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Fachhochschulen / HAW

Hochschule Weserbergland

Niedersachsen, Germany

About Hochschule Weserbergland

Hochschule Weserbergland (HSW) is a state-recognised, Wissenschaftsrat-accredited private university of applied sciences located in Hameln, Lower Saxony. Founded in 2010 and operated by the non-profit Trägerverein Hochschule Weserbergland e.V., it traces its roots to the Berufsakademie Weserbergland established in 1990. With approximately 450–500 students, HSW is a compact institution known for small group sizes, close company partnerships, and high practical relevance.

HSW specialises in dual-study (work-integrated) bachelor programmes and part-time master programmes, allowing students to combine academic coursework with paid employment at a partner company. Its two departments — Business (Wirtschaft) and Computer Science and Engineering (Informatik und Technik) — cover Business Administration, Business Informatics, Industrial Engineering, Social Work, and an MBA in General Management. The university has received top CHE rankings in 2020 and 2023 for its study conditions.

HSW also operates zedita, the Centre for Digital Transformation and New Work, which is an officially designated Digital Hub for the state of Lower Saxony. The institution actively engages in knowledge transfer and continuing education for regional businesses and professionals.

Key facts

Founded
2010
Students
451
Faculties
2

State-recognised private university of applied sciences accredited by the German Wissenschaftsrat

Specialist in dual-study programmes: tuition covered by partner company, students receive a training salary

Top CHE university ranking results in 2020 and 2023 for study conditions

Operates zedita — official Digital Hub of Lower Saxony — for digital transformation and new-work research

No NC or waiting lists for bachelor programmes; access possible without traditional Abitur in some cases

Small cohorts with individual mentoring; single compact campus on the Weser river in Hameln

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

HSW is a private institution and charges tuition fees. For dual bachelor programmes, tuition is fully covered by the partner company; students also receive a monthly training allowance. For part-time and MBA programmes, fees apply and are set by the Trägerverein assembly — specific amounts are not published on the official website. Prospective students should request a fee schedule directly from HSW. There is no semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) listed publicly.

Admission requirements

HSW's dual bachelor programmes require applicants to first secure a partnership with a cooperating company (Praxispartner), which then covers tuition fees and pays a training salary. There is no Numerus Clausus (NC) or waiting list — admission is effectively determined by the company selection process, which typically begins 1–1.5 years before the study start date (August). A general university entrance qualification (Abitur, Fachhochschulreife) or equivalent is required; HSW also offers access routes for applicants without traditional Abitur. Part-time bachelor and master programmes are open to working professionals. No dedicated international-student admissions track is described on the official site; international applicants should contact HSW directly. APS certificate is required at the German consulate for applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam before a student visa can be issued — this is a German consular requirement, not an HSW-specific one.

Application deadlines

Dual bachelor programmes start in August each year. Partner companies begin recruiting 1–1.5 years in advance, so effective application windows open approximately October–February for an August start. No fixed centralised deadline is published; contact HSW or partner companies directly for current dates.

Languages of instruction

Primarily German. Some programme content and the university website are available in English; the MBA may include English-language components. No fully English-taught bachelor programme is listed.

Campuses & locations

Hameln Campus

Am Stockhof 2, 31785 Hameln — single campus located directly on the Weser river near the city centre

Living in Niedersachsen

Hameln is a mid-sized town of approximately 57,000 inhabitants in Lower Saxony, situated on the Weser river about 45 km south-west of Hannover. It is internationally known as the 'Pied Piper' city (Rattenfängerstadt) and attracts visitors with its well-preserved Weser Renaissance old town. The town has good rail connections to Hannover (approx. 45 minutes), making the regional capital's amenities — including Hannover Airport — easily accessible.

Student life & support

HSW's small size fosters a close-knit, personal campus atmosphere. Dual students spend alternating theory and practice phases (approximately three months each), meaning a significant portion of study time is spent at partner companies across Germany. The zedita hub on campus provides collaborative workspaces and innovation events. Social and cultural life is supplemented by Hameln's old town, river promenade, and proximity to the Teutoburg Forest and Weser Uplands for outdoor activities.

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