About the degree programme
The dual Bachelor’s degree programme in Applied Nursing Science combines academic expertise with practical professional experience and offers you a future-proof career path in one of the most important professional fields in our society. What makes it special: After just 3.5 years, you’ll earn two degrees—the (academic) degree in Bachelor of Science and a state-issued professional license as a registered nurse, valid throughout Europe. This dual qualification makes you a highly sought-after professional both in Germany and abroad.
What to Expect During Your Studies
During your studies, you’ll develop a comprehensive skill set for the professional care of people at all stages of life:
- Fundamentals of biomedicine and specialized nursing knowledge
- Nursing research methods and evidence-based practice
- Counseling and guidance skills for family members and teams
- Clinical competencies in accordance with the Nursing Professions Act
- Research skills for the advancement of nursing
- Management and quality competencies
The perfect blend of theory and practice optimally prepares you for your future career. In the lecture hall, you’ll develop a scientific foundation, while in the modern nursing simulation lab you’ll hone practical skills and gain valuable professional experience through regular clinical placements with our partner organizations. A particularly attractive feature: Throughout your entire program, you’ll receive a monthly training stipend and can begin gaining nursing experience right away.
| faculty: | Managerial and Cultural Studies |
| Location: | Görlitz |
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science State-certified nursing professional |
| standard period of study: | 7 semesters (5 semesters for those with professional qualifications) |
| ECTS credits: | 210 |
| Language of instruction: | German |
| Enrolment for: | Winter semester |
| Application period: May 1 through September 30 | Start of studies: Late September / Early October |
| Admission restrictions: | No admission restrictions (no NC) Details |
| No prerequisite internship | Student Advisory Service |
Why study Applied Nursing Science at HSZG?
The Nursing Professions Act is currently being revised: medical care, clinical instruction, and highly complex nursing care will become tasks reserved for academically trained nursing staff—and that’s exactly what we’ll prepare you for!
Six Steps to Your Bachelor's Degree in Applied Nursing Science:
Interested students with a university entrance qualification should ideally apply to one of the cooperating companies one year before the start of their studies and conclude a training contract there.
Enrollment at the university is completed through our application portal upon presentation of the university entrance qualification and the training contract.
The confirmation of enrollment must be submitted to the company; this makes the apprenticeship contract legally binding.
The program begins in the last week of September or the first week of October with an orientation week at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, followed by alternating semesters of study at the university and practical training periods at various companies in the fields of outpatient and inpatient acute and long-term care.
Semesters generally proceed as follows:
- Theory at the university (including practical simulation and SkillsLab components)
- If applicable, an internship at a company under the guidance of the company’s on-the-job trainer and with support from the university
- Exam period
- During the subsequent break between semesters, approximately 50% self-study time followed by approximately 50% work at the company with which the training contract is in place (during this time, the company also grants vacation time in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement).
- The 4th semester is exclusively an internship semester, followed by an exam and self-study period.
The program leads to a Bachelor’s degree. The state examinations required to obtain the professional designation “Registered Nurse” are administered as part of module examinations spread over three semesters.
Course content
Your degree program has a modular structure and offers two paths to a degree: a full-time track lasting seven semesters for high school graduates, and an accelerated part-time track for nursing professionals who have completed vocational training. Both tracks combine carefully designed theory and practical study phases. The program gradually introduces you to the complex demands of modern nursing, beginning with biomedical fundamentals, core competencies in nursing practice, and the professional development of the nursing profession.
In the later semesters, you’ll deepen your knowledge in specialized areas such as nursing science, evidence-based nursing, public health, and nursing management. The part-time track is specifically tailored to professionals in their professional occupations—you’ll study in blocks and can continue working in your profession. The diverse practical placements in various settings—such as hospitals, nursing homes, and outpatient care—are particularly valuable. Your degree includes your Bachelor thesis, in which you explore a practice-relevant research topic and thereby make your own contribution to the advancement of nursing.
Please note: For those with professional qualifications, the program begins in the third academic semester.
- Fundamentals of Biomedicine 1
- Fundamentals of Biomedicine 2
- Core Competencies in Nursing Practice
- Professional Development in the Nursing Profession
- Practical Orientation Placement (Internship)
- Employer Phase
- Advanced Skills in Nursing Practice
- Fundamentals of Communication in Nursing, as well as Professional Psychology and Sociology
- Mandatory Practical Placement 1 (internship)
- Employer Phase
- Nursing Science
- Adult Nursing
- Mandatory Clinical Placement 2 – Part 1 (internship)
- Employer Phase
- Evidence-Based Nursing
- Liability Risks in Nursing
- Nursing Care for Children and Adolescents
- Mandatory Clinical Placement 2 – Part 2 (internship)
- Elective Clinical Placement (Internship)
- Employer Phase
- Research Workshop
- Nursing and Health Law
- Public Health
- Education, Guidance, and Counseling in Nursing
- Elder Care
- Employer Phase
- Ethics of Nursing
- Medicine
- Palliative Care and Transcultural Nursing
- Practical Advanced Placement (Internship)
- Employer Phase
- Interdisciplinary Skills
- Management and Quality in Nursing
- Future Workshop on Nursing
- Bachelor’s Thesis, including colloquium, defense, and portfolio reflection
- Employer Phase
Our promises to you
You can look forward to this
With the Bachelor’s degree programme in Applied Nursing Science, you’ll earn two degrees within 7 semesters (3.5 years): the (academic) degree “Bachelor of Science” and state licensure as a registered nurse.
Starting in 2025, a shortened program will be available for those with vocational qualifications.
A major advantage of your nursing studies is the close integration of academic and practical qualifications. Your theoretical studies will be supplemented by training in the nursing simulation laboratory (Sim-/SkillsLab) and practical assignments with cooperation partners in outpatient and inpatient care.
Since this is a dual degree program, you will receive a training stipend throughout your studies, similar to the compensation provided during vocational training at nursing schools.
The generalist degree program integrates the traditional professions of nursing, geriatric nursing and paediatric nursing. After completing your degree, you will be able to professionally and independently care for, treat, support and advise people at all stages of their lives. You will identify individual care needs and integrate other healthcare professionals.
In addition to basic scientific, nursing and personal skills, you will acquire skills for the development of new innovative nursing approaches.
Your degree programme is the first in Saxony to have fully transitioned to the new legal framework. This means you’ll have clarity about the curriculum for your entire degree programme right from the start.
Career opportunities
Professional areas where you can get started
Clinical Instruction
You will train future nursing professionals by providing expert support and guidance. You will design learning processes, impart evidence-based nursing knowledge, and promote the integration of theory and practice—a skill you will acquire directly during your studies.
Intensive Care
You provide care for patients in critical condition and perform advanced medical tasks. You work with highly complex medical equipment, recognize life-threatening situations early on, and make independent decisions as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Care Management
You will develop quality standards, optimize workflows, and manage change processes in healthcare facilities. You will assume leadership responsibilities and help shape the strategic direction of healthcare organizations.
Home Health Care
You help people maintain their independence in their home environment. You develop individualized care plans, advise family members, and coordinate complex care networks to ensure optimal care at home.
Medical activities
You will take on medical activities in the specialized areas of diabetes, wound care and dementia. You will carry out assessments independently, create individualized treatment plans and adapt treatment concepts based on evidence. Thanks to your academic qualification, you will be able to responsibly take on medically delegated activities such as medication adjustments for diabetes, complex wound care and therapy management for dementia-related illnesses.
Care advice
You are the contact person for those affected and their relatives in complex care situations. You create individual care plans, coordinate multi-professional networks and provide support in navigating the healthcare system.
You will find even more opportunities with us in other related degree programs:
Related Degree Programs
- Bachelor's in Health Care Management
- Bachelor’s in Health Care Management (part-time)
- Master’s in Health Care Management
Still not sure? If you have any questions, please contact our Student Advisory Service. We’re here to help you choose the right program.
FAQ
Why should I study Applied Nursing Science at the University of Applied Sciences Zittau/Görlitz instead of pursuing nursing training?
…because it opens the door to the world of modern and forward-looking nursing!
You’ll be able to make a valuable contribution to the health and well-being of people in need of care. You can train family members and team members and advise them on health issues and rehabilitative, activity-based care. And you can actively contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession through research and teaching.
Is the Applied Nursing Science program right for me?
Do you want to professionally care for, support, and advise people of all ages with health limitations, as well as engage with issues related to nursing and care from a scientifically grounded perspective? Then the Bachelor degree programme in Nursing is the right choice for you.
What you should bring to your nursing studies:
- Openness and sensitivity toward people, as well as strong social and communication skills
- Curiosity about new things, a love of learning, and an interest in gaining scientific insights
- An interest in the advancement of the nursing profession
What admission requirements must I meet to study Applied Nursing Science?
You should meet the following requirements if you wish to pursue the bachelor’s degree program in Applied Nursing Science:
1. University entrance qualification:
- General higher education entrance qualification or subject-linked university entrance qualification, or an entrance qualification for admission to a university of applied sciences, or
- a comparable university entrance qualification, or
- a passed entrance examination pursuant to Section 18(5) of the Saxon Higher Education Act (Studying without a High School Diploma)
2. Language skills: For international applicants, good German language skills (at least Level B2 or equivalent proof)
An internship in nursing before the start of the program is recommended.
At which partner institutions can I complete my practical coursework?
For the practical components of the program (internships), we have partner institutions (hospitals, nursing homes, outpatient services) throughout the Görlitz district that have signed cooperation agreements with the university. Partners for your practice-integrated program include, for example:
- Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Löbau Local Chapter e.V.
- ASB Care and Social Services gGmbH
- German Red Cross, Görlitz City and County Chapter e.V.
- Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V., Görlitz Regional Branch
- Kunze GmbH, a family-owned business
- Diakonie St. Martin, a Church Foundation under Civil Law
- Oberlausitzer Bergland Hospital gGmbH (Management Company for the Görlitz District Health Center mbH)
- Weisswasser District Hospital gGmbH
- Saxon Hospital Großschweidnitz
- St. Carolus Hospital Görlitz
- Görlitz Municipal Hospital gGmbH
- Kröber GmbH Mobile Home Nursing Care
- Zittau “St. Jakob” Retirement and Nursing Home, GmbH
- Bautzen-Seidau Nursing Home, a Nonprofit GmbH
- Workers’ Welfare Association, Upper Lusatia District Branch e.V.
Start your Bachelor's degree in Applied Nursing Science today!
Your nursing degree.
Your future.
Are you looking for a degree programme that really makes a difference? By studying nursing at HSZG, you’ll demonstrate initiative and responsibility. Take action. Your future starts now.
#BeTheChange
Here's what our students have to say about the Bachelor's program in Applied Nursing Science
- Module Handbook (Curriculum and Course Structure)
- Program Flyer
- Application Information
- Faculty Website
The Degree Programme in the Media
MDR has provided a detailed overview of the degree programme—through an online article, on social media, and on television. Here is an overview of the coverage:
Nursing Program at HSZG: The Academicization of Nursing
Bachelor’s in Applied Nursing Science at HSZG
Instagram post (video)
Initiative to Recruit Nursing Staff The degree programme is not only featured in the media but is also part of a new initiative to recruit nursing staff. Current reports and articles on this topic:
Professor Knoll in a Radio Interview About the “Applied Nursing Science” Degree Programme
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Our promise to you
Studying in the wild east?
Studying with us is different. Above all, better. Why? We have a family atmosphere. There are small study groups and the lecturers are always there for you. There is a close connection to practice in all degree courses. And finding affordable accommodation is no problem here.
There are many other reasons, such as university sports or the student representatives, clubs and societies. Campus life in Zittau and Görlitz, the wild east, is unique.