requirements for the Master's degree within six calendar years of first enrolment, excluding periods of suspension

8  Course transfer

A candidate for the master's degree or graduate diploma may elect to discontinue study and graduate with a shorter award from this embedded sequence, with the approval of the Faculty, and provided the requirements of the shorter award have been met.

9  Transitional provisions

(1) These resolutions apply to students who commenced their candidature after 1 January 2020 and students who commenced their candidature prior to 1 January 2020 who elect to proceed under these resolutions.

(2) Candidates who commenced prior to 1 January, 2020 may complete the requirements in accordance with the resolutions in force at the time of their commencement.