Midwifery (Bachelor of Science)

Profile of the Midwifery study programme

With the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery study programme, Fachhochschule Osnabrück – University of Applied Science has developed an innovative study programme in Germany.

The study programme takes into account the changed requirements of the job profile of midwives and addresses the as-yet insufficiently used potential and resources of midwives in the health care system in the design of the need-oriented care for women and their families.

Thanks to the course’s focus on scientific and a cross-disciplinary skills, students acquire the ability to reach clinical decisions based on evidence and to further develop professional practice in midwifery.

Basing themselves on scientific knowledge and considered professional skills, graduates can take on a central role in theory-practice transfer.

The subjects focused on in the study programme are:

Methods in empirical midwifery research
Evidence-based clinical decision making
Family- and client-oriented care provision concepts
Professionalisation and interdisciplinarity
Care structures in Germany's health care system
Ethical decision making
Communication, advice and guidance
Personnel and organisational development
Quality management
Scientific practice-related project

Structure of the study programme

The study programme builds on the first half (1.5 years) of training in midwifery, completed exclusively in cooperating midwifery schools. With the fourth training semester, collaboration begins between midwifery schools and University of Applied Science Osnabrueck, leading by way of a first study unit.

First study unit

The first three semesters are mainly taught with cooperating midwifery schools, combined with additional 3 modules given by University of Applied Science Osnabrueck. These serve as preparation for the second study unit at the University. Midwives who are already professionally qualified can acquire the required credit points by sitting an entrance examination, which is credited against the studies.

Second study unit

The beginning of full-time study/entrance into the fourth semester at University of Applied Science Osnabrück requires either the successful completion of the first study unit or the successful sitting of the entrance exam. In the second training section, the priority subjects listed are given.

With this structure, the study programme is designed in two study units, which together take in a regular period of study of six semesters -but all together 4,5 years.

Intake of students in the winter semester

Initially, studies will commence at University of Applied Science Osnabrueck with the fourth semester (second study unit) exclusively for examined midwives who have completed the entrance exam. At the same time, cooperation with midwifery schools will be agreed, so as then to be able to begin with the regular study programme. Accreditation of the study programme is planned at Germany’s central evaluation and accreditation agency (ZevA) in Hanover.

Occupational areas

Graduates can work in all fields of activity in midwifery and, in addition, in the area of practice management.

Subsequent the first academic grade (Bachelor), a second academic grade (Master) can be obtained, for example in the “Healthcare system management (MIG)” Masters programme at University of Applied Science Osnabrueck.

Entrance requirements

University entrance qualification: Abitur (general German higher education entrance qualification)/Advanced technical college vocational training or a nationally-recognised certified specialisation or equivalent (e.g. ‘Immaturenprüfung’ – German examination for higher education applicants without a higher education entrance qualification).

Additional requirement:

a training place as a midwife at a midwifery school that cooperates with University of Applied Science Osnabrueck or
completed vocational training as a midwife or midwifery professional (recognition as midwife) and successful entrance exam

Entrance examination

Completed vocational training as a midwife and successful sitting of the entrance exam are recognised on a scale of 90 performance points/credit points (LP). Entry into the second study unit at University of Applied Science Osnabrueck is then possible for the acquisition of a further 90 LPs for the Bachelors degree. The entrance examination takes place under written exam conditions.

To aid in preparation for the entrance examination, University of Applied Science Osnabrueck is drawing up a reader which can be requested in return for a contribution to the costs.

Information about studying

University of Applied Sciences Osnabrueck

Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Midwifery study programme office

Postfach 19 40, 49009 Osnabrück, Germany

Tel.: +49 541 969-2120

Fax: +49 541 969-3765

E-Mail: grieshop@wi.fh-osnabrueck.de

Term begins: approx. 20 September every year

Application deadline: 15 July for intake into the winter semester

Cost: In the first study unit, a fee of €120 per semester is levied. In the second study unit – three full-time study semesters at Fachhochschule Osnabrück – students currently pay a semester fee of approx. €191, which is used for administration costs, student services, the student’s own administration and the semester ticket. In addition, study contributions to the amount of €500 per semester are payable.