- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 13,071
- Programmes
- 115
- Taught in English
- 25
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.
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
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 13,071
- Faculties
- 5
- Programmes
- 115
Study programmes
115 accredited degrees at Hochschule Osnabrück, 25 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 115 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
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.
How international applicants apply
uni-assist full application - applicants with foreign school or university certificates (incl. Germans with foreign certificates, except German schools abroad) apply via uni-assist; after positive check uni-assist forwards documents to the university, which decides on admission. Exceptions applying directly to the HS Osnabrück portal: German qualifications, Studienkolleg FSP holders, and most master programmes of the Business and Social Sciences faculty (except English-taught IBM and MiNO masters). APS original required for China/Vietnam/India/Mongolia.
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.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Hochschule Osnabrück
15 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
CLAAS-Stipendien University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
Claas Stiftung funds cooperation with University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Scholarships for HS Osnabrück students for 1-3 month r...
Deadline: Check International Office for current deadlines
bachelor, master
DAAD-Preis fuer internationale Studierende der Hochschule Osnabrueck
One-time EUR 1,000 prize for students with special academic performance or voluntary engagement; applications are submitted via th...
Amount: EUR 1,000 one-time
bachelor, master
DAAD-Preis für internationale Studierende der Hochschule Osnabrück
One-time EUR 1,000 prize for international students with special academic performance or voluntary engagement. Application via int...
Amount: EUR 1,000 one-time
bachelor, master
Deutschlandstipendium an der Hochschule Osnabrück
Since 2011, HS Osnabrück successfully awards the Deutschlandstipendium. The university raises EUR 150/month from funding entities...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
Deadline: 20 May 2026 (for 2026/27); expected May 2027 (for 2027/28)
bachelor, master
Deutschlandstipendium an der Hochschule Osnabrueck
For students with good academic performance or voluntary engagement; combines financial support of EUR 300 monthly with non-materi...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
bachelor, master
Erasmus+ Studium und Praktikum
EU-funded grants for study semesters (2-12 months) and internships (2-12 months) at European partner universities/organisations. M...
Amount: EUR 540-600/month (country group dependent) + EUR 250/month inclusion...
Deadline: Check CIM for current deadlines
bachelor, master, doctorate
Fakultätsübergreifende gebührenbefreite Studienplätze (Tuition-Free Exchange Places)
HS Osnabrück maintains cross-faculty cooperation with selected partner universities with agreed tuition waivers. These exchange pl...
Amount: Tuition fee waiver at partner university
Deadline: Check CIM for current deadlines
bachelor, master
HAW.International (Study Abroad Scholarship)
DAAD-funded scholarships for study semesters (3-6 months), internships, and thesis research (1-3 months) abroad for high-performin...
Amount: DAAD rates (monthly scholarship + travel allowance)
Deadline: Check International Office for current deadlines
bachelor, master, doctorate
KITABU-Stipendien USA/Kanada
KITABU Foundation provides funds for transatlantic cooperation. Scholarships for HS Osnabrück students for study or practical stay...
Deadline: Check International Office for current deadlines
bachelor, master
Landesstipendium Niedersachsen an der Hochschule Osnabrück
One-time award of EUR 500 for gifted and engaged students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds ('bildungsferne Schichten')...
Amount: EUR 500 one-time
Deadline: Expected September 2026 (check website)
bachelor, master
Landesstipendium Niedersachsen an der Hochschule Osnabrueck
One-time award of EUR 500 for gifted and engaged students from so-called educationally disadvantaged backgrounds ('bildungsferne S...
Amount: EUR 500 one-time
bachelor, master
PROMOS (Study Abroad Scholarship)
HS Osnabrück awards scholarships for study-related stays abroad funded by DAAD PROMOS: study semesters, internships outside Europe...
Amount: DAAD country-specific rates (monthly partial scholarship and/or travel...
Deadline: Check International Office for current deadlines
bachelor, master, doctorate
Studienabschlussfoerderung (final-phase study funding)
Support for students who are in the final phase of their studies; applications are submitted via the intranet form. Listed among H...
bachelor, master
Studienabschlussförderung (Final-Phase Study Funding)
Support for international students in the final phase of their studies. Application via intranet form. Listed among HS Osnabrück's...
bachelor, master
Ulderup-Stiftung Stipendien (Faculty IuI)
For students of Faculty IuI (Ingenieurwesen und Informatik) at HS Osnabrück. Funds study semesters, study-related internships, pro...
Deadline: 1 December / 15 May (check current year)
bachelor, master
Student accommodation
What Hochschule Osnabrück publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Osnabrück
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 pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
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.
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 Osnabrück
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.
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