collage1. Requirements to become a nurse in Germany
To become a nurse in Germany, all professionals must undergo an apprenticeship in hospitals, commonly known as Ausbildung model. Generally, it is a three-year program that requires you to work a few days a week in a hospital, at the same time taking courses. During your apprenticeship, you get a salary from the hospital but you can expect it is not as high as a full-time nurse.
Aside from an apprenticeship, some German universities also offer a bachelor’s, master’s and postgraduate degree programs. For example, universities offering a degree in nursing are: Hamburg University of Applied Sciences – Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Cooperative Degree Program); and Hochschule Bremen City University of Applied Sciences – International Degree Programme in Nursing (Primary Qualification) and a Master’s Program in Community and Family Health Nursing.
2. Know the nursing schools in Germany
A degree in nursing is relatively new in Germany, thus, a few universities offer this program. There are two types of nursing schools, one that offers a three-year university degree and another that offers a three-year vocational training. Both types have their pros and cons, so it is best to do some research on the type of school you want to attend.
To begin a nursing career, research the top schools to study nursing in Germany. These schools have a website in German or English, making it easy to navigate and gain information about the school, courses offered and tuition. It is also important to consider the location of the school, whether you want to study in the city or the countryside. Knowing the location will help you understand the cost of living in the area to get an estimated amount of money you have to prepare as an international student.
3. German Proficiency to study nursing in Germany
Studying abroad usually requires international students to know the native language and present a certain level of language proficiency. If you plan to work as a nurse in Germany, a level B1 or B2 German proficiency level is necessary. The same goes for studying nursing in Germany.
At Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University and Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, the language of instruction of the course is German. It is best to start learning the language now if you want to study here. It will not only be useful for school but also for your day to day communication in the country.
4. Prepare financially
Knowing the cost of studying nursing in Germany beforehand will help you be financially prepared for your overall studies. Living in Germany is not as expensive compared to other European countries. On average, you need to spend around a thousand dollars for rent, food, and other miscellaneous, depending on your location and lifestyle.
For the tuition, it can range from €200 to €300 per semester, about $245 to $367. For example, studying nursing at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences costs €335.60 per semester, taking into account that the course is completed for seven semesters.
5. Application Materials
Each nursing school has its own specific requirements to study nursing in Germany. You can learn about it on the nursing school’s website where it indicates the schedule of application, qualifications and other educational background requirements. Generally, nursing schools in Germany require a general university entry qualification (Abitur) or completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung), knowledge of English at level B1.2 and German level at least B2, and a motivational letter.
For Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, they also require a training contract from one of their training providers where you will conduct your apprenticeship during your study. When these documents are ready, it is reviewed and you can then take the entrance examination or maybe have an interview.
6. Apply to study nursing in Germany
The first thing to do is to prepare the necessary requirements for your school of choice. Once these are ready, you can submit your application and wait for approval from the school. If you are chosen, you are then invited for an interview by the school. Upon passing the first stage, the school will give more information about the program and other additional requirements needed.
Some additional requirements can be your financial statement, medical certificate, criminal record, relevant professional qualification, and of course the processing of your visa to study nursing in Germany as an international student. It is important to note that a German health insurance must be obtained before leaving for the country.
7. Receive Student Visa
For international students, a student visa is required to study nursing in Germany. If you are an EU citizen, you do not need to apply for a visa, whereas for non-EU citizens, a visa is needed. The visa application is simple, set up an appointment and submit your documents to the German Embassy in your country. Afterwards, prepare for your interview by practicing answering common questions. It is best to apply for a visa as early as three months before the start of the semester.https://554c9e25dd424b4daa9699ef7e9a6173.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.htmlhttps://554c9e25dd424b4daa9699ef7e9a6173.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
According to the Federal Foreign Office, these are documents needed for the visa application: Passport, Biometric passport photo, Application form, Financial statement, Admission to a German university. If you have not yet applied for a university, there is another procedure to follow to obtain a visa. Once approved, you can acquire your visa sticker in your passport.
8. Final Preparation
Now that you already have a university and a visa, it is time to find a place to stay in Germany. You can choose from a university residence, shared apartment or rent your own space. Upon arrival, your residence will be asked by the immigration officer and for other future occurrences. You will also be needing a German bank account as it is highly recommended for you to use it to pay for rent, tuition fees, and for your salary when you have your apprenticeship. Lastly, why not brush on your German skills to help you better prepare for your departure?
With all the information you learned in this article, it will help you prepare in advance and organize the step by step process of your application. I hope that this article on studying nursing in Germany was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Germany Scholarships Page!
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