PILOT PROJECT FOR THE PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN MIDWIVES SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED
The first adaptation course for midwives with qualifications from third countries has been successfully completed: the midwives were given a ceremonial send-off at the University of Leipzig on 15 September 2026. The women, who came from Ukraine, Serbia, Kosovo and Iran, received a personalised programme tailored to the educational systems, medical standards and legal regulations of their respective countries. The Institute for Midwifery Science and Interprofessional Perinatal Medicine was successfully certified as a training provider in recognition of the high quality of its training. The second adaptation course, which began on 1 September 2026, is being rolled out to other federal states. The pilot project was supported by the Saxon State Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Social Cohesion.
(Photo: University of Leipzig, Christian Hüller)
“It was a collaborative effort.” With these words, the institute’s director, Prof. Dr Henrike Todorow, describes the intensive work that went into the adaptation course for midwives from third countries. “We have invested a great deal in the network surrounding the adaptation course; in our collaboration with the various hospitals, authorities and government departments. We are very proud of the result,” says Prof. Todorow regarding her institute’s recent certification as a qualified training provider. This is because, nationwide, there have so far been very few centres offering qualification programmes for midwives from third countries. Without professional recognition, midwives from third countries cannot work in Germany.
The first foreign midwives began their path to professional recognition at the Faculty of Medicine in May 2025. Having passed their theoretical and practical examinations, they now have good prospects of being taken on by their respective clinics in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. “Working with the experienced midwives from third countries has broadened our horizons and has been an enrichment both personally and professionally,” emphasises Prof. Todorow, referring to the pilot project, and adds: “This also applies to our academic degree programme, which we have been offering since 2021 as a Bachelor of Science in Midwifery and which is also in high demand.”
The new midwives are originally from Iran, Tunisia, Brazil and Ukraine. At the farewell ceremony, their colleagues presented them with a letter containing words of empathy. In the second induction course, the list of partner hospitals now also includes hospitals in Hamburg, where the practical training can be undertaken. “We are receiving a very positive response nationwide to our high-quality teaching and, as a result, there is also considerable interest from other federal states in establishing collaborative partnerships,” said Prof. Dr Henrike Todorow, Director of the Institute for Midwifery Science and Interprofessional Perinatal Medicine.
“We are working towards being able to offer the adaptation course to more students in the future. Only time will tell whether we will succeed. The outcome is not entirely in our hands, as it involves collaboration between hospitals, authorities and government departments,” says Henrike Todorow.
Various hospitals and partners were involved in the Faculty of Medicine’s pilot project: IQ Network (Integration through Qualification), the Municipal Social Services Association, the Saxony Midwives’ Coordination Office and the Saxony Midwives’ Association, the Academy for Vocational Training at Leipzig University Hospital, and the Federal Employment Agency. The scheme is funded from tax revenue on the basis of the budget approved by the Saxon State Parliament.
(Original article by Peggy Darius, available at: Universität Leipzig: Pilotprojekt für die berufliche Anerkennung ausländischer Hebammen erfolgreich abgeschlossen)
Graduation Ceremony
On 31 March 2026, the students currently in their seventh semester bid a ceremonial farewell to the university as they embark on their new lives as state-registered midwives.
Introduction to the Midwifery Degree Programme
Our video for applicants, prospective students and everyone else was created as part of a collaborative project ‘by students, for students’.
Click on the link below to watch the video:
Faculty trains foreign midwives
Pilot project starts: First adaptation programme for midwives from third countries.
In May, an adaptation course for the professional recognition of midwives with qualifications from third countries began at the Faculty of Medicine. This course is highly individualised for the participants. As the training of midwives in different countries depends on the respective education systems, medical standards and legal regulations, competences can vary.
The first five participants are between 26 and 49 years old and have been living in Germany for between one and five years. They come from Ukraine, Serbia, Kosovo and Iran. One of them is Valentina, who is completing her practical part at the UKL. Her vocational training at the Faculty of Medicine at Leipzig University is planned to last twelve months. 'The duration of the training programme is individual, i.e. it is adapted according to personal requirements and skills. Depending on requirements, the clinical training part can be extended or shortened,' says Institute Director Prof Henrike Todorow, describing the concept of the adaptation course. The adaptation course at the Institute of Midwifery Science and Interprofessional Perinatal Medicine is the pilot project for Saxony, which can be rolled out to Central Germany in the future. The programme is supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
You can find more information in the press release.
Farewell ceremony for our first graduates
On 30 September 2024, the first dual course of study at Leipzig University was ceremoniously and emotionally graduated on the medical campus. The following years will already benefit from the knowledge gained from the Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. The fourth year began on 1 October 2024, with 27 students being trained at the Faculty of Medicine.
