Entry requirements

All enrolments in the Bachelor of Nursing programme are subject to the approval of an entry and selection team. All applicants must complete a health declaration and the New Zealand Nursing Council requires criminal convictions to be declared.

Applicants must meet the following entry requirements

University entrance

• NCEA Level 3
  • Three subjects – at Level 3 or above, made up of:
    • 14 credits each, in three approved subjects
  • Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
    • 5 credits in reading
    • 5 credits in writing
  • Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
    • achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
    • unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required); and
• A minimum of 12 credits at NQF Level 2 or higher from the subjects listed below:
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Science

OR

• NCEA Level 2
  • Applicants must hold at least 80 credits at NCEA Level 2, of which 40 credits must be at merit or excellence. Of the 80 NCEA Level 2 credits, students must have gained a minimum of 5 credits in reading and 5 credits in writing in English or Te Reo Māori; and
  • A minimum of 12 credits from the subjects listed below:
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Science; and
  • A minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or higher in mathematics.

An interview is required to determine the applicant’s preparedness for tertiary studies. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following attributes:

• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Good personal presentation
• Maturity and a positive attitude
• Commitment and motivation to succeed

OR

Cambridge International Examinations

• 120 points on the UCAS Tariff with a minimum grade of D in at least three subjects equivalent to those in the list approved for NZUEBS and NCEA at AS, A2 (or A) level; and
• A minimum D pass in IGCSe Mathematics; and
• A minimum E pass in AS English. Applicants must meet the equivalent science requirements as specified for NCEA Level 2.

OR

International Baccalaureate (IB) Equivalence

• A minimum total of 24 points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP); and
• Meet the literacy requirements by having at least four points in an English-rich subject in the IBDP; and
• Meet the numeracy requirements by having at least four points in mathematics in the IBDP or by meeting the necessary numeracy requirements by some other means.
• Must meet the equivalent science requirements as specified for NCEA Level 2.

Applicants who do not meet all entry requirements should contact the School of Nursing to explore their options.

OR

Applicants 20 years of age and over will ideally meet the minimum entry requirement. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements, but feel you have the skills or experience to be successful in this programme, should contact the School to discuss their options

OR

Students who have studied on a nursing programme at another institution wishing to enrol in the Bachelor of Nursing will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Refer to programme regulations. A B-grade average (ie above a B minus average) in the nursing programme from another institution is required

OR

Applicants who have completed the New Zealand Certificate and Study Preparation (Nursing Studies) who achieve a B grade or higher in all subjects will be offered a place on the BN programme subject to referee reports and available places. Students who did not achieve B grades or higher will be considered on an individual basis by the HOS.

OR

Applicants must be able to demonstrate a mature approach to study; ability to pass a science diagnostic test; ability to manage their time; ability to seek support; a strong motivation to work in the health sector; the ability to read and write at the level required for degree-level study. The above attributes will be assessed through an information session.

AND

Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.5 (with no score of below 6.5) or equivalence.

Equivalence will be considered by a case-by-case basis demonstrated by:

Evidence of either of the following kinds of previous primary or secondary study in English by the student:

(a) completion of primary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand primary school years 1 to 8) and at least three years of secondary education (being the equivalent of three years from New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools where the student was taught using English language of instruction; or

(b) completion of at least five years of secondary education (being the equivalent of New Zealand secondary school years 9 to 13) at schools where the student was taught using English as the language of instruction.

Students may submit evidence of equivalence for these areas of study for assessment. Students who did not achieve B grades or higher will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants who have completed a Foundation Education programme, or an equivalent, can submit an application and may be offered a place on the Bachelor of Nursing programme subject to their results.

OR

Subject to the MIT Council’s statutory powers to decline enrolment, a person may enrol for the first year of the Bachelor of Nursing programme if the Director of Nursing/entry panel is of the opinion that the applicant can undertake the programme with reasonable prospects of success.

Additional requirements for admission

Each applicant is required to submit the names of at least two referees who are able to affirm that the applicant is of good character and reputation and is likely to be a ‘fit and proper’ person to register as a registered nurse. Relatives may not be used as referees. Referees must have known the applicant for at least two years.

The applicant’s level of health shall be such that it is possible to achieve the competencies required for registration as a nurse. A health declaration is required and further reports may be requested with the consent of the applicant. Immune status must be provided for specified diseases/conditions as determined by the School from time to time.

Applicants are required to declare all criminal or pending criminal convictions with enrolment. Police screening is required for all applicants. In cases where a previous criminal conviction has been reported, applicants will be interviewed by the Director of Nursing and their prospects of gaining registration upon successful completion of the programme will be outlined.

To maintain confidentiality of information related to patients/clients, all students are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

The applicant must be able to attend practicum at specified times and places.

Provisional admission for foundation education students

Students may on the recommendation of the School of Foundation Studies, be offered the opportunity to undertake one or two selected courses of the Bachelor of Nursing programme while they are formally Foundation Education students. The choice of selected course(s) is at the discretion of the School of Nursing. Students admitted under this regulation must successfully complete both the selected Bachelor of Nursing programme courses and the Foundation Education courses in order to continue on the Bachelor of Nursing programme. Students who fail to meet this requirement will only be admitted to the Bachelor of Nursing programme once they have successfully completed the Foundation Education programme. Prior to admission under this regulation, students must comply with the English language requirements as outlined in Foundation Education programmes.

Special & discretionary admission

Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.

Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?

Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.

Programme structure

You will need to complete the below 13 courses (360 credits):

IT requirements

To complete this degree you will need to have access to a computer and the internet to retrieve course materials, undertake assessments and to participate in course online activities. Wireless internet access is available to students throughout all MIT buildings.

Visit our bring your own device guidelines for more information.

Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?

Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.

Career opportunities

A broad range of career options as a registered nurse. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.