B.Sc. Midwifery Sciences (dual-cooperative)
Right from the start…
Midwives accompany women and their families from the beginning of pregnancy until the end of breastfeeding period. They support and take care of women in this special phase of life, they independently supervise and conduct physiological births and examine and nurse newborns and infants. Their work is indispensable for the medical and psycho-social well-being of women and their families.
The dual-cooperative Bachelor’s study program Midwifery prepares students for the versatile and highly responsible work of midwives. Theoretical and practical study phases alternate.
The theoretical study phases take place at the university. They also include practical skills-training in modernly equipped simulation rooms with simulation dolls and simulation models, which prepare our students for real life situations.
The practical study phases take place at our clinical and non-clinical cooperation partners, in delivery rooms, pregnancy ambulances, postnatal care wards and in children’s clinics. We also cooperate with non-clinical free-lance midwives, birth centers or obstetrics practices.
Practice consultants take care of our students both during clinical and non-clinical assignments. Students are being remunerated throughout the entire study program.
Study objective
Students will be qualified to meet the demanded competences of the study and examination regulations for midwives (HebStPrV). Graduates have knowledge and abilities to support physiological pregnancy, birth, postpartum period and breastfeeding period. They gain professional and personal skills to meet the complex requirements of clinical and ambulant midwifery. They are able to work responsibly according to the standards of midwifery and the corresponding sciences and to reflect and evaluate their work.
Graduates receive the title of Bachelor of Science and the German state licence Hebamme (midwife).
Advantages for our students:
- close connection of theory and practice
- well-established cooperations of our university with clinical and non-clinical partners
- non-clinical work-experience abroad possible
- optional mandatory modules to create your personal focus
- individual support
- innovative teaching and study methods in small study groups
- modern skills and simulation rooms
- highly motivated teachers with many years of professional experience in midwifery, both in science and practice
- remuneration during the entire study program
time | 7 semesters full-time study program |
modules | 21 modules (16 theory modules, 5 practice modules) |
ECTS | 210 ECTS |
start of studies | in the winter semester (1st September) |
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Every semester there will be a practical phase of at least four weeks. The 3rd and 5th semester mainly consist of practice phases. If students wish, they have the option of spending a non-clinical work experience of several weeks abroad.
After each module, an exam has to be taken. The practical, written and oral exam parts of the state examination for the professional recognition as midwife take place in the form of module exams in the 6th and 7th semester.The Bachelor’s thesis has to be written during the 7th semester.
Formal admission requirements:
1. University entrance qualification:
· graduation from high school or equivalent after at least 12 school years or
· a diploma of professional training in health care
2. Bodily fitness to accomplish the study program of Midwifery (medical certificate/official form)
3. Certificate of good conduct (official form)
4. Very good command of German (C1 level), language certificate necessary for applicants without a German university entrance qualification
5. Contract with one of our practical cooperation partners for an academic midwifery training
Personal preconditions:
- interest in working with people from different cultures
- empathy
- team spirit
- resilience and flexibility
- sense of responsibility
- medical interest
- willingness to work in shifts and on weekends
- eagerness to learn independently
- good command of English
Profile
The dual bachelor's degree program in midwifery prepares students for the varied and responsible work of midwives. The theoretical study phases take place at the university and are supplemented by practical learning units in modern equipped skills and simulation rooms. These offer the opportunity to practice practical skills with simulation mannequins and models and to prepare for assignments in practice. The practical study phases are carried out at our clinical and non-clinical cooperation partners*. These practical assignments take place in alternation with the theoretical study phases during the entire course of study in the delivery room, the outpatient clinic for pregnant women, in the postpartum ward and in the pediatric clinic. In addition, out-of-hospital assignments are completed with freelance midwives, in birth centers or midwifery practices. During both clinical and out-of-hospital placements, students are accompanied by practical instructors. Students receive remuneration throughout their studies.
Study objective
Students are enabled to achieve the areas of competence listed in the study and examination regulations for midwives (HebStPrV). Graduates possess knowledge and skills to promote physiological pregnancy, birth, postpartum and lactation. They acquire professional and personal competencies required for comprehensive midwifery work in clinical and outpatient settings. They are able to practice, reflect and evaluate their work independently according to the recognized state of midwifery science and its related sciences.
The program culminates in a Bachelor of Science degree and state licensure in midwifery.
Advantages for the student:
- Close integration between theory and practice
- Established cooperation between university and practice partners in clinical and non-clinical areas
- Non-clinical work abroad also possible
- Elective modules for students to set their own focus
- Individual supervision
- Innovative teaching and learning methods in manageable group sizes
- Learning in modern skills and simulation rooms
- Highly motivated lecturers with many years of experience in midwifery science and professional practice
- Remuneration throughout the entire course of study
Study structure
| Length | 7 semesters of full-time study |
| Modules | 21 modules (16 theory modules, 5 practical modules) |
| ECTS | 210 ECTS |
| Start date | annually in the winter semester (September 1) |
Application period university | expected May 02 to 23, 2025 |
| Application period for practice partners | from receipt of the provisional admission certificate until June 11, 2025 |
The course of study includes a practical placement in each semester. The third and fifth semesters consist mainly of practical phases. Each module concludes with a module examination. The practical, written and oral parts of the state examination for professional recognition as a midwife take place as module examinations in the sixth and seventh semesters. The Bachelor's thesis is written in the seventh semester.
Course content
The course is based on the new study and examination regulations (HebStPrV) and enables students to develop the skills described therein. In addition to the acquisition of extensive specialist knowledge, emphasis is placed on the skills of scientific work, good communication skills, self-management and teamwork.
Further information can be found in the study plan and module handbook.
Information for prospective students
Formal admission requirements:
1. qualification for university entrance (HZB):
- Degree of at least 12 years of general school education (Abitur, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or previous education recognized as equivalent) or
- Degree of a successfully completed vocational training in health care and (pediatric) nursing
2. health suitability to complete the midwifery course (medical certificate/form)
3. extended certificate of good conduct (not older than 3 months), to be submitted only upon acceptance of a practice place
4. if applicable, proof of German language proficiency (C1 level) for applicants who have not obtained their qualification for university entrance in Germany.
5. contract for academic midwifery training with a cooperating practice institution of the university
Internship:
A minimum of four weeks of work-related internship is required from our cooperating practice partners. At least two weeks of this should have been completed in the delivery room. However, the internship is not a prerequisite for applying for a place at university.
Personal requirements:
- Enjoy working with people from different cultures
- Ability to empathize
- Ability to work in a team
- Ability to work under pressure and flexibility
- Sense of responsibility
- Interest in medicine
- Willingness to work shifts and weekends
- Enjoyment of independent learning
- English language skills
Vaccinations
The statutory facility-related vaccination requirement applies.
application procedures
The application for the dual Bachelor's degree program in Midwifery is a two-step process. In the first step, you apply for a study place at the university. In a subsequent, second step, you apply for a practical placement at a cooperating practice facility.
| University application period | May 2 to 23, 2025 |
| Application period practice partner (clinic) | From receipt of the provisional admission certificate until June 11, 2025 |
Step 1: Application for a study place
Application to the HWG Ludwigshafen
General documents to be submitted:
Please refer to the application management information sheet for the general documents to be submitted.
The semester fee is only to be paid when applying for the degree program Midwifery Science after acceptance by a practice partner and not yet when applying for a study place!
Special documents to be submitted:
- Medical certificate (original, not older than 3 months)
- Extended certificate of good conduct (not older than 3 months), to be submitted only after acceptance of a practical placement
- Language certificate, if applicable
Note: Qualification for university entrance is not yet available
If you do not receive your qualification for university entrance until the current year 2025, you can apply for the degree program Midwifery Science within the application deadline with your last half-year report card. You must then submit the qualification for university entrance by August 31 at the latest.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the application management team at the Student Service Center (SSC). An overview of the necessary application and application documents can be found in the table under "Midwifery Science (B.Sc.)". The application is possible from May 2nd at the earliest, only then will the registration button be activated.
Step 2: Application for a practical placement
Application to the cooperating practice institutions
With the provisional admission certificate from HWG Ludwigshafen , you can apply for a place at one of our cooperating practice facilities (clinics).
Required documents (see also homepage of the clinics):
- Provisional certificate of admission from HWG Ludwigshafen
- Copy of the final certificate (or last certificate)
- Letter of motivation
- Complete curriculum vitae in tabular form
- Proof of a job-related, four-week internship (at least 2 weeks in the delivery room) or confirmation of an internship place
- If applicable, proof of social commitment (FSJ, BFD, etc.)
- Proof of studies or degree certificate, if applicable
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact application management for the necessary information and contacts at the Student Service Center (SSC) or contact Timo Schweitzer directly (timo.schweitzer@hwg-lu.de).
If you have any questions about the content of the degree programs (structure, cooperating practical institutions, etc.), please contact the Student Advisory Service by e-mail at claudia.hobbie@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de.
Cooperating practice facilities (clinics)
Applications to all our practice institutions are only possible after receipt of the provisional admission certificate from the university (see application procedures).
Responsible practical institutions of the University of Applied Sciences Ludwigshafen
Westpfalz-Clinic Kaiserslautern
Hellmut-Hartert-Strasse 1
67655 Kaiserslautern
St. Marienkrankenhaus Ludwigshafen
Salzburger Str. 15
67067 Ludwigshafen am Rhein
Hospital Motherhouse of the Borromean Sisters Trier
Feldstr. 16
54292 Trier
Team
Team midwifery science
Professors and deputy professors
Prof. Dr. Monika Greening
Professorship for Midwifery Science
Prof. Nina Knape, Ph.D.
Professorship for Midwifery Science/ Program Director
Prof. Michaela Michel-Schuldt, Ph.D.
Professorship for Midwifery Science
Prof. in Dr. med. Barbara Filsinger
Professorship for Obstetrics and Mother-Child Health
Prof. Dr. Karen Fried
Professorship for Midwifery Science
Evi Lauinger-Lörsch
Substitute Professorship for Obstetrics and Mother-Child Health
Dr. Rosemarie Horcher-Metzger
Deputy Professorship for Midwifery Science
Staff members
Claudia Hobbie, M.A.
Program Coordinator
Mareike Kast, M.A.
Practice consultant
Cordula Fischer, M.A.
Practice consultant
Valentina Ercoli, B.A.
Pedagogical and technical assistance
for the area of simulation/skills lab/digital education
Elena Dahlem, B.A.
Practice Coordinator
Miriam Beller, B.Sc.
Program coordinator with a focus on coordination and practical education
FAQ
What is the difference between the dual bachelor's degree program in midwifery and the new dual bachelor's degree program in midwifery science?
The midwifery degree program is only for midwives who are already certified and trainees at the midwifery schools in Heidelberg, Lahr, Speyer and Saarbrücken. You can complete this degree program parallel to your professional activity or training as a midwife. The program will be offered for the last time in the winter semester 2021/22.
The course of study in midwifery science is a primary qualifying course of study and is aimed at all prospective students who wish to learn the profession of midwifery. In this degree program, the theory takes place at the university and the practical assignments take place in the clinic and out-of-hospital settings. This course of study will replace training at midwifery schools as a result of the amendment to the Midwifery Act in 2019. Midwifery schools will be allowed to start midwifery training courses for the last time in 2022. From 2023, it will only be possible to become a midwife at colleges and universities.
Can I apply for a practice position at any clinic?
No, you can only apply at the practice facilities (clinics) that cooperate with the Ludwigshafen University of Applied Sciences. In order to apply at the clinics, you will need a provisional certificate of admission from the HWG Ludwigshafen.
Can I also apply first to a practice partner and then to the university?
No, in order to submit a complete application to the practice partner, you need the provisional admission certificate from the university. You will receive this when you apply to the university with the necessary documents during the application period (see above).
What does the status "Offer of admission has been made" in the application portal mean? Do I have to react?
The status "Offer of admission has been made" is an automated status that creates the "Provisional admission certificate" for you. As soon as you find the above-mentioned status in the system, the Preliminary Admission Certificate is already on its way to you by mail.
I am still enrolled at another university. Do I already have to send the exmatriculation certificate with my application?
No, you can submit the de-registration certificate once you have been accepted by a practice partner.
Is the dual study program in midwifery also offered as a part-time program?
Currently, HWG Ludwigshafen offers the dual bachelor's degree program in midwifery only as a full-time program.
I have already completed a degree in Germany. Do I have to pay second study fees?
Yes, the second study fee is currently 650 € per semester.
The study program introduces itself
TV feature "Becoming a midwife
