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Private universities in Germany offer over 30 nursing science programmes – spanning nursing management, nursing education, midwifery, Advanced Nursing Practice and gerontology. Formats include distance learning from €219/month, dual (work-integrated), full-time campus and part-time programmes. All are NC-free. All programmes are taught in German (B2–C1 level required).
Germany faces a severe nursing shortage: vacancies in elderly care take an average of 286 days to fill, and the Federal Statistical Office projects a shortfall of 280,000 to 690,000 nurses by 2049. Since the BEEP Act (January 2026), nurses in Germany may independently perform clinical tasks previously reserved for physicians.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does it cost to study nursing science at a private university?
- Are there English-taught nursing programmes?
- Studying with or without prior nursing training
- Nursing management, education or Advanced Practice: which path?
- Midwifery (Hebammenkunde) at private universities
- The BEEP Act 2026: a milestone for nursing in Germany
- How to get in: admission without NC
- Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
- What do nursing science graduates earn in Germany?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related programmes at private universities
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 30 courses in the field of Nursing Science. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
Care Management
- Hamburger Fern-Hochschule
- 7 Semester
- online
- from 309 € monthly
- German
Therapy and nursing sciences for trainees
- Hamburger Fern-Hochschule
- 8 Semester
- Online
- from 149 € monthly
- German
Community Health Nursing
- Witten/Herdecke University
- 4 Semester
- Witten
- from 562 € monthly
- German and English
Applied Gerontology
- APOLLON University of Health Care Management
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 311 € monthly
- German
Interprofessional Health Care in Pediatrics
- Carl Remigius Medical School
- 4 Semester
- Köln
- from 475 € monthly
- German
Care Management
- APOLLON University of Health Care Management
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 288 € monthly
- German
Nursing Science
- SRH University
- 6 Semester
- Gera
- from 500 € monthly
- German
Gerontology
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- German
Nursing Management
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- German
Therapy and nursing sciences
- Hamburger Fern-Hochschule
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 333 € monthly
- German
Health and Nursing Education
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 299 € monthly
- German
Advanced Nursing Practice
- Medical School Hamburg
- 6 Semester
- Hamburg
- from 390 € monthly
- German
Nursing Management and Organizational Knowledge
- Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf
- 5 Semester
- Dusseldorf
- from 438 € monthly
- German
Advanced Clinical Care
- Akkon University of Human Sciences
- 6 Semester
- Berlin
- from 479 € monthly
- German
Psychiatric Nursing
- Döpfer University of Applied Sciences
- 5 Semester
- Regensburg and Potsdam
- from 490 € monthly
- German
Critical Care and Anesthesia Nursing
- Döpfer University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- Regensburg and Potsdam
- from 490 € monthly
- German
Care and Health
- Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf
- 7 Semester
- Dusseldorf
- from 488 € monthly
- German
How much does it cost to study nursing science at a private university?
Tuition fees for nursing science at private universities in Germany range from €149 to €575 per month, depending on the study format:
| Format | Monthly | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning | €219–333 | €8,760–15,216 |
| On-campus (full-time) | €390–500 | €3,416–19,848 |
| Dual (work + study) | on request to €490 | on request to €34,940 |
| Part-time | €200–575 | €9,600–16,140 |
By international comparison, studying nursing at a German private university is considerably cheaper than in the UK (£9,250/year), the US ($30,000–60,000/year for BSN/MSN programmes) or Australia (AUD 25,000–45,000/year). German private tuition typically ranges from €2,460 to €4,000 per year for distance learning – with no additional application fees. Since 2024, students in qualifying dual programmes receive training compensation that often covers tuition.
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Gerontology, Master of Arts Distance learning program | APOLLON University of Health Care Management | 4 Semester | from 8760 € total from 311 € monthly | |
| Nursing, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | IU International University of Applied Sciences | 3 Semester | from 9481 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Therapy and nursing sciences, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | Hamburger Fern-Hochschule | 6 Semester | from 11988 € total from 333 € monthly | |
| Care Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | APOLLON University of Health Care Management | 6 Semester | from 12780 € total from 288 € monthly |
Are there English-taught nursing programmes?
No. All nursing science programmes at private universities in Germany are taught entirely in German. You will need German language skills at B2 to C1 level (CEFR) to follow lectures, complete assignments and participate in clinical placements.
If you are considering studying in Germany, we recommend starting German language courses early. Many universities accept language certificates from the Goethe-Institut, TestDaF or DSH. For international credentials: recognition via anabin or application through uni-assist.
The following programmes accept international students (instruction in German):
| Course | University | Study site | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Care and Health, Bachelor of Arts On-campus program | Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf | Dusseldorf | 7 Semester | from 3416 € total from 488 € monthly | |
| Nursing, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | IU International University of Applied Sciences | online | 3 Semester | from 9481 € total from 259 € monthly | |
| Advanced Nursing Practice, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Medical School Hamburg | Hamburg | 6 Semester | from 14040 € total from 390 € monthly | |
| Nursing Science, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | SRH University | Gera | 6 Semester | from 18000 € total from 500 € monthly |
Studying with or without prior nursing training
Whether you need prior vocational nursing training (Ausbildung) depends on the programme format:
- Directly qualifying (primärqualifizierend): Full-time campus programmes at Fliedner University, SRH University, Akkon University and the University of Witten/Herdecke lead directly to a bachelor’s degree and professional qualification as a registered nurse – no prior training required.
- Dual (training + degree): Programmes at hochschule 21, FHM, HFH and HGE Eberswalde combine vocational nursing training with university studies in a single programme. Since 2024, dual students receive training compensation that often covers tuition.
- Top-up for qualified nurses: Distance and part-time programmes at IU, AKAD, APOLLON, HFH and HSD Döpfer are designed for already-qualified nurses seeking an academic degree while continuing to work. Prior training is credited, shortening study time.
Compared to vocational training alone, the degree adds evidence-based practice, research methods, clinical reasoning and scientific writing – skills that qualify you for leadership roles, research and, since the BEEP Act (2026), independent clinical practice.
Nursing management, education or Advanced Practice: which path?
Your specialisation determines your career profile and salary more than the study format or university. Four main paths are available:
| Criterion | Nursing Mgmt | Nursing Ed. | ANP | Gerontology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Business + nursing | Teaching + didactics | Clinical expertise | Ageing + health |
| Core subjects | Controlling, HR, QM | Pedagogy, curriculum | Diagnostics, pharmacology | Geriatric psychiatry, dementia |
| Entry salary | ~€4,800/mo | ~€3,500/mo | ~€3,500/mo | ~€3,200/mo |
| Employers | Hospitals, care homes, insurers | Nursing schools, universities | Hospitals, specialist clinics | Elderly care, rehab, prevention |
Nursing management programmes teach HR management, quality assurance, healthcare economics and organisational development. Graduates work as nursing directors (Pflegedienstleitung), facility managers or healthcare consultants – earning up to €6,749/month (TVöD P16) in senior positions.
Nursing education prepares you to teach at nursing schools – a role in acute shortage in Germany. The curriculum covers didactics, curriculum design, learning psychology and practical mentoring. Graduates become nursing lecturers, clinical mentors or school directors.
Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) focuses on extended clinical competencies: advanced assessments, pharmacology, pathophysiology and evidence-based practice. Since the BEEP Act (January 2026), ANP graduates can independently perform wound care, diabetes management and dementia care. Salaries range from €3,500 to €5,900/month.
Gerontology addresses the needs of an ageing population. Graduates work in elderly care facilities, rehabilitation centres, prevention programmes and research. With 5.7 million people requiring care in Germany today – projected to reach 6.8 million by 2055 – demand is growing rapidly.
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied Gerontology, Master of Arts Distance learning program | APOLLON University of Health Care Management | 4 Semester | from 8760 € total from 311 € monthly | |
| Health and Nursing Education, Master of Arts Distance learning program | IU International University of Applied Sciences | 4 Semester | from 12775 € total from 299 € monthly | |
| Care Management, Bachelor of Arts Distance learning program | APOLLON University of Health Care Management | 6 Semester | from 12780 € total from 288 € monthly | |
| Advanced Nursing Practice, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Medical School Hamburg | 6 Semester | from 14040 € total from 390 € monthly |
Midwifery (Hebammenkunde) at private universities
Since the Midwifery Reform Act (January 2020), academic training is mandatory for all prospective midwives in Germany – in line with EU directives. Private universities offer midwifery as dual or part-time bachelor programmes. The curriculum covers prenatal care, labour and delivery, postnatal care, neonatology, obstetric emergency management and evidence-based practice. Graduates work in hospital delivery wards, birth centres or as independent midwives.
| Course | University | Study site | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | Eberswalde University of Applied Sciences for Health Professions | Eberswalde | 7 Semester | from 21310 € total from 490 € monthly | |
| Midwifery Science, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | FHM University of Applied Sciences | Hanover | 42 Months | from 34940 € total |
The BEEP Act 2026: a milestone for nursing in Germany
The Act on Extended Authority and Reduced Bureaucracy in Nursing (BEEP) came into force on 1 January 2026. It grants nurses in Germany independent clinical authority for tasks previously reserved for physicians – including wound care, diabetes management, dementia care, prescribing medical devices, injections and catheterisation.
Germany has long lagged behind international standards in nursing academisation: only 1–2 % of nurses hold an academic degree, compared to 10–20 % recommended by the German Council of Science and Humanities. In the UK and Sweden, a bachelor’s degree is the sole entry to the profession (100 %); in the Netherlands, the rate is around 45 %. The BEEP Act, combined with growing enrolments in nursing programmes, marks a significant step toward closing this gap.
For international students considering a nursing career in Germany, this means: a nursing degree opens doors not only to management and teaching roles but increasingly to independent clinical practice – with corresponding salary potential.
How to get in: admission without NC
Private universities in Germany do not apply a Numerus Clausus (NC) for nursing science. Requirements depend on the programme type:
- Bachelor (qualifying, full-time/dual): A secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. No prior nursing training required. For international credentials: recognition via anabin or application through uni-assist.
- Bachelor (distance, top-up): Prior nursing training (Ausbildung) is usually required. Training is credited towards the degree, shortening study time.
- Master: A completed first degree (min. 180 ECTS). Some programmes require professional nursing experience.
- Midwifery: Abitur or Fachhochschulreife, often plus a health certificate and motivational interview.
Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
Non-EU students need a student visa and a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with at least €11,904 per year as proof of financial means. Health insurance is mandatory and costs around €120 per month for students under 30.
As a student, you may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without a separate work permit. The Deutschlandticket (€63/month) provides unlimited access to local and regional public transport across Germany.
After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa to find employment in Germany. Given the severe shortage of nursing professionals – with vacancies taking 286 days to fill on average – your chances of finding a position are excellent.
What do nursing science graduates earn in Germany?
Nursing science graduates in Germany work in hospitals, care homes, outpatient nursing services, nursing schools, universities, consulting firms, health insurers, the Medical Service (Medizinischer Dienst) or in research. Midwives work in hospitals, birth centres or independently. Salaries follow the TVöD nursing pay scale (TVöD-P):
| Role | TVöD grade | Entry level | Experienced (max.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse | P7 | €3,415 | €4,188 |
| ICU/theatre nurse | P9–P10 | €3,884 | €4,826 |
| Ward manager | P12–P13 | €4,530 | €5,621 |
| Nursing director (PDL) | P15 | €4,993 | €6,188 |
| Chief nursing officer | P16 | €5,097 | €6,749 |
Graduates with a degree earn approximately €500–1,000 more per month at career entry than those with vocational training alone. In western Germany, the average nursing salary is around €3,996/month; in eastern Germany around €3,729/month. Public employers (TVöD) and church-affiliated employers (Caritas, Diakonie) generally pay more than private care providers.
Sources: German Federal Employment Agency (Entgeltatlas), TVöD-P 2025, StepStone Salary Report 2025. All figures gross, before tax.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. Full-time and dual programmes (at Fliedner University, SRH, Akkon, hochschule 21, FHM, HFH, Eberswalde) are directly qualifying – no prior training needed. Distance programmes at IU, AKAD, APOLLON and HFH typically require prior nursing training (Ausbildung).
Nursing science (Pflegewissenschaften) focuses on research, evidence-based practice and nursing theory. Nursing management (Pflegemanagement) takes a business perspective: HR management, organisational development and facility leadership. Many programmes combine both perspectives.
Yes. Since the Midwifery Reform Act (2020), academic training is mandatory for all prospective midwives in Germany. Private universities offer midwifery as dual or part-time bachelor programmes at FHM University, HGE Eberswalde and others.
Since January 2026, nurses in Germany may independently perform wound care, diabetes management and dementia care. The Act significantly expands the scope of nursing practice, especially for graduates with an Advanced Nursing Practice degree. It makes a nursing degree more valuable than ever.
Related programmes at private universities
About the Author Marcus Schütz
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