8 Top Nursing Schools In Germany

Germany is home to some of the best nursing schools in Europe and in the world as a whole. You may have been considering studying nursing there which is a wise choice. Follow up on this blog post to know the best nursing schools in Germany and how you can begin applying for them.

Germany is one of the preferred study destinations among international students and even the citizens prefer to study in the country than go abroad to study, especially for medical courses. And it is not hard to see why students prefer to study in the country. There are free universities in Germany and even the paid ones are among the cheapest universities in the world.

The cost of living in the country is cheap and you can even work while studying in Germany – whether local or international student – as a side hustle to support yourself. Working as an English teacher in Germany is among the popular job options for international students who speak English.

The education in Germany is ranked among the world’s best and the degrees are internationally recognized. When you complete and earn your nursing degree in Germany, you can decide to remain there to work as there are many job options or you can go back to your home country where your degree, skills, and expertise will still be recognized.

The nursing schools in Germany will groom you to become a licensed health practitioner, equip you with enviable nursing skills and expertise, and prepare you for opportunities in the field. During your training, you will work alongside experts and professionals in the field and learn directly from them to become an expert yourself in no time.

Nurses in Germany are paid exceptionally well, in fact, it happens to be one of the highest-paid professions in the country. According to PayScale, Registered Nurses (RN) in Germany earn an average annual salary of €31,741. If you are wondering about the language of instruction, it is mostly in German so it is best you learn some German before coming here to study nursing or any other degree.

However, there are universities in Germany that teach in English I’d advise that you check them out to be sure the nursing program is taught in English. Although, sought-after programs like medicine and nursing in Germany are usually taught in German and English languages to accommodate as many students as possible.

What’s more?

Germany is a beautiful country with forests, rivers, and mountain ranges, and home to more than 2 millennials of history. All of these are there for you to tour including all WWII sites, museums, and other historical buildings.

Now, let’s go ahead to see what is required to study nursing in Germany.

Requirements to Study Nursing in Germany

If you enroll in a nursing school in Germany then you must meet the entry requirements set by your preferred institution. Now, requirements may vary from school to school and also by student’s residency status, however, I am still able to put together a list of general requirements below. It is now left to you to contact your host institution and enquire about the full entry requirements.

The requirements to study nursing in Germany are:

  • You must have completed 12 years of education and cleared your 12-grade with a minimum overall score of 50% or higher.
  • You must have completed a science major
  • Proof of German language proficiency. A B1 or B2 level may be required
  • Submit an updated CV or resume.
  • A letter of motivation
  • Submit a Police Clearing Certificate attested by the passport office.
  • Get your passport
  • Submit a medical health certificate from a licensed health worker

How Long is Nursing School in Germany?

It takes three years to complete a nursing education in Germany whether for the BSc Nursing or “Ausbildung”.

What is the Cost of Nursing School in Germany?

I mentioned earlier that education in Germany is mostly free, this also applies to nursing schools. The public nursing schools in Germany are free and no tuition is paid. However, the private ones expect to pay between $3,000 to $5,000 in tuition per year.

nursing schools in Germany

8 Top Nursing Schools in Germany

The best nursing schools in Germany for domestic and international students are:

  • Heidelberg University
  • The University of Hamburg
  • The University of Wurzburg
  • The University of Freiburg
  • The University of Bremen
  • Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences
  • Deggendorf Institute of Technology
  • Catholic University of Applied Sciences

1.     Heidelberg University

Heidelberg University is a public university in Germany that is globally recognized as an institution dedicated to research. It is also one of the best universities in the country to study nursing and ranks at no. 50 for best health sciences universities in the world by the QS World University Rankings. The nursing degree at Heidelberg combines the liberal arts tradition to educate and equip aspiring nurses with science, technology, theory, and research.

There are two nursing pathways here that you can decide to follow – the 1-2-1 Nursing Pathway and the RN-BSN Completion Pathway. The nursing degree is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Finally, Heidelberg University is one of the free universities in Germany.

2.     The University of Hamburg

The University of Hamburg is a public university in Germany and offers one of the best nursing degree programs in the country. The institution is widely recognized as a center for excellent research and teaching and has made astonishing contributions to health sciences.

A Department of Nursing and Management is dedicated to nursing study here at the University of Hamburg where students can choose from up to five diverse nursing courses. The degree courses are BSc in Interdisciplinary Healthcare and Management, BSc in Midwifery, BA in Nursing, MSc in Nursing, and MBA in Social and Health Management. Which one would you be applying for?

3.     The University of Wurzburg

The University of Wurzburg is also another public university in Germany that offers nursing programs. This means that you can study nursing at no cost here. The institution is one of the largest and oldest in the country attracting students from all four corners of the earth due to its excellence in education and astonishing research in the areas of sciences and technology.

The nursing program here at the University of Wurzburg will suit international students more because it is taught in both German and English languages. However, non-native English speakers would have to provide proof of English language proficiency through a standardized test like the TOEFL or IELTS.

4.     The University of Freiburg

The University of Freiburg is yet another prestigious public research university in Germany with a reputation for its research project and medical facilities. As a public university, this means that you can earn a nursing degree free of charge here.

The nursing program is offered by the university’s Faculty of Medicine and boasts of being a program that bridges the gap between theory and practice in patient care. There is a bachelor’s and master’s degree program in nursing offered by the University of Freiburg. If you are going for the bachelor’s degree, you will earn two degrees that will qualify you in health care, pediatrics, and as a regular nurse.

5.     The University of Bremen

If you are looking to pursue nursing at a German university with a diverse population then the University of Bremen is the place for you. This public school has over 23,000 students from more than 110 countries pursuing academic degrees in different fields.

Here at the University of Bremen, you have the choice to pursue either vocational nursing education or go for the dual BA nursing course. The latter prepares you for roles in health care, pediatric nursing, and geriatric care.

6.     Osnabruck University of Applied Sciences

On the 6th list of best nursing schools in Germany is Osnabruck University, a public high institution that is nationally recognized for its research and teaching capabilities. As an institution for applied sciences, it offers one of the most rigorous nursing programs in the country.

The nursing program at Osnabruck is a dual BSc program that offers a BSc in Nursing and a professional qualification in healthcare and nursing, healthcare and pediatric nursing, or geriatric nursing. The language of instruction is the German language therefore students who are not native German speakers must provide proof of proficiency in the language.

7.     Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Deggendorf Institute of Technology is one of the best schools in Germany to obtain a nursing degree and education. It is a school with a small population and it is also public which means that you will not be paying tuition for your nursing education.

The Faculty of Applied Healthcare Sciences is responsible for offering the nursing degree which leads to a BSc. The program takes 4 years to complete and the language of instruction is German.

8.     Catholic University of Applied Sciences

Last but not least of the best nursing schools in Germany is the Catholic University of Applied Science. The institution houses a Faculty of Healthcare and Nursing where you can pursue any of the four different degree programs offered.

You may decide to apply for the Dual Bachelor’s degree in Healthcare and Nursing, Master’s degree Management in Healthcare and Nursing, Master’s degree in Education in Healthcare and Nursing, or Master’s degree in Clinical Expertise in Healthcare and Nursing.

This wraps up the list of top nursing schools in Germany and their details. To get more info, do not hesitate to look up your preferred school and contact them.

Nursing Schools in Germany – FAQs

What is the cheapest nursing school in Germany?

Public universities in Germany are free, therefore, you can study for a nursing degree completely free in Germany.

Is Germany a good place to study nursing?

Germany is one of the excellent places to study nursing because your education will be free, you can quickly get a job since nurses are in high demand, it is one of the highest-paid professions, and nurses have a high social status in Germany.

Can foreigners study nursing in Germany?

International students who meet the requirements can study nursing in Germany.

What is the number 1 nursing school in Germany?

Deggendorf Institute of Technology is the number one nursing school in Germa

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