Health Care and Nursing
Bachelor's degree programme, full-time
In the Bachelor's degree program in Health Care and Nursing, you will acquire in-depth knowledge in the areas of nursing science, anatomy and pathology through to health promotion and nursing advice. You will deepen your knowledge in extensive professional practical training from the very first semester.
After completing this degree course, you will have the necessary skills to care for people with acute and chronic illnesses as well as physical or mental impairments. Last but not least, Health Care and Nursing is extremely diverse and you can make a significant contribution to social coexistence.
With the academic degree, you will also receive the professional qualification for the higher service in Health Care and Nursing.
The Bachelor's degree in Health Care and Nursing in detail
| Title | Health Care and Nursing | |
|---|---|---|
| Level of qualification according to the National Qualification Framework and the European Qualifications Framework | Bachelor (1st study cycle) | |
| Qualification awarded | Bachelor of Science in Health Studies, BSc | |
| Field of study according to ISCED-F code | 0913 - Nursing and midwifery | |
| Mode of study | Full-time studies | |
| Length of programme (standard period of study) |
6 semesters |
|
| Semester dates | Monday to Friday (subject to exceptions) | |
| Number of credits | 180 ECTS | |
| Languages of instruction | German, individual courses or parts of courses in English | |
| Mobility window |
Preferred internship in the 5th semester (also possible abroad) |
|
| Work placement | At least one professional practical training in each semester. A total of 2400 hours (96 ECTS) | |
| Training cooperation | Pflegeschule Vorarlberg | |
| Academic calendar | Important dates such as start of studies, course-free periods can be found here | |
| Examination regulations and grading scale | To the examination regulations and grading scale | |
| Final examination | Final bachelor's examination | |
| Costs |
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| Specific admission requirements | General university entrance qualification or equivalent Details see admission requirements |
The 180 ECTS are divided as follows over the six semesters - including compulsory subjects, compulsory electives, practical work and bachelor's thesis.
Curriculum
Compulsory elective courses: here you choose 1 compulsory elective subject with 2 ECTS in semester 5.
ECTS: Performance points according to the "European Credit Transfer System". According to international standards, 180 ECTS points must be earned over 6 semesters.
Learning in practice
Practical phases make up a large part of the degree course. The areas in which you can complete work placements are as diverse as the areas of responsibility in Health Care and Nursing itself. You prepare for this in practical training courses. Here you can put your theoretical knowledge to the test in a protected environment.
Your advantages in the practical phases:
- Work placements take place in blocks
- In the sixth semester, you have the opportunity to complete an internship abroad. We will support you in planning and organizing your work placement.
- You will be accompanied by competent people during each work placement
- Learning groups, intervision and supervision help you to reflect on, network and deepen your theoretical knowledge.
- The accompanying practical training takes place at the Vorarlberg Nursing School
Learning Content in detail
Admission to the final examination
Courses: In order to register for the final oral bachelor's examination, all courses in the curriculum must have been successfully completed
Bachelor's thesis: The bachelor's thesis is written in the 6th semester and must be positively assessed by the supervisor.
Professional practical training: In order to register for the final oral bachelor's examination, all professional practical training must have been completed positively.
Completion: Oral final bachelor's examination
Career opportunities after graduation
Seize the opportunity to work in a dynamic and future-proof professional field and make a valuable contribution to healthcare. Whether as a nurse in a hospital, nursing home, hospice or other health-promoting institution, this academic degree will give you the professional qualification for the senior civil service in Health Care and Nursing. The degree also entitles you to study for a master's degree in nursing at a university of applied sciences or university or subsequently for a doctorate.
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Care expert:in
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Practice instructor:in
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Special areas of activity, e.g. intensive care, anesthesia, OR
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Counseling for people with care needs and their relatives
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Child and adolescent care and psychiatric care
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Aspiring ward manager or nursing service manager
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Lecturers in Health Care and Nursing (with appropriate continuing education)
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Quality manager:in
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Project employee:in (e.g. international development cooperation)
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Experts:r
Inpatient: Hospitals, retirement and nursing homes, hospices, rehabilitation clinics, spas and sanatoriums, assisted living communities;
Partial inpatient: day and night clinics, day centers;
Outpatient: Outpatient clinics, hospice services, palliative care teams, mobile care and social stations, health and social centers, psychosocial services, primary care centers, nursing outpatient clinics and counseling centers.
Other areas: Health promotion organizations, occupational and occupational health facilities, public health services, facilities for people with disabilities, ombudsman's office, etc.
Voices about studying Health Care and Nursing
Why study Health Care and Nursing at the FHV?
Because after your studies you will be working in a diverse, meaningful profession that will allow you to grow personally and make a significant contribution to society. The study program also offers the following benefits:
- Extremely practice-oriented with at least one work placement per semester (2400 hours or 96 ECTS in total)
- Experienced lecturers impart their knowledge directly from practice
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As the first university of applied sciences in Austria, the FHV has integrated the extended nursing assessment into the programme structure of a Bachelor's degree.
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In selected courses, you will specialize in English and have the opportunity to do an internship abroad in the fifth semester.
Access and application
The Bachelor's degree program in Health Care and Nursing requires the following qualifications or aptitudes:
General university entrance qualifications
- an Austrian secondary school leaving examination certificate or an Austrian certificate of the Berufsreifeprüfung or
- corresponding certificate of university entrance qualification or
- equivalent foreign certificate (e.g. Abitur) or
- Certificate of completion of at least three years of study at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution or
Specialized vocational training with additional examinations is to be proven by:
- completed vocational middle school (at least 3 years) or
- completed dual training (relevant Austrian apprenticeship) or
- completed training as a nursing or nursing assistant with additional examinations at the FHV for Health Care and Nursing or
- German entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences and Swiss vocational baccalaureate
The programme director decides on the subject relevance. Applications with relevant vocational training must pass the additional examinations at the FHV. You can find more information on how to study without a Matura here.
B2 language skills in German and English (according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). You can find more information here.
Application for the academic year 2025/2026
Applications are possible from November 15 via our online application:
Application deadline I from November 15 to March 1
Apply by March 1 and benefit from an early confirmation of your place
Application deadline II until May 31
You can submit regular applications for all degree programs until May 31.
Application deadline III until August 31
Some degree programs still offer individual places until August 31.
Important information: The application deadline for applicants from a third country (non-EU or non-EEA, with the exception of Switzerland) is March 1.
.The following documents are required for your complete application:
- Letter of motivation
- Curriculum vitae in tabular format
- Certificates (Matura or equivalent qualification)
- Passport or identity card
- Current portrait photo
- Proof of language skills
If you are still missing certificates or exam results at the time of your application, you can submit them later.
Two steps to your desired degree program at the FHV:
Stage 1:
Assessment of your cover letter and CV.
Stage 2:
In a personal interview, we find out more about you, your goals and your motivation for studying.
Previous study achievements can be credited individually in individual courses during your studies. This also applies to coursework that you have already completed at a recognised college or university. The equivalence of the acquired knowledge with the requirement profile with regard to the content and scope of the courses to be waived will be checked upon your application. If equivalence is determined, positively completed examinations will be recognised. A knowledge check is not planned in these cases. You will receive details on this in a meeting with the programme director.
General arrangements for recognition of prior learning
From Nursing Assistant (PA) / Nursing Assistant (PFA) to Bachelor: You already have a university entrance qualification or are taking the additional examinations at the FHV. Depending on your previous education, the following courses will be credited towards your bachelor's degree:
| Crediting PA |
Crediting PFA |
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* Starting the first semester - the workload is significantly reduced due to the recognition of courses. Part-time employment is still possible.Entering the second semester - the workload in the third semester is therefore higher, as the courses that are not credited in the first semester have to be made up in the third semester |
Eligible students receive financial support from the connexia placement foundation. Detailed information & personal advice is available at www.vcare.at.
The state of Vorarlberg has been funding nursing training courses with 630 euros per month since September 2022. This means that a three-year bachelor's degree in Health Care and Nursing at the FHV will receive a total of 21,600 euros in training funding. Participants in the connexia placement foundation do not receive any further funding from the state of Vorarlberg.
Further information on educational grants can be found here.You still have questions about studying
For a personal consultation, you can contact us directly:
| Monday to Thursday | 08:30 - 11:30 am | 01:00 - 04:00 pm |
| Friday | 08:30 - 11:30 am |
or by individual appointment.
Information events are held at the FHV throughout the year. You are welcome to come along and get advice. Here is an overview of upcoming events:
