The Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health offers an internationally recognised, scientifically sound and practice-oriented bachelor degree programme as well as a postgraduate master degree programme.

Midwives offer a comprehensive array of healthcare services to women and their families during pregnancy, managing childbirth and providing care for the mother and the newborn during the postpartum period and breastfeeding. In doing so, they work in a spirit of partnership and empathy with the women and their families.

After successful completion of the three year and 10 months full-time study course in midwifery, students will graduate with a Bachelor of Science ZHAW in Midwifery (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) and the Higher Diploma in Midwifery. This study course is the best possible preparation for a career in the midwifery profession as you receive versatile and practice-oriented training in obstetrics, health promotion and prevention. The training is divided into teaching at ZHAW and clinical placements at institutions in the healthcare system and in private practices.

The part-time master degree programme is designed to prepare midwives for new roles and competencies in specialised practice, research and teaching.

Midwives with a Master of Science in Midwifery are in high demand as professional experts, researchers and lecturers to develop solutions to current and future challenges in interdisciplinary obstetrical healthcare with user involvement.

Our study programmes build on the existing knowledge of the participants and refer directly to everyday practice. Practical experiences as well as up-to-date, evidence-based knowledge are the focus of our training. The part-time modules allow for a direct and continuous practice transfer.

The continuing education courses at the Institute of Midwifery and Reproductive Health are modular enabling participants to plan their continuing education according to their personal interests, convenience and capacities.

• The teaching modules are designed in such a way that they can also be completed individually as a stand-alone continuing education course.
• The learning outcomes (ECTS credits) of individual modules can be credited towards a CAS or a MAS when enrolling for the programme.
• A Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) consists of three modules.
• For a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), students have to complete the Certificate of Advanced Studies programme (CAS) and write a master thesis.

The Midwifery Science Research Unit promotes quality in obstetrics and midwifery through applied research and development projects by focusing on the best possible care for women, children and families during pregnancy and childbirth, the postpartum period and breastfeeding. with a particular focus on evidence-based practice in obstetrics, the quality assurance and development of midwifery activities and healthcare research. The team includes experts in midwifery and nursing science, sociology, early childhood, statistics, ethnology and gender research with broad experience in practice and research. 

Obstetric events require fast and competent actions based on proper decisions, clear communication and smooth interprofessional and professional collaboration. With our simulation training, we have developed a continuing education programme that enables obstetric teams to practice and reflect events around the birth in a realistic setting. Intraprofessional and interdisciplinary teams are given the opportunity to practice their actions in exceptional situations using models, computer-animated simulation dolls and simulated patients. The aim of the simulation training is to recognise the potential need for action in routine procedures and to put ideas into practice.

We train midwives who are committed to the health of women and their families in their professional activities.

We train midwives who are committed to the health of women and their families in their professional activities. Our graduates practice the profession of the midwife competently and autonomously. They are able to address each individual woman and her environment with empathy and act efficiently, even in challenging situations. We focus on the well-being of the woman and her family. As a training institution with its own research team, we contribute toward the solution of social and health policy issues by engaging in professional and educational policy discussions and networking with national and international partner institutes. We provide high-level, targeted practical training and continuing education and promote the transfer of knowledge and methods into practice. For this purpose we initiate discussions with the relevant stakeholders and professional associations as well as midwives from the practice and users of our services. We organise the Winterthur Midwife Symposium every two years.