Quality, Environment, Safety and Hygiene*

Interdisciplinary Expertise for Sustainable and Socially-Responsible Enterprises

The dynamics of the global market, competition and high expectations of customers translate to strict demands for companies, which are expected to not only deliver quality products, but do so while treating employees fairly and reducing the environmental impact of operations as much as possible. This multidimensional challenge requires trained specialists who know their way around the basic tenets, statutory regulations and norms of these areas. These specialists can, for example, actively ensure that companies remain compliant with regulations and quality standards, generate valuable environmental indicators, conduct internal and external inspections and audits, and act as in-house quality improvement advisors.

Quality, Environment, Safety and Hygiene, B.Sc. combines a solid foundation in the natural sciences with in-depth specialization in both applied topics and legal standards in quality management, environmental protection, work safety and public hygiene. Beyond that, students acquire additional skills and training in leadership and effective communication. The interdisciplinary curriculum was conceived to produce graduates who can quickly and effectively acclimate to the regulations and challenges inherent to specific industries. Flexible modes of study and a wide range of electives and additional qualification opportunities allow students to specialize in specific areas and expand their growing array of qualifications. The degree can be studied on a full-time basis, or a part-time basis with a valid vocational work contract through a German company.

Career Paths

Graduates are highly qualified for a number of different industries and, depending on their specialties and interests, will embark on a wide range of career paths. Common careers after graduation include hygiene officer in health and food services, or quality manager or environmental officer in commercial businesses, public authorities or research institutions.

Admission requirements

• Secondary school qualifications sufficient for admission to a German institute of higher education (university entrance qualification)
• German level B2 (with internationally recognised certificate)
• Completion of an 8-week internship. Note: this is not required for initial admission, but must be completed by the 4th semester in order to continue the second half of your studies.

Detailed study information can be found in this degree programme’s examination regulations and under Admission Requirements.

Application process and deadlines

Please visit Application and Admission for information about the application process. Applications are only accepted online. The annual application deadline for the winter semester is usually 15 July.

* The degree programmes offered are suitable for part-time study in accordance with Section 62a (2) HG NRW.

Testimonials from graduates

Isabella Lafferty, B.Sc.

Why did you choose the QUSH degree programme at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?

I did my vocational baccalaureate at Kleve Vocational College and we had a careers information day. There we received a flyer from Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences and I discovered the QUSH degree programme. As I did my vocational baccalaureate in health and social work, it was a very good fit for me. I was particularly attracted by the environmental field and then I decided on the programme quite quickly. I had previously taken a test at the Federal Employment Agency to see which degree programme would suit me, and in the end it turned out that I am an all-rounder and have many interests. As QUSH is so broadly diversified, it was a perfect fit.

What did you do professionally after graduating in 2021?

While I was writing my Bachelor's thesis, Professor Schumachers sent an email to QUSH students saying that the Planwerkstatt was looking for someone. The job advert sounded interesting because it was about a new area of work in the company. It appealed to me directly because I thought that I was new to the job and that I would be able to start and grow in a new area. I then wrote my application and it worked out. I have now been working at Planwerkstatt for three years and just one application was enough for me to start my career. 

Simon Schott, B.Sc.

What should prospective students know when deciding on this Bachelor's degree programme?

The programme is very, very broadly based, i.e. the subjects cover pretty much everything you can imagine. From fire protection and technical water protection to personnel management, but also classic subjects such as chemistry and business administration. It is important to know beforehand that you will most likely reach your limits at some point. By this I mean the following: if, for example, you really liked chemistry at school and were successful in it, then you will stick with this subject and hardly deviate from it. But when you study QUSH, you study in many different directions and at some point you always reach your limits because one specialism might not suit you. Of course, you can manage it all, but it's important to realise that you can't just study straight through. I would also recommend everyone to do a Master's degree in order to specialise in one area. My conclusion of QUSH is: QUSH is better suited as a postgraduate programme than many other degree programmes and I have never regretted choosing this degree programme. On the one hand, an incredible advantage of QUSH is that the breadth of topics helps if you are in a company where you can develop beyond the individual areas. On the other hand, you also have to be aware that companies sometimes don't yet know what this degree programme is all about, as there isn't always a clear job description. After all, you are neither a chemical technician, biologist nor a classic business student.

When you think back to your time at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, what experiences from your time as a student were the most formative for you?

I had a few thoughts on this beforehand... I have to separate the two: One is student life and the other is the actual coursework. With the coursework, it was really these exciting lectures and I realise that the subjects that I found the hardest automatically meant that I had to prepare very intensively for them and a lot of it stuck with me, for example physics and chemistry. The other thing, which is half student life and half subject content, is the excursions. We went on an incredible number of excursions, probably between 20 and 30. For example, we climbed up a wind turbine or looked at a water treatment plant. That was not only very varied, but also made a huge impression. Finally, student life: We started with a very small university, so everything was very informal and I basically knew everyone, lecturers and students alike. One thing I remember very fondly is working in the student council (FSR). Back then, we had the challenge of founding the FSR and I think it developed well, as I can still see. That's a point I'd like to pass on to everyone, namely that it's extremely beneficial to get involved in these things in some way.

Alina Richter, B.Sc.

What skills did you acquire during your studies that you can use well in your job today?

During my studies, I quickly realised that many challenges or problems can only be solved if you think in an interdisciplinary way and work as a team. Not everyone can know everything and it doesn't hurt to ask others for their opinions - you often get to know many other points of view and can make good use of them for yourself.

The basics of the various subject areas that you learn during your studies help you to understand many interrelationships. For example, knowledge of microbiology is very helpful when explaining the laboratory's test reports to customers. On the other hand, you have learnt to acquire knowledge in a short space of time during your studies. In some professional situations, it therefore helps if you can quickly gain an overview of various documents and requirements. In conclusion, I can say that I can often fall back on my studies in many professional situations.

What advice would you give to current or future students?

Grit your teeth and persevere when things aren't fun.

Due to the wide-ranging nature of the degree programme, you're bound to come across subjects that you don't enjoy, where you reach your limits, that make you despair - but in the end it's worth it and you can be proud!

Why did you choose the QUSH program at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?

After completing my master craftsman's exam in hairdressing, I had wanted to study for many years. Without a high school diploma, however, this was not possible. The education system needed to change for people without a diploma to be allowed to study. My master craftsman's exam became the "permission slip" to enroll at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences.

Before that, I had completed a distance learning course to become a craft business economist through the Kolping Academy. Business administration is not my specialty, but I really enjoyed the self-organization involved in distance learning.

I am from Kleve, so for me it was clear: if we now have a university in Kleve, then I will study there. I chose QUSH because I was interested in natural sciences, but it was also a classic elimination process. At the time, I didn't trust myself to study in English, so most of the programs were ruled out. Childhood education or tourism didn’t appeal to me, leaving Bio Science and Health and QUSH. I liked quality management the best.

What would you like to share with our current and prospective students?

Take full advantage of all the opportunities the university offers during your studies in terms of practical experience and applying the knowledge you gain!

From my current perspective (and reflecting on my experience as a student), this includes not only internships and jobs but also courses on key qualifications. It is important to know your personal weaknesses and to strengthen your potentials.

In job applications, a resume with practical experience in the area of your future "dream career" reads very well, and it's also helpful for choosing your own path to know some areas not just in theory.

Ilham Romdhani, B.Sc.

What was the topic of your bachelor’s thesis?

I wrote my bachelor’s thesis in collaboration with a clinic in Düsseldorf where I worked during my studies. The clinic was not ISO 9001 certified, so I conducted audits and developed a list of measures to achieve certification.

What skills did you acquire during your studies that you are using in your career today?

Analytical thinking and conflict management are essential in our work areas because we regularly face conflict situations, whether due to work accidents or violations of environmental regulations. In such situations, it’s extremely helpful that we gained basic conflict management skills during our studies. How do I interact with my colleagues? How can I assert myself in a staff position? And most importantly, how do I communicate in a solution-oriented way? I’m very grateful that these topics were not overlooked in the studies.

What advice would you give to current or future students?

Don’t be afraid to tackle science subjects! Don’t be intimidated if you’re sitting in physics or chemistry lectures or if you fail an exam. There are tutorials, and professors are available to answer your questions. Don’t forget that learning isn’t everything. Enjoy your student life and take advantage of campus life.

How did your career develop after graduation in 2017?

I completed both my internship semester and my bachelor’s thesis at WALTHER Faltsysteme. By the way, I met the company during a “speed dating” event organized by Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Companies from the region and students had 10 minutes to introduce themselves and get to know each other. And it was a match—I’m still with the WALTHER Faltbox group today!

During my bachelor’s thesis, I already received an offer for a seamless transition to a permanent position. Since we had the opportunity to get to know each other for almost a year through the internship semester and the bachelor’s thesis, I gladly accepted the offer.

At the time, there was no full-time position in management systems, so I had a lot of creative freedom from the start, and my responsibilities developed dynamically. All topics that initially didn’t fit into any department ended up on my desk. In addition to managing the integrated management system, I also took on the area of product specifications.

At the end of 2022, WALTHER Faltsysteme GmbH and its long-time production partner Formex Plastik GmbH formed the “WALTHER Faltbox Group.” It quickly became clear that we needed a joint integrated management system to facilitate the merger and ensure we were future-proof. Since then, we have been working on building an integrated management system for the group and gradually merging the existing systems and structures of both companies. Today, I manage the integrated management system for the WALTHER Faltbox Group, covering certified areas such as quality, environmental, and energy management, as well as occupational safety and data protection. Topics such as compliance management and sustainability are also gaining more importance.

What skills did you acquire during your studies that you are using in your career today?

Basic knowledge in management systems and understanding standards, especially in quality management, was a prerequisite for my current job. Besides the theory, practical implementation is what ultimately counts, and you can only learn that over the years—I’m still learning to this day. The natural science fundamentals also often help me initially assess and evaluate questions, particularly in environmental and occupational safety.

During my studies, I also learned to quickly familiarize myself with complex issues through various internships and project work. This is necessary in different situations, for example, to roughly assess a topic and determine the next steps or to work it out in detail and incorporate it into the broader context of the integrated management system.

How did your career develop after graduation?

During my studies, I was employed in quality management at Mera. The QUSH program provided me with a variety of qualifications that already impressed my employer during my studies.

What skills did you acquire during your studies that you are using in your career today?

Through my studies, I gained extensive knowledge in quality assurance, quality management, process optimization, and analytical and methodological skills. I use these skills today to ensure the quality and safety of products and processes. The competencies I acquired in environmental protection, sustainability, occupational safety, auditing, and hygiene are also valuable, particularly during plant inspections. I also learned to question work processes and identify opportunities for improvement.

What advice would you give to current or future students?

My advice would be to actively participate in excursions (even international), projects, and internships, stay curious, and continuously seek exciting and valuable further education opportunities offered by HSRW. As Albert Einstein said, "The difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is the little extra." Take every opportunity to develop yourself and bravely pursue new paths.

What does a typical workday look like for you? 

A typical workday involves checking the branches. I visit the branches and check, for example, the documentation, baking quality, as well as general and work hygiene. Additionally, there are also production and supplier audits.

What skills did you acquire during your studies that you can effectively use in your job today? 

Organizational skills, time management, and the ability to use knowledge and information help me in my daily work routine. I would also like to mention environmental awareness, even though I cannot currently apply it in my job.

What advice would you give to current or future students? 

I would always recommend future students or those interested in studying to give it a try, as there's nothing to lose and only experience to gain. To current students, I would advise always believing in themselves and not giving up. Studying always presents challenges, but they are surmountable. Studies offer so much and open many different career opportunities.

Lei Xu, B.Sc.

Why did you choose the QUSH program at the Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences?

Initially, I started studying physics in Aachen but then dropped out because it wasn't the right choice for me. I reoriented myself and asked what I wanted to do in the future. I found the whole topic of quality management exciting and wanted to learn more about it, which led me to the QUSH program at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. The word "quality" in the name was what attracted me.

What advice would you give to current or future students?

Never give up, no matter what challenges you face! And you must look to the future, not just the moment. Studying hard may lead to good grades, but in the end, it's more important to have an idea of what you want to do later and work towards your goals.

How would you describe Rhine-Waal University in three words?

Impact-oriented, active, and young.