Nursing Science
Nursing is a science and an art, using 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 for studying theory and working in the clinical fields. A qualification in Nursing will offer you endless possibilities, from working in the local health sector at units in hospitals and clinics, mines, laboratories, theatre, 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, with the focus on improved outcomes in addressing the wellness of the community. 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 the field of Oncology and Palliative Nursing, Occupational Health Nursing , Primary Care Nursing, Midwifery, Health Services Management and Nursing Education. Staff members have been inaugurated as members of the Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society for nursing practitioners in nursing specialist groups.
We are proud of our students whose contributions to the community and to science have been awarded at national level.
Mission and Vision
Our vision is to be a renowned Department of Nursing Science, by applying innovative technologies in Research, Teaching and Learning to enhance the development of students with the aim of transforming and sustaining health and wellbeing in communities.
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.
Career prospects
Completion of the Degree provides access to postgraduate qualifications currently offered, e.g., Health Services Management; Primary Care Nursing; Oncology and Palliative Nursing; Occupational Health Nursing. There are various career opportunities within the Private and Public Health Care sectors.
Vertical articulation possibilities are for Master’s programmes by a research thesis focusing on specific specialisations in nursing, also offered by the Department of Nursing Science
Completion of a Postgraduate Diploma (PG Dip) enables you to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and practice as a specialist nurse.
Bachelor of Nursing
The aim of the four-year degree programme is to prepare and develop nurse practitioners (graduate nurse and midwife) and equip them with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values to meet the health care needs of people of all ages, thereby contributing to the transformation of health in society. The graduate nurse will reflect an understanding of the social, cultural, and economic context of our country, 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 as well as health-related problems of multicultural populations in a wide variety of health care settings, while considering the current and future social, cultural, and economic contexts of the country.
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 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 are intended to improve academic performance of first year ECP students. Students will therefore have extra contact time with lecturers and their peers to consolidate threshold concepts through focused teaching and learning strategies.
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 achievement are:
4-year programme | 5-year extended 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 |
MathematicalLiteracy | 5 | 4 |
Life Sciences | 4 | 4 |
Additional admission requirements
You will need to provide proof of your first completed Hepatitis B & Covid-19 vaccination schedule, SANC related forms and proof of payment to SANC and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) as well as proof of indemnity at a professional organisation or union.
Master of Nursing
This degree on NRF 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 the investigation of health-related problems through research which will contribute to a scientific basis for nursing practice. The investigation of health-related problems through research will contribute to 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 to contribute significantly to knowledge production through the understanding, application and evaluation of 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 in order 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 to submit for approval at the relevant research and ethics committees at the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences. It is a requirement for students to 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, Occupational Health Nursing, Primary Care Nursing, Palliative care and Oncology Nursing, and Nursing Education (will be offered in 2025).
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.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mr Ludwe Dulaze
Postgraduate programme administrator
Email: dulazel@cput.ac.za
Phone: 021 959 4411
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may apply for Recognition of Prior (RPL) for access to the undergraduate programme that is part of the NQF and is a method to promote social justice, inclusivity and is part of lifelong learning. RPL refers to the principles through which the prior knowledge, competencies and skills of a person 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: https://www.cput.ac.za/study/rpl
