Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences
Sankt Augustin, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
- Founded
- 1995
- Students
- 9,000
- International
- 19.2%
- Programmes
- 41
- Taught in English
- 13
About Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg (H-BRS) is a state-funded university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in the Bonn/Rhine-Sieg region of North Rhine-Westphalia, established in 1995. With approximately 9,000 students across three campuses in Sankt Augustin, Rheinbach, and Hennef, it offers around 40 bachelor's and master's programmes across five departments: Computer Science; Engineering and Communication; Natural Sciences; Management Sciences; and Social Policy and Social Security Studies.
The university emphasises applied research through 17 research institutes, with priority areas in Safety and Security, Sustainability and Resource Efficiency, Visual Computing, Life Sciences and Health, and AI and Autonomous Systems. Over 150 professors and more than 360 research staff support a strongly practice-oriented curriculum, often including cooperative (dual) study tracks with industry partners.
H-BRS is well-connected to the greater Bonn-Cologne metro area and maintains international partnerships. Its computer science and engineering programmes attract a notable share of international students, particularly at master's level where several programmes are taught in English.
No tuition fees for all students regardless of nationality (public FH in NRW)
17 applied research institutes with strong industry links in security, AI, sustainability, and life sciences
Three-campus setup across Bonn/Rhine-Sieg region with proximity to Cologne and Bonn
Several English-taught master's programmes in STEM and social sciences (Autonomous Systems, Cyber Security & Privacy, Social Protection, etc.)
Semester ticket included in contribution - covers all public transport in the VRS network
Strong industry-connected cooperative (dual) bachelor's tracks in engineering and computer science
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1995
- Students
- 9,000
- International
- 19.2% international students (8,990 students in total, winter semester 2024/25)
- Faculties
- 5
- Programmes
- 41
Study programmes
41 accredited degrees at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences, 13 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 41 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
H-BRS is a public state university and charges no tuition fees for regular bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes for all students regardless of nationality (no non-EU surcharge, unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria). A semester contribution of approximately €367 is payable each semester (WS 2026/27 figure; revised each semester). This contribution covers the Germany Semester Ticket (public transport in the VRS network), Studierendenwerk social services, student union, and sport. The continuing-education master's programme International Media Studies (MA) charges separate tuition fees - check the programme page for current amounts.
Admission requirements
International applicants from non-EU/EEA countries must have their foreign qualifications assessed, typically via uni-assist or through the university's own portal (Apollo). Equivalence to a German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (for bachelor's) or a German bachelor's degree (for master's) must be established based on ZAB guidelines and the Lisbon Recognition Convention. Applicants from India, China (incl. HK/Macau), and Vietnam must hold a valid APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before applying - this is a German embassy requirement for the student visa and effectively a prerequisite for admission. German-taught programmes require proof of German at TestDaF, DSH, Goethe, or equivalent level (typically B2-C1 depending on programme). English-taught master's programmes require proof of English proficiency (B2 CEFR minimum; accepted certificates include IELTS, TOEFL, and others as listed on the admissions page). Applications are submitted via the Apollo portal (non-visa-required applicants) or uni-assist (visa-required applicants).
Application deadlines
Winter semester (October start): applications via Apollo open 15 May and close 15 July for applicants who do not need a visa; applications via uni-assist open 15 November and close 15 February for visa-required applicants (i.e. the cycle preceding the next winter semester). Summer semester (April start) availability is programme-dependent - many programmes are winter-only. Exact dates are published annually in the university's Fristenplan (PDF, downloadable from the Student Services pages). Always verify on the specific programme page as deadlines vary.
How international applicants apply
Mixed: H-BRS is a uni-assist cooperation university (listed on uni-assist's official university list) and operates the standard uni-assist procedure only for defined applicant groups on its ENGLISH-language programmes. Per the official 'Application via uni assist' page: Bachelor Applied Biology (B.Sc.) and International Business (B.Sc.) - all applicants with international educational qualifications (except second-degree applicants holding a German bachelor/master); Master Autonomous Systems, Biomedical Sciences, Game Technologies and Social Protection (M.Sc.) - applicants with international bachelor's degrees who still need a visa; Master International Media Studies (M.A.) - all applicants with international bachelor's degrees; Master Marketing (M.Sc.) - non-EU/EEA nationals with non-EU/EEA degrees. All other applicants apply directly via the university's own Apollo/HISinOne portal; uni-assist checks completeness, formal access requirements and grade conversion before forwarding.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's programmes are taught in German. Several master's programmes are taught fully or partially in English (e.g. Autonomous Systems MSc, Visual Computing & Games Technology MSc, Cyber Security & Privacy MSc, Social Protection MSc, International Media Studies MA). Individual programme pages list the language of instruction.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences
1 scheme run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Student accommodation
What Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, University of Applied Sciences publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageFrom the university
Student life is distributed across three campuses, each with a Studierendenwerk-operated mensa and cafeteria.
Campuses & locations
Main campus; home to Computer Science, Engineering and Communication, and Management Sciences departments. Address: Grantham-Allee 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin.
Home to Natural Sciences department. Address: Egermannstraße 1, 53359 Rheinbach.
Satellite campus; home to Social Policy and Social Security Studies department.
Living in Sankt Augustin
The main campus is located in Sankt Augustin, a town of around 55,000 immediately south-east of Cologne and north-east of Bonn, with fast ICE/IC rail connections to both cities and Frankfurt. The surrounding Bonn/Rhine-Sieg region offers a high quality of life, strong tech and life-sciences industry presence (Deutsche Telekom, DHL, and numerous SMEs are headquartered nearby), and affordable student housing relative to central Cologne or Frankfurt. Bonn itself, the former West German capital, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Beethoven heritage, and hosts numerous UN agencies providing internship and career opportunities.
Student life & support
Student life is distributed across three campuses, each with a Studierendenwerk-operated mensa and cafeteria. The student ID doubles as a VRS area transit pass and library card. The University and District Library Bonn-Rhein-Sieg maintains branches on both the Sankt Augustin and Rheinbach campuses. The International Office runs a Welcome Centre, a study-buddy programme for incoming international students, and career coaching specifically for international students (CoSTARK). Student sports and clubs are coordinated through the student union (AStA). The Sankt Augustin campus is reachable from Cologne by S-Bahn and from Bonn by bus, supporting a student community that extends across the wider metro area.
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