Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences
About
Fachhochschule der Diakonie in Bielefeld is tuition-free, teaching social work, nursing, health, and psychology with IELTS 6.0 entry. These fields are in strong demand across the EU labour market, and Bielefeld offers a lower cost of living than Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg.
Bielefeld is a mid-sized city in North Rhine-Westphalia with manageable living costs and a real young population — not overcrowded but never boring. The city has good student housing options and a working-class, unpretentious character that many international students find refreshing.
Application deadlines
- Winter semester — Bachelor, Master and certificate programmes1 June
Late applications are still accepted until 15 September if places remain. Source: https://www.hochschule-diakonie.de/.cms/studium/bewerbung/833
- Summer semester — Bachelor, Master and certificate programmes10 January
Later applications possible if places remain, per the site's own FAQ summary. Source: https://www.hochschule-diakonie.de/
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences is €0 per year. Living costs in Bielefeld are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences?
English-taught programmes at Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences typically require IELTS 6 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Germany?
For a student residence permit in Germany you must prove €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/).
Where is Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences located?
Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences is in Bielefeld, Germany. Apfelstraße 18, 33611 Bielefeld, Germany
What can you study at Fachhochschule der Diakonie - Diaconia - University of Applied Sciences?
Fields offered include: Social Work, Health, Nursing, Psychology.
Accommodation
Fachhochschule der Diakonie is not on Studierendenwerk Bielefeld's dormitory-eligible institution list (only Universität Bielefeld, HSBI, TH OWL, and Hochschule für Musik Detmold qualify), though the Studierendenwerk does handle its students' state student support (BAföG). Students must find housing on the private market; Bielefeld WG-room rents run roughly €250–500/month with high demand near intake dates.
Source- Studierendenwerk Bielefeld · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
National funding for this destination
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Why this works
- Zero tuition for international students is exceptional even by German public-university standards, eliminating a major cost barrier.
- Fields — social work, nursing, health, and psychology — are professionally in-demand across the EU labour market.
- An IELTS 6.0 entry bar is accessible for motivated CIS applicants without near-native English scores.
- A German university diploma carries EU recognition, supporting career mobility across all 27 member states.
- Bielefeld offers a mid-size student city with lower cost of living than Munich, Frankfurt, or Hamburg.
- After graduation, Germany grants an 18-month job-seeker visa, giving time to convert studies into a regulated-profession licence or employment contract.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes in social work and nursing in Germany are taught in German; confirm the exact language of instruction before applying.
- Non-EU applicants must prove roughly €11,904 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) before the visa is issued — significant upfront capital requirement.
- CIS school-leaving certificates often require a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) or equivalency assessment, adding up to one year before degree studies begin.
- Social-work and nursing graduates face regulated-profession licensing procedures in Germany that can take additional months after degree completion.
- As a small specialised institution, Fachhochschule der Diakonie offers a narrow field range; students seeking engineering or business must look elsewhere.
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These fields in the country
Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
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