AGW stands for Applied Health Sciences (Angewandte Gesundheitswissenschaften) "Applied" refers to practical work.
Applied Health Sciences, also known as Public Health or Health Sciences, deals with the physical, psychological, social, ecological and economic conditions of public health, as well as with the organization of healthcare.
As a graduate of Applied Health Sciences you will be able to work in a wide variety of healthcare-related areas. Potential employers are, for example, companies, organizations with a health mandate, health authorities, local government administration, insurance companies, project sponsors, trades associations, rehab institutions, external service providers and other healthcare facilities. In general a graduate of Applied Health Sciences can be seen as go-between between these various areas.
Generally speaking, AGW graduates deal with everybody because we all have the same goal - to stay healthy and to be able to determine how we live our lives, for as long as possible. However, Applied Health Sciences also focuses on special target groups, such as children, the elderly, the disabled or the ill, as well as those with special needs or immigrants.
The grade depends on the number of applicants after the application phase. If application criteria are applied, the first criterion will be the grade of the university application qualification.
This grade can be improved according to the following "special criteria":
- Practical experience: military service, internship (minimum 3 weeks), voluntary civilian service (minimum 3 months), etc.
- Vocational training: Health and Nursing Care, Social Insurance work, Social Care work, Physiotherapy, Office or Industrial Clerk, etc.
- Extra-curricular achievements: e.g. awards
- Working abroad (minimum 3 months): e.g. as an au-pair
- Abitur from a gymnasium specializing in healthcare, or similar
Students can specialize in the following areas:
- Assistive Health Technologies
- Workplace Health Management (BGM)
- Healthcare Management
- Local Authority/Community Health Promotion
Further information on the areas of specialization can be found under Programme Content.
The areas of specialization chosen will be listed in the degree certificate.
The programme includes practical activities throughout. Students start working on various projects in the early semesters, for example in the newly set up "Future Care Lab" or in the Multidisciplinary Skills Lab. In the second semester, they plan a small case study and gain real data. In the third and fourth semesters, students perform coursework on current health science topics. These are projects with real partners from the working world. In the fifth semester student carry out an internship with an employer of their choice.
If you have health-related vocational training, some areas may of course be repeated. However, knowledge in this area will be deepened or it may simply help you in this subject. Generally previous training is not only helpful for the student themselves, but also for the other students who can profit from their experience.
Contrary to other student towns, the accommodation situation in Furtwangen is good because there are enough inexpensive flats (from c. €200) available for students. A place in the Halls of Residence or a room in a shared flat are easier to find than your own small flat. Of course the best thing to do is to start looking early. Many rooms are also listed on the "HFU Wohnungsmarkt" facebook page. Further information on finding accommodation in Furtwangen can be found here.
"Furtwangen is what you make of it." As a new student in Furtwangen you'll hear this a lot, because it's the truth. Because there are not so many places to go, you have to make your own fun, whether it's getting together with other students to barbecue, brunch or cook, or going to flat parties or to the pub. A trip to nearby Freiburg is also easy to organize. The number of students on the Applied Health Sciences course is usually between 30 and 50, so it's easy to get to know other students and enjoy student life.
At the start of the course a teambuilding course is held in a chalet in the Black Forest to allow you to get to know each other and strengthen the team spirit in the year. It's a great opportunity to make friends and you'll quickly realize that it doesn't really matter where you study, if you are studying with the right people.
Furtwangen and the Black Forest also offer many sporting and leisure time activities. More information can be found on the website of the Student Union (AStA).