Luxembourg’s answer to the midwife deficiency

The University of Luxembourg presented a new four -year -old at a press conference today Bachelor’s degree « Sciences Maïeutiques – Sage -Femme » (Midwifery science), which will start in September 2025. The academic course is intended to bring the training of midwives in the Grand Duchy to European level and counteract the acute shortage of skilled workers.

Comprehensive curriculum according to European standards

The course comprises 240 ECTS points, spread over eight semesters, and is offered multilingual: 50 percent French, 30 percent German and 20 percent English. The curriculum was developed in close cooperation with various partners, including the Luxembourg Midwifery Association (ALSF), the National Health School (EnSA), midwives from all four delivery stations in the country and experts from various medical fields.

Joeri Vermeulen, visiting professor and delegate of the European Midwives Association (EMA), emphasized that the course was designed according to the highest European standards: « The program is based on the current competence requirements of the International Confederation of Midwives and prepares the students for an international practice. »

The course is not a copy of similar programs abroad, but a course of study that was drawn up with the local events.

Theory and practice in balance

The relationship between theory to clinical practice is 40:60, with a total of 47 weeks internship. Particular attention is paid to innovative pedagogical methods, including simulation laboratories in which real clinical scenarios are replaced.

The press was able to get an idea of ​​this as part of the presentation. The offer ranges from an echography simulator to lifelike dolls to the birth simulator with augmented reality.

In the third year of study, all students complete an international semester to develop intercultural skills and clinical adaptability.

Academization in response to the shortage of skilled workers

« Academization could increase the attractiveness of the profession and at the same time enable more midwives to successfully complete their training, » said Ali Ghanchi, director of the new Bachelor program. The current lack of specialists and the high dropout rate in the previous training would have illustrated the need for realignment.

« We create professional academic training that corresponds to the international standards and at the same time responds to the specific needs of Luxembourg, » emphasized Ghanchi. Serge Haan, head of the Department of Life Sciences and Medicine at the University of Luxembourg, spoke of an investment in the future of the country ”.

For Anna Cristina Rings-Alborino, President of the Luxembourg Midwifery Association (ALSF), there are currently many challenges: « Despite the expansion of the powers for midwives in 2019 and the new nomenclature of 2022, many services such as pregnant provision, advice on contraception and family planning are hardly implemented or used, » she explained.

Many are not aware that midwives cover many aspects around birth and beyond. The midwife, as Ali Ghanchi explained, is a kind of Swiss pocket knife. In addition to the physical, they also take care of the mental health of mother, child and father.

A special problem is the lack of personnel in the clinics: « Many midwives look after several giving birth at the same time, even though a 1: 1 care would be an international standard. » The new course should make the job more attractive and motivate more young people to take this path. There are currently around 200 midwives in Luxembourg, all women, whereby the profession is also open to men.

In a multilingual country like Luxembourg, communication plays a crucial role in the convenient language of the giving birth for a safe birth experience. The new course takes this diversity into account and uses all four languages ​​(German, French, Luxembourg and English) as the basis.

Details on the course

The Bachelor’s degree is offered on the Belval campus and costs 400 euros per semester. 15 study places are initially awarded each year. Applicants need a secondary school leaving certificate and language skills at level B2 in French and German and A2 in English.

With the successful completion of the studies, graduates are to be able to work as a midwife in Luxembourg or other EU countries. In addition, the bachelor offers the basis for further studies such as master programs or specific university diplomas such as a doctor in midwifery.