Master of Nursing Science

Prepare for a purposeful, rewarding career at the forefront of healthcare

Drive meaningful change in healthcare with the Master of Nursing Science (MNSc). This accredited program will equip you to meet the requirements to apply to AHPRA to be a Registered Nurse (RN). As a future registered nurse, you will integrate scientific knowledge with compassionate care. You will practise in a hands-on profession that demands emotional intelligence, while balancing independent clinical decision-making with collaborative teamwork across diverse healthcare settings.

Key features  

• Register as a nurse. Study in a program accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, enabling you to work locally, nationally, or internationally.
• Comprehensive clinical training. You will gain a vast amount of clinical experience, with 320 hours of clinical placement in your first year and 520 hours in your second year.
• Close industry ties. Undertake clinical placements in major metropolitan and rural hospitals, community healthcare settings, aged-care, specialty setting and private hospitals and clinics.

Why study nursing at Melbourne?  

The Master of Nursing Science enables you to become a registered nurse after just two years of full‑time study, so you advance your qualifications and leave with a master's degree instead of following the longer bachelor’s pathway. Additionally, a masters level of study enables you to graduate with the required clinical skills and knowledge for an entry to practice nurse, whilst also extending your skills in evidence-based practice, knowledge translation, critical thinking, and communication and reflective practice.

You will gain the necessary skills required to be a registered nurse:

• Comprehensive clinical knowledge.  Learn the clinical principles and processes to practice in a way that integrates holistic patient assessment, management, planning, delivery and evaluation of care.
• Practical skills. Deliver, monitor and evaluate the processes and outcomes of evidence-based nursing care using knowledge of the human body and mind to improve safety and quality of care.
• Healthcare with empathy and diligence. Apply registered nurse standards, ethical and legal frameworks to deliver care and advocate for patients, carers and families by practicing cultural humility and giving patients dignity, respect and compassion.

What support services can Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) students access at Melbourne? 

Navigate student life with a wide range of support services.

• Nursing Mentoring Program. Seek guidance from an experienced second-year student for six months in a collaborative environment to help you get settled in.
• Melbourne University Nursing Students Society (MUNSS). Join a community of like-minded students in a range of social, educational, and charitable events.
• MDHS Student Hub. Visit the Student Experience Team and Experiential Learning Student Support Team for enquiries.
• Commonwealth Prac Payments. Apply for support to financially aid you throughout your clinical placements.

What do students say about the Master of Nursing Science? 

Meet Luke, a Master of Nursing Science student at the University of Melbourne. Learn how his experience with clinical placements helped him learn and explore different interests, while he formed close friendships through the small cohort.

What bachelor’s degree should I do for entry into a Master of Nursing Science? 

Your previous studies are not separate from your nursing career—they can be the foundation of your specialisation. A degree in:

• Psychology can lead to you working in mental health nursing or a psychological wellbeing specialisation.
• IT or computer science can lead to a career in health informatics and digital health innovation.
• Arts, humanities, or social sciences creates leaders in health policy, public health, or healthcare management.
• Biomedicine or life sciences graduates can get involved in clinical research or trials coordination.

What is the difference between a MNSc, MSc, and MSN?

A Master of Nursing Science (MNSc) is also known as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Master of Science (MSc) (Nursing). All degrees are equivalently accredited leading to a career as a registered nurse, just with different course names.

Learn more about the School

Visit the Nursing Department

Past information session

Master of Nursing Information Session

When:  Thursday, 4 June 2026, 5.30-6.30pm AEST

Hear from Course Coordinator Sacha Petersen, about how you will get hands-on  experience in a range of settings including emergency departments, intensive care units, community health and mental health services; and work one-on-one with patients to achieve the best outcomes for them.

Watch recording