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Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Mental Health)

Domestic students International students
Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Mental Health) (GCNG)
Entry requirements
View full details
Study mode
  • External
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 1 year part-time
Start
  • Feb, May
Intakes
Note: The Mental Health specialisation contains two courses with mandatory residential schools. Residential Schools will be held at either the UniSQ Toowoomba or UniSQ Ipswich campus.

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Overview

  • With an increase in Australians experiencing symptoms of mental illnesses across their lifetime, trained mental health nurses play a crucial role in our community.
  • The Graduate Certificate of Nursing (Mental Health) elevates your nursing career and allows you to provide specialised care to patients with a mental health condition.
  • Develop your knowledge of mental health first aid and mental illnesses, psychological wellbeing and emotional health, and learn to apply the theories and nursing interventions in mental health directly to practice.

Further study

After completing the Graduate Certificate of Nursing, there will be the option to take the credit from the courses and continue to complete the Graduate Diploma of Nursing or the Master of Nursing.

Thinking of studying in 2025? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Career outcomes

  • Mental Health nurses can find work in the community, schools, public and private mental health services, forensic settings, emergency care, and rehabilitation across metropolitan as well as rural areas.

Entry requirements

  • Completed a 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in the area of nursing from a recognised university.
  • Hold a current professional registration as a Division 1 Nurse, or equivalent, with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or relevant regulatory body in applicant's home country.

English language requirements

To meet the English language requirements for this degree, we accept the minimum English language proficiency scores from one of the following tests. Your test must be completed within two years of applying to UniSQ.

IELTS (Academic)

Minimum overall score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
Pearson Test of English

Minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
 TOEFL iBT Minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening and reading; 27 for writing; 23 for speaking.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

If you have previously studied in your home country, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 4 units. Most courses (similar to ‘subjects’) are valued at 1 unit. To study part-time you would usually complete 2 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units
Core courses 2
Specialisation courses 2
Total 4

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

This degree has a mandatory attendance requirement for some of the residential school courses. All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

Other specialisations

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for international students' first year of study (4 units) in this degree:

Study Mode Cost
External/Online

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 16320

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ
Study period  Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 
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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

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