Focus on securing skilled labour: Minister Müller honours innovative study programmes for nursing and healthcare

Social Affairs and Health Minister Britta Müller visited the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg (BTU) today to find out more about the Nursing Science and Midwifery Science degree programmes and research in the health sector in particular. Among those on hand to talk to were University President Prof. Dr Gesine Grande, Vice-President for Research and Transfer Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Hübner, Vice-President for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr Peer Schmidt, Prof. Dr Franziska Rosenlöcher, Professor of Midwifery Science, Prof. Dr Christian Kopkow, Professor of Physiotherapy, and Prof. Dr Jacob Spallek, Professor of Health Sciences. On 31 July 2025, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg and the Medical University of Lusatia - Carl Thiem (MUL-CT) signed a cooperation agreement to jointly expand Cottbus as a science and research location.

Minister Britta Müller: "There is a great need for well-trained specialists in the nursing and healthcare sector. BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg offers very good academic training conditions. It is known for its excellent supervision of students, modern facilities and a good learning atmosphere. And the cooperation with the first state university medical centre in Brandenburg is a strong signal for our healthcare provision. All regions in Brandenburg benefit from this strategic partnership to promote research, teaching and infrastructure. After all, good training conditions are a decisive key to securing skilled labour . And we have them. Both vocational training at a nursing school and studying to become a nursing specialist offer attractive career prospects for young people. There are also various routes into nursing open to lateral entrants. Students here at BTU also benefit from the good co-operation with numerous nursing and healthcare facilities. This allows them to gain practical experience during their studies and perhaps get to know their future employer. BTU is a pioneer in the field of Nursing Science throughout Germany; the first model degree programme was launched here in 2013."

University President Prof. Dr Gesine Grande: "With the breadth of study programmes and innovative interprofessional offerings, our Campus Senftenberg has developed into a unique university location in Germany for the academisation of healthcare professions. A centre of interdisciplinary and competent health research is being created here, which, in prospective cooperation with the Medical University of Lusatia - Carl Thiem (MUL-CT), bears responsibility for future-oriented healthcare in the region."

Background

In January 2020, the previous training programme for nursing professions changed: The previously separate training programmes for geriatric nursing, healthcare/nursing and healthcare/pediatric nursing were merged into a joint, generalist vocational training programme with the job title "Pflegefachfrau" or "Nursing specialist".

Vocational training in nursing lasts three years, part-time for a maximum of five years, andis divided into a practical and a school-based part. The school-based part is completed at a state-recognised nursing school, while the practical part is completed at an outpatient or inpatient care facility and other locations. Vocational nursing training is free of charge for trainees. No school fees have to be paid and trainees receive an appropriate training allowance.

As an alternative to vocational training, it is also possible to study to become a nursing specialist. The degree programme takes four years in Brandenburg. If you have already completed vocational training, you can apply for partial recognition and the periods of study can be shortened. Compared to vocational nursing training, the degree programme pursues an extended training objective and enables students to take on a more complex range of tasks.

A model Nursing Science degree programme was established and offered at BTU back in 2013. Since 1 January 2020, training has been based on the Nursing Professions Act. Students who successfully complete the programme receive a Bachelor of Science as well as a professional qualification as a nurse. The model degree programme was converted into a standard degree programme. Since then, the study programme has been further developed due to changes in federal law. The Nursing Studies Strengthening Act of 2023 made significant changes to nursing training with the aim of strengthening higher education nursing training by ensuring funding and parity with vocational training. Since then, students on the primary qualifying nursing degree programme have been entitled to a training allowance that corresponds to that of vocational nursing training. The nursing study programme at BTU has a capacity of 50 places and has 44 cooperation partners in the state of Brandenburg with a total of 106 internship places (as of September 2024).

Since the winter semester 2021/2022, thestudy programme Midwifery Sciencehas also existedat the BTU. Following the end of professional training in this field, there was a need to establish a study programme in Brandenburg. In spring 2025, the first graduates of the Bachelor's degree programme in Midwifery Science in the state of Brandenburg were given a ceremonial farewell at BTU so that they can carry out their diverse tasks in the field of obstetrics as specialists with excellent academic training. Students on the Midwifery Science study programme also receive a training allowance. A new addition is the post-qualification option for midwives who have completed their training in accordance with the law, starting in the winter semester 2025/2026. This means that midwives who have completed their training can now also obtain a post-qualification as a Bachelor's degree in Midwifery Science at BTU in an individual, shortened manner.

All Bachelor's degree programmes at the Institute of Health, in addition to the Nursing and Midwifery Sciences study programmes and the Therapy Sciences study programme, work closely with a large number of cooperation partners in the state of Brandenburg and other federal states. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience and to apply and consolidate what they have learnt during their studies. In this way, a targeted and practical degree programme is realised with the best possible preparation for professional practice.

Further information on the study programmes and the Institute of Health at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg:

• https://www.b-tu.de/pflegewissenschaft-bs-fh/
• https://www.b-tu.de/hebammenwissenschaft-bs
• https://www.b-tu.de/institut-gesundheit

Press office
Ministry of Health and Social Affairs
Phone: 0331 866-5044

Lea Herrmann
Deputy Press Officer
Phone: 0331 866-5041
Email: presse(at)mgs.brandenburg.de