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Quick Facts

Programme Tabs

Overview

Programme Overview

The Master of Nursing Science will fast-track your masters qualification and eligibility to become a registered nurse in New Zealand.

The programme has been designed to meet New Zealand’s health workforce need for more nurses, without compromising on quality of training.

For the first time at the University of Auckland, you can enter Nursing at masters level without a BNurs qualification.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in Health Science (BHSc) or Science (BSc) with courses in Physiology and Psychology, then consider all the possibilities a career in nursing can offer.

Programme Structure

Students will complete four semesters of the specified programme with concurrent clinical placements (minimum of 1,100 hours to meet Nursing Council of New Zealand requirements) in two years full time study.

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

Potential Careers

The Master of Nursing Science provides a pathway to career advancement, including management roles. Graduates often pursue careers in healthcare consulting, research and specialist nursing. We advise that the University of Auckland is not involved in the employment of graduates and can make no guarantee of post-qualification registration or employment in New Zealand or any other country.

Jobs related to this programme

  • Advanced nurse practitioner
  • Clinical nurse specialist
  • Nurse administrator
  • Nurse consultant
  • Nurse educator
  • Research nurse
  • Registered nurse in community or public health
  • Registered nurse in hospital nursing specialties

Student career planning services

Once you become a student at the University, you can get help with planning and developing your career from Career Development and Employability Services.

Key Information for Students

Key Information for Students

Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions.

Entry Requirements, Fees and Dates

Fees and scholarships

Fees

Fees Disclaimer

Fees are set in advance of each calendar year and will be updated on this website. Fees are inclusive of 15% GST, but do not include the Student Services Fee, course books, travel and health insurance, or living costs. Fees will be confirmed upon completion of enrolment into courses. For more information, please see Fees and Money Matters.

*Please note: amounts shown are indicative and estimates only.

Scholarships

Scholarships and awards

Find out about the scholarships you may be eligible for.

Loans and Allowances

Student loans and allowances

Are you a New Zealand citizen or resident? You could be eligible for a student loan or allowance.

Cost of Living

Cost of living

Get an idea of how much accommodation and general living in Auckland will cost.

Key Dates

Application Advice

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Key Dates

SemesterApplication Closing DateSemester Start DateSemester End Date
2027 Semester One01 October 202618 January 202728 June 2027

Other Important Dates

See important dates for the academic year, including orientation, enrolment, study breaks, exams, and graduation.

Additional Information on Key Dates

Please note: we will consider late applications if places are still available. International students should start the application process as early as possible to allow sufficient time to apply for a visa.

Entry Requirements

Advice on Programme Limits

This is a limited entry programme: there is a limit on the number of enrolments due to staff or space capacity. For more information, please see the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 in the University Calendar and the related Programme and Course Limitations and selection criteria.

My highest qualification is from the University of Auckland

Programme Entry Requirements

University of Auckland Qualification

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Average in a Bachelor of Health Sciences, Bachelor of Science, or equivalent

Calculate your Grade Point Average (GPA)                                                                      

Further Programme Entry Requirements

The MNSc is designed for students who have not completed a Bachelor of Nursing, but have another relevant undergraduate degree (BHSc or BSc) with a GPA of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

In exceptional circumstances, these requirements may be waived by the Associate Dean Academic, or nominee, if it is determined that you have at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience.

Applicants will also be required to consent to a disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks required by the Children’s Act 2014 to ensure they meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Other Pathways to Study

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Postgraduate Requirements

You'll also need to meet other requirements, including time limits and total points limits. See Postgraduate enrolment.

My highest qualification is from another tertiary institution

English Language Entry Requirements

If you are an international applicant whose first language is not English, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

If you are a domestic applicant, you will generally be considered proficient in English.

6.5 - IELTS Academic score required

No bands less than - 6.0

See alternative English language requirements

For more information about the requirements and English proficiency tests, please see Postgraduate English language requirements.

Programme Entry Requirements External

Qualification from another tertiary institution

Minimum requirements listed here are the likely grades required and do not guarantee entry. We assess each application individually and applicants may require a higher grade to be offered a place.

5.0 - Grade Point Equivalent

Calculate your Grade Point Equivalent (GPE)

Further Programme Entry Requirements External

You will need a relevant completed bachelors degree that is not in Nursing.

Whether a degree is considered relevant will depend on the courses taken; relevant areas may include Physiology and Psychology. Applicants with prior qualifications in Nursing will not be considered for this programme.

Entrance may be subject to satisfactory police check/s, safety checks, an interview and referee reports.

Transfer of Credit - You can apply for transfer of credit for tertiary courses completed elsewhere as part of your Application for Admission. For more information see External transfer of credit.

If you have completed study at another New Zealand University, get an estimate of the transfer credit you may be eligible for, using our Transfer Credit Calculator.

Other Pathways to Study External

If you do not meet the above entry requirements, but have other relevant experience and think you would be successful in postgraduate study, please contact us to discuss alternative pathways into our programmes.

Regulations

Disclaimer

Please note that while regulations and course outlines for future academic years may be displayed or made available in advance, they remain subject to change. Official, final approved programme regulations for the upcoming academic year will be available when the University Calendar is published in late October of the preceding year. Any information available prior to Calendar publication should be treated as provisional.

Preamble

The regulations for this degree are to be read in conjunction with all other relevant statutes and regulations including the Academic Statutes and Regulations.

Admission

1 In order to be admitted to this degree, an applicant must have:

a completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors or Bachelors Honours degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher, or have equivalent prior study

or

b completed the requirements for a relevant Bachelors or Bachelors Honours degree from this University with a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in 60 points above Stage II.

2 Equivalence and relevance in Regulation 1 will be determined by the University. Equivalence pertains to the standard as well as nature and level of study.

3 In exceptional circumstances the requirements in Regulation 1 may be waived by the relevant Associate Dean Academic or nominee if they determine an applicant has at least three years of relevant practical, professional or scholarly experience that provides an equivalent level of preparation.

Notes:

(i) This is a limited entry programme as per the Limitation of Entry Statute 1991 and selection criteria apply. Selection criteria are available from the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

(ii) A relevant degree may include one of health sciences or science. Whether a degree is considered relevant will also depend on the courses taken; relevant areas may include physiology and psychology.

(iii) Applicants will be required to consent to a disclosure of criminal convictions and safety checks required by the Children’s Act 2014 to ensure they meet the requirements of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003.

Duration and Total Points Value

4 A student admitted to this degree must:

a pass courses with a total value of 240 points

and

b complete within four semesters, in accordance with the time limit specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

5 Students must complete within five years of the date of commencement of study, including any periods of suspension.

6 The total enrolment for this degree must not exceed 280 points.

Structure and Content

7 A student enrolled for this degree must complete the requirements as listed in the Master of Nursing Science Schedule.

8 A student must achieve a Grade Point Average of 5.0 or higher in the first 60 points of courses taken for this degree. If this Grade Point Average is not achieved, enrolment in the Master of Nursing Science cannot continue.

9 A student who has previously passed any course the same as, or similar to, those required for this degree, must substitute an alternative course(s) approved by the Programme Director.

10 A student must complete the University of Auckland Academic Integrity course as specified in the Enrolment and programme regulations, Academic Integrity, of the University Calendar.

11 A student enrolled for this degree must demonstrate competence in the English Language, by passing NURSING 199, or its equivalent, as prescribed by the Programme Director, prior to enrolment.

Practical Professional and Practicum Requirements

12 A student enrolled for this degree who is required to carry out practical or clinical work must satisfactorily complete such work to the standard that the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences requires.

13 a In order to complete the requirements for this degree, a student must meet the applicable fitness to practise requirements for this programme, as outlined in the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences’ Fitness to Practise Policy.

b Where a student is being investigated with regard to a fitness to practise matter under the policy, and there is a concern that the student’s attitudes or practice are inappropriate, offensive, disruptive, or may pose a risk of harm to the welfare of any party, that student’s attendance at lectures, classes and any clinical, industry or practice attachments may be suspended by the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences pending the outcome of the investigation.

c If a student is found, after due and fair inquiry, and taking into account any written response from the student, to be not fit to practise, the student’s enrolment in the programme may be suspended or terminated in accordance with the policy.

d Where a student’s enrolment in the programme has been terminated under Regulation 13c, any application to re-enrol may be declined.

e A student whose enrolment is suspended or terminated under Regulation 13c or whose application to re-enrol is declined under Regulation 13d may apply to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education for the appeal of that decision in accordance with the policy.

Research Component

14 a The research project is to be carried out under the guidance of a supervisor appointed by the Programme Director.

b The research project is to embody the results obtained by the student in an investigation into an area of Nursing.

c The research project is to be completed and submitted in accordance with the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Credit, Cross-credit and Reassignment

15 A student may apply to reassign courses passed from this degree to the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Sciences in Health Sciences or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences in Health Sciences.

Honours

16 This degree may be awarded with Honours as specified in the General Regulations – Masters Degrees.

Variations

17 In exceptional circumstances the Programme Director may approve a variation to a student’s programme of study in accordance with the Enrolment and Programme Regulations.

Regulation Commencement or Amendment

18 These regulations and/or schedule have been amended with effect from 1 January 2025.

Schedule/Programme Rules

Programme Schedules

Complete 240 points comprising:

  • 210 points for all Compulsory Courses, and
  • 30 points for all Research Project, and
  • 1 item from Academic Integrity Course

Research Project

Complete 30 points for ALL of the following:

Academic Integrity Course

Complete exactly 1 of the following:

Graduate Profile

Graduate Profile

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Programme Capabilities to Graduate Profile Map

Programme Learning OutcomesPeople and PlaceSustainabilityKnowledge and PracticeCritical ThinkingSolution-SeekingCommunicationCollaborationEthics and Professionalism