Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart

About Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart

Hochschule der Medien (HdM) Stuttgart is a public university of applied sciences specialising entirely in media disciplines. Founded in 2001 through the merger of the Hochschule für Druck und Medien and the Hochschule für Bibliotheks- und Informationswesen, it offers approximately 30 degree programmes spanning print, digital, audiovisual, and interactive media, design, media informatics, publishing, library and information science, and media business.

With around 5,500 students and strong ties to Stuttgart's media and technology industry, HdM emphasises practical, project-based learning under the motto "Studieren. Wissen. Machen." (Study. Understand. Do.). The university holds system accreditation and has been certified as a family-friendly institution. It maintains exchange partnerships with universities across more than 80 countries.

HdM is organised into three faculties: Print and Media, Electronic Media, and Information and Communication. The main campus is located in the Vaihingen district of Stuttgart on a shared university campus, with easy S-Bahn access to the city centre.

Key facts

Founded: 2001
Students: 5,500
International: Students from over 80 countries
Faculties: 3

Germany's only public university of applied sciences dedicated entirely to media disciplines

Founded 2001 by merger of two specialist institutions; over 5,500 students

Three faculties covering print/packaging, electronic media, and information/communication

English-taught bachelor's in Print Media and Packaging Technologies — no German required at entry

Active campus radio (Horads 88,6), student newspaper, and semester-end MediaNight showcase

Non-EU tuition €1,500/semester (Baden-Württemberg state fee); most German-taught programmes otherwise tuition-free for EU students

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU/EEA students €1,500 per semester for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes. All students additionally pay a semester contribution of approximately €191.50 (€80 administration + €96.50 Studierendenwerk + €15 student representation). Non-consecutive master's programmes carry higher fees: Business Management master's €2,970/semester, Data Science master's €4,620/semester. EU/EEA students are exempt from the €1,500 non-EU surcharge for standard programmes.

Admission requirements

International applicants must hold a higher education entrance qualification recognised in Germany (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung). For most German-taught bachelor programmes, proof of German language proficiency at the required level is needed. The English-taught Print Media and Packaging Technologies bachelor requires English at CEFR B2 / IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 72+; no prior German is required but German courses are part of the curriculum. For master's programmes, a relevant bachelor's degree (minimum 180 ECTS) is required; applicants with fewer than 210 ECTS may face harmonisation requirements. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries must hold an APS certificate before applying for a student visa; HdM itself does not issue APS but the German Embassy/Consulate in the applicant's home country does. Applications are submitted via the HdM online portal (SELMA); most programmes also require registration on hochschulstart.de.

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start): 15 July for most programmes; non-EU applicants for the English-taught Print Media Technologies bachelor should apply by 19 July. Summer semester (March start): 15 January. Part-time and continuing education programmes have rolling or extended deadlines via the Continuing Education Centre.

Languages of instruction

Most programmes are taught in German. One bachelor's programme — Print Media and Packaging Technologies — is taught primarily in English (first two years). Master's programmes are predominantly German-taught; the Computer Science and Media master's has English-language components. Mandatory German language courses are included in the English-taught bachelor.

Campuses & locations

Stuttgart-Vaihingen Campus

Main campus at Nobelstrasse 10, 70569 Stuttgart; shared university district with student residences and sports facilities

Living in Baden-Württemberg

Stuttgart, capital of Baden-Württemberg, is a prosperous city of around 630,000 known as the headquarters of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Bosch. The HdM campus sits in the leafy Vaihingen district, three S-Bahn stops from the city centre. Students benefit from rich cultural infrastructure — the Staatsgalerie, Mercedes-Benz Museum, State Theatre (opera, ballet, theatre), and a lively nightlife scene in Stuttgart-West — alongside easy access to the Swabian Alb, Lake Constance, and Tübingen for weekend excursions. Students aged 26 and under can use the Deutschland-Ticket JugendBW for €1/day for public transport across Germany.

Student life & support

Campus life at HdM is shaped by hands-on media production. Student initiatives include Horads 88,6 (campus radio station broadcasting around the clock), MEDIAkompakt (student-run print newspaper), Edit Magazine (online publication), and the MAJAM Big Band. The semester culminates in MediaNight, a public showcase where students present projects to industry professionals and a wide audience. On-campus facilities include the Sendepause cafeteria and proximity to student residences in the Vaihingen student village. Students have access to the University of Stuttgart's sports programme at discounted rates.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master