Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences
Jena, Thüringen, Germany
- Founded
- 1991
- Students
- 4,200
- International
- 22%
- Programmes
- 50
- Taught in English
- 6
About Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences
Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena (EAH Jena) is a state university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Thuringia, founded in 1991 as one of the first such institutions in the new German federal states after reunification. It enrols approximately 4,200 students across bachelor's and master's programmes in engineering, economics, social sciences, and health sciences, organised across 9 departments.
The university is practice-oriented and maintains strong ties with regional industry through project-based learning, over 80 active research projects, and partnerships with approximately 100 institutions worldwide. Its three main research pillars are precision systems, technologies and materials, and health and sustainability, with a cross-cutting digitisation and Industry 4.0 focus.
International students make up roughly 22% of the student body. EAH Jena participates actively in Erasmus+ and offers dedicated support through its International Office (Akademisches Auslandsamt), including counselling, welcome guides, and residence permit assistance.
Founded 1991 - one of the first Fachhochschulen in reunified eastern Germany
9 departments spanning engineering, health, social work, economics, and sciences
~22% international student share, active Erasmus+ partnerships
No tuition fees for any nationality; semester fee ~EUR 335-350 includes nationwide public transport ticket
Strong applied research: 80+ active projects in precision systems, materials, health, and digitisation
Direct application via campus portal - no uni-assist intermediary required
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1991
- Students
- 4,200
- International
- approximately 22%
- Faculties
- 9
- Programmes
- 50
Study programmes
50 accredited degrees at Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences, 6 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 50 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees at EAH Jena for any student regardless of nationality - Thuringia does not charge non-EU tuition fees. The semester contribution is approximately EUR 335-350 per semester (WS 2025/26: EUR 350.05 at first enrolment, EUR 335.05 thereafter); this includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket + Kulturticket (EUR 231.05), Studierendenwerk contribution (EUR 95.00), and student council fee (EUR 9.00). A long-term study fee of EUR 500/semester applies if a student exceeds 10 semesters at German universities cumulatively. International applicants pay EUR 75 application processing fee.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a recognised higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). EAH Jena uses anabin (kmk.org) and the DAAD admission database as reference for foreign qualification assessment. Applicants whose qualifications do not directly qualify may enter via Studienkolleg. German-taught programmes require one of: TestDaF TDN 4 in all sections, DSH-2/3, Goethe C2, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule, or Deutsches Sprachdiplom (Level 2). Exchange students need minimum B1 German. The English-taught Scientific Instrumentation master's requires IELTS 6.0 overall or TOEFL 79+ (iBT) / 550+ (paper); exchange students for English programmes need B2 English. Some bachelor's programmes require an 8-12 week pre-study internship (completable by semester 3). Master's programmes have no internship prerequisite. All international applicants with a foreign school-leaving certificate or bachelor's degree pay a non-refundable application processing fee of EUR 75. Applications are submitted directly via the EAH Jena campus portal (campusportal.eah-jena.de) - uni-assist is not used. APS certificate: required for applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam before the German student visa can be issued (standard Germany-wide requirement, not EAH-specific).
Application deadlines
Winter semester (October start): application window 15 May - 30 September. Summer semester availability is limited; check the campus portal for programme-specific openings. Scholarship applications (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium) must be submitted by 15 March (summer) or 15 September (winter).
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist. International applicants apply directly via EAH Jena's own Campusportal (campusportal.eah-jena.de) for bachelor and master programmes; applicants whose school/bachelor degree was obtained abroad pay a EUR 75 processing fee by bank transfer directly to Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena, i.e. document review happens in-house at the Akademisches Auslandsamt; APS certificate required for China/Vietnam/India. Not on uni-assist's member list.
Languages of instruction
Most programmes taught in German. One English-taught master's programme available: Scientific Instrumentation (M.Sc.). Exchange students may attend selected courses in English.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences
4 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
DAAD End-Of-Study Scholarship (STIBET)
Supports international students so they can focus on successfully completing their degree in the final phase of studies, provided...
Amount: Not stated on cited page
Deadline: Next application period: September - October 2026
bachelor, master
DAAD Prize at the EAH Jena
Annual prize honouring international students, doctoral candidates and alumni of EAH Jena with excellent study results and remarka...
Amount: EUR 1,000 (one-time prize)
Deadline: Nominations due September 15, 2026
bachelor, master, phd
Deutschlandstipendium at the EAH Jena
Scholarship for gifted and talented young people who also show special social commitment; explicitly open to international student...
Amount: EUR 300 per month (Deutschlandstipendium standard; monthly rate not re...
Deadline: Application period April 20 - May 20, 2026
bachelor, master
Educational grant of the City of Jena
Grant for students who register their primary residence in Jena for the first time and are under 30 years of age.
Amount: EUR 60 per semester (max EUR 120 over two semesters)
Deadline: Apply via city portal
bachelor, master
Student accommodation
What Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena - University of Applied Sciences publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena; modern campus with technically equipped laboratories
Living in Jena
Jena is a mid-sized university city of roughly 110,000 inhabitants in Thuringia, central Germany. It is home to the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (a large research university) alongside EAH Jena, giving the city a strong student culture. Jena is internationally known as the historic home of the Carl Zeiss optical and precision-engineering industry and remains an innovation hub for optics, photonics, and medical technology. The city offers affordable living costs, attractive Thuringian Forest surroundings, and a lively student scene.
Student life & support
EAH Jena offers a compact, accessible campus with modern laboratory facilities. Student life is supported by the AStA (student council), a Career Service and Founder Service for professional development, and coaching-based academic support. The International Office runs welcome events and orientation for incoming international students. The semester ticket (included in the semester fee) covers all local and regional public transport across Germany under the Deutschlandsemesterticket scheme.
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