What are the prerequisites for the course?
  • Proof of sufficient German language skills for foreign and stateless applicants (language level C1. E.g. DSH-2, TestDaF min. TDN4)
  • Student contract with a cooperating hospital
  • University entrance qualification by:
    • 12 years of general school education. As a rule, this corresponds to the successful completion of G8/G9 with Abitur / general university entrance qualification.
    • Applicants* who, for example, attend a three-year vocational high school, G9 or a vocational college and graduate with a technical college entrance qualification, can then be admitted if 12 years of general school education are proven. This must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
    • Applicants with a subject-specific university entrance qualification can be admitted under certain conditions. This must be checked on a case-by-case basis.
    • Applicants who have completed a nursing course in accordance with the requirements of HebG §10[i].
    • In the case of applicants who have obtained their school-leaving certificate abroad, the eligibility for admission must be checked on a case-by-case basis[ii].

Note: Admission to the program is not possible if the applicant has left the Gymnasium after the 11th grade and subsequently obtained the Fachhochschulreife through a year of voluntary service.

To be submitted upon conclusion of a student contract:

  • Certificate of good conduct (issued no more than one month previously)
  • Medical certificate of health suitability (issued no more than one month previously)

[i] HebG §10 allows admission with the completion of a successfully completed professional training

  • to become a health and pediatric nurse on the basis of the Nursing Act of July 16, 2003 (BGBl. I p. 1442), last amended by Article 12 of the Act of August 15, 2019 (BGBl. I p. 1307)
  • as a health and pediatric nurse on the basis of the Nursing Act of July 16, 2003 (BGBl. I p. 1442), as last amended by Article 12 of the Act of August 15, 2019 (BGBl. I p. 1307)
  • as a health and pediatric nurse on the basis of the Nursing Professions Act of July 17, 2017 (BGBl. I p. 2581), as last amended by Article 16 of the Act of August 15, 2019 (BGBl. I p. 1307)
  • as a nursing specialist on the basis of the Nursing Professions Act of July 17, 2017 (BGBl. I p. 2581), as last amended by Article 16 of the Act of August 15, 2019 (BGBl. I p. 1307), or
  • as a nurse responsible for general nursing care, for whom proof is provided that the training
    • meets the minimum requirements of Article 31 in conjunction with Annex V, point 5.2.1 of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22; L 271, 16. 10.2007, p. 18; L 93, 4.4.2008, p. 28; L 33, 3.2.2009, p. 49; L 305, 24.10.2014, p. 115), as last amended by Delegated Decision (EU) 2017/2113 (OJ L 317, 1.12.2017, p. 119), in the version applicable from time to time and
    • has been obtained in another Member State, in another Contracting State or in an assimilated State.

[ii] The Center for International Students in Constance (Studienkolleg Konstanz) is responsible for the recognition of foreign applicants with foreign educational certificates. The Center for International Students converts the grade of the foreign certificate according to the German grading system and issues a certificate with which one can apply to the universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg. Information at: External link opens in a new window:https://www.htwg-konstanz.de/en/academics/center-for-international-students-konstanz/start-page

The Regional Government in Stuttgart is responsible for the recognition of German applicants with foreign educational certificates. Information at: https://rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de/rps/abt7/zeugnisanerkennungsstelle/

Where do I apply and what is the application process?

The application process explained step by step:

Step 1: Application

You apply with your complete application documents to one or more of our cooperating responsible practical institutions at which you would like to complete the practical part of your studies. Click here for a Internal link opens in the same window:list of the practical institutions.

Your application to the practice institution should include at least the following documents:

  • Cover letter
  • University entrance qualification
  • Proof of sufficient German language skills for foreign and stateless applicants (language level C1, e.g. DSH-2, TestDaF min. TDN4).

Note: Please note that our cooperating responsible practical institutions may also require further prerequisites (e.g. CV, letter of motivation) for the application at their institution. Therefore, please check the prerequisites of the respective location where you would like to apply before submitting your application.

Step 2: Conclusion of a student contract

After you have successfully completed the application process, you will conclude a contract for academic midwifery training (=student contract) with one of our cooperating responsible practice facilities. This contract will reserve you a place in the midwifery science program. To confirm the place, proceed to step 3.

    Note: To conclude the student contract, you will need the certificate of good conduct and a medical certificate of health suitability (issued no longer than three months previously).

Step 3: Application on the online portal of Furtwangen University by July 1 (deadline)

With your student contract and the corresponding proof of admission, you now apply on the online platform of our university.

Step 4: Letter of admission and enrollment at the university

If the documents you have submitted are complete and correct, you can enroll at HFU. You will receive information from HFU regarding the further procedure (semester fee, enrollment, etc.).

Can I be sure that I will get a place at HFU if I have a contract with a cooperating practice institution?

As a rule, yes. After you have signed a student contract with a practical institution, Furtwangen University checks whether all formalities (university entrance qualification, certificate of good conduct, medical certificate, language skills if applicable, student contract with cooperation partner) have been met. If these requirements are met, nothing stands in the way of studying at HFU. If you do not meet these requirements, for example if you do not have a university entrance qualification, the student contract and your entitlement to a place at HFU will lapse.

What happens if I have signed a student contract with a clinic and do not want to accept the study place after all?

If you do not wish to take up your place of study at Furtwangen University after all, the student contract concluded with the practical institution will also lapse.

When do I have to apply for the certificate of good conduct?

Do not apply for the certificate of good conduct until you are about to sign a student contract with a clinic. The clinic will provide you with the appropriate forms.

Is there a waiting list?

Every cooperating practice institution accepts a fixed number of students. It is obligated to keep a waiting list of students in the event that applicants decide against a place or do not fulfill the university entrance requirements.

Do I have to do a pre-study internship?

The university does not require any prior internship. However, such an internship is recommended in order to get a better idea of the midwifery profession in advance.

As our practice partners carry out the applications, they may have additional prerequisites. There may be institutions that require a pre-study internship. Therefore, please inform yourself in advance at the institution where you would like to apply.

Is there a required grade (Numerus Clausus)?

No numerus clausus is set for admission to the Midwifery Science BSc programme. An individual selection procedure is carried out by the responsible practice institutions. This takes into account school performance, but also social skills and extra-mural qualifications acquired outside school.

Are there any tuition fees (first degree)?

No. Only the semester fee which is currently (from Winter Semester 2023/2024) €149 per semester, is charged for the first degree. This also includes the contribution for Student Services Freiburg-Schwarzwald.

Do I have to pay fees for a second degree?

Yes, in Baden-Württemberg there are tuition fees for students who have already completed a degree. Currently these are €650 per semester for second degree studies (as of April 2021).

Is there an extra quota for second degree applicants?

Initially, there will be no extra quotas for second degree applicants in the Midwifery Science programme, as our practice partners personally select the applicants according to their own criteria and specially conducted interviews. Selection is therefore not based on quotas.

What do I have to do if I obtained my university entrance qualification abroad?

The Centre for International Students in Constance (Studienkolleg Konstanz) is responsible for the recognition of foreign applicants with foreign educational certificates: https://www.htwg-konstanz.de/studium/studienkolleg/home/


The Centre for International Students converts the grade of the foreign certificate according to the German grading system and issues a certificate that can be used to apply to universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg.

For Germans with foreign certificates, the Stuttgart Regional Council is responsible for recognition: https://rp.baden-wuerttemberg.de/rps/abt7/zeugnisanerkennungsstelle/

Swiss citizens are also subject to tuition fees of an additional €1,500.

Do I receive any remuneration?

You will receive a monthly salary for the entire standard period of study. The salary is determined by the respective hospital with which you have concluded a contract at the beginning of your studies. You can find out the amount of this remuneration from the hospital at which you are applying.

How much face-to-face time will there be and will any of the events be online?

University teaching will take place four to five days a week (approximately 4.5 - 8 hours/day on average). How many lectures will require compulsory attendance or can be conducted online is still unclear and depends on the current political situation (coronavirus, etc.). During the practical phases, you must assume full-time employment (38-40hrs/week).

How are the theoretical and practical courses planned?

The theoretical and practical courses will take place at the Furtwangen location of HFU. Here, students will acquire both academic knowledge and practical skills.

In addition, students will spend a large part of their studies in practical study phases in hospitals and midwife-led facilities as well as with freelance midwives. In this way, they will get to know the exciting everyday working life of experienced midwives in the delivery room, on the postpartum ward, in birth centres or practices as early and comprehensively as possible, and will be able to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired at the university to real-life practical work. The close integration of science and practice makes it possible to train the students to become reflective practitioners.

The study phases will take place in blocks in the form of theory courses or practical lessons at the university in Furtwangen and in blocks in practical phases in the hospital or with freelance midwives.

Full-day study will always take place at one location, so that commuting from one location to another on one day is not necessary.

Is the course of study practical?

Since this is a practical profession, there are numerous practical assignments in addition to practical classes in the skills lab at the university. During your studies, you will have plenty of experience working in regional hospitals, midwife-led facilities, and with freelance midwives. In addition to five short practice placements, you will have two semesters in which you are almost exclusively in practice.

Where will the practical assignments take place?

Most of the practical assignments will take place at the institution with which you have concluded the student contract. In addition, you will be sent for part of the practical assignments to freelance midwives, to birth centres and possibly to an assignment in neonatology.

What "am" I after graduation?

Upon completion of the programme, you will receive your state professional license as a midwife and the academic degree of Bachelor of Science.

What are my career prospects?

Midwives care for, accompany and counsel women and families in a special life situation. They are experts in the field of family planning, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, breastfeeding and the care of newborns in the first year of life. In contrast to most other health care professions, midwives mainly have contact with healthy clients, with whom they mainly work independently and on their own responsibility.

Due to the increasing number of births and the shortage of midwives, the career prospects are particularly good and open up a variety of perspectives on the labour market

Possible fields of activity:

  • Midwife in an obstetrics department of a hospital
  • Midwife in a birth centre, also management positions
  • Counselling centres for families, women and children
  • Freelance work as a midwife
  • Work in midwifery research
  • Teacher or practice instructor for midwives-to-be
  • Employment with health insurance companies and health offices
  • Management of childbirth preparation and reconvalescence courses
  • Prerequisite for further master studies and doctorate
What is the housing situation in Furtwangen and at the practice facilities like?

In contrast to other student cities, the housing situation in Furtwangen looks good, because there are enough affordable (from €200) housing options for students. It is easier to find a place in a student dormitory or a room in a shared apartment, but it is difficult to find your own small apartment or an apartment to start a shared apartment with friends. Many rooms are advertised in the Facebook group "HFU Housing Market".

At our practice partners, it is sometimes possible to find accommodation in staff housing. If necessary, find out more from the practice partner with whom you would like to sign a contract.