Master of Nursing Science

Graduates of the Master of Nursing Science, will demonstrate advanced knowledge of: 

1. Contemporary concepts of health leadership and management relevant to health services including standards, policies and legislation to promote safety and quality in healthcare.
2. The principles of transformational leadership and effective communication to participate in systems that support safe care, partnership and professional growth of themselves and others.
3. The role of the nurse as leader in in various professional and political contexts, taking into consideration the legal, social, and ethical factors that underpin professional role development.
4. The scientific and theoretical basis for health management and health promotion with, patients and their families.
5. Research processes and methods including study design, data collection and analysis as well as scholarly writing for application to practice. 

Designed for registered nurses, this postgraduate degree builds on your existing experience and provides the expertise needed to take on leadership, education, research and advanced practice roles in healthcare. With a strong focus on research, quality and safety and elevated clinical capability, this degree supports your progression into senior nursing positions.

Highlights of studying the Master of Nursing Science

• Strengthen your understanding of research inquiry and evidence-informed practice.
• Build capability in quality and safety within complex healthcare environments.
• Prepare for advanced clinical practice through coursework focused on collaboration and critical decision-making.
• Develop the leadership skills to support innovation and improvement across healthcare services.
• Gain expertise in health education, curriculum design and student assessment.
• Design, refine and complete a small-scale research project through a structured dissertation pathway with guided academic supervision.

Develop advanced skills for contemporary nursing practice

Deepen your knowledge in areas essential to modern healthcare. Study core courses in research inquiry, transformation and leadership, advanced practice in chronic health conditions and learning and teaching for health professionals. You'll also tailor your research development through options in quantitative and/or qualitative research or clinical trials.

Flexible learning designed for working nurses

This masters degree can be completed fully online or through a blend of online and on-campus learning. Whether you study full-time or part-time, you'll be supported by experienced staff who understand the needs of practising nurses.

Industry and expert connections 

Learn from highly awarded academics with strong professional networks across the health sector. Industry consultation ensures the program remains current, rigorous and aligned with employer expectations. Graduates are also eligible to apply for Higher Degree Research programs.

Recommended study pattern

As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:

• Foundations of Research Inquiry
• Quality and Safety in Healthcare 
• Preparing for Advanced Practice
• Transforming and Leading Healthcare 

As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you. 

Award requirements

For the award of Master of Nursing Science (MNSc), you must successfully complete 120 credit points comprising:

• 80 credit points for Core Module, and
• 40 credit points for all Flexible Module

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $10,800

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia.

Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.

Learn more about Griffith University

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

18

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

20

To be eligible for this program you must meet all of the following criteria:

• a recognised Bachelor of Nursing degree (or higher)
• current or temporary, unrestricted registration as a registered nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) or the professional registration body in your country of origin
• one year work experience as a registered nurse.

Degrees from overseas institutions must be assessed as equivalent to a recognised Australian accredited qualification

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 program are as follows:

• A minimum overall band score of 6.5 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.0
• OR a minimum score of 575 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 79 (no sub-score less than 19)
• OR no score less than 3+ in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 176 (no score less than 169) on C1 Advanced (formerly Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English) or C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 58 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 50.

All applicants who hold current unrestricted registration as a Nurse with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) are deemed to have met the English language requirements for admission to the program due to the requirements outlined in the Registration Standard (English Language Skills) set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA).

English test results must be no more than two years old.

Reduce the time it takes to finish your degree. You can apply to Griffith to recognise your prior learning, including:

• Formal learning through courses completed at uni and TAFE.
• Informal learning through workplace experience or volunteer training.
• Non-formal learning through social experiences and hobbies.