About Hochschule Osnabrück
Hochschule Osnabrück (Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences) was established in 1971 and is Lower Saxony's largest university of applied sciences. As of winter semester 2024/2025 it enrolls 13,071 students across five academic faculties and over 100 accredited bachelor's and master's degree programmes. The university operates across four campus sites — three in Osnabrück (Westerberg, Caprivi, and Haste) and one in Lingen (Ems) — and employs approximately 1,413 staff including more than 320 professors.
The institution emphasises practice-oriented education with strong links to regional industry, and describes itself as Lower Saxony's strongest research university of applied sciences, with designated research focus areas in agriculture and food systems, health and society, and sustainable technologies. It has held foundation sponsorship status since 2003 and adopted its current name in 2010.
International applicants from countries whose qualifications are not automatically recognised must apply through the uni-assist portal, which handles credential evaluation. The Centre for International Students (CIS) provides support from pre-arrival through graduation.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 13,071
- Faculties
- 5
Lower Saxony's largest university of applied sciences with 13,071 students (WS 2024/25)
Over 100 accredited bachelor's and master's degree programmes across five faculties
Four campus locations: three in Osnabrück and one in Lingen (Ems)
No general tuition fees for EU and non-EU students; semester contribution €443 (WS 2026/27) includes a statewide public transport ticket
APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam; applications processed via uni-assist
German language courses offered A1–C1 each semester and during semester breaks for international students
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
Hochschule Osnabrück charges no general tuition fees for bachelor's or consecutive master's programmes (for EU and non-EU students alike, in line with Lower Saxony state policy). All enrolled students pay a semester contribution of €443 (winter semester 2026/2027), which covers an administrative fee (€75), Studierendenwerk contribution (€135), student union AStA fee (€9), and a semester ticket for free public transport across Lower Saxony (€224). Part-time and extra-occupational programmes pay a reduced contribution of €219.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a recognised university entrance qualification; recognition can be checked via the KMK anabin database (anabin.kmk.org). Applicants with foreign certificates apply through the uni-assist portal. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam are required to submit an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate — the original must be provided to uni-assist, copies are not accepted. If a foreign school-leaving certificate is not recognised, a one-year preparatory Studienkolleg is required; the nearest public options are Comenius College (Mettingen) and Niedersächsisches Studienkolleg (Hannover). German-taught programmes require a German language certificate at C1 (or B2 for certain programmes); accepted certificates are listed in the official PDF on the university's international pages. Some programmes additionally require proof of a relevant internship or a portfolio.
Application deadlines
International applicants apply via uni-assist. For winter semester (starts October): restricted-admission programmes March 1 – June 15; open-admission programmes March 1 – August 1; German language certificates due August 31. For summer semester (starts April): restricted-admission programmes September 1 – December 15; open-admission programmes September 1 – February 1; German language certificates due February 28.
Languages of instruction
The majority of programmes are taught in German; applicants to German-taught programmes must demonstrate German proficiency at C1 level (or B2 for 8-semester programmes). A growing number of master's programmes and modules are available in English. German language courses at levels A1–C1 are offered during term and semester breaks for enrolled international students.
Campuses & locations
Main campus in Osnabrück; hosts Engineering and Computer Science and other central facilities (Albrechtstraße area)
Hosts Faculty of Business Management and Social Sciences and the Institute of Music (Caprivistraße 30)
Hosts Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Landscape Architecture and research facilities (Am Krümpel)
Hosts Faculty of Management, Culture and Technology; located approx. 50 km from Osnabrück (Kaiserstraße 10c)
Living in Niedersachsen
Osnabrück is a mid-sized city in Lower Saxony with a population of around 165,000, located at the junction of the A1 and A30 motorways and well connected by regional rail. It is known for its historic peace heritage (the Peace of Westphalia was signed here in 1648), a compact and bicycle-friendly city centre, and a relatively affordable cost of living by German standards. The satellite Lingen (Ems) campus is a smaller town approximately 50 km to the north-west, also in Lower Saxony.
Student life & support
The Centre for International Students (CIS) coordinates a range of support services: the MentHOS buddy programme pairs incoming students with experienced peers for their first semester; the Mentoring.INTERKULT programme offers career workshops and networking. Pre-semester onboarding activities include a language café, games evenings, and city tours. The Friendfamily programme connects international students with local families. Housing is available through the Studierendenwerk (student services organisation), with shared rooms and apartments ranging from approximately €285–€450 per month; early application is strongly recommended. The semester ticket provides free bus and train travel across Lower Saxony. German language courses run at A1–C1 levels each semester and during breaks, partly funded externally. Psychological counselling and university sports are also available.
115
Accredited Programmes
70
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
44
Master
1
Other
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