Delete search term

Header

Quick navigation

Main navigation

Bachelor in Midwifery

“Midwives are involved at the start of life. Your studies will prepare you in the best way possible for the duties and responsibilities of a midwife. A profession with a long tradition and innovative power awaits you.”

Gabriele Hasenberg and Mona Schwager, Co-Heads of BSc in Midwifery Programme

Three good reasons for studying midwifery at ZHAW

Educational film on BSc in Midwifery

(Filmclip in German)

Midwives offer women and their families continuous support and counselling during pregnancy; they manage childbirth and provide care for the new mother and her new-born during the postpartum period and breastfeeding. In doing so, they work closely with the women and their families in the spirit of partnership and empathy. The midwife is part of a network of other health care and social welfare professionals.

Entry requirements for the BSc in Midwifery programme

  • 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 degree programme

This is a full-time study programme; with all its additional modules it takes four years to complete. The BSc in Midwifery offers a double benefit:

  • a licence to practice as a fully qualified midwife
  • an academic degree: the Bachelor of Science ZHAW in Midwifery

Study achievements are evaluated using ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits, which make your degree comparable across Europe. The study programme covers 180 ECTS credits, the equivalent of approximately 30 hours of study.

Our Bachelor’s degree programme in Midwifery fulfils the required national and international standards and educational requirements. 40 percent of the study programme consists of classroom teaching and 60 percent of self-directed study. In addition to lecture-style classes, methods are used to promote independent and action-based learning such as skills and simulation training, e-learning sequences, exercises, case-based learning, and self-study and project work.

Profession-specific modules

  • Midwifery studies: Foundation knowledge and advanced knowledge in the following areas: pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, hygiene, genetics, gynaecology, neonatology, paediatrics, and pharmacology
  • Professional context: Communication and counselling, family systems, ethics, health care systems, occupational law, methods of learning and reflexion, health promotion and prevention, quality management, public relations, professional policy and professional development, internationalisation
  • Skills and practical transfer: Training of practical skills and abilities, linking theory and practical experience
  • Practical modules: Practical application of various areas of midwifery

Multi- and interprofessional modules

Subjects include scientific work, communication, and interprofessional collaboration as well as various multi- and interprofessional topics involving society, culture and health care

Practical experience

Students complete three practice modules of 14 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 Switzerland and abroad, birthing centres and with self-employed midwives. We reserve the right to assign students to internships in nearby foreign countries (usually German-speaking countries). The employment conditions of the respective internship institution apply.

Bachelor thesis

To write their Bachelor’s thesis, students work on a professionally relevant topic and apply the scientific methods they have learnt as part of their studies.

”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 educational objectives

Midwives work in hospitals, birthing centres, with women and their families at home, in midwifery offices, breastfeeding consultation centres and general counselling centres. Targeted continuing education programmes open midwives the opportunity to work in education, teaching or research.

Competencies in seven roles

Students acquire the necessary skills to perform the following seven roles:

  • As an expert, the midwife carries out specific tasks and makes appropriate decisions. University 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 teamwork.
  • As a manager, the midwife assumes professional leadership and contributes to the effectiveness of the organisation as well as developing her own career.
  • As a health advocate, the midwife is committed to the health of the woman and her family.
  • As a health advocate, the midwife is committed to the health of women and their families.
  • As a scholar, the midwife is committed to lifelong learning and the transfer of knowledge.
  • As a member of the midwifery profession, midwives promote health and quality of life. They are committed to the ethical standards and values of the profession and pays attention to their own health.

At a glance

Degree: Bachelor of Science ZHAW in Midwifery

Workload: 180 ECTS credits

Duration of study: 6 semesters (plus additional modules A before and C after completing the programme)

Course structure: full-time, practice-oriented Bachelor’s degree programme

Start of the course: September (Calendar Week 38)

Registration deadline: January 15

Teaching location: Winterthur

Language of instruction: German

Tuition fees: CHF 720 semester fees + additional study and living expenses