Private Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik Vechta/Diepholz

About Private Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik Vechta/Diephol

The Private Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik (PHWT) is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences with campuses in Vechta (business and IT) and Diepholz (engineering). Originally established in 1989 as a vocational academy, it was granted Fachhochschule status in 1998 and is owned by a consortium of seven shareholders including the Dr. Jürgen und Irmgard Ulderup Foundation, the Harting Foundation, and local municipalities.

The university enrolls approximately 600 students across seven bachelor's programmes and one master's programme. Its defining feature is a dual study model in which students alternate between campus and a partner company; around 200 member companies participate in this network. Engineering programmes are concentrated at the Diepholz campus and business/IT programmes at the Vechta campus.

PHWT's practice-oriented philosophy keeps class sizes small and enables close mentoring by faculty who are active industry practitioners. The university holds the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education and has established exchange partnerships, including with Kettering University (Michigan, USA).

Key facts

Founded: 1998
Students: 600

State-recognised private university of applied sciences, founded 1989 (FH status since 1998)

Dual study model with ~200 partner companies — employer covers tuition for dual-track students

Two specialist campuses: engineering in Diepholz, business and IT in Vechta

Approximately 600 students; small class sizes with close faculty mentoring

Erasmus Charter holder with international exchange partnerships including Kettering University (USA)

CHE University Ranking 2026 recognition for student satisfaction

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

PHWT is a private institution and charges tuition. For the classical (non-dual) study model: Business/IT programmes cost €650/month; Engineering programmes cost €680/month. Dual students' fees are covered by their employer partner companies. There is no public-university semester contribution model here; tuition is the primary cost.

Admission requirements

International applicants must hold a qualification equivalent to a German Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (verifiable via anabin.kmk.org) and demonstrate German language proficiency at B2 level (e.g. Goethe-Institut certificate). English B2 is also expected. Non-EU applicants must comply with German student visa requirements, which typically include opening a blocked account (Sperrkonto). APS certificate is required for applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam. The university accepts foreign university entrance qualifications and the International Baccalaureate.

Application deadlines

Bachelor programmes: applications open from 1 August each year. Master programme: applications open from 1 April each year. Applications are accepted for upcoming cohorts on a rolling basis.

Languages of instruction

Programmes are taught primarily in German. All students are expected to have B2 German proficiency. Some modules are delivered in English, and PHWT offers an elective semester conducted entirely in English.

Campuses & locations

Vechta

Business Administration, Business Informatics, Computer Science programmes; address: Rombergstraße 40, 49377 Vechta

Diepholz

Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering programmes; address: Am Campus 2–4, Diepholz

Living in Niedersachsen

PHWT operates across two small towns in Lower Saxony. Vechta (~35,000 inhabitants) is a historic market town in the Oldenburger Münsterland with a compact student-friendly centre and good rail links to Osnabrück and Bremen. Diepholz (~18,000 inhabitants) is a quieter rural town south of Bremen. Both locations offer low cost of living compared to larger German cities; student accommodation typically costs €200–€450 per month.

Student life & support

The university's small size fosters a close-knit community. Dual students split their time between campus and partner companies, giving early exposure to professional environments. PHWT runs a summer MINT University programme for secondary school students. The Erasmus exchange programme enables short-term study abroad. Housing support is provided by the international office for incoming students. Both Vechta and Diepholz offer affordable living, and the region is within easy reach of Bremen and Osnabrück for broader urban amenities.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master