Midwifery

In the profession-specific modules, you will examine and analyse concepts and strategies for boosting patients’ strengths. You will apply these practices to improving care for chronic, somatic, mental and other complicating factors in the perinatal period.
You will gain advanced knowledge of:

• the needs of women and their families in complex perinatal situations in the module ‘Childbirth in complex situations‘.
• thoughtful and fair perinatal care in an increasingly diverse society in the module ‘Diversity in perinatal care’.
• accompanying mental disorders and their impact on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum and nursing periods in the module ‘Mothers’ mental health’.

You will follow these modules alongside our other MSc students:

• Applied ethics
• Interprofessional communication
• Advanced practice
• Health policy and economics

In our two transfer modules, you will apply your new-found knowledge to specific topics in a professional field. You will reflect upon the challenges that arise when transferring between theory and practice, and discuss actionable solutions to improve this process.

In the master’s thesis module, you will connect your new-found knowledge with current profession-specific findings. Within the context of a research project on midwifery, you will examine a specific problem using the appropriate methods. You will independently author an expert-level scientific research paper that substantiates, evaluates and reflects upon your findings.

Entry requirements
 

• We accept applicants to the master’s degree programme in midwifery who have successfully completed their bachelor’s degree in midwifery.
• If you hold a degree in midwifery from the former diploma-based system, you may still enrol in the master’s degree programme as long as you have proper documentation.

Academic requirements
 

• Bachelor of Science in Midwifery
• College degree in midwifery with additional qualifications (i.e. holders of qualifications awarded in the 1990s by professional colleges that later became universities of applied sciences may contact the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) to obtain a UAS title on the basis of their previously awarded qualifications).

Knowledge + Abilities

If you do not hold a bachelor’s degree in midwifery, we may apply certain stipulations to your admission (e.g. enrolling in training courses to obtain missing qualifications). The following specialist courses at BFH provide most of the required background knowledge:

Language skills

You will need strong English skills for this programme: level B2-C1 or completed First Certificate (grade A).

For foreign applicants: if German is not your first language, you must provide official documentation of very strong German skills: Goethe-Zertifikat C1, Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung (ZMP) or similar certification.

Applying from abroad

Your foreign degree in midwifery must be recognised by the Swiss Red Cross.

Exceptions

The Swiss educational system is designed to be open and facilitate all students’ learning. If you have comparable training that prepares you for the master’s degree programme in midwifery, but you lack the formal requirements for admission, you may seek out individualised academic counselling.

Upon fulfilling the admissions requirements and submitting your online application, you must pay for and complete a binding aptitude test. This will determine your admission to the master’s degree programme in midwifery.

Aptitude test

Our aptitude test includes a review of your application materials and a technical interview.

• In preparation for the interview, you will have 30 minutes to read a scientific paper in English. In the structured discussion that follows, you will address various points covered in the article. The interview is conducted in German and lasts 40 to 60 minutes.
• We will also discuss your thoughts on developments in the field of midwifery and obstetrics, your personal goals as well as plans for balancing your studies and other obligations.
• We will evaluate your motivation, conceptual and professional skills, personal competence and capacity for reflection.

Preparing for the aptitude test
 

• Read a wide range of scientific journal articles in English and critically assess what you have read. Review the scientific materials covered at the bachelor or equivalent degree level.
• Prepare to respond to questions about developments in the field of midwifery and obstetrics and your personal goals.
• Think about how you would balance your studies with your work and family obligations. Please make tentative arrangements with your employer, because we will discuss them in our interview.

• Submit your application to the master’s degree programme in midwifery online.
• The application deadline is 30 April 2020.
• Start date: calendar week 38
• We will contact you to arrange a date for the aptitude test after reviewing your documents.

Public funds cover most of the cost of the programme. The portion that students must pay (semester fees, etc.) is based on the financial guidelines provided by the master’s degree programme in midwifery. This varies by canton.

Costs

Fees at BFH are calculated as follows:

Costs per semester

Tuition: CHF 750
Examination fee: CHF 80
Fee for social, cultural and sport facilities: CHF 24
Optional membership fee for the BFH student body association (VSBFH): CHF 15
Flat fee for materials: CHF 20

One-time costs

Application fee: CHF 100
Aptitude test fee: CHF 200
Diploma registration fee with the Swiss Red Cross (SRK): CHF 136

Please be prepared for additional costs over the course of your studies for specialist literature, software and other supplies. This amount will vary depending upon how much you acquire. Required reading is available at the BFH Health Professions department library.

Laptop

You must have your own WiFi-enabled laptop with a reliable internet connection. BFH will help you acquire the hardware and software required for the programme.

Apply for our master’s degree programme in midwifery online.

Tip: keep all required documents at the ready in electronic format.

We only accept applications for the master’s degree programme in midwifery via our online application form.

The application and aptitude test fee of CHF 300 is itemised as follows:

• Application processing fee of CHF 100 (credit card) or CHF 110 (paper invoice*); the fee is required in each case.
• The fee for the aptitude test is CHF 200.

* To be paid within 10 days. The application will not be processed until payment has cleared.