Cross Cultural Nursing Practice (M.Sc.)

The nursing profession is undergoing radical change, particularly in German-speaking countries:

• more complex care situations due to demographic development 
• Increase in chronic diseases, multimorbidity and civilization diseases in adults and children
• Nursing is still an apprenticed profession and hardly academicized - although a higher degree of professionalization leads to improved care (see studies by e.g. Linda Aiken).

Thus, ongoing development of nursing on a scientific basis is essential.

And this is where you come in:

• you learn - based on your previous knowledge - innovative approaches to current challenges in nursing and
• you acquire the latest scientific findings and further expert knowledge in order to make the right decisions in complex situations.

Our goal is to employ you as a nurse with a master's degree within the framework of skill- and grade-mix concepts in such a way that you do what you are particularly well qualified to do.

Numerous cooperation partners already confirm our concept as profitable.

With this Master’s program, you will

• learn - based on your previous knowledge - innovative approaches to current challenges in intercultural nursing,
• acquire the latest scientific findings and expert knowledge in order to make the right decisions in complex situations,
• be directly immersed in the German nursing culture, including language and society,
• get your nursing qualifications recognised by German public authorities.

In addition, you benefit from

• an easy and direct exchange with your professors,
• a modern and innovative lecture approach,
• valuable work experience and intercultural competence gained during the internship semester.

Semester 1 and 2: Practice-oriented theory

Language training

In the subject area "Language training", we focus on your optimal start in Germany. You will improve your German language skills.

• German (B1)
• German (B2) general
• German (B2) with focus on daily nursing practice

 If you already have an appropriate language level or are a native speaker, you can choose two other key areas from our extensive program and deepen your knowledge here.

Core modules 

In our core modules, we build on your previous knowledge and supplement it with:

• Intercultural Trainings
• Culture-Sensitive Care
• Sector Specific Assessments, Diagnostics and Intervention 
• Evidence Based Nursing: Research workshop 
• Healing Competences Basics 
• Healing Competences I
• Healing Competences II
• Clinical Leadership

Semester 3: Internships

• Internship 1 (approx. 13 weeks)
• Internship 2 (approx. 9 weeks)
• Practical work experience: both internships take place at a hospital, long-term inpatient or home-care facility.

Semester 4: Master's Thesis 
The Master's Thesis is written in co-operation with a hospital, long-term inpatient or home-care facility.

Here you can find more information about the study plan of Cross Cultural Nursing Practice (M.Sc.).

In Germany, there is a huge demand for skilled nurses. There already are numereous job vacancies but no employees for them. This gap of skilled work force will even increase in the future due to demographic reasons. Therefore, a job in Germany is guaranteed! 

Professional recognition to work in Germany

You will acquire the professional recognition of a state-legitimized authority* in the second part of your studies. This allows you to work in Germany in the acute inpatient sector (e.g. in clinics/hospitals) and outpatient sector (e.g. in nursing services, MVZs) or also in inpatient long-term care facilities (e.g. in retirement homes).

*The responsible authority is the State Office of Nursing. It acts independently of the university and will check the equivalence of your degree from your home country and the competencies you have acquired with us.

As a graduate, you...

• have received governmental recognition of your nursing qualifications in Germany,
• take responsibility for evidence-based care processes in clinics, longterm care, or outpatient care,
• are qualified for a variety of different specialist areas in nursing,
• have many career opportunities with well-paid positions,
• have gained important cross-cultural skills to work in a multicultural society.

Typical entry positions:

• Advanced Practice Nurse
• Evidence-based Nursing Project Manager
• Nursing Specialist within the framework of the skill and grade mix
• Nursing Practitioner
• Case Manager

For an admission in this Master program, you need to fulfill the following admission criteria:

Academic requirements

• Successfully completed Bachelor's degree in the field of Nursing (min. 180 ECTS),

Language requirements

• Proficiency in English, proven by either
  • TOEFL minimum 90
  • IELTS 6.5 or above
• Basic language skills in German, proven by official test score documents (e.g. Goethe, telc, ÖSD) - minimum level A2 according to the CEFR (The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).

Practical experience in the field of nursing is welcome (e.g. different areas of healthcare).

All applications must be done via our online application portal.

• The application period for winter intake is between April 15 and May 31.
• The application period for summer intake is between November 5 and November 30.
• An admission committee intensively scrutinizes all applications and decides about final admission. Admission letters will be issued in June for winter intake and December for summer semester intake.

If you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact admission@hof-university.de.