Nursing Science
- Home
- Faculties
Nursing Science
Nursing is a science and an art that uses the nursing process of assessing, planning, implementing nursing actions, and evaluating outcomes of nursing care. Are you a nurturer at heart? If you are passionate about helping people and interested in working in the health sector, then become an innovative carer of the future. It requires determination and accountability to study theory and work in the clinical field. A qualification in Nursing will offer you endless possibilities, from working in the local health sector at units in hospitals and clinics, mines, laboratories, theatres, Intensive Care Units, emergency care nursing, oncology nursing, or in non-governmental organisations to taking up opportunities abroad. Nurses are dedicated and hardworking, which is why diligence is an important attribute they need to possess. Nurses are required to work long hours, including weekends and holidays.
The Department of Nursing Science strives to provide teaching and learning based on a person-centred approach, focusing on improved outcomes in addressing the community's wellness. We endeavour to educate our students to be innovative carers of the future. We aim towards excellence by offering a four-year Bachelor of Nursing programme, a five-year Bachelor of Nursing (Extended Curriculum) programme, postgraduate diplomas, and a growing Masters' programme. We have experts in Oncology and Palliative Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing, Primary Care Nursing, Midwifery, Health Services Management and Nursing Education. Staff members have been inaugurated as Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society members for nursing practitioners in nursing specialist groups. We are proud of our students, whose contributions to the community and to science have been recognised nationally.
Vision
Our vision is to be a renowned Department of Nursing Science, applying innovative technologies in Research, Teaching, and Learning to enhance students' development and transform and sustain health and well-being in communities.
Mission
Our mission is to prepare the student with the required knowledge, skills, attitudes and values to manage evidence-based practice as a professional nurse specialist.
Undergraduate qualification
Bachelor of Nursing
The four-year degree programme aims to prepare and develop nurse practitioners (graduate nurse and midwife) and equip them with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values to meet the healthcare needs of people of all ages, thereby contributing to health transformation in society. The graduate nurse will reflect an understanding of our country's social, cultural, and economic context while conforming to standards of professional nursing practices.
The curriculum is designed to prepare graduate nurses and midwifery practitioners who are equipped to meet the increasing health needs and health-related problems of multicultural populations in a wide variety of healthcare settings while considering the country's current and future social, cultural, and economic contexts.
Bachelor of Nursing (Extended)
The regular first year will be extended over two academic years. The Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) will run as follows: 4 mainstream subjects will be offered in year 0 and 4 mainstream subjects in year 1. A person-centred approach will enable the students to conceptualise and develop sound theoretical knowledge of applied biology, natural sciences, and pharmacology, which provides the foundation for understanding deviations in an individual's health status.
To further support the ECP students over the extended first year, the programme will also feature additional, compulsory credit-bearing developmental modules. The developmental modules will be timetabled and facilitated by qualified academic lecturers and intended to improve first-year ECP students' academic performance. Therefore, Students will have extra contact with lecturers and their peers to consolidate threshold concepts through focused teaching and learning strategies.
Career Prospects, Minimum Entrance Requirements, Additional Admission Requirements and RPL
Career Prospects
Completing the Degree provides access to postgraduate qualifications currently offered, such as health Services Management, Primary Care Nursing, oncology and Palliative Nursing, and Occupational Health Nursing. There are various career opportunities within the Private and Public Health Care sectors.
Vertical articulation possibilities are for Masters' programmes by a research thesis focusing on specific specialisations in nursing, also offered by the Department of Nursing Science.
Completing a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) enables you to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and practice as a specialist nurse.
Minimum Entrance Requirements
All learner nurses entering the nursing programme will require a pass with a D (Matriculation before 2008) or Level 4 (Matriculation from 2008) aggregate in line with the Western Cape Provincial Administration bursary requirements at the Grade 12 Level (FET certificate or Grade 12 (Matric) certificate with an APS score of minimum 30 and permission as indicated on the Grade 12 certificate to register for a Bachelor of Nursing Science degree.
Specific subjects required and achieved are:
| 4-year programme | 5-year Extented Augmented Programme | |
|---|---|---|
| National Senior Certificate | (Grade 12) with a Bachelors pass: | (Grade 12) with a Bachelors pass: |
| Home Language | 4 | 4 |
| First Additional Language: English or Afrikaans | 4 | 4 |
| Mathematics | 4 | 3 |
| Mathematical Literacy | 5 | 4 |
| Life Sciences | 4 | 4 |
Additional admission requirements
You will need to provide proof of your first completed Hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccination schedule, SANC-related forms, proof of payment to SANC and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), and proof of indemnity at a professional organisation or union.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may apply for Recognition of Prior (RPL) to gain access to the undergraduate programme that is part of the NQF, a method to promote social justice and inclusivity, and part of lifelong learning. RPL refers to the principles through which a person's prior knowledge, competencies, and skills are made visible through a process of development, teaching, mentoring, and assessment. These details are available on the Recognition of Prior Learning webpage on the CPUT website: visit RPL
Postgraduate qualification
Master of Nursing
This degree on NQF Level 9, is currently offered full-time or part-time. Students will be able to specialise in a specific field of nursing at the level of a clinical nurse specialist and apply critical analysis and problem-solving techniques in investigating health-related problems through research, which will contribute to a scientific basis for nursing practice. Investigating health-related problems through research will provide a scientific basis for nursing practice. If you are a passionate professional nurse interested in gaining the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct independent research in nursing and contribute significantly to knowledge production through understanding, applying and evaluating existing and new knowledge, then become an innovative nurse of the future.
A qualification as a Master in Nursing will offer you endless possibilities, from working in the local health sector at hospitals, research institutions, nursing education institutions, laboratories, or non-governmental organisations to taking up opportunities abroad.
Minimum requirements
A relevant Bachelor of Nursing degree at NQF level 8, or BTech degree or equivalent qualification in nursing, with an aggregate of 60%
- A pass in Research Methodology is required.
- Applicants who do not have a South African qualification are required to send their results/qualifications to the South African Qualifications Authority to have them evaluated and equated to a South African qualification at NQF level 8.
- International students from countries where English is not the official language must demonstrate proof of English proficiency.
Additional requirements
Students will be required to complete their proposal in the first six months after registration and submit it for approval at the relevant research and ethics committees at the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences. Students must also register on the HDC digital and attend planned meetings and research colloquiums on Wednesday afternoons. Students entering from legacy qualifications may be required to complete a research workshop.
Career Prospects
This degree is for those who enjoy investigating health-related problems through research and value being able to contribute to a scientific basis for evidence-based nursing practice.
- Full-time: 1 -2 years
- Part-time: 2 – 3 years
You will have the prospect to continue to a doctoral degree level for further studies.
- The fees are R15 210 per year.
Postgraduate Diplomas
The Nursing Department is offering the following postgraduate diplomas: Health Services Management, Nursing Education, Occupational Health Nursing, Oncology and Palliative Nursing, and Primary Care Nursing.
| Programme | Requirements |
|---|---|
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Services Management |
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Education |
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health Nursing |
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology and Palliative Nursing |
|
Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing |
|
For more information about postgraduate studies at CPUT please visit the Centre for Postgraduate Studies. To apply for postgraduate studies, visit the Postgraduate applications section on the website. SAQA equivalency is required for international applicants.
Postgraduate Enquiries
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr Ludwe Dulaze
Postgraduate Programme Administrator
021 959 4411
Biomedical Sciences
Dental Sciences
Emergency Medical Sciences
Medical Imaging and Therapeutic Sciences
Nursing Science
Ophthalmic Sciences
Wellness Sciences