International Winter School for interprofessional collaboration in the health and social sector

By Kirsten Garré In New

We are pleased to present the new program for the ZHAW International Winter School 2026.

The Winter School offers study opportunities for approx.150 international students in five different interprofessional courses. Participants can choose from a variety of on-site and online courses in English or German.

 

What can Winter School participants expect?

Future health professionals and social workers gain new competences in dealing with complex and challenging interprofessional situations and learn how to collaborate efficiently.

Students participate in role-play activities, study visits, group projects and interactive lectures. They learn about working together in interprofessional teams, in different health and social systems and with clients and professionals from different cultures.

 

When?

5 January 2026 – 30 January 2026 all-day

 

Where?

ZHAW School of Health Sciences
Winterthur
Switzerland

 

Who can participate?

We welcome international future health and social work professionals to join the approx. 500 ZHAW BSc students in their third year of study in the fields of midwifery, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, health promotion and prevention, and social work.

Courses are primarily aimed at the bachelor level, but master level students are equally welcome to participate. Because some practical experience is required, participants must be at least in the second year of their BSc programme.

In which languages are the courses held? And which language level is required?

Some of the courses are held in English and some in German. Please check in the course details below if your chosen course is available in your preferred language. To attend a course, a B1-B2 language level is required.

How many credits can be gained and how much involvement is required?

For each course, students will gain 2 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits subject to 50-60 hours of student work. Preparatory assignment, full-time attendance during the five course days and a successful end-of-week assessment are required. Participants can book one full-time course per week. All courses take place from Monday to Friday 08:00 – 17:00 Central European Time (CET) unless otherwise stated. Students will get a certificate after fulltime course attendance and successful completion of the course assignment(s).

 

In which format do courses take place?

Most courses will be held on campus in Winterthur. One course will be taught in an online format.

• On campus courses will require full-time presence in Winterthur.
• The online course does not require physical presence in Winterthur and can be taken from anywhere in the world. The course also requires full-time presence (please be aware of time zone differences; all time information refers to CET).

 

What are the course fees?

The course fee is CHF 50.00 (approx. EUR 50.00) per full-time course.

The total amount will be charged after registration with the course confirmation via the International Office (payment by Visa/Mastercard).

Please note that this fee does not include meals, accommodation, travel/visa costs, insurance or other personal expenses.

 

Contact

International Relations

 0589344088

email

 

Did we spark your interest? All courses are now open for registration for students of health professions and social work. You and your students will find the new program and all necessary information on our website.

 

Partner universities

Please note that a limited number of places will be reserved for students from each of our partner universities until 30 September 2025. Your students can directly register via our website.

Please note that the online payment needs to be completed as part of the registration process.

Please be aware that courses have limited capacity, and some of them rely on a good mix of different health and social care professionals to deliver the desired benefit. We will do our best to accommodate each student’s first choice, but in some cases, we might ask them to choose an alternative option.

Please do not hesitate to contact us under international.gesundheit@zhaw.ch with any questions you may have. We are happy to help!

We are looking forward to welcoming your students and experiencing an unforgettable and inspiring International Winter School 2026.

 

 Warmest regards from your Winter School Organisation Team!