Among European countries, Germany not only offers a high standard of living and substantial investment in public healthcare, but it also stands out for its strong technical and specialist education. A good example is the Technical University of Munich, a major technical research university with schools in fields such as engineering, natural sciences, and medicine and health. This makes Germany an excellent destination to study nursing, especially if you hope to build your career there afterward.
In most cases, you will need to speak German to enroll in the programs below, and some universities require advanced German-language proficiency. Before narrowing down your choices, you can also explore courses in Germany to get a broader sense of available programs and institutions. Many nursing programs in Germany are offered by universities of applied sciences or through cooperative programs that combine academic study with practical training.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Germany
1. Hamburg University of Applied Sciences
First on our list is the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences. Based in Hamburg, the university offers nursing-related programs through its Department of Nursing and Management.
The university’s cooperative Bachelor of Science in Nursing combines academic study with practical training. Students learn to deliver professional nursing care in several settings, including inpatient, long-term, and outpatient care. The university also offers a Master of Science in Nursing for qualified nursing professionals. With its applied approach and close connection to healthcare practice, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences is a strong option for nursing studies in Germany.
To enroll in the bachelor’s program, applicants need a higher education entrance qualification and a training contract or binding commitment with one of the university’s cooperation partners. International applicants also need to meet the university’s German-language requirement.
2. Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts
Hochschule Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts offers a training-integrated Bachelor of Science in Nursing that runs for eight semesters. To join this nursing school in Germany, applicants need a recognized higher education entrance qualification and a completed training contract with a practical training provider. Relevant care experience, such as an internship, is recommended.
At the end of the study program, candidates receive a professional nursing qualification in combination with the Bachelor of Science degree. This allows students to complete both academic and professional nursing training within four years.
During the course, students complete eight practical modules exploring different areas of nursing practice. The program also includes a skills lab, where students can practice nursing procedures in a controlled learning environment.
3. Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Bremen, also known as HSB, offers the International Degree Program in Nursing, a Bachelor of Science program. Although it has an international component, the main language of instruction is German. The program follows the format of other nursing programs in Germany by combining academic study with practical nursing training. Successful completion leads to a Bachelor of Science degree and a state nursing license.
Students complete practical modules throughout the program and must apply for a training contract with one of the university’s cooperation institutions. The program includes a stay abroad and is designed to prepare graduates for nursing practice in Germany and international healthcare settings.
After completing an undergraduate nursing degree, graduates may explore related graduate study at the University of Bremen. The current University of Bremen master’s program is Community Health Care and Nursing: Health Care Research and Health Care Planning, M.Sc.
4. Hochschule Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences
Originally founded in 1971 and transferred to a foundation under public law in 2003, Hochschule Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is another strong nursing school in Germany. The university has around 13,000 students and offers more than 100 degree programs across its faculties and campuses.
For the nursing program, the same general setup applies as at many other German institutions. Students enroll in a dual Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and, after successful completion, earn both the academic degree and the state professional qualification as a nursing specialist. The program runs for eight semesters and combines university study with instruction at cooperating vocational schools and practical training at healthcare institutions.
5. Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
We end our list of the best nursing schools in Germany with Esslingen University of Applied Sciences. Its Faculty of Social Work, Education and Nursing Sciences offers nursing-related study options at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing combines an academic degree with the state professional license as a nursing specialist. It is offered in cooperation with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Tübingen and the University Hospital Tübingen.
The program runs for seven semesters and is designed to provide students with the ability to deliver professional nursing care, advise patients, work with medical and therapeutic teams, and apply research-based knowledge in healthcare practice.
Teaching takes place at the Campus for Health Sciences Tübingen-Esslingen, while practical training can be completed at the University Hospital Tübingen or at other health and nursing care institutions in and around Tübingen and Esslingen.
We hope this article will serve as a guide as you search for a nursing school in Germany. For more articles about this European powerhouse, head on over to the Study in Germany Page! Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Germany for study opportunities!
