- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 6,000
- International
- 15%
- Programmes
- 72
- Taught in English
- 12
About Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe
Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe (TH OWL) is a public university of applied sciences and arts in North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 1971. It offers approximately 60 bachelor's and master's degree programmes across 7 faculties, with a strong emphasis on applied research, engineering, design, and sustainability.
The university operates three thematically branded campuses: the Innovation Campus in Lemgo (main campus and administrative headquarters), the Creative Campus in Detmold, and the Sustainable Campus in Höxter. Research focus areas include production and automation, environment and resources, space and culture, and health and life.
TH OWL is firmly embedded in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region, an economically active area in north-eastern North Rhine-Westphalia. The university collaborates closely with regional industry partners and offers doctoral programmes through its Graduate Center OWL.
Public university of applied sciences - no tuition fees for any student, regardless of nationality
Three thematically distinct campuses: Innovation (Lemgo), Creative (Detmold), Sustainable (Höxter)
Approximately 60 bachelor's and master's programmes across 7 faculties
Doctoral programmes available through the Graduate Center OWL
Semester contribution of €352.80 (WS 2026/27) includes a full NRW public transport semester ticket
Non-EU applicants must apply via uni-assist; German language minimum B2 for German-taught programmes
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1971
- Students
- 6,000
- International
- ~15%
- Faculties
- 7
- Programmes
- 72
Study programmes
72 accredited degrees at Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe, 12 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 72 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
No tuition fees for all students (EU and non-EU) in line with the North Rhine-Westphalia policy for public universities of applied sciences. A semester contribution of €352.80 (Winter Semester 2026/27) is payable upon enrolment, covering the student association contribution (€20.00), the NRW semester transport ticket (€226.80), and student services (€106.00).
Admission requirements
EU/EEA applicants apply directly via the KIS-Portal (kis-portal.th-owl.de). Non-EU applicants must apply through uni-assist (my.uni-assist.de). Required documents for bachelor's applicants include the school-leaving certificate, grade transcripts, language proficiency certificate, and passport copy; master's applicants additionally need the bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts. All documents must be officially certified and translated into German or English. Non-EU students must demonstrate financial means of at least €934/month (e.g. via a blocked account/Sperrkonto). APS certificate: Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries must obtain the APS certificate before applying; the APS requirement is confirmed by German consulates for visa purposes.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's programmes (non-EU applicants): restricted programmes April 15 - June 15; unrestricted programmes April 15 - July 15 (for winter semester intake). Bachelor's programmes (EU/EEA applicants): restricted programmes May 4 - July 15; unrestricted programmes May 4 - October 15. Master's programme deadlines vary by programme; applicants must consult individual programme pages. Application deadlines for the summer semester are programme-specific and not centrally published.
How international applicants apply
Used. Applicants whose higher education entrance qualification was obtained outside the EU must submit their full application via uni-assist (My assist portal, my.uni-assist.de); uni-assist pre-checks the uploaded documents (certified copies/translations) and forwards accepted applications to TH OWL - no postal submission to either side. Applicants with an EU qualification apply directly via TH OWL's own KIS-Portal instead. Bachelor deadlines for non-EU applicants run earlier (15 Apr - 15 Jun restricted / 15 Jul open) than for EU applicants. Listed on the uni-assist member list (TH OWL campuses Lemgo/Detmold/Hoexter).
Languages of instruction
The majority of programmes are taught in German. A selection of English-taught programmes is available, primarily at master's level. For German-taught programmes, a minimum B2 German proficiency certificate is required (accepted: TestDaF 14+ points total, Goethe B2, DSH 1, Telc B2, ÖSD B2). For English-taught programmes, B2 English is required (accepted: IELTS 6.5+, TOEFL iBT 72+, Cambridge FCE Grade B/C, TOEIC 785+). TH OWL also offers study-preparatory German language courses at B2 and C1 levels ahead of the winter semester.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe
2 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Deutschlandstipendium (Studienfonds OWL)
Monthly grant of EUR 300 (EUR 3,600/year) for enrolled and prospective students of TH OWL and the four other OWL partner instituti...
Amount: EUR 300/month (EUR 3,600 per year)
Deadline: Annual application round 15 March - 5 May (online form at studienfonds...
bachelor, master
Sozialstipendium (Studienfonds OWL)
Social scholarship based on particular financial need for students of the five OWL state universities including TH OWL. Same EUR 3...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: Two annual rounds: 01 February - end of February and 01 August - 31 Au...
bachelor, master
Student accommodation
What Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Bielefeld
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
Student residences in the OWL region are managed by Studierendenwerk Bielefeld; students are advised to apply for housing as early as possible. Pre-arrival orientation sessions cover accommodation, registration, and daily life.
Campuses & locations
Main campus; administrative headquarters at Campusallee 12, 32657 Lemgo. Engineering, computer science, production, and health programmes.
Home of the Detmold School of Design and media/culture programmes.
Focus on agriculture, food, health, construction, and environmental sciences.
Living in Lemgo
TH OWL's main campus is in Lemgo, a historic Hanseatic town of around 40,000 inhabitants in the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region of North Rhine-Westphalia. The region also includes Detmold (the state capital of the former state of Lippe, around 73,000 inhabitants) and Höxter, both smaller cities with affordable living costs compared to major German urban centres. The region is well connected to Bielefeld and Paderborn by regional rail.
Student life & support
Student residences in the OWL region are managed by Studierendenwerk Bielefeld; students are advised to apply for housing as early as possible. Canteens and cafeterias operate at all three campuses. The International Office provides a buddy programme, cultural integration events, and social engagement certificates. Pre-arrival orientation sessions cover accommodation, registration, and daily life. The student representation (AStA) organises social and cultural activities. The NRW semester ticket (included in the semester contribution) provides unlimited public transport across North Rhine-Westphalia.
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