Evangelische Hochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe

About Evangelische Hochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe

Evangelische Hochschule Rheinland-Westfalen-Lippe — now officially trading as Evangelische Hochschule Bochum (EvH Bochum) — is a state-recognised Protestant University of Applied Sciences located in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1971 through an agreement among the Protestant churches of the Rhineland, Westphalia, and Lippe, it is the largest evangelical university in Germany, with approximately 2,665 students enrolled in winter semester 2024/25.

The university operates two faculties: FB I (Social Work, Education and Diaconia) and FB II (Special Education and Nursing). It offers seven bachelor's programmes and four master's programmes, all focused on social services, education, and health professions. Instruction is practice-oriented and rooted in a Christian understanding of the human person, though the university is open to students of all backgrounds.

The institution maintains an active international dimension, running an English-language International Semester Programme each summer semester and participating in Erasmus+ exchanges. Research centres include TiFo (research and doctoral centre), BODYS (disability studies), and FFP (family policy research).

Key facts

Founded: 1971
Students: 2,665
Faculties: 2

Largest evangelical (Protestant) university of applied sciences in Germany

Founded 1971 by the Protestant churches of Rhineland, Westphalia, and Lippe

Specialised focus on social work, special education, nursing, and diaconia

English-language International Semester Programme (30 ECTS) each summer semester

Active Erasmus+ partnerships; exchange students can study in English with B1 English

No tuition fees; ~€360 semester contribution includes NRW public transport pass

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees for regular degree programmes (gebührenfrei). A student contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately €360 per semester applies, covering student services and a public transport ticket valid across North Rhine-Westphalia (Deutschlandticket or NRW-Semesterticket). No additional non-EU surcharge is levied — NRW does not impose the Baden-Württemberg-style non-EU tuition fee.

Admission requirements

International degree-seeking students apply with foreign educational credentials (ausländischer Bildungsnachweis) through the standard German university admission process. Applications are submitted via the EvH Bochum online portal (ich-will-sinn.de). Language requirements for regular programmes: German B1 minimum for bachelor's seminars; German B2 for master's programmes. Exchange/Erasmus students can study in English with B1 English proficiency. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries must hold a valid APS certificate before applying. Prospective international degree-seeking students should contact the International Office for programme-specific requirements.

Application deadlines

Exchange/Erasmus students — Winter/Autumn semester: 30 April (non-EU), 31 May (EU); Summer/Spring semester: 6 October (non-EU), 30 November (EU). International Semester Programme 2025: 31 October 2024 (non-EU), 30 November 2024 (EU). Deadlines for regular degree-seeking international applicants are managed through the ich-will-sinn.de portal; contact the International Office for current dates.

Languages of instruction

German (primary language of instruction for all regular degree programmes). English is the medium of instruction for the International Semester Programme (ISP) and selected Erasmus exchange seminars. A weekly free German course is offered alongside the ISP.

Campuses & locations

Bochum (main campus)

Immanuel-Kant-Str. 18-20, 44803 Bochum. Originally the institution had three centres in Bochum, Bielefeld, and Düsseldorf; now consolidated in Bochum.

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Bochum is a mid-sized city of around 370,000 in the Ruhr metropolitan region of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is home to several universities and research institutes, including Ruhr-Universität Bochum, making it a significant student city with affordable living costs. The city has excellent rail and motorway connections to Dortmund, Essen, Düsseldorf, and Cologne.

Student life & support

The EvH Bochum fosters a collaborative, community-oriented campus atmosphere. International integration programmes include Café Connect and buddy/tandem partnerships pairing international students with local peers. The university has no on-campus dormitory but actively assists students in finding accommodation through partners such as akafoe.de and swh-bochum.de. The Heilpädagogische Ambulanz (special education clinic) provides students with hands-on clinical practice. Christian-rooted but open to students of all faiths.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master