Hochschule Nordhausen
About
Hochschule Nordhausen is tuition-free for international students in engineering, business, and computer science, with a practical, employer-oriented curriculum. The EU-recognized degree carries an 18-month post-study job-seeker visa, letting graduates convert their studies into a work permit.
Nordhausen is in Thuringia, an industrial town in former East Germany with very low living costs. It's quiet, affordable, and genuinely focused on practical work. The local economy is manufacturing-heavy, so engineering and computer-science graduates have real job opportunities nearby.
Application deadlines
- German-taught Bachelor and Master programmes — non-EU applicants applying from abroad31 August
Stated as a standing annual rule; lets international applicants apply before the general application period opens. Source: https://www.hs-nordhausen.de/international/come-in/bewerbung/
- Winter semester — English-taught Master's programmes via the central application service (uni-assist)30 April
Applies to Computer Engineering for IoT Systems, Environmental and Recycling Technology, Renewable Energy Systems, and Mechatronics. Source: https://www.hs-nordhausen.de/studienangebote/bewerbung/online-bewerbung/
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Hochschule Nordhausen as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Hochschule Nordhausen is €0 per year. Living costs in Nordhausen are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Hochschule Nordhausen?
English-taught programmes at Hochschule Nordhausen 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 Hochschule Nordhausen located?
Hochschule Nordhausen is in Nordhausen, Germany. Weinberghof 4, 99734 Nordhausen, Germany
What can you study at Hochschule Nordhausen?
Fields offered include: Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Environmental Science.
Accommodation
Dorms are operated by Studierendenwerk Thüringen across six residences near campus, with official rents of €211–431/month (all-inclusive). No official figure was published for private WG-Zimmer rents, though the university notes Nordhausen rents are roughly half those of major German cities.
Source- Studierendenwerk Nordhausen · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Zero tuition for non-EU students makes this a rare affordable option compared to private German universities charging €10,000–20,000 per year.
- A public university of applied sciences focuses on practical, employer-oriented engineering, business, and computer science programmes.
- An EU/Schengen diploma is recognised across 27 countries, giving graduates broad labour-market access beyond Germany.
- Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa lets graduates remain and convert to a work permit after finishing their degree.
- IELTS 6.0 entry threshold is accessible for CIS applicants who studied English but did not attend an international-medium school.
- Thuringia has a low cost of living compared to Berlin or Munich, meaning the €11,904 blocked account (Sperrkonto) requirement covers more actual months of expenses.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes in Germany are taught in German, so daily life and many lectures will require at least B2–C1 German regardless of IELTS.
- Non-EU school leavers often must complete a preparatory year before the degree (Studienkolleg) before admission, adding up to one year and extra costs to the timeline.
- Nordhausen is a small city with a limited local job market, which reduces internship and part-time work opportunities compared to larger German cities.
- Germany requires non-EU students to prove €11,904 in a blocked bank account (Sperrkonto) before a visa is issued, which is a significant upfront financial barrier.
- A university of applied sciences degree may carry less weight for research-track master's programmes or academic careers than a classical research university diploma.
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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.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel