Fachhochschule Dortmund

About Fachhochschule Dortmund

Fachhochschule Dortmund (FH Dortmund) is a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule / HAW) in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1971, it ranks among the ten largest universities of applied sciences in Germany, with approximately 13,735 enrolled students — of whom 1,698 are international students — studying across eight faculties and around 70 bachelor's and master's programmes.

The university operates across three main locations in Dortmund's city centre and close to the Technical University Dortmund campus: Campus Sonnenstraße, Campus Emil-Figge-Straße, and Campus Max-Ophüls-Platz. Additional premises include a site at Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Straße 23, where the International Office is located, and a facility at Dortmunder U. Research is a secondary but active function: FH Dortmund attracted approximately €10.75 million in third-party research funding in 2024.

The institution maintains partnerships with around 170 universities in 56 countries and describes itself as a cosmopolitan, internationally networked university of applied sciences. The eight faculties cover Applied Social Sciences, Architecture, Design, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Business.

Key facts

Founded: 1971
Students: 13,735
International: 1,698 international students (~12% of total)
Faculties: 8

Ranks among Germany's ten largest universities of applied sciences with ~13,735 students (data: February 2025)

1,698 international students from partner institutions across 56 countries

Around 170 international partner universities globally

APS certificate required at enrollment for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam

Several English-taught master's programmes available (e.g. European Master in Project Management, Embedded Systems Engineering, Digital Transformation)

No tuition fees for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes; non-EU students pay the same semester contribution as domestic students

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees for bachelor's or consecutive master's programmes at public universities in North Rhine-Westphalia — this applies to EU and non-EU students alike. Students pay a mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester, which covers the NRW public-transport semester ticket and student-services (Studierendenwerk) fees; the exact current amount should be confirmed directly with FH Dortmund's Studienbüro. The uni-assist processing fee for international bachelor applicants is €75 for the first programme choice and €30 for each additional choice.

Admission requirements

Non-EU applicants apply through uni-assist (bachelor's) or directly via the FH Dortmund online portal (master's). Entry qualifications are verified against the KMK anabin database. Applicants whose school-leaving or undergraduate certificate is not directly recognised may qualify via Studienkolleg or by passing the TestAS (minimum 100 points in both the core test and the subject-specific module). APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam. German language proficiency must be demonstrated at enrollment; accepted tests include TestDaF, DSH, Goethe-Zertifikat, and telc. For English-taught master's programmes, applicants must pass a pre-check (document content review running February–June each year) before submitting through the application portal.

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start) — non-EU bachelor's: 1 November to 15 January (via uni-assist); non-EU restricted and unrestricted master's: 1 December to 15 January; English-taught master's: 1 March to 15 June. Summer semester (April start) — non-EU bachelor's: 1 April to 15 June; non-EU master's: 15 May to 15 June; English-taught master's: 1 March to 15 June. Figures are as published for 2025/26 intake; verify on the official deadlines page before applying.

Languages of instruction

The majority of programmes are taught in German. Several English-taught master's programmes are available, including European Master in Project Management, Embedded Systems Engineering, and Digital Transformation. Non-EU applicants for English-taught master's programmes must complete a pre-check (content verification) before formal application. German language proficiency is not required at the time of application but must be demonstrated before enrollment for German-taught programmes.

Campuses & locations

Campus Sonnenstraße

Central Dortmund location

Campus Emil-Figge-Straße

Located near TU Dortmund campus

Campus Max-Ophüls-Platz

City centre location

Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Straße 23

Houses the International Office

Dortmunder U

Additional premises at the Dortmunder U cultural centre

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Dortmund is the largest city in the Ruhr metropolitan area of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a population of approximately 590,000. It has undergone a significant structural transformation from steel and coal to a knowledge- and technology-based economy. The city has a well-developed public transport network, relatively affordable living costs compared to Frankfurt or Munich, and a large student population owing to FH Dortmund and TU Dortmund being located close together. The Dortmunder U cultural centre and the Phoenix See lakeside development are among the city's notable public spaces.

Student life & support

The International Office (located at Joseph-von-Fraunhofer-Straße 23, office hours Monday/Wednesday/Thursday) runs the Welcome2Campus programme for incoming international students, which includes orientation events, a buddy programme pairing newcomers with experienced students, academic and social coaching, and study-funding guidance. German language courses are available for prospective and enrolled international students, including a special track for refugees. Student housing (Studierendenwohnheime) is administered through the Studierendenwerk Dortmund; FH Dortmund's website links to their housing placement services. The NRW semester ticket is included in the semester contribution and gives unlimited travel on local and regional public transport across North Rhine-Westphalia.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master