Hochschule Bochum
About
Hochschule Bochum charges no tuition (just a ≈€634/year semester contribution) as a public university of applied sciences in Bochum in North Rhine-Westphalia's dense industrial and business network, teaching engineering and economics. An EU-recognised degree brings Schengen-wide mobility and Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa, with IELTS 6 keeping entry accessible.
Bochum sits in the Ruhr Valley, historically Germany's industrial heartland, now shifting toward tech and services. Rental costs are low — around €650–750 per month for a shared flat. The city has museums, live music venues, and student bars; the atmosphere is working-class and direct, not glamorous, but honest and affordable.
Application deadlines
- SoSe 20272026-12-15
Estimated summer semester deadline (not explicitly published — contact welcome@hs-bochum.de to confirm).
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Hochschule Bochum as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Hochschule Bochum is €0 per year. A mandatory semester contribution of ≈€634 per year (administration and transport, not tuition) is charged on top. Living costs in 44801 Bochum are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Hochschule Bochum?
English-taught programmes at Hochschule Bochum 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 Hochschule Bochum 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 Hochschule Bochum located?
Hochschule Bochum is in 44801 Bochum, Germany. Am Hochschulcampus, 44801 Bochum
What can you study at Hochschule Bochum?
Fields offered include: Engineering, Economics.
Accommodation
AKAFÖ / Studierendenwerk Bochum. Wohnheim Siepenfeld: €340/month + €40 utilities = €380 total. Wohnheim Markstraße 105: €300–€508. No fixed application deadline — apply max 6 months before move-in, immediately after admission. Apply at akafoe.de/wohnen.
- Studierendenwerk Bochum · 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
- No tuition is charged, even for non-EU students — the university collects only a semester contribution of ≈€634 per year for administration and student services.
- A public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in NRW, carrying full EU-recognised degree status for visa and credential purposes.
- Engineering and economics programmes align directly with Germany's small and mid-sized companies (Mittelstand) industrial economy, where applied graduates are in high demand.
- Bochum sits in the dense Ruhr metropolitan area, giving students access to one of Europe's largest internship and employer networks.
- After graduation, Germany's 18-month job-seeker visa lets you stay and convert your degree into a work permit inside the EU/Schengen zone.
- An IELTS minimum of 6.0 is a realistic threshold for CIS applicants, keeping the language entry bar achievable without top-band scores.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes in Germany are taught in German; CIS students without C1-level German will face a significant language barrier in daily study and life.
- Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised may need to complete a preparatory course (Studienkolleg) before admission, adding one extra year.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of roughly €11,904 for a study year before a student visa is issued — a substantial upfront cash commitment.
- Bochum and the Ruhr region have high demand for student accommodation; finding affordable housing quickly is not guaranteed and may require early planning.
- Students are limited to 120 full days or 240 half days of paid work per year during studies, capping part-time income as a financial buffer.
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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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