Berlin’s Charité, a renowned university hospital, is facing significant cuts to its study places across several key academic disciplines. According to reports, internal plans indicate a potential reduction ranging from 10 to 50 percent in the hospital’s study program offerings for the upcoming year.
The proposed changes would impact a wide range of fields. Human medicine, the foundational program for aspiring doctors, would be reduced by 10 percent. Bachelor programs in Health Sciences and Dentistry are also slated for reductions of 19 percent and 25 percent respectively. The most substantial cut, a 50 percent decrease, is proposed for the applied midwifery science bachelor’s program. A Charité spokesperson confirmed these figures in response to inquiries.
The planned reductions are driven by a cost-saving initiative by the Berlin Senate, which is re-evaluating its financial support for state-owned higher education institutions. The university hospital is facing a potential decrease in funding, with reports indicating a reduction of approximately 22 million euros from an existing allocation of 270 million euros. Like many hospitals, the Charité often incurs higher costs in patient care than the compensation received from health insurance providers.
The planned changes come after the winter semester of 2024/25 saw 325 new students enrolled in human medicine, 83 in health sciences, 68 in the nursing bachelor’s program, 46 aspiring dentists and 63 in applied midwifery science. The Charité’s student population, encompassing undergraduate, master’s and doctoral candidates, averages nearly 10,000. Approximately 2,000 students leave each year, with a corresponding number joining the program.
Charité leadership previously warned last year that the announced budgetary cuts would have serious implications for educational programs. These changes are tied to a senate decision made in the autumn, indicating intentions to adapt existing agreements with higher education institutions due to the state’s substantial debt, including adjustments to funding provided to the Charité.