There are Nursing Schools in Germany, but knowing how do you obtain a nursing degree in Germany is key. We have covered all that in this article.
Germany urgently needs more nursing professionals. The German government intends to create thousands of new jobs and make this work more attractive.
In this guide, we have listed all you need to know about nursing schools in Germany, nursing schools in Germany for international students, as well as becoming a nurse in Germany.
Nursing Training in Germany
The training lasts three years. Part-time training is also possible, which takes more time. Theory and practice are linked: future nurses receive 2,100 hours of classes at a vocational school.
They also work 2,500 hours in a hospital or nursing home, so they get to know their jobs under real conditions.
At the end of their training, they must pass a state exam. Starting in 2020, the training courses for geriatric caregivers, health and nursing staff, as well as for pediatric nursing staff, will be unified. In the first two years they all learn together, in the third year they specialize in one field.
Nurses carry out rehabilitation, therapeutic and medical-health care work. They help patients with nutrition and body care, administer medications, measure blood pressure, and change bandages. In addition, they support leisure activities.
Health and nursing staff work in clinics or nursing facilities. They monitor the health of patients, assist doctors with examinations, and prepare for operations. They also document the evolution of the disease.
What Nurses Earn in Germany
Vocational training students receive between 1,040 euros and 1,200 euros per month. The starting salary for certified health and nursing staff is around 2,500 euros.
This is the highest salary compared to other European countries. This pay doesn’t matter if you attended private or public universities in germany for nursing.
Working Conditions for Nurses
Nursing staff must be flexible as they work in shifts and often on weekends.
In addition, nurses must have good empathy, be able to withstand stress and be physically resilient.
The List of Nursing Schools in Germany
By nursing schools in Germany, we mean schools that offer nursing degrees in Germany.
12 Best Schools offering Nursing in Germany
Most schools require an excellent level of German (C1 level), certified by an official degree. It is logical because this career is focused on dealing directly with patients and it is necessary to master the language for it.
And after finishing the nursing degree, you can access different specializations such as ICU and assistance, oncology, home care, hygiene, etc.
These specializations are called Fachweiterbildung, they have both theoretical and practical hours (about 700 hours) and after completion, you have to take a state exam.
With these specializations, greater professional prestige and salary are achieved.
FH Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link: fh-bielefeld.de/nursing
This is the second-largest education institution in Bielefeld. This public university was founded in 1971. They enroll over 11,000 students in six faculties.
The Nursing department was founded in 1996 and produces one of the most trained and qualified nurses in Germany.
Entry Requirements:
An internship in the field of nursing is recommended.
You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, transcript of records, national ID, and proof of health insurance.
You also need at least a B2 level in the German language.
Tuition Fees:
Students in Bielefeld need around €700–800/month, in order to cover their costs. Tuition fees average at $1,000 per year.
HS Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link: hs-esslingen.de/en/nursing
This is a public university in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. Founded in 1868, it’s a school whose reputation matches its results.
The Nursing (B.Sc.) degree program is open to those with a university entrance qualification and focuses on practical clinical nursing care in hospitals, care homes, and outpatient nursing services.
The program has both theoretical and practical phases and qualifies you to practice as a nurse.
During the seven-semester, full-time degree program, students analyze scientific findings on nursing care and health care sciences, medicine, psychology, sociology, ethics, law, politics, business administration, and ecology.
Students are thus prepared for the diverse nursing tasks they will have to undertake.
Entry Requirements:
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or
- Relevant subject-specific university entrance qualification or
- Foreign university entrance qualification which has been recognized as equivalent by the official authority responsible, or
- Restricted university entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife) with Delta examination certificate.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees cost around 3,000 euros per year.
HS Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link: hs-osnabrueck.de/en/nursing
It’s a university of Applied Sciences renowned for its quality education and almost perfect records.
They offer dual study for nursing meaning that upon graduation, you’ll be receiving two certificates – a Bachelor’s degree and you will also become a nursing specialist.
Entry Requirements:
Your school leaving certificate and at least a B1 level in the German language.
You must also have the required pre-study internship for the course.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees are about 1000 USD with monthly expenses hitting almost 900 USD on average.
Catholic University of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Website: katho-nrw.de
Established in 1971, it’s a very good school with a lot of opportunities in education and training for its students.
They offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing after three years of study.
Entry Requirements:
IELTS certificate, health, and life insurance, online application form, TOEFL certificate, application fee, local language certificate, declaration for financial support, motivation letter, student visa (if foreign), passport, photographs, and proof of fee payment.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees cost about 1000 USD per year for both international and local students.
Alice Salomon HS Berlin
- Nursing Program Link: ash-berlin.eu/en/nursing
This School’s Nursing Program offers you a bachelor’s degree after three years of study. It offers admission places to people who have completed their vocational training.
Entry Requirements:
Firstly, the language of instruction is German. That means German proficiency is required. A language level of C1 is recommended.
Then you will need to submit your school leaving certificate and must have done a pre-internship.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees especially for both foreigners and citizens is about 1000 USD per year.
Living expenses average about 900 USD per month.
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link: haw-hamburg.de/en/nursing
The school offers you a bachelor’s degree in nursing upon graduation. It was founded in 1970 and is the third-largest university of Applied Sciences in Germany.
The Nursing program lasts for seven semesters.
This cooperative degree program in Nursing delivers a double qualification: an academic degree and comprehensive vocational training for a professional license in nursing.
Entry Requirements:
Your school leaving certificate, a two-week internship in a setting delivering patient care, an IELTS score of at least 4.0, and a C1 level in the German language.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees are free at the University of Hamburg but rent expenses are about 400 euros per month with students required to pay about 300 euros per semester to have access to public transport.
Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences
- Nursing Program Link: hs-bremen.de/en/nursing
This four-year program is taught entirely in German and includes a bachelor’s thesis and an overseas semester (thus requiring knowledge of English). Therefore,
Hochschule Bremen (HBS) offers internationally-oriented courses.
However, it also adheres to the format of other German nursing programs, with hands-on work-related research being conducted in parallel with a bachelor’s degree.
Therefore, being able to get a degree means having a bachelor of science degree. State-recognized vocational training qualifications for the nursing profession.
Graduates of this prestigious nursing school in Germany are guaranteed access to a master’s degree in community and family health nursing at the University of Bremen.
Entry Requirements:
General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or entrance qualification for studies at universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulreife) or placement examination/special admission
English language skills at level B1.2 (can be acquired as part of the degree program, in which case proof must be submitted by the end of the 4th semester at the latest);
Sufficient vaccination protection including the vaccinations against Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, COVID-19, Diphtheria, and Tetanus as well as a doctor’s certificate stating that you are in good health to work in the nursing sector.
You must also submit all your previous school certificates.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees are free in this university but students are required to pay a certain contribution every semester.
University of Freiburg
- Nursing Program Link: studium.uni-freiburg.de/en/nursing
The University of Freiburg is one of Germany’s strongest universities with a reputation in research. They also have a renowned department of nursing.
Entry Requirements:
Foreign school or university degree transcript, proof of knowledge of the German language at level C1.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition is mostly free for all programs however the school requires a semester fee of 155 euros for all students whether undergraduate or graduate programs for both EU and non-EU students.
IMC FH Krems University of Applied Sciences
- Program Link: fh-krems.ac.at/en/nursing
The IMC Krems General Nursing Course prepares for a wide range of nursing tasks. Combining theory and practice to cover a variety of nursing topics such as acute care (hospital surgery and medical ward care), long-term care (for residents of nursing homes), mobile care (for people at home), and rehabilitation.
Entry Requirements:
A school leaving certificate, health reports, a certain level of German language and pre-internship.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees cost about 400 euros.
Lutheran University of Applied Sciences Nuremberg
- Website: evhn.de/en
This is a small university with a population of just over 1000. It’s a private university that is quickly cementing its spot as a leading school in Germany.
All information you need can be gotten as you go in contact with the school.
Entry Requirements:
A school leaving certificate, health tests and reports, German language proficiency, and financial proof.
Tuition Fees:
Tuition fees cost up to 1000 USD.
Germany Student Visa – Checklist, Requirements, Application, Fees & Processing Time
Depending on the country you come from, you might be exempt from needing a visa to study in Germany, but you are still required to obtain a residence permit for studies lasting more than 90 days, once you arrive in Germany.
Do You Need a Visa To Study In Germany?
- For studies that last up to 3 months, you need a Schengen visa.
- For studies that last more than 3 months, you need a German national visa
If you enter Germany with a national visa you have to extend your stay by getting a German residence permit for studies at the Foreigner’s Office. You should do this while your entry visa is still valid.
The first thing you’ve got to do is to find out if you need a visa to study in Germany as an international student, and if you do, what type of visa you need to apply for considering the length and nature of your planned studies. Find out more about student visas in Germany.
Final Words
There are many benefits of studying in Germany and they are:
- You can get a student and work visa.
- It’s very easy for your family to reunite with you. Germany offers options for your family in other countries to join you in Germany.
- You get paid even while still studying.
- There are higher chances of you pursuing a higher education upon your graduation.
We advise though to at least get a B2 level in German before enrolling in a school otherwise, you will have quite a struggle working in Germany.
Germany is in high demand for nurses hence, a nurse in Germany is open to a lot of opportunities than their counterparts in other countries, even more, if you had studied there. Finally, you can find free nursing schools in Germany for international students and nursing schools in Germany that teach in English, if you research more.