About Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
HTW Saar (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes), officially branded as Saarland University of Applied Sciences, is a public university of applied sciences located in Saarbrücken, Saarland. Founded in 1971 as Fachhochschule des Saarlandes, it offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's programmes across four faculties covering architecture, civil engineering, engineering sciences, business, economics, and social sciences, with approximately 6,000 students enrolled.
The university operates across four campus locations in and near Saarbrücken and maintains partnerships with over 60 universities worldwide, including 34 double-degree programmes. It is supervised by the Saarland Ministry of Finance and Science and participates in the Franco-German University Institute (DFHI/ISFATES), reflecting its strong cross-border European ties with France and Luxembourg.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 6,000
- International
- above national average for German universities of applied sciences (per htw saar English site)
- Faculties
- 4
Public university of applied sciences — no tuition fees for non-EU students in Saarland (semester contribution only)
Four campuses in and around Saarbrücken, including an Innovation Campus site
77 study programmes across bachelor's, master's, dual, and continuing education formats
34 double-degree programmes with 60+ international partner universities
Franco-German University Institute (DFHI/ISFATES) offering dual German-French qualifications
Border location: France accessible by bicycle, enabling genuine trilingual (German/French/English) student experience
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
HTW Saar is a public university in Saarland. Saarland does not charge tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students (unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria from WS 2025/26). All students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag); the exact current amount is not published on the main website pages reviewed — applicants should confirm the current figure via the university's enrolment office or application portal.
Admission requirements
International applicants with foreign higher-education entrance qualifications (ausländische Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) apply through a dedicated pathway. For bachelor's programmes, applicants must hold a recognised secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Hochschulreife; for master's programmes, a recognised bachelor's degree is required. Language of instruction is primarily German; applicants to German-taught programmes typically need to demonstrate German proficiency (TestDaF, DSH, or equivalent). Applicants from India, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), and Vietnam must hold an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) before applying — this is a German embassy requirement, not waivable by the university. Application is submitted via the university's online portal at sim.htwsaar.de/bewerbung. Contact the International Office ([email protected]) for guidance on qualification recognition.
Application deadlines
Winter semester (starting October): 15 July for admission-restricted programmes; 30 September for unrestricted programmes. Summer semester (starting April): 15 January for admission-restricted programmes; 31 March for unrestricted programmes. Extended deadlines may apply subject to available capacity.
Languages of instruction
Programmes are predominantly taught in German. HTW Saar participates in the Franco-German University Institute (DFHI/ISFATES), offering dual-qualification programmes in German and French. The university's English-language information portal and international office serve incoming students in English; specific English-taught master's programmes should be verified on the programme finder at htwsaar.de/studieren/studiengaenge.
Campuses & locations
Main campus; location of German language courses and most programmes
Secondary campus in Saarbrücken
Outlying campus
Technology and transfer centre
Living in Saarland
Saarbrücken is the state capital of Saarland in south-western Germany, situated directly on the French border — France is reachable by bicycle in approximately five minutes. The city has a population of around 180,000 and offers a comparatively low cost of living relative to larger German cities. Its border location gives students practical access to the French cities of Forbach and Metz and creates a genuinely bilingual cultural environment.
Student life & support
HTW Saar's International Office ([email protected]) provides dedicated support for incoming degree-seeking students and exchange students through separate teams ([email protected] for degree students; [email protected] for exchange students). The university runs free semester-accompanying German language courses (A1–C1 and workplace German) for enrolled international students and staff; guest auditors from other institutions pay €51.30 per course. The DAAD-funded QUAZAR project offers career support and labour-market integration specifically for international students. Student housing is managed through the Studierendenwerk Saarland, which operates halls of residence in Saarbrücken; students should apply to the Studierendenwerk directly as HTW Saar does not administer housing itself.
47
Accredited Programmes
27
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
20
Master
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