Bachelor in Midwifery

«Midwives are involved at the start of life. A profession with tradition and innovation awaits you.»
Gabriele Hasenberg and Mona Schwager, Co-Heads of BSc in Midwifery Programme
Three good reasons for studying at ZHAW
- Students in Midwifery receive versatile and practice-oriented training for work in various healthcare institutions such as hospitals, birthing centres, with women and their families at home, in midwifery practices, breastfeeding consultation and counselling centres.
- We implement a scientifically sound and practical training. Teaching is based on reflected work experiences, preferences of women and their families, as well as the latest scientific findings.
- The internationally recognised applied degree in Midwifery will open up a world of opportunities. By attending targeted continuing education programmes, midwives can qualify for work in teaching and research as well as for leadership roles in healthcare organisations.
Midwives offer a most comprehensive array of healthcare services to women and their families. These services include continuous support and counselling during pregnancy, managing childbirth and providing care for the mother and the newborn during the postpartum period and breastfeeding. In doing so, they work in a spirit of partnership and empathy with the women and their families.
Entry requirements for BSc in Midwifery
- Baccalaureate + additional module
- Federal Specialised Baccalaureate + additional module
- Federal Vocational Baccalaureate + additional module
- Degree from a College of Higher Education and Training
Additional information on entry requirements
Structure of the study
A full-time study programme with all its additional modules takes four years to complete. The BSc in Midwifery offers a double benefit:
- first, the licence to practice as a fully qualified midwife
- second, the academic degree Bachelor of Science ZFH in Midwifery
Study achievements are evaluated with ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) which make your degree comparable across Europe. The study programme covers 180 ECTS credits, with a total of approximately 30 working hours.
Our bachelor degree programme in Midwifery fulfils the required national and international standards as well as the educational requirements. The study programme is divided into 40 percent of classroom teaching and 60 percent of self-directed study. The teaching consists of a combination of presentation-based teaching and independent and action-oriented learning (exercises, case studies, project work, workshop instruction and role playing).
Profession-specific modules
- Teaching of midwifery: focuses on women’s health, rule conformity, rule deviations and rule infractions during the antenatal and postpartum period
- Fundamentals in medicine: anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, hygiene, genetics, gynaecology, neonatology, paediatrics
- Professional role: professional profile, sociology, professional law, psychology, ethics, consulting, research, health promotion, independent work, quality management, public relations, history of midwifery, maternal health care systems, leadership
- Interprofessional teaching: scientific work, communication, health and society, interprofessional collaboration, health promotion and prevention
- Skills, medical examinations and interventions: training of practical skills and abilities
- Bachelor thesis: systematic processing of a profession-related issue using scientific methods
Interprofessional modules
The School of Health Professions unites under one roof the bachelor degree programmes in Occupational Therapy, Health Promotion and Prevention, Midwifery, Nursing and Physiotherapy; offering students the opportunity to engage in intensive interprofessional exchanges during their studies. Topics that are important for all five professional fields are addressed in joint lessons with students of other health professions as learning with, from and about each other stimulates thinking beyond professional boundaries, a quality that is essential to the exercise of the professional activity.
Practical experience
Students complete 4 practice modules of 10 weeks each at different institutions and in various professional fields during their studies. At the end of their studies in midwifery, students must undertake another ten-month clinical placement (additional module C) in order to obtain the licence to practice.
The ZHAW organises clinical placements in clinics in birthing centres and with self-employed midwives in Switzerland and abroad.
Bachelor thesis
Students work on a profession-relevant topic for their bachelor thesis and apply their sound theoretical and scientific methods from classroom learning.

«I wanted to learn a versatile profession with responsibility. As a midwife I work independently and closely with women and their families. It is this interesting and diversified work that I enjoy.»
Stefanie Manser, BSc student in Midwifery
Professional profile and training objectives
Midwives work in hospitals, birthing centres, with women and their families at home, in midwife practices, breastfeeding consulting or general counselling centres. Targeted continuing education programmes open midwives the opportunity to work in education, teaching or research.
Competencies in seven roles
Students will acquire the necessary skills to successfully perform in the following seven roles:
- As an expert, the midwife carries out specific tasks and makes appropriate decisions. Applied degree and licence to practice
- As a communicator, the midwife facilitates the building of trusting relationships and a selective sharing of information.
- As a collaborator, the midwife proactively participates in interdisciplinary team work.
- As a manager, the midwife assumes technical leadership and contributes to the effectiveness of the organisation as well as develops her own career.
- A a health advocate, the midwife is committed to the health of the woman and her family.
- As a scholar, the midwife is committed to lifelong learning and the transfer of knowledge.
- As a professional, the midwife promotes health and quality of life. She is committed to the ethical standards and values of her profession and pays attention to her own health.
At a glance
Degree: Bachelor of Science ZFH in Midwifery
Workload: 180 ECTS credits
Duration of study: 3 years
Course structure: full-time, practice-oriented bachelor degree programme
Start of the course: Autumn
Registration deadline: 15 January
Teaching location: Winterthur
Language of instruction: German
Tuition fees: CHF 720 semester fees + additional study and living expenses
Additional information
Studying in Switzerland
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
International Studies
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
Brochure International Relations
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.
Studying in Switzerland
International Studies
Brochure International Relations
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.