FHDW Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft

About FHDW Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft

FHDW – Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft is a private, state-recognised University of Applied Sciences founded in 1993 in Paderborn, North Rhine-Westphalia, with co-founder ties to computing pioneer Heinz Nixdorf. The institution specialises exclusively in business administration and business informatics, offering dual, full-time, and part-time bachelor's and master's programmes across five campuses in NRW.

FHDW's model centres on close integration with industry: around 800 partner companies co-finance and co-design study programmes, students alternate between campus instruction and practical workplace phases, and class sizes are kept deliberately small for intensive faculty supervision. The university operates research institutes in finance (IFF), automotive management (CAM), and digital innovation (DIVA), and participates in ERASMUS+ and PROMOS international mobility schemes.

Key facts

Founded: 1993
Students: 2,059

Founded 1993 with co-founding ties to computing pioneer Heinz Nixdorf

Specialist institution — 100% focus on business administration and business informatics

~800 partner companies integrated into dual-study and internship network

Five campuses across North Rhine-Westphalia

English-taught International Business Management bachelor's programme available

ERASMUS+ and PROMOS international mobility programmes

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

FHDW is a private university and charges study fees. Dual and full-time bachelor's programmes: approximately €670/month plus a one-time examination fee of €1,500. Part-time bachelor's: approximately €495/month plus a one-time examination fee of €750. For the English-taught International Business bachelor's, the annual fee for international (non-EU) students is listed at €12,800 with no additional study fees. In dual programmes, partner companies typically cover all or part of the fees. No public tuition-free status applies; FHDW is not a public institution.

Admission requirements

International applicants require a university entrance qualification recognised by German authorities. Language requirements for incoming exchange/international-track students: English B2 (TOEFL iBT min. 92, IELTS 6.5+, Cambridge B2 First, or B2 Business Vantage) and German B1 (Goethe B1, TELC B1, or DSD I). Bachelor's applicants must hold Fachhochschulreife or allgemeine Hochschulreife, or a relevant vocational qualification with work experience. A three-step admission process applies: online application, admissions interview, and contract signing. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam prior to visa application at the German consulate, though FHDW does not explicitly list it as an institutional admission document on its own pages.

Application deadlines

Intakes for dual and full-time bachelor's programmes commence in January and October; part-time programmes start in October only. FHDW does not publish fixed application closing dates on its public website — prospective students are directed to contact the student advisory service (Studienberatung) directly. The university holds an online information event for incoming international students on the first Wednesday of every month at 18:00.

Languages of instruction

Primarily German. One English-taught bachelor's programme (International Business Management) available. Master's MBA programme taught in English.

Campuses & locations

Paderborn

Original campus, opened 1993; located along the river Pader adjacent to the Heinz Nixdorf Museum

Bergisch Gladbach

Opened 1996

Mettmann

Opened 2009

Marburg

Opened 2013

Bielefeld

Opened 2001; located in the city technology park

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

FHDW operates across five cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Its main campus is in Paderborn (population ~306,000), a historic East Westphalian city with over 1,200 years of history, more than 20,000 students, and one of the world's largest computer museums. Bielefeld (population ~340,000) is one of Germany's 20 largest cities and hosts around 36,000 students. Bergisch Gladbach and Mettmann are mid-sized towns in the Bergisches Land region east of Cologne/Düsseldorf, while Marburg is a traditional university town in Hesse.

Student life & support

Students at FHDW rotate between campus and partner-company workplaces, which shapes a more professionally oriented day-to-day experience than a conventional full-time campus. Campus events include semester parties and regular career-service activities. All campuses have student advisory teams and career placement support. Housing assistance is available via the Studierendenservice. The university offers ERASMUS+ mobility funding for study and internship stays abroad, as well as PROMOS grants. International students receive structured onboarding through a monthly online orientation covering visa, enrolment, and cultural adaptation.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master