Fachhochschule Dortmund
About
Fachhochschule Dortmund charges no tuition (just a ≈€600/year semester contribution) for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and business degrees, with IELTS 6.0 entry and no extra non-EU surcharge in North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund's industrial Ruhr-region economy gives real internship access in engineering and logistics, backed by an EU-recognised degree valid across Schengen.
Dortmund is an industrial city in the Ruhr valley being actively reimagined — old coal mines are becoming parks and cultural spaces. It's affordable, genuinely international, and has a buzzing student scene. Student housing is cheap, and the city is well-connected to the rest of NRW.
Application deadlines
- Winter Semester — Bachelor, non-EU2026-09-15
Window Aug 15–Sep 15 via the central application service (uni-assist). Later than typical German non-EU deadline — confirm visa processing timeline allows for this.
- Winter semester — Master (general portal, incl. English-language International Management), non-EU15 June
Non-EU Master applicants (including the English-language International Management programme) apply via the central application service (uni-assist) / the FH Dortmund portal; standing rule, no year attached. Source: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/bewerben-einschreiben/bewerben-aus-dem-ausland/nicht-eu-master.php
- Summer semester — Master (general portal), non-EU15 January
Standing rule, no year attached. Source: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/bewerben-einschreiben/bewerben-aus-dem-ausland/nicht-eu-master.php
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Fachhochschule Dortmund as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Fachhochschule Dortmund is €0 per year. A mandatory semester contribution of ≈€600 per year (administration and transport, not tuition) is charged on top. Living costs in 44139 Dortmund are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Fachhochschule Dortmund?
English-taught programmes at Fachhochschule Dortmund 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/).
Does Fachhochschule Dortmund offer scholarships?
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
Where is Fachhochschule Dortmund located?
Fachhochschule Dortmund is in 44139 Dortmund, Germany. Sonnenstraße 96, 44139 Dortmund
What can you study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
Fields offered include: STEM, Business, Computer Science.
Accommodation
Studierendenwerk Dortmund — ~2,400 places across 10 complexes. Deposit €700. Apply via stwdo.de. Private sector €350–650/month.
- Studierendenwerk Dortmund · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Tuition is €0 for non-EU students; the only compulsory payment is a semester contribution of ≈€600 per year, which funds administration and student services rather than teaching.
- As a public Fachhochschule in NRW, no extra non-EU semester surcharge applies — unlike Baden-Württemberg where non-EU students pay €1,500 per semester.
- Science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and business degrees from a German EU university carry strong recognition across all 27 EU member states and the Schengen zone.
- Dortmund is a large industrial and tech city in the Ruhr region, offering real internship and small and mid-sized companies (Mittelstand) employer access in engineering and logistics.
- An IELTS minimum of 6.0 is accessible for motivated CIS applicants who have completed B2-level preparation.
- After graduation, Germany grants an 18-month job-seeker visa, giving direct access to one of Europe's largest graduate labour markets.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes at German Fachhochschulen are taught in German; daily life and administration in Dortmund also require solid German language skills.
- Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised in Germany typically must complete a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) before enrolment.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) — approximately €11,904 for one year — which must be deposited before the visa is issued.
- A Fachhochschule is application-oriented rather than research-intensive; students targeting academic research careers or PhD programmes should weigh this against research universities.
- Dortmund has a large student population and a tight rental market; securing affordable accommodation before arrival requires early planning and is not guaranteed.
Need help with your application?
Two ways to move forward — pick what suits you.
AI consultant
Step-by-step guidance on your route: documents, deadlines, visa questions — available any time.
€19/mo · or €29 once — until the balance runs out
Open AI consultantHuman application support
A real advisor reviews your case and helps you apply.
We handle the application with you — from documents to submission.
Eligibility check is free; application support is a paid service — terms are agreed before we start.
Request human supportFind your route to this institution
Answer a few questions about your profile — we'll check if this institution fits and show realistic alternatives.
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.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel