- Founded
- 1969
- Students
- 24,500
- Programmes
- 250
About Universität Bielefeld
Universität Bielefeld was founded in 1969 with an explicit research mandate and a commitment to research-oriented teaching. It is a full university (Volluniversität) encompassing 14 faculties across the humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine, with approximately 24,500 students enrolled.
The university has an active international dimension, hosting 2,105 international students from 113 countries and participating in 42 Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe research projects totalling €31.7 million in funding. It participates in the NEOLAiA European university network and is recognised as a World-Open University with certifications for gender equality and family-friendliness.
Located on a single main campus in Bielefeld, Nordrhein-Westfalen, the university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes, including English-taught and multilingual degrees as well as International Track and Double Degree programmes designed for international mobility.
Founded 1969 with an explicit research mandate - one of the early German reform universities
14 faculties covering humanities, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine on one unified campus
Approximately 24,500 students; 2,105 international students from 113 countries
Participates in NEOLAiA European university network and Scholars at Risk Network
42 active Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe projects totalling €31.7 million
Nordrhein-Westfalen charges no non-EU tuition fees - only the standard semester contribution applies
Recognised as a World-Open University with gender equality and family-friendliness certifications
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1969
- Students
- 24,500
- International
- 2,105 international students from 113 countries
- Faculties
- 14
- Programmes
- 250
Study programmes
250 accredited degrees at Universität Bielefeld.
Showing 1–24 of 250 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Nordrhein-Westfalen does not charge tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students (unlike Baden-Württemberg, which charges €1,500 per semester for non-EU students). Students at Universität Bielefeld pay only the semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), which covers the NRW public transport semester ticket (Semesterticket) and contributions to the Studierendenwerk Bielefeld (student services organisation) and the AStA student union. The exact semester contribution amount should be confirmed on the university's enrolment and fees pages at the time of application, as it is revised each semester.
Admission requirements
International applicants must hold a recognised higher education entrance qualification. The university assesses foreign qualifications against the anabin database maintained by the KMK; applicants from countries whose qualifications require individual assessment are directed to uni-assist for document verification. Applicants from India, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), and Vietnam whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries must obtain an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate before applying - this is a requirement of the German visa process and is checked at enrollment. German-taught programmes require a recognised German language certificate (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe C1, or equivalent); English-taught programmes specify their own language requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 or equivalent). Specific admission requirements vary by programme and are published in the respective programme regulations (Prüfungsordnung).
Application deadlines
Applications open from 1-15 June 2026 for winter semester 2026/27 (as noted on the university homepage at time of research). Exact deadlines for winter semester (beginning October) and summer semester (beginning April) vary by programme - restricted-admission programmes (NC-Fächer) and unrestricted-admission programmes have different closing dates. International applicants applying via uni-assist typically face earlier deadlines than domestic applicants. Confirm current deadlines on the university's Termine und Fristen page or through the respective programme's application portal.
How international applicants apply
uni-assist VPD required first, then application via Bielefeld's own application portal (campus.uni-bielefeld.de). International applicants who obtained a foreign study qualification and seek a first professional qualification (bachelor or first law examination) must request a Vorpruefungsdokumentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying - EU/EEA applicants with foreign qualifications must also do so. The uni-assist application alone is not an application to the university: after receiving the VPD (allow up to eight weeks; request at latest eight weeks before deadlines, which run 1 June to 15 July), applicants apply via the university's application portal within the deadline and upload the VPD with their documents; late VPD submission is not possible. DoSV programmes additionally require hochschulstart.de registration (BID/BAN). A special TestAS rule applies for Studienkolleg-track applicants (standard score 90+ in core test and subject module, 50/50 digital). Sources: uni-bielefeld.de international application pages.
Languages of instruction
Most undergraduate and many graduate programmes are taught in German. The university also offers English-taught and multilingual master's programmes, Double Degree programmes, and International Track degree programmes. Prospective students should verify the language of instruction for their specific programme in the electronic course catalogue (eKVV), which provides a dedicated filter for courses taught in English.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Universität Bielefeld 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.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
Housing is managed through the Studierendenwerk Bielefeld, which operates student dormitories and advises on private accommodation. Landlords typically require an in-person meeting before signing a lease, so the university advises booking temporary accommodation on arrival.
Campuses & locations
Single unified campus in Bielefeld city; Student Service Center (Studierenden Service Center) located in building A0
Living in Bielefeld
Bielefeld is a city of approximately 340,000 inhabitants in the eastern Ruhr-Westphalia region of Nordrhein-Westfalen, situated at the Teutoburg Forest. It is well connected by rail to Hannover, Dortmund, and Cologne, and offers a relatively affordable cost of living compared to larger German cities. Rental costs at the time of research ranged from approximately €7.52 to €14.05 per square metre, making it accessible for students on tight budgets.
Student life & support
Housing is managed through the Studierendenwerk Bielefeld, which operates student dormitories and advises on private accommodation. Landlords typically require an in-person meeting before signing a lease, so the university advises booking temporary accommodation on arrival. The International Office (Infopunkt International) provides an orientation programme for all newly arriving international students - including degree-seeking students, exchange students, and doctoral candidates - and operates Monday to Thursday, 11:00-13:00, at the Student Service Center, Room A0-307. The ViSiB student association supports international students socially and practically. German language preparation courses are recommended before arrival; the university directs students to institutions such as the Goethe-Institut and Deutsche Welle for pre-arrival study. Sports and cultural facilities are available on campus through the university's own sports services (Hochschulsport).
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