New Nursing Science degree program in Würzburg: Career opportunities for the future!

New Nursing Science degree program in Würzburg: Career opportunities for the future!

The University of Würzburg will introduce a new degree program in nursing science from the winter semester of 2025/26. The dual course of study is aimed at aspiring nurses and combines theoretical training with practical experience. This is done in cooperation with the University Hospital of Würzburg (UKW), whereby students can obtain a double degree as a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) and a nursing specialist. The offer aims to meet the increasing demands in the healthcare system caused by demographic change and the associated shortage of skilled workers in the nursing sector.

The course will be located at the Chair of Nursing Science at the Medical Faculty and will last seven semesters. A special highlight is that students receive a monthly salary throughout the entire study period, which makes the studies affordable. There are 20 study places available for the first semester, and interested parties can apply until July 17, 2025. To find out more about the course, the university is organizing online information events on June 5th and 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. as well as taster studies with sample lectures on June 17th and July 1st.

Teaching content and practical phases

The curriculum of the course covers central topics such as nursing and health science, medicine, psychology, health promotion, digital technologies as well as ethics and law. There are also aspects of economics and quality development. Practical phases are an essential component and take place in various care areas, including hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient care facilities, pediatric nursing and psychiatric care. This varied approach ensures that students gain comprehensive insights into different nursing disciplines.

After graduating, graduates have a wide range of career options available to them. These include positions in direct patient care, nursing advice, prevention, quality management and research. Many nurses trained at universities then choose a career path that leads to higher positions such as nursing service management or nursing education in educational institutions. These career paths are often flexible and depend on the graduates' interests and what their employers offer.

Recognition of previous knowledge

A significant feature of the new degree program at the University of Würzburg is the possibility of recognizing previous knowledge. 80 ECTS are recognized as a flat rate for completed vocational training in a nursing profession. In addition, qualified further training, such as specialist training to become a ward manager or practical instruction, can also be taken into account, which may mean that the course of study can be shortened.

The dual training not only meets academic requirements, but also offers practical access to the professional world. This combination is particularly valuable in a sector that is under increasing pressure to attract skilled workers. Experts point out that the academic training of nursing staff is not only useful, but also necessary in order to meet the high demands in healthcare.

The University of Würzburg's decision to offer a dual degree program in nursing science is a step in the right direction to meet the ongoing need for well-trained nursing staff. It remains to be hoped that such initiatives will help to increase the attractiveness of the nursing profession and train enough skilled workers for the future.

For further information, interested people can contact Professor Dr. Contact Melanie Messer on +49 931 201 47510 or via email at messer_m@ukw.de.