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Postgraduate

Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Gerontology)

Domestic students International students
Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Gerontology) (GDNG)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 years part-time
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • Study aged care nursing courses in UniSQ's Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Gerontology) and further develop your skills in caring for elderly patients with complex needs.
  • Understand the foundations of healthy ageing. Refine and extend the skills needed to successfully provide care to patients struggling with dementia.
  • Build your knowledge in end-of-life care and develop the communication and skills required to promote quality of life for patients in palliative care.
  • Unlike other gerontology courses in Australia, UniSQ’s gerontology courses are flexible. You can study part-time and online while progressing your career as a registered nurse in the aged care sector.

Further study

After completing the Graduate Diploma of Nursing, you can take credit from these courses and continue to complete 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

  • Further your career as a registered nurse in the aged care sector.
  • Graduates will find career opportunities in both the private and public health care sectors, aged-care or nursing homes, or other residential facilities.

Entry requirements

  • Completed a 3-year bachelor degree in the area of nursing from an Australian university, or equivalent.
  • Hold a current Professional Registration as a Division 1 nurse, or equivalent, with either 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

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help 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 8 units.

Courses to be studied Units
2 x core courses 2
6  x specialisation or approved courses  6
Total 8

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

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 your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Commonwealth supported

The Federal Government contributes to the cost of your course and you need to pay a student contribution.

AUD 8948
Domestic full fee paying

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

AUD 26640

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.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. HECS-HELP and FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP.

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

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

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2025  Monday 10 February Monday 3 February  Monday 10 February  Friday 9 May
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 26 May Monday 19 May Monday 26 May  Friday 22 August
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 8 September Monday 1 September Monday 8 September Friday 5 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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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 2025

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