About Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau
Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau (WHZ) is a public University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) located in Zwickau, Saxony. Originally founded in 1897 as an engineering school, it was re-established as a Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften in 1992 and has since expanded to four campus locations. The university positions itself as a "University of Mobility", with a strong focus on automotive engineering, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration across its eight faculties.
WHZ operates across four locations — Zwickau (main campus), Schneeberg, Reichenbach, and Markneukirchen — each hosting different faculties and subject clusters. The university offers bachelor's, master's, dual-study, and part-time degree programmes, with the Automotive and Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Business and Economics faculties drawing the largest student numbers.
As a Fachhochschule, WHZ emphasises applied, practice-oriented education with close links to regional industry, particularly the automotive sector. The International Office supports incoming exchange and degree-seeking international students and coordinates Erasmus+ partnerships.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1992
- Faculties
- 8
Engineering education in Zwickau since 1897; re-established as a University of Applied Sciences in 1992
Four campus locations: Zwickau, Schneeberg, Reichenbach, and Markneukirchen
Eight faculties spanning automotive engineering, electrical engineering, applied arts, health sciences, business, applied languages, and more
No tuition fees for any students, including non-EU internationals; semester contribution ~€320
Low cost of living — from ~€850/month, one of the more affordable student cities in Germany
Erasmus code D ZWICKAU01; active Erasmus+ international partnerships with exchange deadlines 31 May (winter) and 30 November (summer)
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
Study at WHZ is tuition-free for all students, including non-EU internationals (Saxony does not charge non-EU tuition fees). Students pay a semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) of approximately €320 per semester, which includes a regional semester travel ticket (valid on most public transport in the area, excluding ICE/IC/EC long-distance trains). Cost of living in Zwickau is from approximately €850 per month; student accommodation (one room with shared facilities) costs €260–€400 per month.
Admission requirements
International degree-seeking applicants apply through the WHZ online application portal under the 'Bewerber mit internationalen Abschlüssen' (applicants with international qualifications) pathway. A recognised higher education entrance qualification is required. For most programmes, sufficient German language proficiency is expected (typically B2/C1 for German-taught programmes). APS certificate is required for applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in India, China, or Vietnam before a student visa can be issued — this is a German consulate requirement, not specific to WHZ. Contact: Ms. Eugenia Jakob (study[at]whz.de, +49 375 536 1186) for degree-seeking international enquiries.
Application deadlines
For exchange (Erasmus+) students: 31 May for the winter semester and the following academic year; 30 November for the following summer semester. Deadlines for degree-seeking international applicants are managed through the WHZ online portal — contact the International Office or check the Bewerbungsfristen page on whz.de for current dates.
Languages of instruction
Most degree programmes are taught in German. The university recommends a minimum of German B1 or English B1 (CEFR) for exchange students depending on the module language. Some international and English-taught degree programmes are offered; prospective students should check the current programme catalogue (Modulux) for module-level language of instruction.
Campuses & locations
Kornmarkt 1, 08056 Zwickau — central administrative and main teaching campus
Home to the Faculty of Applied Arts (Angewandte Kunst Schneeberg)
Additional teaching location in the Vogtland region
Specialist location, associated with the musical instruments faculty cluster
Living in Sachsen
Zwickau is a mid-sized city of around 90,000 inhabitants in the Free State of Saxony, known as the birthplace of composer Robert Schumann and as a historic centre of the German automotive industry (Audi/Horch and Trabant were both produced here). The city offers a low cost of living by German standards, a compact historic centre, and good rail connections to Dresden, Leipzig, and Chemnitz.
Student life & support
Student housing is arranged through Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau, which operates halls of residence with single rooms (shared kitchen and bathroom) at €260–€400 per month; a deposit of €380–€500 is required on arrival. The semester contribution of ~€320 includes a public transport semester ticket. German language courses and workshops are offered during the semester as elective modules or extracurricular activities for international students. An orientation day for international students is held at the start of each semester. Non-EU students arrange public health insurance after arriving in Zwickau.
61
Accredited Programmes
27
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
34
Master
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