AU · Bachelor's
University of Sydney
Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies)
University of Sydney
Course Overview
Sydney's Bachelor of Nursing (Advanced Studies) is ranked top 15 globally for Nursing (QS by Subject) and is taught at the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Australia's largest school of nursing. The 3-year accredited programme prepares students to register as Registered Nurses (RNs) with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) on graduation. The curriculum covers anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, mental health, paediatric and aged-care nursing, and acute / critical care — with over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical placements at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Westmead Hospital, and the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network.
Sri Lankan applicants choose Sydney Nursing because Australia is the single largest nursing employment destination for Sri Lankan registered nurses globally, with critical-shortage status keeping the occupation on the Skilled Migration list. The 485 Temporary Graduate Visa offers 2 years post-study; nurses then qualify for permanent skilled migration (subclass 189/190) almost immediately. AHPRA registration is also recognised reciprocally by the Sri Lanka Nursing Council (SLNC) — graduates who return home can register as RNs without re-credentialing.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes in the Bioscience stream including Biology at B or above; minimum Z-score equivalent ~1.0.
- check_circle Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: BBB minimum, must include Biology AND one of Chemistry / Mathematics.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 30 points minimum with HL Biology at 5 or above.
- check_circle National Police Check (Sri Lanka Police clearance certificate) required before clinical placements begin.
- check_circle Australian First Aid certification + vaccination compliance required before commencing clinical placements (organised through the university).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 7.0 Overall (min 7.0 in EACH section) — this is the AHPRA-mandated minimum for nursing programmes and is NOT waivable.
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 94 Overall (min 24 in Listening, 24 in Reading, 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 65 Overall (min 65 in each section).
- check_circle Crucially: English-medium Bachelor's does NOT waive English testing for nursing programmes (AHPRA requires a fresh score in all four bands).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AUD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | AUD 52,500 | Rs. 11,025,000 |
| OSHC Health Cover (3 years) | AUD 2,100 | Rs. 441,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Sydney) | AUD 26,000 | Rs. 5,460,000 |
| Student Visa, Police Check, Vaccinations & Uniform | AUD 3,500 | Rs. 735,000 |
| Total Programme Investment (3 years) | AUD 241,100 | Rs. 50,631,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the Australian 485 Temporary Graduate Visa for 2 years on completion, with direct pathways to permanent skilled migration via the Skilled Occupation List (Nursing is consistently on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List). Sydney Nursing grads register with AHPRA on graduation and place into Royal Prince Alfred, Westmead, the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, NSW Health, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, and aged-care providers like Bupa and Estia Health. Sri Lankan returnees register with the Sri Lanka Nursing Council via reciprocity and join Asiri, Lanka Hospitals, Hemas Hospitals, or Nawaloka. Starting RN salary in NSW: AUD 73,000+ (LKR 15.3M/yr); annual increments to AUD 100,000+ with 5 years' experience.
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