About Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg
Hochschule für Polizei Baden-Württemberg (HfPolBW) is a state police university responsible for all police education in Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1979 as the oldest institution of its kind in Germany, it operates under a 'one-carrier model' (Ein-Träger-Modell) that consolidates police training, degree studies, continuing education, and leadership development under a single organisation reporting to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Interior, Digitalization and Communications.
The institution offers a practice-oriented Bachelor of Arts in Police Service (Polizeivollzugsdienst) across two specialisations — protective policing (Schutzpolizei) and criminal investigation (Kriminalpolizei), with an additional IT investigations/digital forensics track — as well as a master's programme for advancement into senior police service. All study is restricted to civil-servant trainees (Beamtenanwärter) recruited directly by the Baden-Württemberg state police; the institution does not admit general civilian or international degree-seeking students.
As of January 2025, the institution encompasses a total body of over 5,400 persons including students, trainees, and employees across eight locations statewide. The Villingen-Schwenningen campus is the central academic site and hosts approximately 1,800 students and around 130 full-time instructors organised across four faculties.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1979
- Students
- 5,400
- Faculties
- 4
Oldest police university in Germany, founded 1979
Sole institution responsible for all police higher education in Baden-Württemberg
Four faculties: Operations and Leadership Sciences, Criminal Sciences, Legal Sciences, Social Sciences
Erasmus+ charter holder (since June 2023) with police-institution partnerships in France, Italy, Scotland, Baltic states, and others
Specialist IT investigations and digital forensics track within the criminal police bachelor programme
Students are paid civil-servant trainees — no tuition fees and a salary throughout the degree
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees are charged. Students are civil servants in training status and receive remuneration (Anwärterbezüge) under Baden-Württemberg civil service law for the duration of their studies. The Baden-Württemberg non-EU semester fee of €1,500 does not apply as the institution only admits state-employed trainees.
Admission requirements
Admission is restricted to civil-servant trainees (Beamtenanwärter/Beamtenanwärterinnen) recruited and employed by the Baden-Württemberg state police. Applications are processed by the Personnel Recruitment department (Institutsbereich Personalgewinnung) in Böblingen via the official police careers portal. This institution does not offer open admission to civilian or international students. There is no APS certificate requirement because the institution does not accept applications from international applicants under the standard university admission process.
Languages of instruction
German is the sole language of instruction. The curriculum includes police-specific English and French courses, and a German-French Language Centre (Deutsch-Französisches Sprachzentrum) operates at the institution.
Campuses & locations
Central academic campus; bachelor and master degree programmes; headquarters; Sturmbühlstraße 250, 78054 Villingen-Schwenningen
Institute for Training and Education (Institut für Ausbildung und Training) headquarters
Institute for Continuing Education (Institut für Fortbildung); also houses Personnel Recruitment department
Training institute for lower-level police service
Training institute for lower-level police service
Training institute for lower-level police service
Central Training Center (ZTZ) for tactical and crisis scenario training
Training institute for lower-level police service
Living in Baden-Württemberg
Villingen-Schwenningen is a mid-sized city of approximately 85,000 residents in the Black Forest Highlands (Schwarzwald-Baar) of Baden-Württemberg, situated near the source of the Danube. It lies roughly equidistant between Stuttgart and Zurich and offers affordable living costs relative to larger German cities.
Student life & support
The Villingen-Schwenningen campus includes a cafeteria, library, ILIAS e-learning platform, on-site childcare facility operated by the city, psychosocial counselling services, sports facilities, and a student government (AStA). Family-friendly study groups are available for students with children. The international office facilitates short Erasmus+ mobility placements (Auslandshospitationen) of up to 4.5 weeks during the fourth semester at partner police institutions across Europe.
2
Accredited Programmes
2
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
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