Universität Paderborn

As a public university in North Rhine-Westphalia, Paderborn University does not charge tuition fees for bachelor's or consecutive master's programmes for any student regardless of nationality — NRW abolished general tuition fees in 2011. All enrolled students pay a compulsory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester; the exact current amount is not published on the pages fetched and should be confirmed via the enrolment office. The semester contribution typically covers the student services organisation (Studierendenwerk) and a semester ticket for local public transport.

International applicants must hold a school-leaving certificate or higher-education entrance qualification recognised for admission to German universities (verified via the DAAD admissions database or anabin). Applicants from India, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), and Vietnam must present a valid APS certificate issued by the German Embassy before their student visa application; Paderborn itself does not waive this national requirement. For German-taught programmes, proof of German language proficiency is required (typically DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4 in all four sub-tests); some English-taught master's programmes require little or no German. Applications for German-taught programmes are submitted via the uni-assist portal. Prior university credits from an H+ recognised institution may be taken into account by the relevant examination board for master's admission.

For German-taught degree programmes (via uni-assist): Winter Semester — 31 May; Summer Semester — 15 January. For English-taught master's programmes (via uni-assist): Winter Semester — 31 May; Summer Semester — 30 November (supporting documents accepted until 15 January). For master's applicants completing a bachelor's degree at a German university (via internal PAUL portal): Winter Semester — 15 August; Summer Semester — 15 February.

The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. A growing number of master's programmes are offered fully in English, including Computer Science M.Sc., Computer Engineering M.Sc., Electrical Systems Engineering M.Sc., International Business Studies M.Sc., Materials Science M.Sc., Additive Manufacturing M.Sc., Optoelectronics and Photonics M.Sc., Physics M.Sc., and English and American Literary and Cultural Studies M.A. German language courses are available on-site for students who need to acquire or improve their German before or during their studies.