Fachhochschule Dortmund

Fachhochschule Dortmund (Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts) is a public university in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Established in 1971, it is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in the region, known for its practical orientation in teaching and research. The university is a cosmopolitan, intercultural, and internationally networked institution, offering a wide range of academic programs.

Academics

Fachhochschule Dortmund offers approximately 70 Bachelor's and Master's degree programs across eight faculties: Applied Social Studies, Architecture, Design, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Studies. The teaching approach emphasizes applied education and research, with a high degree of practical orientation, often involving small group work. Notable programs include International Management, Embedded Systems Engineering, and Digital Transformation, many of which are offered in English. The university also promotes interdisciplinary cooperation in projects and encourages students to participate in research.

International Students

Fachhochschule Dortmund is committed to fostering a "Campus International" and actively promotes the integration and supervision of international students. The International Office provides support services, including assistance with applications, exchange programs, and a "Welcome2Campus" program that offers events, counseling, and a buddy program. The university offers several English-taught Bachelor's and Master's programs, and some bilingual German-English options. While specific diversity statistics are not readily available, the university's mission statement highlights creating structures to account for the heterogeneity of its students and views this diversity as potential for innovation. Student organizations like ESN Dortmund support cultural integration.

Campus & Location

Fachhochschule Dortmund operates across three main campuses: Emil-Figge-Straße, Max-Ophüls-Platz, and Sonnenstraße. The Emil-Figge-Straße campus is near TU Dortmund University, while the Sonnenstraße campus is centrally located and a short walk from the Max-Ophüls-Platz design campus. Dortmund itself is a vibrant, industrial city in the Ruhr area, known for its rich history, strong economy, and a lively student community. The city offers a mix of urban life and green spaces, with nearly half of its area covered by parks. Public transportation, including trains and buses, provides easy access between the city center and the university campuses.

Career Outcomes

The university places a strong emphasis on practical education and industry connections, with many programs incorporating practical phases and opportunities for final theses in cooperation with companies. Fachhochschule Dortmund actively fosters a startup culture, offering professional support to founders through its SQuArE start-up service, which provides counseling, workshops, and a co-working space. The university also participates in events like the "innoclub," which connects startups with established companies. Graduates of programs like International Management are prepared for leadership roles in multinational companies, public administrations, or as company founders.