Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen der Evangelisch-methodistischen Kirche

About Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen

Theologische Hochschule Reutlingen (Reutlingen School of Theology, RST) is the only United Methodist institution of theological higher education in German-speaking Europe, serving the Evangelisch-methodistische Kirche in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It is a state-recognised university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) with federal accreditation, offering Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Theology as well as programmes in Social Work and Diaconia.

The school traces its roots to a Preachers' Seminary founded in 1877 by the Evangelical Association. After church unification in 1968 it became the theological college of the newly formed United Methodist Church; in 2005 it gained formal Fachhochschule accreditation, and in 2008 adopted its current name. The student body is intentionally diverse, drawing from multiple denominations and cultural backgrounds, and the school emphasises spiritual formation alongside academic theology.

The educational mission rests on three pillars: sound scholarship, praxis-orientation, and personal faith development. Graduates are prepared for full- or part-time ministry, social-diaconal work, and broader engagement in church and society.

Key facts

Founded: 1877

Only United Methodist institution of theological higher education in German-speaking Europe

State-recognised Fachhochschule with federal accreditation since 2005

Very low tuition of EUR 250/semester regardless of nationality

Offers B.A. and M.A. in Theology plus Social Work and Diaconia programmes

Strong emphasis on spiritual formation alongside academic scholarship

Active international exchange network spanning multiple continents

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

Tuition is EUR 250 per semester for all students, irrespective of nationality — significantly below the standard Baden-Württemberg non-EU surcharge (EUR 1,500/semester) because the institution is church-affiliated and privately governed. Additional semester contribution (canteen and school services): EUR 87.50; student council fee: EUR 5. Total per semester approximately EUR 342.50. No institution-specific scholarships are advertised; the school directs students to external portals (Stipendienlotse, EVStudienwerk, DAAD).

Admission requirements

Entry qualification: German Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, or an internationally recognised equivalent. International applicants from outside the EU who hold a foreign school-leaving certificate must first obtain a certificate of university entrance qualification from Ausländerstudienkolleg Konstanz (ASK) and submit it with their application. Required documents include authenticated copies of educational credentials, a personal résumé explaining study motivation and professional plans, a curriculum vitae with brief spiritual autobiography, and one letter of reference. APS certificate: required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam (standard German requirement). Application is submitted via the online portal at th-reutlingen.opencampus.com.

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start): enrolment deadline 15 September. International applicants are advised to apply earlier to allow time for credential recognition and administrative processing. The DAAD database lists 15 March as an indicative deadline for the B.A. Theology programme — verify directly with the institution.

Languages of instruction

Instruction is primarily in German. A few courses are offered in English. German-taught programmes require TestDaF TDN 4, DSH-2, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.

Campuses & locations

Reutlingen Campus

Single campus at Friedrich-Ebert-Straße 31, D-72762 Reutlingen. Three buildings: main building (auditorium, library, seminar rooms A–F), Haus Schempp (canteen, TV facilities), and Haus Sommer ("Glass palace").

Living in Baden-Württemberg

Reutlingen is a city of approximately 115,000 inhabitants in Baden-Württemberg, situated around 30 km south of Stuttgart at the foot of the Swabian Alb. It is a compact university city with good rail connections to Stuttgart and Tübingen, affordable living costs relative to larger German cities, and a lively old town centred on the Gothic Marienkirche. The city is home to Reutlingen University (Hochschule Reutlingen) and the Theologische Hochschule, giving it a student-friendly character.

Student life & support

The campus functions as a close-knit residential and academic community. Students participate in communal life through shared meals in the canteen (Haus Schempp), library work, and garden maintenance as part of the semester contribution arrangement. Spiritual formation activities — retreats, devotional exercises, and community worship — are integral to campus life. The school maintains international exchange partnerships worldwide and welcomes students from diverse denominational backgrounds.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus