About Hochschule Geisenheim
Hochschule Geisenheim University (HGU) is a public university of applied sciences located in Geisenheim in the Rheingau wine region of Hessen. It was established in 2013 as Germany's first Hochschule neuen Typs (new-type university), merging the historic Geisenheim Research Institute — whose roots trace to the Royal Prussian College for Fruit Growing and Viticulture founded in 1872 — with the Geisenheim faculty of Hochschule RheinMain.
The university occupies a uniquely narrow but deep specialism: the full value chain of specialty crops — grapevines, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants — alongside enology, beverage technology, food safety, landscape architecture, and horticultural science. It offers 7 bachelor's programmes (5 available as dual work-study tracks) and 10 master's programmes, supported by 17 research departments and approximately 550 total staff including around 50 professors.
With roughly 1,400 students and an international share of approximately 14 % from more than 50 countries, HGU is a small, highly specialised institution. Its blend of centuries-old viticultural expertise with contemporary applied research makes it internationally recognised in wine, beverage, and horticultural sciences.
Key facts
- Founded
- 2013
- Students
- 1,400
- International
- ~14% (students from 50+ countries)
Founded 1872 (predecessor institution); Germany's first Hochschule neuen Typs since 2013
Unique specialism in viticulture, enology, beverage technology, and horticultural sciences
17 research departments covering the full specialty-crop value chain
14% international students from 50+ countries in a small 1,400-student community
English-taught International Wine Business bachelor's programme available
Located in the Rheingau, one of Germany's premier wine regions, adjacent to Frankfurt Rhine-Main
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees are charged (public university in Hessen). Students pay a semester contribution upon enrolment; the exact amount should be confirmed with the Admissions Office at time of application. Hessen does not impose the non-EU surcharge that applies in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a university entrance qualification comparable to German standards plus proof of language proficiency. For German-taught bachelor's programmes, German B2 is required at admission; students must reach C1 within two semesters. For the English-taught International Wine Business bachelor's, B2 English proficiency is required. Master's programmes require C1 German. Accepted language certificates include Goethe B2/C1, DSH-1/DSH-2, TestDaF TDN 3/4, telc B2/C1, and ÖSD B2/C1. Applications are submitted through uni-assist; the uni-assist fee is €75 for the first application and €30 for each additional programme. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must submit an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) as part of their application. A pre-study internship in the relevant field is required for bachelor's admission.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes (winter semester only): September 1 for international applicants (domestic: September 30). Master's programmes: August 1 for international applicants to Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning M.Sc., Food Safety M.Sc., and Horticultural Science M.Sc. (domestic deadline also August 1 for these programmes). Other master's programmes may have varying deadlines via partner portals. All applications go through uni-assist.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's and master's programmes are taught in German. One bachelor's programme — International Wine Business — is offered in English. The English-taught track does not require German, but German skills are strongly recommended for daily life.
Campuses & locations
Primary academic zone, Geisenheim
Secondary academic zone, Geisenheim
Recreational green space on campus grounds
Recreational green space on campus grounds
Living in Hessen
Geisenheim is a small town of around 12,000 inhabitants in the Rheingau, on the right bank of the Rhine between Wiesbaden and Rüdesheim. The region is one of Germany's most celebrated wine-growing areas, giving the university's viticulture and enology programmes a unique living laboratory. Frankfurt am Main is approximately 60 km east, accessible by regional train, providing students with a major international city for internships, cultural life, and travel connections.
Student life & support
The university supports student wellbeing through psychological counselling, addiction prevention services, career services, a language centre, university sports, and on-campus catering (cafeteria and a university cellar). Student governance is handled by AStA (General Student Committee) and StuPa (Student Parliament). Support services exist for students with disabilities and for student parents. The campus setting within the scenic Rhine Valley and the university's wine-country location create a distinctive student experience not found at larger urban institutions.
18
Accredited Programmes
8
Master
10
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
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