Health and Nursing Education, Master of Arts

Who is the Master’s Degree Programme in Health and Nursing Education suitable for?

The Master’s degree programme in Health and Nursing Education at the Medical School Hamburg is primarily aimed at graduates with a bachelor’s degree in the fields of health sciences, therapy or nursing sciences, as well as nursing education. It targets individuals who aspire to a teaching profession in healthcare or who are already engaged in teaching or leadership roles at healthcare schools and wish to expand their pedagogical skills. The programme also addresses applicants who want to take on responsibility in the education and training of the next generation of healthcare professionals in the future.

Admission: What formal requirements apply to the programme?

• Eligibility to study in master’s degree programmes according to § 39 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmbHG).
• Completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, e.g. health sciences, nursing sciences, therapy sciences or nursing education.
• For foreign degrees: proof of equivalence (educational certificate).

A numerus clausus (NC) is not required for the programme. After receipt of the application, an individual admission interview will take place in which personal motivation is assessed.

Personal requirements: What should you bring with you?

• Interest in pedagogical, didactic and organisational issues in healthcare.
• Willingness to take responsibility in the training of healthcare professionals.
• Openness to interdisciplinary collaboration and development of communication skills.
• Self-motivation and willingness to learn in order to successfully complete a part-time course alongside work.
• Experience in healthcare or initial teaching experience are advantageous but not obligatory.

What do you learn in the Master’s in Health and Nursing Education?

The Master’s degree programme in Health and Nursing Education at the Medical School Hamburg (MSH) provides you with comprehensive skills for teaching, didactics, and school management in healthcare. The aim is to qualify you for a successful career as a teacher or manager at schools for health professions. During your studies, you will engage with four key competence areas, which are divided into 18 modules.

• Educational Sciences: You will deepen your understanding of vocational and business education and learn to plan, implement, and critically assess didactic concepts. The organisation and specific features of schools in the healthcare sector are also a focus.
• Professional Specialisation: Here you build on your previous degree in health, nursing, or therapy sciences. You develop specific competences and choose a specialisation: either nursing science or health science.
• Interdisciplinary Competences: In interdisciplinary learning, you analyse communication and conflict situations. Topics such as inclusion, diversity, and heterogeneity are covered—especially in the context of teaching at healthcare schools.
• Practical Transfer and Master’s Thesis: Practical study phases and the preparation of subject-didactic studies enable you to apply what you have learned in real teaching-learning situations. The master’s thesis constitutes the scientific conclusion of your studies.

How is the programme organised?

The programme is designed as a part-time model and spans five semesters (standard duration). Throughout your studies, you will combine block weekends on campus (four days per block) with virtual, location-independent teaching phases. This allows you to continue working alongside your studies. The months of March, August, and September are lecture-free. During the programme, you will be specifically prepared for teaching and leadership roles at schools for health professions, regardless of whether you already have teaching experience or are at the beginning of your educational career.

What career prospects do you have after graduation?

After graduating with a Master of Arts in Health and Nursing Education, you can work in a wide range of areas. Typical fields of employment include schools for health professions, school centres, clinics, as well as companies and associations in the healthcare sector.

• Teacher and management roles at healthcare schools
• Personnel and organisational development in healthcare companies
• Work in associations, foundations, health insurance companies and social services
• Employment in authorities, ministries and political institutions in the healthcare sector
• Work in health-related media companies, publishers and media agencies
• Management of multiprofessional teams in healthcare and social institutions
• Access to doctoral studies and an academic career in health and nursing education

Where does the programme take place?

The location of the studies is Hamburg. The teaching sessions are conducted at the Medical School Hamburg in a modern university environment.

What tuition fees should you expect?

For the Master’s degree programme in Health and Nursing Education at the MSH, you pay a tuition fee of 495 euros per month. In addition, a one-time enrolment fee of 100 euros is charged. Overall, the costs therefore extend over the duration of five semesters in the part-time programme. Funding opportunities are available through traditional financing models such as BAföG, scholarships, or possibly support from employers.