The invention discloses a core-shell high-nickel monocrystal nickel cobalt lithium manganate positive electrode material and a preparation method and application thereof, and the positive electrode material comprises a core layer and a shell layer arranged on the outer surface of the core layer, wherein the core layer and the shell layer form a core-shell structure. The material of the core layeris Lia(NixCoyMn<1-x-y>)O2, wherein 1.0 <= a <= 1.15, 0.6 < x <= 0.95, 0.01 <= y <= 0.2, 1-x-y > 0, and the material of the core layer is of a monocrystal type; the material of the shell layer is Lib(NiiCojMnkM<1-i-j-k>)O2, wherein 0.9 <= b <= 1.05, 0.2 <= i <= 05, 0.15 <= j <= 0.5, 0.15 <= k <= 0.5, 1-i-j-k > 0, and M is one or more of Mg, Al, Zr, Ti and W. The preparation method comprises the following steps: firstly preparing high-nickel monocrystal lithium nickel cobalt manganate, then preparing nano lithium nickel cobalt manganate slurry, adding the high-nickel monocrystal lithium nickel cobalt manganate and an M-containing additive into the slurry, performing mixing, carrying out spray drying, and performing sintering in an oxygen atmosphere to prepare the lithium nickel cobalt manganate positive electrode material. The invention also discloses an application of the positive electrode material in lithium ion batteries. The positive electrode material has excellent first charge-discharge efficiency and high capacity retention rate, and also has excellent cycle performance and safety performance at a high temperature.