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 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 organizations 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-centered approach, with a focus on improved outcomes in addressing the wellness of the community. We endeavor to educate our students to be innovative carers of the future. We aim towards excellence by offering a four-year Bachelor in Nursing, new upcoming postgraduate diplomas, and a growing Master’ program.
We have experts in the fields of oncology, occupational health, primary healthcare, management and leadership, and HIV/Aids research. Some of our staff members have been inaugurated as members of the Sigma Thea Tau International Honor Society for nurses in nursing specialist groups. The department is proud of its NRF-rated researcher, Prof Karien Jooste, who represents the department at Fundisa (Heads of Higher Education Institutions) as well as on the editorial board of four national and international accredited health and nursing journals.
Mrs. Natalie Copeling and Mrs Margo Pretorius represent the Department on the national committee of OCSA. We are proud of our students whose contributions to the community and to science have been awarded at the 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 to transform and sustain 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 offered at Universities in the field or where appropriate cognate fields e.g. Nursing Education; Nursing Management; Primary Health Care; palliative and Oncology Nursing; Theatre Nursing, Intensive Care Nursing, Occupational Health Care are offered. There are various career opportunities in the Private and Public Health Care sectors.
Vertical articulation possibilities are for Master’s programs by a research thesis focusing on specific specializations in nursing.
Bachelor of Nursing
The four-year degree program aims to prepare and develop nurse practitioners (graduate nurses and midwives) and equip them with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and professional values to meet the healthcare 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.
Minimum Entrance Requirements
All learner nurses entering the nursing program 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 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 |
| Mathematical Literacy | 5 | 4 |
| Life Sciences | 4 | 4 |
Additional admission requirements
In addition to the above requirements, you will need to provide proof of your first completed Hepatitis B immunization schedule, South African Nursing Council (SANC) related forms, and proof of payment to SANC and CPUT as well as proof of indemnity at a professional organization or union.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. This information is subject to change, based on approval and accreditation of HEQSF-aligned qualifications during 2019/ 2020.
Master of Nursing
This degree on NRF Level 9, is currently offered full-time or part-time. Students will be able to specialize 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 (is it a Master in Nursing or Master of Nursing) will offer you endless possibilities, from working in the local health sector at hospitals, research institutions, nursing education institutions, laboratories or non-governmental organizations 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
Students interested in pursuing postgraduate studies in Nursing can complete a Postgraduate Diploma to gain a nursing specialization (NQF level 8) or Master of Nursing (NQF Level 9) if they already qualify for NQF level 8. Currently, the Postgraduate Diploma qualifications have been submitted, and are awaiting accreditation before the commencement of the programmes.
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.
Estimated course fees for 2021: R 13 880.00
Postgraduate diplomas
The following postgraduate diploma will be offered once full accreditation has been obtained: Health Service Management; Occupational Health Nursing; Primary Health Care; Nursing education and Palliative care and oncology.
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 inquiries, please contact:
Mr Ludwe Dulaze
Postgraduate program administrator
Email: dulazel@cput.ac.za
Phone: 021 959 4411.