Technische Universität Dortmund

About Technische Universität Dortmund

Technische Universität Dortmund (TU Dortmund) is a research university located in Dortmund, in the Ruhr Area of North Rhine-Westphalia. It belongs to the TU9 consortium of Germany's leading technical universities and is a founding member of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a strategic cooperation with Ruhr-Universität Bochum and the University of Duisburg-Essen.

The university comprises 17 departments spanning natural sciences, engineering, business and economics, education sciences, social sciences, and humanities. It employs more than 6,500 people and hosts a broad portfolio of degree programmes at bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Research is organised across five university-wide profile areas, and the institution maintains close ties to the adjacent Dortmund Technology Park, one of Europe's largest technology parks.

The campus is served by its own railway station ('Dortmund Universität') on the S-Bahn network and by the H-Bahn, a suspended monorail system unique among German universities. The main North Campus and the smaller South Campus are connected by the H-Bahn with five-minute intervals.

Key facts

Founded: 1968
Faculties: 17

Member of TU9, the consortium of Germany's nine leading technical universities

Member of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), one of Europe's largest university networks

17 departments spanning engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, education, and humanities

H-Bahn (suspended monorail) — a distinctive campus transport system unique among German universities

No tuition fees for any student regardless of nationality (North Rhine-Westphalia state policy)

Adjacent to Dortmund Technology Park, one of Europe's largest science and technology parks

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

TU Dortmund is a public university in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). NRW does not charge tuition fees for any student regardless of nationality, in contrast to Baden-Württemberg (which charges non-EU students €1,500/semester) and Bavaria (which introduced non-EU fees from WS 2025/26). Students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester, which covers student union services, Studierendenwerk social services, and a semester ticket for local public transport in the Dortmund/Ruhr Area. The precise current amount of the semester contribution should be verified on the official fees page at time of enrolment.

Admission requirements

International applicants apply through the university's online portal (campus.tu-dortmund.de). Required documents include certified school-leaving and degree certificates, translated into German or English. The university offers dedicated advising for international applicants under 'Prospective Students > Advising & Counseling > International Applicants' and 'Application and Enrollment > International Applicants'. APS certificate: Applicants holding Indian, Chinese (including mainland China), or Vietnamese prior qualifications must obtain an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate before applying. The APS certificate verifies the authenticity and academic equivalance of the applicant's documents and is a mandatory prerequisite for enrolment. For German-taught programmes, recognised German language proof (DSH-2 or equivalent TestDaF/Goethe certificate) is required at enrolment. For English-taught programmes, English proficiency evidence (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL) is required; specific thresholds are set per programme. Applicants should verify exact requirements on individual programme and international admissions pages.

Languages of instruction

The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. TU Dortmund offers a selection of English-taught degree programmes; a dedicated listing of these is available on the university website under 'English-taught degree programs'. German-taught programmes require a recognised German language certificate (DSH or TestDaF); exact levels vary by programme. International applicants for English-taught programmes should consult individual programme pages for English language admission requirements.

Campuses & locations

North Campus (Campus Nord)

Main campus; location of central administration, most faculties, cafeterias, and the S-Bahn and H-Bahn stations

South Campus (Campus Süd)

Smaller campus connected to the North Campus by the H-Bahn suspended monorail

Dortmund Technology Park

Adjacent to the university; one of Europe's largest science and technology parks; additional university facilities located here

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Dortmund is a city of approximately 600,000 inhabitants in the Ruhr Area of North Rhine-Westphalia, making it one of Germany's ten largest cities. Historically an industrial and mining centre, Dortmund has transformed into a technology and service economy, anchored by the Dortmund Technology Park and a growing IT and logistics sector. The city is well connected regionally via the S-Bahn to Bochum, Essen, Mülheim, Duisburg, and Düsseldorf, and is served by Dortmund Airport (DTM) with an AirportExpress to the central station in approximately 20 minutes. Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), around 60 km away, offers broader international connections via direct S-Bahn service.

Student life & support

Student services are provided by the Studierendenwerk Dortmund, which operates cafeterias and manages student housing applications. The university campus offers university sports programmes, campus media, and university music ensembles. International students have access to dedicated advisory services through the International section of the university website, covering application, enrolment, and on-campus integration. The International Office provides counselling for both incoming international degree-seeking students and exchange students. Accommodation options and campus orientation resources are available through the university's prospective student portal.

International Office: International students page →

249

Accredited Programmes

131

Master

118

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus