- Founded
- 1992
- Students
- 3,300
- International
- 22%
- Programmes
- 61
- Taught in English
- 20
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.
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)
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1992
- Students
- 3,300
- International
- ~22% international students (ETER report year 2023: 21.7%)
- Faculties
- 8
- Programmes
- 61
Study programmes
61 accredited degrees at Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau, 20 of them taught in English.
Showing 25–48 of 61 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
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.
How international applicants apply
Full uni-assist processing: 'Bitte bewerben Sie sich mit nicht-deutschen Zeugnissen ueber das Portal uni-assist e.V.' - uni-assist checks whether the school/university certificate entitles the applicant to study at WHZ (ca. 6 weeks, fee-based), with non-EU deadlines 30 June (admission-free WS programmes) / 30 November (restricted and SS). Exceptions marked * on the page (cooperation programmes with KAFU Ulan-Ude, Zhejiang Univ. of Science and Technology, Wenzao Ursuline University) apply WITHOUT uni-assist. Holders of German certificates follow the normal 'Bewerbung mit deutschen Abschluessen' path via the WHZ online application portal instead. WHZ appears on the uni-assist member list ('Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau').
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.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau
12 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Ausschließlich ideelle Förderung
Scholarships offering only non-material support (mentoring, seminars, networking, career events) without monthly stipend. Listed b...
Amount: No financial stipend
Deadline: Varies per programme
Bachelor, Master
Deutschlandstipendium at Westsaechsische Hochschule Zwickau
The WHZ awards Deutschlandstipendium grants each winter semester to determined students of all disciplines, paid out monthly by th...
Amount: EUR 300 per month
Deadline: Application window for academic year 2026/27 opens 19 June 2026 (annua...
Bachelor, Master
Erasmus+ Stipendien
Erasmus+ funding for study/internship stays within Europe. Administered by WHZ International Office.
Amount: Varies by destination country
Deadline: Per International Office calls (8 weeks before start)
Bachelor, Master
Firmenstipendium (Company Scholarship)
Company-funded scholarships for students at WHZ, often tied to specific disciplines or practical cooperation with the sponsoring c...
Amount: Varies by company (typically EUR 300-500/month)
Deadline: Varies per company scholarship
Bachelor, Master
Hochschulverein Mentor e.V. Stipendien
Scholarships and support from WHZ's alumni and friends association. Various programmes for students.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Per association calls
Bachelor, Master
N+P Informationssysteme Unternehmensstipendium
Company scholarship cooperation between WHZ and N+P Informationssysteme GmbH (signed Jan 2023). Supports students with financial a...
Amount: Per agreement (typically EUR 300-500/month)
Deadline: Per company/WHZ call
Bachelor, Master (IT/Informatics)
PROMOS Stipendium für Praktikum im Ausland
DAAD PROMOS funding for internship stays abroad worldwide outside EU/Erasmus+ area. For WHZ students.
Amount: Up to EUR 550/month (varies by destination)
Deadline: Per International Office calls
Bachelor, Master
PROMOS Stipendium für Studium im Ausland
DAAD PROMOS funding for study stays abroad worldwide outside EU/Erasmus+ area. For WHZ students. Application via International Off...
Amount: Up to EUR 550/month (varies by destination)
Deadline: Per International Office calls
Bachelor, Master
SAXEED Gründerstipendien und Finanzierung
Funding and scholarships for entrepreneurial projects and startups by WHZ students. SAXEED evaluates eligibility for specific fund...
Amount: Varies by programme
Deadline: Per programme calls
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Stipendien der Studienförderwerke
WHZ nominates outstanding students for scholarships from the 13 state-funded Begabtenförderungswerke (e.g., Studienstiftung des de...
Amount: Up to EUR 992/month + EUR 80/month book allowance + family allowances
Deadline: Per Förderwerk calls; WHZ internal nomination deadlines apply
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Stipendien für internationale Studierende
Curated list of scholarships specifically for international students at WHZ, including: Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds, Reem...
Amount: Varies (EUR 300-1,112/month depending on programme)
Deadline: Varies per programme (some rolling, some fixed annual deadlines)
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Stipendien weiterer Stiftungen und Förderwerke
WHZ lists additional private foundations supporting students: Kölner Gymnasial- und Stiftungsfonds (individual support + mentoring...
Amount: Varies per foundation (EUR 300-10,000)
Deadline: Varies per foundation
Bachelor, Master, Doctorate
Student accommodation
What Westsächsische Hochschule Zwickau publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Chemnitz-Zwickau
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 pageFrom the university
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.
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 Zwickau
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.
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