Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik
Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
- Founded
- 1993
- Students
- 1,550
- Programmes
- 20
- Taught in English
- 4
About Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Tech
Fachhochschule Westküste (FH Westküste) is a public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Heide, Schleswig-Holstein, founded in 1993. It focuses on business and engineering, with approximately 1,550 enrolled students and around 200 staff. The institution is one of the larger employers in the Dithmarschen district and positions itself as innovative, personal, and practice-oriented.
The university is structured into two faculties - Business (Wirtschaft) and Engineering (Technik) - offering 13 bachelor's and 7 master's degree programmes. Fields include Business Administration, Applied AI, Green Technology, Industrial Engineering, Electrical and Information Technology, International Tourism Management, and several master's programmes such as Green Energy, Automation Engineering, and Microelectronic Systems. All bachelor's programmes include a mandatory practical semester (Praxissemester).
FH Westküste maintains 40-50 international partner universities and actively promotes student exchange. Five applied-research institutes operate on campus covering energy systems transformation, tourism, regional marketing, human resources, and distance education. The university targets becoming the most sustainable university in Schleswig-Holstein.
Public Fachhochschule in Schleswig-Holstein - no general tuition fees for standard programmes
APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam
English-taught master's in International Tourism Management and Microelectronic Systems
All bachelor's programmes include a mandatory practical semester (Praxissemester)
Engineering programmes carry ASIIN accreditation and the EUR-ACE® quality label
Coastal location near North Sea with access to kitesurfing, windsurfing, and beach activities at Büsum and St. Peter-Ording
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1993
- Students
- 1,550
- International
- Not published. The profile page reports about 1,550 students from the region, the whole of Germany and abroad, but gives no percentage.
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 20
Study programmes
20 accredited degrees at Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Tech, 4 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–20 of 20 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees for standard bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes at this public Fachhochschule. A semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately €161 per semester applies (breakdown as of 2025/26: €89 Studentenwerk SH + €12 AStA + €60 administrative contribution). The online master's programme in Economy, Media & Psychology (M.A.) carries its own fee structure. Schleswig-Holstein does not impose additional non-EU surcharge fees (unlike Baden-Württemberg).
Admission requirements
International applicants (non-EU/EEA) apply via the university's online portal (HISinOne). Required documents include passport, school-leaving certificate with grades, university transcripts (where applicable), CV, and a language proficiency certificate. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must additionally submit an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before visa application; obtaining the APS can take several months. German-taught programmes require proof of German at C1 CEFR (accepted: DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 15, Goethe C1, telc Deutsch C1); the Automation Technology M.Sc. accepts B2. English-taught master's programmes require a minimum of B2 English; the International Tourism Management M.A. specifies IELTS Band 6 minimum. A separate quota exists for applicants with non-German credentials from outside the EU. Applicants from China, India and Vietnam need an APS certificate or statement. German-taught programmes require DSD II level German (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 15, Goethe C1/C2, telc C1 or equivalent; exception: M.Sc. Automatisierungstechnik accepts B2). After admission: visa, housing via studentenwerk.sh, enrolment, city + Ausländerbehörde registration; support from the International Office and AStA.
Application deadlines
Winter semester (October start): applications open 30 April; deadline 31 August for most bachelor's and Technology master's programmes; 15 July for Business faculty master's programmes. Summer semester (April start): applications open 15 November; deadline 31 January (15 February for Economics master's); first-semester bachelor's entry is not available in the summer semester.
How international applicants apply
Direct portal - applicants with foreign certificates upload their documents (certified translations, APS certificate for China/India/Vietnam where applicable) to the HISinOne Bewerbungsportal fwk.hispro.de; no uni-assist process is documented.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German. English-taught master's programmes include International Tourism Management (M.A.) and Microelectronic Systems (M.Sc.). An online master's in Economy, Media & Psychology (M.A.) is also offered. Individual modules across other programmes are available in English each semester.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Tech
1 scheme run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Student accommodation
What Fachhochschule Westküste, Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Tech publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
Housing is available through Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein.
Campuses & locations
Single campus at Fritz-Thiedemann-Ring 20, 25746 Heide, Schleswig-Holstein
Living in Heide
Heide is a small district capital in Dithmarschen, western Schleswig-Holstein, situated between the North Sea coast and the A23 motorway. The town lies roughly 90 km north-west of Hamburg. Coastal resorts Büsum (20 km) and St. Peter-Ording (SPO) are easily reachable for kitesurfing, windsurfing, and North Sea mudflat walks. The compact size of Heide means most amenities are accessible on foot or by bicycle, and the cost of living is lower than Hamburg or Kiel.
Student life & support
FH Westküste emphasises a family-like campus culture with small learning groups, open-door faculty access, and close mentoring throughout the degree. On-campus facilities include a student canteen (Mensa) with café lounge. Housing is available through Studentenwerk Schleswig-Holstein. The North Sea location provides outdoor activities - kitesurfing, windsurfing, cycling, and coastal hiking - making it popular with students who prefer nature over urban nightlife. The student council (AStA) organises campus events and represents student interests.
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