- Founded
- 1816
- Students
- 2,145
- International
- 36.4%
- Programmes
- 16
- Taught in English
- 2
About Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola
Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA) is a state-recognised engineering university located in Bochum, in the heart of the Ruhr region of North Rhine-Westphalia. Described as the oldest institution of higher education in Bochum, it evolved from a traditional mining school into a modern, practice-oriented engineering university and is named after the 16th-century mining scholar Georg Agricola.
THGA offers bachelor's and master's degree programmes across three main disciplinary areas: Georesources and Process Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science; and Electrical/Information Technology and Business Engineering. The university is particularly known for its Research Center for Post-Mining (Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau), a specialist research unit addressing challenges arising from mine closures and site remediation - a focus unique among German universities.
The university emphasises close industry cooperation: approximately 80% of student thesis projects address real-world industry challenges. There are no tuition fees for most programmes; students pay a semester contribution that includes a Germany-wide public transport ticket (Deutschland-Ticket). Programmes are taught predominantly in German.
Oldest higher education institution in Bochum, with over 200 years of history rooted in mining engineering
Home to the Research Center for Post-Mining (Forschungszentrum Nachbergbau), a globally unique specialist research unit
No tuition fees; semester contribution includes the Deutschland-Ticket public transport pass
APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam
Practice-oriented curriculum: ~80% of final theses address real-world industry challenges
Participates in Erasmus+ and maintains international partner university network
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1816
- Students
- 2,145
- International
- 36.4% international students (share of the 2,145 students enrolled in WS 2024/25; the THGA has been running a dedicated programme for international talents since 2024)
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 16
Study programmes
16 accredited degrees at Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola, 2 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–16 of 16 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees are charged. Students pay a semester contribution which includes the Deutschland-Ticket (nationwide public transport pass). The semester contribution for 2025/26 was stated as €256.80 on the official website. North Rhine-Westphalia does not levy additional non-EU student fees.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a qualification equivalent to the German Fachhochschulreife or Abitur. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must additionally present an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate issued by the German embassy in their country before applying. German language proficiency must be demonstrated via DSH (minimum grade 2), TestDaF (minimum TDN 4), or an accepted TELC certificate before the start of studies; exceptions apply for the English-taught MEIHC and MRPE master's programmes. The university welcomes international applicants from over 60 countries and the International Office provides dedicated advising for degree-seeking international students.
Application deadlines
Winter Semester 2026/2027: applications open 4 May 2026, deadline 31 August 2026, enrolment deadline 28 September 2026. No summer semester application window was published on the official site at time of research.
How international applicants apply
Direct application via the university's own HISinOne high-school portal meine.thga.de after self-registration - uni-assist and hochschulstart are NOT used. Programmes are admission-free (kein NC): meeting the entry requirements leads directly to enrolment. Application window for winter semester 2026/27: 4 May to 31 August 2026, enrolment possible until lectures start (28 September 2026). Entry routes are broad: Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, Meister, staatlich geprüfter Techniker, or vocational access under BBHZVO (3 years of qualified work, else trial studies); master's require a relevant diploma/bachelor. The private engineering UAS charges NO tuition fees, only a semester contribution of EUR 256.80. International preparation is supported via the DAAD 'VORsprung' digital prep programme (TestAS/TestDaF from home country, B2 German); the master Material Engineering and Conservation Science has separate deadlines for international applicants. Dual/cooperative study forms (praxisbegleitend, part-time alongside an employer) are core offerings.
Languages of instruction
Instruction is predominantly in German. Most bachelor's and master's programmes require German proficiency (DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4). Two master's programmes - MEIHC and portions of MRPE - are offered in English and are exempt from the German language requirement.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola
1 scheme run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Student accommodation
What Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageHousing office: [email protected]
Room types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
Student housing information is available through the university's student services portal.
Campuses & locations
Herner Str. 45, 44787 Bochum; reachable via U35 CampusLinie, stop Deutsches Bergbaumuseum
Living in Bochum
Bochum is a mid-sized city of approximately 360,000 inhabitants in the Ruhr metropolitan area of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is a major university city, home to Ruhr-Universität Bochum and several other higher education institutions, with a lively student population. The city offers affordable living costs relative to Munich or Frankfurt, good public transport connections across the Ruhr region, and direct rail links to Cologne, Dortmund, and Düsseldorf.
Student life & support
The International Office (contact: Sarah Zouari, [email protected], +49 234 968-3267) provides dedicated support for degree-seeking international students, including admissions guidance and enrolment assistance. Preparatory German language courses are available through the university's PPA programme (contact: Isra Struzyna, [email protected]). The university participates in the Erasmus+ programme and maintains partnerships with foreign universities. On-campus facilities include laboratories, a library, a cafeteria, and sports programmes. Student housing information is available through the university's student services portal.
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