Hochschule Ruhr West- University of Applied Sciences
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
About Hochschule Ruhr West- University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Ruhr West (HRW) is a public university of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 2009. It operates across two campuses — Mülheim an der Ruhr and Bottrop — and focuses on STEM disciplines, computer science, and business administration. The institution emphasises practice-oriented teaching, small group sizes, and strong industry ties within the Ruhr metropolitan region.
HRW offers 22 Bachelor's and 11 Master's degree programmes across four faculties and eight institutes covering computer science, energy systems, mechanical and civil engineering, measuring and sensor technology, natural sciences, and business studies. With over 6,500 students and a declared commitment to diversity and internationalisation, the university positions itself as a regional STEM hub supporting the structural transformation of the Ruhr area.
As a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences), HRW awards professionally oriented degrees with integrated practical components. All programmes are taught in German; a minimum C1 German language certificate is required for enrolment.
Key facts
- Founded
- 2009
- Students
- 6,500
- Faculties
- 4
Founded 2009 — one of Germany's newer public Fachhochschulen, purpose-built for the Ruhr region's industrial transition
Dual-campus model: Mülheim (engineering, science, business) and Bottrop (computer science, energy systems)
4 faculties, 8 institutes covering STEM and business with strong applied/industry focus
No tuition fees; semester contribution approximately €353.80
Programmes in energy systems and energy management aligned with Germany's Energiewende priorities
International Office supports incoming degree students, exchange students, and COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) projects
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees are charged (public university, North Rhine-Westphalia does not levy non-EU tuition surcharges). All students pay a semester contribution of approximately €353.80 per semester, covering administrative fees and student services.
Admission requirements
Non-EU/EEA applicants must apply via uni-assist (my.uni-assist.de), which evaluates whether the foreign qualification is equivalent to the German Abitur. EU/EEA applicants apply directly via the university's eCampus portal. German language proficiency at C1 level is mandatory (DSH 2+, TestDaF TDN 4+ in all subtests, Goethe C1/C2, or DSD II). Applicants from India, China (including Vietnam) who hold an APS certificate must submit it as part of the uni-assist application — the APS requirement is a German visa and admission prerequisite for these nationalities, independent of HRW's own published checklist. Applicants whose school qualification does not directly meet Abitur equivalency may need to complete a Feststellungsprüfung (assessment exam) or a Studienkolleg preparatory course. Conditional admissions are not issued. Pre-study internships are required for civil engineering and construction management programmes.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes: Winter semester — 1 May to 15 July; Summer semester — 1 December to 15 January. Master's programmes: same windows apply. Non-EU applicants must submit applications via uni-assist within these windows.
Languages of instruction
All degree programmes are taught in German. A minimum German C1 level is required (DSH 2, TestDaF TDN 4 in all subtests, Goethe C1/C2, or DSD II). TELC certificates are not accepted as of Summer 2022. No English-taught degree programmes are listed on the official site.
Campuses & locations
Main campus at Duisburger Straße 100; hosts Faculty 2 (Business Administration), Faculty 3 (Mechanical and Civil Engineering), Faculty 4 (Measuring/Sensor Technology and Natural Sciences)
Located at Lützowstraße 5; opened October 2014; hosts Faculty 1 (Computer Science and Energy Systems)
Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen
HRW spans two Ruhr-area cities. Mülheim an der Ruhr sits between Düsseldorf and Essen, with over 50% of its area comprising green space and forest; it offers riverside leisure along the Ruhr and is home to landmarks such as the Camera Obscura. Bottrop, adjacent to Oberhausen and Gelsenkirchen, similarly retains large green areas including Revierpark Vonderort with its lake, sports facilities, and recreation centre. Both cities are well connected within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan transport network (VRR), giving students access to Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Dortmund within 30–60 minutes.
Student life & support
Student life is organised across both campuses by the student council (AStA) and four department associations, which run events including lecture-hall cinema screenings, boat parties, pub tours, summer festivals, and Christmas markets. The university offers university sports programmes, two campus cafeterias, and a library at each location. Student accommodation is arranged through the regional Studierendenwerk (STW). The university's learning centre ('upgrade') and central study counselling provide academic support. HRW operates a FabLab and IoT lab for hands-on technical projects.
37
Accredited Programmes
23
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
14
Master
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