- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 13,735
- International
- 12.4%
- Programmes
- 98
- Taught in English
- 30
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.
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
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 13,735
- International
- 12.4% international students - 1,698 of 13,735 students (university Key Facts, status 1 Feb 2025).
- Faculties
- 8
- Programmes
- 98
Study programmes
98 accredited degrees at Fachhochschule Dortmund, 30 of them taught in English.
Showing 97–98 of 98 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
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.
How international applicants apply
Required for Bachelor applicants whose higher-education entrance qualification was NOT obtained in Germany (or not at a school under German Abitur regulations) and for Studienkolleg graduates - these apply exclusively online via uni-assist (EUR 75 first study wish, EUR 30 each further; BID/BAN numbers used for NC programmes via hochschulstart). Applicants with a German HZB apply directly without uni-assist. Special FH Dortmund route: with an indirect HZB, TestAS (min. 100 points core test + 100 points subject module) can replace Studienkolleg for subject-restricted bachelor access, applied for through uni-assist.
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.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Fachhochschule Dortmund
8 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
DAAD-BIDS-Stipendium für PASCH-Absolvent*innen (StartING Future)
Supports international graduates of PASCH schools starting a bachelor's degree at FH Dortmund. Provides EUR 500/month for 6 months...
Amount: EUR 500 per month
bachelor
DAAD-Preis für herausragende Leistungen und soziales Engagement internationaler Studierender
Annual prize of EUR 1,000 for one international student with outstanding academic achievements and remarkable social engagement. F...
Amount: EUR 1,000 one-time
bachelor, master
Deutschlandstipendium an der Fachhochschule Dortmund
FH Dortmund awards Deutschlandstipendium scholarships of EUR 300 per month to enrolled students, funded for one year (two semester...
Amount: EUR 300 per month (EUR 3,600 per year)
bachelor, master
FH-Stipendium für Auslandsaufenthalte (Study Abroad Scholarship)
The FH Dortmund scholarship programme supports study-related stays abroad (studies, internships, thesis research) that cannot be f...
Deadline: 15 November (summer semester stays) / 15 May (winter semester stays)
bachelor, master, doctorate
Hans-Uhde-Preis
Award recognising outstanding academic achievements by FH Dortmund students. Details published on the FH Dortmund scholarship over...
bachelor, master
NRWege ins Studium - Stipendium für Geflüchtete
Scholarships for students with refugee background who have good to very good academic performance. Open to all disciplines, for st...
bachelor, master
Stipendium für mehr Chancengleichheit (Equal Opportunities Scholarship for International Students)
For international students with special social challenges (childcare, care of relatives, disability/chronic illness, refugee backg...
bachelor, master
Studienabschlussbeihilfe (Degree Completion Grant for International Students)
Supports international students who need financial assistance to complete their degree. The thesis must be registered. Funded by D...
Deadline: Year-round
bachelor, master
Student accommodation
What Fachhochschule Dortmund publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Dortmund
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
Student housing (Studierendenwohnheime) is administered through the Studierendenwerk Dortmund; FH Dortmund's website links to their housing placement services.
Campuses & locations
Central Dortmund location
Located near TU Dortmund campus
City centre location
Houses the International Office
Additional premises at the Dortmunder U cultural centre
Living in Dortmund
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.
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