NZ · Bachelor's
Auckland University of Technology
Bachelor of Nursing
Auckland University of Technology
Course Overview
AUT's Bachelor of Nursing is a three-year, NCNZ-approved (Nursing Council of New Zealand) degree delivered from the North Shore campus in Auckland, with 1,100+ clinical placement hours across the Waitematā, Auckland and Counties Manukau District Health Boards. Graduates are eligible to sit the NCNZ State Examination and register as a Registered Nurse, working anywhere in New Zealand or, with TTMRA, in Australia.
Registered Nurse is on New Zealand's Green List Tier 1 (Straight to Residence pathway) — meaning Sri Lankan graduates can apply for permanent residency from day one of qualifying employment with no points test, no labour market test. AUT is the largest producer of NZ Registered Nurses (1,200+ graduates per year) and has dedicated South-Asian student support through the Mata Ako programme. Combined with NZ's Post-Study Work Visa (3 years), this is the most direct PR-pathway nursing degree in the OECD.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes from Bioscience stream (Biology essential); aggregate roughly equivalent to NCEA Level 3 with 14 credits in Biology and Chemistry.
- check_circle Or completion of AUT Certificate in Health Sciences (one-year bridge programme).
- check_circle IB Diploma: 24 points including Biology HL/SL at 4.
- check_circle Pre-placement requirements: Vulnerable Children Check, Police Vet, immunisation evidence (MMR, Hep B, Varicella, COVID).
- check_circle Online application via AUT Apply portal + interview.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall with 7.0 in each band — this is an NCNZ regulatory minimum and AUT cannot waive it.
- check_circle OET (Nursing): Grade B in each component accepted as alternative.
- check_circle PTE Academic: 65 Overall with 65 in each communicative skill.
- check_circle The standard English-medium-instruction waiver does NOT apply to Nursing — all Sri Lankan applicants must meet NCNZ's 7.0/7.0/7.0/7.0 minimum.
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (NZD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | NZD 43,000 | Rs. 8,170,000 |
| Health Insurance (per year) | NZD 750 | Rs. 142,500 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Auckland) | NZD 22,000 | Rs. 4,180,000 |
| Student Visa & Pre-placement Checks | NZD 1,000 | Rs. 190,000 |
| Total Year 1 Investment | NZD 66,750 | Rs. 12,682,500 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 3-year NZ Post-Study Work Visa. Registered Nurse is on the Green List Tier 1 — Straight to Residence pathway from day one of qualifying employment. AUT grads place at Waitematā DHB, Auckland DHB, Counties Manukau DHB, and private hospitals (Southern Cross, Mercy Ascot). Starting RN salary in NZ: NZD 75,773 (Step 1) rising to NZD 106,739 (Step 7).
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