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Master of Science in Nursing

Admission Information

2017 - 2018

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THE UNIVERSITY

Chartered in 1983, the Aga Khan University (AKU) is an international private university

that currently operates in South and Central Asia, East Africa and the United Kingdom.

AKU occupies a pivotal place in the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of

development agencies working under the leadership of His Highness the Aga Khan, and

contributes in major ways to social development. AKU prioritises higher education and

research initiatives relevant to the problems of the societies in which it operates, generally

in the developing world.

Through on-going partnerships with prestigious institutions worldwide, AKU brings

international expertise to bear upon the establishment and enhancement of its current

and future programmes and services. With a growing programme offering, in addition to

our existing six campuses spread over three continents, we are planning three new

faculties and six graduate schools to deliver a range of educational choices in an

environment that respects cultural diversity.

Our merit-based, transparent admissions process and need-based financial assistance

programme attempts to ensure that a diversity of high calibre students are able to attend

the programmes at AKU.

While we do not discriminate on faith, gender or national origin, we are selective in the

students we accept. Our selection process varies by academic programmes, but some

common criteria include fluency in English.

SCHOOL OF NURSING AND MIDWIFERY

Established in 1980, the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery (AKU-

SONaM) was the first academic component of AKU and its Faculty of Health Sciences.

The School offers several programmes in nursing: a four-year Bachelor of Science in

Nursing (BScN); a two-year Post-RN BScN, a two-year Post-RM Bachelor of Science in

Midwifery (BScM) and a two-year Master of Science in Nursing (MScN).

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING PROGRAMME

In October 2001, the AKU School of Nursing and Midwifery introduced a Master of

Science in Nursing (MScN) Programme, the first of its kind in Pakistan. The MScN is a

two-year programme to prepare advanced practice nurses who will develop innovative,

practical solutions to complex health problems from a scientific perspective.

Upon graduation, it is expected that graduates will become leaders with decision-making

skills in the areas of education, administration and clinical practice. Moreover, they will

utilise existing theories and research findings in providing care for individuals, families

and communities. The Programme will also provide nurses the necessary skills to conduct

research that will contribute to the body of knowledge defining the discipline of nursing.

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The MScN Programme will prepare graduates who will be able to:

1. Apply contemporary knowledge from different sources and the best available

evidence for professional decision-making and during practice.

2. Apply critical and reflective thinking skills, as well as a systems approach to

problem-solving and professional decision-making.

3. Demonstrate the ability to translate and use meaningful research findings.

4. Engage in effective ethical decision-making with respect to own practice area

(e.g. clinical, education, leadership and management), or where ethical issues

affect the broader health care team.

5. Maintain confidentiality as necessary. Communicate clear, consistent and

accurate information verbally, in written or electronic forms and in a manner

sensitive to the context.

6. Use advanced communication and interpersonal skills in professional work.

7. Work collaboratively with other professionals in health care to enhance the

quality practice and services offered.

8. Articulate, promote and advocate for nursing professional development in

general and the specialist role in particular, in the clinical, political and

professional contexts.

9. Contribute to knowledge and practice through identifying and conducting

supervised research.

10. Demonstrate leadership and management (planning, organizing, collaboration,

delegation, problem-solving, human and material resources etc.) and policy

development skills.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

In this academic programme, the medium of instruction is English. Students are expected

to be self-directed learners and also team players. They are expected to fully participate in

the learning process through classroom discussion, working in small groups, clinical

rotations, presentations, seminars.

MScN curriculum offers various tracks of specialty including Education and sub

specialisation in Clinical areas. Students are required to take 18 credits of core courses and

15 credits of courses in their selected specialty track. In addition, each student must

complete a practicum and a thesis in their area of interest. The purpose of the thesis is to

prepare the student for future research and scholarly activities. The student in

consultation with the research supervisor will develop a timeline for completion of the

thesis. (See curriculum on page 11)

DURATION OF PROGRAMME

Candidates may enrol in the programme as a full-time (two years) or part-time (maximum

four years) student. Application for part-time studies will be considered on an individual

basis.

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ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR MSCN PROGRAMME

Candidates who have completed 16 years of education may apply. University eligibility

criteria for application to the MScN programme are:

Track-I

Higher Secondary School Certificate (Pre-medical);

Successful completion of 4-year Generic BScN programme;

2 year’s clinical experience including 1 year Internship in a hospital;

Valid Registration with Pakistan Nursing Council or equivalent

Track-II

Secondary School Certificate (Science Group – with Biology);

3-years General Nursing Diploma i.e RN;

1-year Midwifery Diploma or Post Basic Specialty Diploma;

Completion of 3 compulsory courses i.e. English, Islamic Studies and Pakistan

Students at BSc level;

2-years Post-RN BScN Degree with a minimum of 60 credits;

2 year’s clinical experience;

Valid Registration with Pakistan Nursing Council or equivalent.

ADMISSION TO THE PROGRAMME

Admission to the MScN Programme is based on merit and proven commitment to

advanced nursing practice. Merit will be evaluated through attaining competitive scores

on an admission test, scholastic achievements of candidates, past experience and future

plans.

A high academic score in any single discipline or any outstanding achievement alone is

not sufficient for selection.

Candidates in the public or private sector, in Pakistan and overseas may apply.

Candidates in the Public Sector are required to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC)

from their employers. Admissions of Government employees will be confirmed only if

they have obtained the relevant NOC before the commencement of classes.

APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Application for admission will be accepted from March 20, 2017 until June 2, 2017 only.

The programme brochure and sample test paper may be downloaded from our website

https://www.aku.edu/admissions/graduate/mscn/Pages/home.aspx.

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An application must be submitted either online or on the prescribed paper based

application form. The application form may be completed online by logging on to

www.aku.edu/apply-online. Please follow the necessary instructions to complete the

online application. Before submitting an application, candidates must ensure that they

have complied with the instructions given with the application form. Incomplete

applications will not be processed.

The completed application form together with the documents mentioned on the checklist

should be posted by registered mail or sent through a reliable courier service only. There is

no provision for processing applications after the closing date.

It remains the responsibility of the candidate to complete the application requirements

according to the instructions and time schedule. The Admission Office will send no

reminders. Once acknowledged, an application will not be returned.

Aga Khan University reserves the right to revoke admission and registration if an

application form is discovered to be inaccurate or incomplete, or if supporting documents

are discovered to be fraudulent. Any candidate who presents a fraudulent document in

support of an application for admission may be identified to other universities and

colleges.

All applications must be mailed to the following address:

Graduate Programme Admission Office

Office of the Registrar

Aga Khan University – School of Nursing and Midwifery

Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500,

Karachi 74800

Pakistan

SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Candidates must submit the following as application to the programme:

a Completed application form: PDF of the completed online application or downloaded

paper application.

b Two photographs with your name labeled at the back; this should be coloured on a

white background showing full front view of the candidate;

c One attested copy of CNIC / NICOP / Passport (passport is required for foreign

nationals);

d One attested copy of domicile certificate;

e Curriculum Vita and list of publications, if any;

f A statement of purpose, summarizing (in application form):

i. The reason for your interest in the programme;

ii. How this programme will benefit your institutional/professional/personal/

academic development;

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iii. Any additional factors which make you suitable for the programme?

g Letters of recommendation from at least 3 people. Please download reference form from

https://www.aku.edu/admissions/graduate/mscn/Pages/home.aspx. One of your referee

must be your immediate supervisor or faculty and two others must be professionals you

have known for at least 2 years (not relatives);

h Scholastic Achievements: For all achievements mentioned in the application form:

attested set of official transcripts of academic record (secondary school, college,

graduate school, and/or professional schools, with certification of degrees conferred,

courses taken and grades received). These should be attested by HEC.

j Grade Card / Transcript or enrolment information of the courses completed at Aga

Khan University in the past or currently in progress, if applicable;

k Application fee: Documentary evidence for payment of application fee; the fee can be

paid online or as a bank draft in favour of “The Aga Khan University”. Cash, money

orders, postal orders and personal cheques are not acceptable. The application fee is

non-refundable.

Application Fee:

The application fee for candidates applying from AKU residential countries1 is

Rs. 5,500/-

For applicants applying from AKU non-residential countries the application fee

is US $ 275/-

l Attested copy of valid Pakistan Nursing Council (PNC) License;

m Attested copies of Work Experience Certificates (for all the experiences mentioned in

the application form);

n If you are currently enrolled in any other institution, please provide attested mark-

sheets of recent examination taken or progress reports, as applicable.

1Afghanistan, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda

MODE OF PAYMENT

Candidates may pay their application fee through the following modes of payment:

The payment can be made by a demand draft in favour of “The Aga Khan University” or

by online deposit to any branch of Soneri Bank Limited. The banking details are as

follows:

Title : The Aga Khan University

Account No. : 01021227508

Branch Code : 0024

Branch : The Aga Khan University Branch, Stadium

Road, Karachi

NTN # : 1206240-5

In case the application fee is paid online, the original deposit slip given by the bank,

which is the acknowledgement of payment by the bank, should be submitted with the

application form to the Admission Office.

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REPEAT APPLICATIONS

Candidates not successful in their first attempt may apply again. A fresh application

together with the necessary documentation must be submitted for a particular admission

session. The University does not have a policy of carrying forward applications from one

academic year to another.

ADMISSION TEST

All eligible candidates will be required to write an Admission Test which will be

administered in cities, as indicated on the application form, on July 8, 2017. The test

comprises of sections in English and Nursing Knowledge.

The University has not authorized any publication or preparatory classes for the AKU

Admission Test.

VALIDITY OF SCORES

The Aga Khan University Admission Test scores are valid for a period of two years from

the date the test is written. For admission to the 2017-18 academic year the results of the

test written in the year 2016 or 2015 will be acceptable for further processing of an

application, only in cases where the candidate does not write the Admission Test in the

year of application.

SHORT LISTING

Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of the AKU Admission Test.

INTERVIEW PROCESS

Candidates invited for interviews are limited to those who:

Have a complete application i.e. submitted all required documents;

Achieve a test score that meets the cut-off decided by the University for short-listing

purposes.

Candidates should note that the interviews are a component of the admission application

process and do not guarantee selection.

Each candidate will meet a panel of up to three interviewers. The purpose of the interview

is to assess a variety of attributes, including integrity, motivation and interest in the

programme, maturity, social and cultural awareness, knowledge of public health issues in

developing nations and evidence of research initiative and commitment to the profession.

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Interviews are conducted in Pakistan. For all candidates who reside overseas, interviews

are conducted over Skype.

ADMISSION SCHEDULE 2017 – 2018

Last date to receive applications June 2, 2017

Admission Test July 8, 2017

Interviews July / August, 2017

Announcement of Result September, 2017

Commencement of Classes First week of January, 2018

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FINANCIAL INFORMATION

TUITION AND OTHER CHARGES

AKU charges fees for all of its programmes. The tuition and fees structure and schedule

for the 2017-18 session will be available separately. Those responsible for a student’s

financial obligations should plan accordingly.

The University categorises students as ‘residential’ and ‘non-residential’. Categorized as

‘non-residential’ are required to pay their dues in US dollars only. The University reviews

its tuition and fees annually to cover inflation and other cost increases. Students are

advised to plan their financial obligations for the course of study accordingly.

Candidates shall be categorised as ‘non-residential’ (whether holding Pakistani or dual

citizenship), if the candidate meets any one or more of the following criteria:

a) Residence of the principal wage member of the family source of income and / or

the source of income during the previous three years;

b) Whether the student was educated in AKU residential or non-residential during

the three years prior to the application for admission;

c) Whether the student is eligible for State-supported education overseas;

d) Whether the candidate’s or principal earning member is reimbursed educational

expenses by their employer.

AKU residential countries include Afghanistan, Burundi, Kenya, Pakistan Rawanda,

Tanzania and Uganda.

Students holding Pakistani nationality, CNIC and / or passport should be aware that this

does not guarantee an AKU residential classification for the payment of tuition fee and

any other charges. The University’s conditions stated above for the application of non-

residential fee status will prevail.

If the candidate’s parents are Pakistani citizens deputed to a government mission

overseas, such students will be charged the fee prescribed for students in Pakistan.

Documentary evidence will however, be required in such cases.

Candidates doubtful of their fee status should seek clarification from the Office of the

Registrar before applying. The Registrar’s decision on fee status shall be final and

binding.

Successful candidates are required to pay a component of the fee on acceptance to the

programme and the balance over the year of study.

Students defaulting on payments within the due dates may be suspended and/or barred

from classes and/or progression to the next year of study until the clearance of dues in

accordance with the University’s policies and procedures.

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Payments may be made in cash or through a bank draft in favour of “The Aga Khan

University”. Personal cheques are not acceptable.

STUDENTS ON SPONSORSHIP

Students expecting to receive sponsorships or scholarships to complete the programme are

requested to submit the relevant approval letter when accepting the offer of admission.

For more details please contact Graduate Programme Admission Office, Aga Khan

University, Stadium Road, Karachi 74800, Pakistan, Phone: +92-21 3486 4537 / 5531 /

5456.

UNIVERSITY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

Admission to AKU are needs blind. Students admitted to the MScN programme may

apply for financial assistance by submitting an application to the Financial Assistance

and Counselling Office.

Through the University's Financial Assistance Programme, students joining the graduate

programme are awarded soft loans. The loan is payable in easy instalments after

graduation from the programme. Details should be obtained from the Student Financial

Assistance and Counselling Office.

Assistance is offered on the basis of demonstrated need as evaluated by the University

from data provided by students and their families and other avenues that the University

may deem appropriate. Every student applying for financial assistance must also

demonstrate that he or she has thoroughly explored all other possible sources of

assistance. However, every student is required to make some contribution towards fees,

living expenses and other costs, so as to not totally depend on the University for

assistance. Continuation of financial assistance is conditional upon yearly assessment of

financial needs.

Applications for financial assistance for students admitted to the 2017-18 academic year

will be acceptable within seven working days after receipt of the admission letter.

Application forms are available online. These are also available from the Student

Financial Assistance and Counselling Office

http://www.aku.edu/admissions/feesandfunding/Pages/Financial-Assistance-

Pakistan.aspx.

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ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation for outstation students is arranged in the hostels managed by the

University which are located off campus. These are shared, non-air-conditioned, furnished

accommodation. Hostel space is restricted to students from outside Karachi.

A fee is charged for all accommodation. The charges for hostel accommodation for the

2017-18 session are given separately. Meals may be purchased separately from the

University’s cafeteria.

All students living in the university hostels are expected to conform to rules and

regulations. Residence is conditional upon proper use and care of the property,

considerate behaviour and periodic reappraisal of the student's need for such

accommodation.

CONTESTED DECISIONS

In all matters pertaining to the selection of students, fees, grants, evaluation of scholastic

performance, discipline and student affairs, the decision of the University shall be final.

Appeals in matters of student selection will be considered within 15 days of the

announcement of the new class only if the appeal cites circumstances suggesting that the

University has violated provisions of its Charter or that there has been failure to comply

with the admissions procedure as described in this document.

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MScN Curriculum

Core Courses (03 credits for each course)

Theoretical Basis of Nursing Practice

Statistics in Health Care

Research Methods

Academic Writing

Ethics in Health Care

Leadership and Management in Healthcare

Education Track Courses (03 credits for each course)

Educational Design and Administration

Clinical Education

Principles and Methods of Assessment

Teaching for Critical Thinking

Elective Course

Clinical Track Courses (03 credits for each course)

Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice

Pharmacology for Advanced Practice

Advanced Clinical Care I

Advanced Clinical Care II

Advanced Health Assessment

Specialty Practicum (06 credits)*

Thesis (09 credits)*

*Each student will have to do practicum and complete a thesis in their area of interest.

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THE AGA KHAN UNIVERSITY

Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi 74800, Pakistan

Fax: (92) 21 34934294; Tel: 34930051

Web: www.aku.edu