Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences

About Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Appli

Fachhochschule der Diakonie (FH der Diakonie) is a small, state- and church-recognised University of Applied Sciences located in Bielefeld-Bethel, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 2006 as a non-profit institution under the umbrella of the von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, it focuses exclusively on the social services and healthcare sectors, offering bachelor's, master's, and certificate programmes in fields such as social work, psychology, nursing, emergency medicine, and diaconal management.

All programmes follow a blended learning model designed for working professionals: students attend on-campus block sessions in Bielefeld for approximately three days per month (Thursday to Saturday) and complete the remaining coursework through guided self-study using digital platforms (Moodle, Trainex) and regional study groups. The institution recommends parallel employment at around 75% of a full position, making it suited to applicants already active in social or healthcare careers.

With approximately 700 students and 10 professors, the institution is deliberately small. It operates without a numerus clausus, does not charge additional fees for examinations or administration, and accepts applicants who hold completed vocational training with professional experience in lieu of the traditional Abitur (Hochschulreife). In the 2026 CHE University Ranking the institution received above-average results.

Key facts

Founded: 2006
Students: 700

Specialist university focused entirely on social services and healthcare professions — one of very few of its kind in Germany

Blended learning model allows full-time employment alongside studies

No numerus clausus and no entrance examination; admission based on qualification and personal interview

Admission pathway available for applicants without Abitur (vocational qualification + professional experience accepted)

Non-profit institution embedded in the von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel network

Above-average results in the 2026 CHE University Ranking

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

The institution is privately run on a non-profit basis and charges tuition fees. Bachelor programme fees are approximately €485–€530 per month (as stated on the official site, February 2026); master programme fee amounts are not published on the official website. No additional charges apply for examinations or administration. There is no separate publicly disclosed semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag). The institution does not receive state per-student subsidies in the way public universities do.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold either a German Abitur/Fachhochschulreife or a completed vocational qualification combined with relevant professional experience. No entrance examination (Aufnahmeprüfung) is required, but all applicants attend a personal admission interview with faculty. There is no numerus clausus. Specific international-applicant requirements, language-test thresholds, or APS certificate obligations are not published on the official website; prospective international students should contact the institution directly. Application deadlines: 10 January for the summer semester, 1 June for the winter semester (late applications considered if places remain).

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start): 1 June. Summer semester (April start): 10 January. Late applications may be accepted if places remain.

Languages of instruction

German. All degree programmes are taught in German. No English-taught degree programmes are listed on the official website.

Campuses & locations

Bielefeld-Bethel Campus

Bethelweg 8, 33617 Bielefeld — sole campus; also uses address Nazarethweg 5, 33617 Bielefeld for some administrative units

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Bielefeld is a mid-sized city of approximately 340,000 residents in the eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia. The FH der Diakonie campus sits within the Bethel district, a large diaconal social campus historically associated with the von Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, one of Germany's largest Protestant charitable foundations. Bielefeld has a cost of living considerably below that of Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg, and is well connected by rail to Hannover, Dortmund, and Cologne.

Student life & support

Because the programme is structured around monthly block attendance (Thursday–Saturday), day-to-day student life differs significantly from a conventional full-time university. Students typically remain in employment during their studies and travel to Bielefeld for block weeks. The institution offers lifelong access to continuing-education seminars and integrates students into a network of 16 or more diaconal partner organisations. Support for students with disabilities is explicitly provided. A regional study-group model supplements the monthly in-person sessions.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master