Hochschule für Polizei und öffentliche Verwaltung NRW

About Hochschule für Polizei und öffentliche Verwaltung NRW

Hochschule für Polizei und öffentliche Verwaltung Nordrhein-Westfalen (HSPV NRW) is a public university of applied sciences specialising in police and public administration education in North Rhine-Westphalia. It is one of the largest institutions of its kind in Germany, with approximately 14,000 enrolled students across nine study locations throughout NRW. The central administration is based in Gelsenkirchen.

All bachelor's programmes are dual-track: students alternate between theoretical study phases at the university and practical training phases with an employing public-sector body (state police, regional authorities, municipalities, or the German statutory pension insurance). Admission is therefore tied to simultaneous employment with an authorised public employer — direct independent enrolment is not possible. Graduates receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Laws.

The university also offers a part-time, continuing-education Master of Public Management (MPM) over five semesters, designed for public-sector professionals targeting leadership roles. Research is conducted through dedicated institutes (IPM, IPK, IGE), and the institution participates in Erasmus+ (Erasmus code: D GELSENK01).

Key facts

Students: 14,000
Faculties: 2

One of Germany's largest public administration universities, with approximately 14,000 students

Nine study locations distributed across North Rhine-Westphalia, with central administration in Gelsenkirchen

All bachelor programmes are dual-track: students receive a civil-service salary throughout their studies

Admission requires simultaneous employment with an authorised NRW public employer — not open to independent international applications

Participates in Erasmus+ (code: D GELSENK01, ECHE no. 101011676) for exchange mobility

Part-time Master of Public Management (MPM) available for working public-sector professionals

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

As a public institution in North Rhine-Westphalia, HSPV NRW charges no tuition fees. Students enrolled via the dual-track model receive a salary (Anwärterbezüge) from their employing public body throughout the programme, making study effectively remunerated rather than fee-bearing. A small administrative semester contribution may apply; the exact amount is not published on the university's website.

Admission requirements

Admission to HSPV NRW bachelor's programmes is not open to independent applicants: entry requires simultaneous civil-service employment with an authorised NRW public employer (state police, a district authority, a municipality, or the statutory pension insurance body). The employer sponsors and pays the student throughout the programme. Entry qualifications accepted include the Allgemeine Hochschulreife, Fachhochschulreife, or equivalent; vocational candidates may sit an entrance examination. Because all programmes are conducted in German and entry is via public-sector employment contracts governed by German civil-service law, these programmes are not accessible to international students applying from abroad (including applicants from India, Nigeria, Vietnam, or other non-EU countries). Incoming Erasmus+ exchange is possible for students already enrolled at a partner institution.

Languages of instruction

All programmes are taught in German. No English-taught degree programmes are offered. International students may participate as incoming Erasmus+ exchange students from partner institutions, but independent enrolment in a degree programme requires German-language competence.

Campuses & locations

Gelsenkirchen

Central administration and main campus (Ruhr area)

Aachen

Study location

Bielefeld

Study location

Cologne (Köln)

Study location

Dortmund

Study location

Duisburg

Study location

Hagen

Study location

Herne

Study location

Münster

Study location

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

The central administration is located in Gelsenkirchen, a city of around 260,000 in the Ruhr metropolitan area of North Rhine-Westphalia. Gelsenkirchen is well connected by S-Bahn and regional rail to Essen, Dortmund, and Düsseldorf. The city is known for its post-industrial regeneration efforts and hosts Schalke 04 football club. However, because HSPV NRW operates across nine cities in NRW, most students study at the location closest to their employing authority rather than specifically in Gelsenkirchen.

Student life & support

The International Office ([email protected]) coordinates Erasmus+ mobility for outgoing and incoming students and manages international university partnerships, including cooperation with institutions in Europe and Israel. Exchange students arriving via Erasmus+ receive support from the International Office (contact: Tim Fahrenholz-Berisha, +49 209 1659 3420). Because students in the dual-track model are employed public servants, accommodation and welfare provisions are typically arranged through the employing authority rather than centrally by the university.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master