Master's Degree Nursing Full Time

Master of Nursing (Research)

at Edith Cowan University · Perth, Western Australia

CRICOS course code

099201F

CRICOS provider code

00279B

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

2 years

Tuition (whole course)

A$85,100 total

Per year

A$42,550/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Master of Nursing (Research) at Edith Cowan University in Perth is a postgraduate qualification focused on independent, supervised research in nursing. Students work closely with academic supervisors to develop a substantial thesis on a topic that advances nursing knowledge or practice. This degree is structured over two years full-time, featuring regular meetings with supervisors, research training workshops, and the opportunity to present findings in seminars and conferences.

At ECU, the course follows the Australian master's degree (research) structure, which consists largely of thesis work rather than taught units. Students may enrol in associated research methods units as required by their project, but the heart of the degree is the research itself, which is undertaken under expert supervision with regular milestones and progress reviews. Successful completion results in the awarding of credit points in line with the Australian Qualifications Framework for a master's by research.

This course suits registered nurses who are keen to specialise in research, current practitioners looking to improve outcomes in clinical practice, or those aiming for a career in academic or policy settings. Skills gained include advanced methodology, project management, critical analysis, ethical research design and scientific writing. ECU maintains strong links with health services and research institutes across Western Australia, giving students opportunities to engage with local industry partners and real-world healthcare challenges.

International students need to demonstrate a high level of English proficiency—typically an IELTS Academic score of 7.0 or above, as required by Australian nursing standards. While enrolled, students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight and may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. For the most up-to-date details, always confirm entry requirements and course structure on ECU’s official website or the CRICOS register.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

Nursing research officer
Clinical nurse specialist (research stream)
Policy advisor (health sector)
Academic or lecturer in nursing schools
Research coordinator in hospitals, health services or universities
Project leader for clinical trials and evidence-based practice initiatives

Graduates are sought after in Australian health care, government policy, universities, and not-for-profit health research organisations.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Master of Nursing (Research) at Edith Cowan University?

It typically takes 2 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$85,100 total. Fees change yearly — confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Nursing research officerClinical nurse specialist (research stream)Policy advisor (health sector)Academic or lecturer in nursing schoolsResearch coordinator in hospitals, health services or universitiesProject leader for clinical trials and evidence-based practice initiativesGrad...

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