University of South Africa UNISA Nursing Courses
The Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science at the University of South Africa (UNISA) offers a comprehensive approach to nursing education, emphasizing Health Services Management, Education, and Community Health. This distinctive program, cataloged under the code 0216X – HSM, is tailored to achieve a broad spectrum of competencies at a NQF level 6, accumulating 360 total credits. With a unique focus, this qualification is designed to equip students with the essential skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for a successful career in nursing and healthcare management.
This program stands out for its structured curriculum, which includes a total of 30 modules focusing on major areas of Health Services Management, Education, and Community Health. Admission to this esteemed program requires students to present their Annual Practising Certificate, showcasing their registration as a general nurse and, if applicable, as a midwife. It’s important to note that this course is strictly available to those who are already registered in these capacities, ensuring that participants are well-prepared for the advanced level of study.
The purpose of the Bachelor of Arts in Nursing Science is to cultivate professionals who are adept at solving problems within professional communication contexts, managing administrative tasks, supporting organizational operations in healthcare settings, and adhering to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Successful graduates are expected to enhance the quality of communication within both public and private healthcare sectors, contributing significantly to the advancement of healthcare services.
Offered exclusively through distance learning, this qualification provides flexibility for students, making it accessible to a wide demographic, including those currently employed in the healthcare sector. This program is available until 2024 and is reserved for students who have previously registered for this qualification.
Eligibility for registration is contingent upon receipt of an offer of placement from UNISA and acceptance of that offer online. UNISA retains the right to revoke registration if admissions were granted in error. Both new and re-registering students are encouraged to apply or re-register for the upcoming academic year once the registration period commences.
Choosing modules within this qualification requires careful planning. Students are advised to select their modules based on pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements, ensuring a logical progression through their studies. With limitations on the maximum number of credits that can be registered per academic year and semester, students must judiciously manage their workload to maintain academic excellence.
The curriculum is carefully crafted to provide a solid foundation in nursing science, with compulsory first-level modules such as Comprehensive Primary Health Care and Academic Language and Literacy in English, progressing to more specialized areas in the subsequent levels. Each module is designed to build upon the last, ensuring a comprehensive education that prepares students for the challenges of the healthcare industry.
Who can register?
- Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification.
- Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.
Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.
How to choose your modules
Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.
- Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.
- Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.
You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.
The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.
You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately
- 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
- 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.
Click here for more information on managing your studies.
Curriculum for this qualification
While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.
Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)
First level
ENN103F has been replaced by ENG1503, students who have already passed ENN103F may not register
ENG1503.
| Module (Please click on the module to see further information) | Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Group A. Compulsory | |
| CMH1501 – Comprehensive Primary Health Care I | |
| CMH1502 – Comprehensive Primary Health Care II | |
| CMH1503 – Health and the Environment | |
| ENG1503 – Academic Language and Literacy in English | |
| HMA1501 – Planning and Organising in Health Services Management | |
| HMA1502 – Leading and Control in Health Services Management | |
| HSE1501 – Contextualisation of Health Sciences Education | |
| HSE1502 – Principles of Health Sciences Education | |
Second level
PUB2604 pre-requisites are PUB1501 and PUB1601, however, these modules are not part of the
curriculum.
| Module (Please click on the module to see further information) | Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Group A. Compulsory | |
| CMH2601 – Community Health Practical | Pre-requisite:CMH1501 & CMH1502 Co-requisite:CMH2602 |
| CMH2602 – Health in Communities | Pre-requisite:CMH1501 & CMH1502 |
| COM2603 – Intercultural, Development and Health Communication | |
| HMA2601 – Human Resource Management in Health Services | Pre-requisite:HMA1501 & HMA1502 |
| HMA2602 – Labour Relations in Health Services | Pre-requisite:HMA1501 & HMA1502 |
| HMA2603 – Health Services Management Practical | Co-requisite:HMA2601 & HMA2602 |
| HSE2601 – Education Management in Health Sciences | Pre-requisite:HSE1501 & HSE1502 |
| HSE2602 – Teaching and Assessment in Health Sciences | Pre-requisite:HSE1501 & HSE1502 |
| HSE2603 – Health Sciences Education: Practical | Co-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 |
| NUD2601 – Nursing Dynamics | |
| PUB2604 – Welfare and Social Services | Pre-requisite:PUB1501 & PUB1601 |
| RSC2601 – Research in Social Sciences | |
Third level
| Module (Please click on the module to see further information) | Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Group A. Compulsory | |
| CMH3701 – Basic Epidemiology in Health Sciences | Co-requisite:RSC2601 |
| HMA3701 – Financial Management in Health Services | Pre-requisite:HMA2601 & HMA2602 Co-requisite:HMA2603 |
| HMA3702 – Quality in Health Services Management | Pre-requisite:HMA2601 & HMA2602 Co-requisite:HMA2603 |
| HMA3703 – Leadership in Health Services Management | Pre-requisite:HMA2601 & HMA2602 Co-requisite:HMA2603 |
| HMA3704 – Contemporary issues in Health Services Management | Pre-requisite:HMA2601 & HMA2602 Co-requisite:HMA2603 |
| HSE3701 – Cultural Diverse Education in Health Sciences | Pre-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 Co-requisite:HSE2603 |
| HSE3702 – Contemporary Trends in Health Sciences Education | Pre-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 Co-requisite:HSE2603 |
| HSE3703 – Developing Health Science Curricula: Foundations | Pre-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 Co-requisite:HSE2603 |
| HSE3704 – Developing Health Science Curricula: Principles and Process | Pre-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 Co-requisite:HSE2603 |
| HSE3705 – The Caring Ethic in Health Sciences | Pre-requisite:HSE2601 & HSE2602 Co-requisite:HSE2603 |
