- Founded
- 1997
- Students
- 1,753
- International
- 26.5%
- Programmes
- 34
- Taught in English
- 6
About Hochschule Nordhausen
Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Nordhausen, HSN) is a public university of applied sciences located in Nordhausen, Thuringia. Founded in 1997, it offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's programmes across engineering, computer science, economics, management, and health and social services. With approximately 1,753 enrolled students as of winter semester 2024/25, it is a compact institution with a close-knit campus community.
HSN operates two faculties - the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (IW) and the Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences (WiSo) - and hosts six dedicated research institutes covering areas such as renewable energy technologies, public management, automation and electronics, and health services research. The campus is located at Weinberghof, Nordhausen, with a single integrated site containing teaching buildings, a library, language centre, canteen, sports facilities, and student housing.
A notable feature is the on-site Staatliches Studienkolleg Nordhausen, a state-run preparatory college that helps international students without direct German university entrance qualifications prepare for degree-level study. HSN also runs the HSNgo certificate programme and the HIKE entrepreneurship incubator, and has been certified as a family-conscious and equality-strong institution.
26.5% international student share - notably high for a university of this size
On-site Staatliches Studienkolleg for international students without direct German university entrance qualifications
English-taught master's programmes in Renewable Energy Systems, Environmental and Recycling Technology, and Computer Engineering for IoT Systems
No tuition fees; semester contribution ~€309-€329 includes the Germany-Ticket (nationwide rail and local transport)
Six specialist research institutes including in.RET (renewable energy) and ISRV (health services research)
HIKE entrepreneurship incubator and Transferwerk industry-partnership programme on campus
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1997
- Students
- 1,753
- International
- 26.5% (winter semester 2024/25)
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 34
Study programmes
34 accredited degrees at Hochschule Nordhausen, 6 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 34 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees at this public university in Thuringia (non-EU students are not subject to the Baden-Württemberg or Bavarian non-EU surcharge). Students pay a semester contribution only: approximately €308-€329 per semester (summer 2026 figures), which includes the Germany-Ticket (nationwide public transport) and student union fees. Students who exceed the standard study duration by more than four semesters are charged an additional long-term study fee of €500 per semester.
Admission requirements
International applicants with foreign qualifications apply via uni-assist. Applicants holding a German-recognised university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) apply directly through HISinOne. Those whose foreign school-leaving certificate does not directly qualify for a German degree programme must complete the Staatliches Studienkolleg Nordhausen (preparatory year ending with Feststellungsprüfung), or alternatively qualify via the HSNgo certificate programme. German language proficiency is required for German-taught programmes; the university offers preparatory German courses from B1 level. English-taught master's programmes require proof of English proficiency. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam as a prerequisite for the student visa application.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes - Winter Semester: 1 April to 30 September; Summer Semester: 15 November to 31 March (select programmes only). Master's programmes - Winter Semester: varies by programme, typically 1 December to 30 April or 1 April to 30 September; Summer Semester: 15 November to 31 March. English-taught master's programmes for international applicants via uni-assist have separate deadlines; check the uni-assist portal directly.
How international applicants apply
Yes - route depends on where the entrance qualification was earned: applicants with a foreign higher-education entrance qualification or foreign first degree apply exclusively via uni-assist (My assist portal); uni-assist checks documents and forwards them to Nordhausen, which makes the final admission decision. Applicants with German qualifications, Feststellungsprüfung, or applying for the state Studienkolleg entry test / HSNgo certificate programme apply via the university's HISinOne portal. Email applications are not accepted at all; uni-assist processing fees apply.
Languages of instruction
Primarily German-taught. Select English-taught master's programmes available (Computer Engineering for IoT Systems, Environmental and Recycling Technology, Renewable Energy Systems). Language Centre offers German as a foreign language and UNIcert-accredited courses in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Hochschule Nordhausen
2 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
DAAD Prize (Hochschule Nordhausen)
DAAD-funded prize awarded by the university to outstanding international students in recognition of notable academic achievements...
bachelor, master
Deutschlandstipendium (Hochschule Nordhausen)
Support programme for particularly talented, socially committed or otherwise deserving students; awarded to up to 1.5 percent of a...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
bachelor, master
Student accommodation
What Hochschule Nordhausen publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Thüringen
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageFrom the university
Student halls of residence are operated by the Thuringian Student Union (Studierendenwerk Thüringen); shared flats (WGs) off-campus are common.
Campuses & locations
Single integrated campus at Weinberghof 4, 99734 Nordhausen. Houses all faculties, research institutes, library, language centre, canteen, sports facilities, and on-site Studienkolleg.
Living in Nordhausen
Nordhausen is a historic city in northern Thuringia, situated on the southern edge of the Harz mountains. It offers a relaxed student environment with significantly lower cost of living than major German cities - rents are reported to be roughly half those in Berlin or Munich. The city is served by regional rail and, for enrolled students, covered by the Germany-Ticket for public transport across Germany. Outdoor activities in the Harz National Park are easily accessible.
Student life & support
Campus life at HSN is characterised by a small, close-knit community. The Student Council (StuRa) represents student interests. Free university sports programmes and a university choir are available. A Thoska card functions as student ID, library card, regional transit pass, and campus payment card. Student halls of residence are operated by the Thuringian Student Union (Studierendenwerk Thüringen); shared flats (WGs) off-campus are common. On-campus childcare (Kita Campus-Kinder) supports student parents. The annual DAAD Prize recognises outstanding international students.
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