The educational and research emphasis at HSD has a strong practical and interdisciplinary approach. The university guarantees that course contents are connected to practical work necessities since they are based on extensive professional experiences in commerce, industry and research of all our professors and lecturers. Thus, practical courses are indeed an integral component of the university's study programmes. In addition, HSD has contact with companies and institutions that offer internships and part-time jobs in Germany and abroad, particularly in engineering, social and cultural sciences and business studies. Mentors supervise students before, during and after the internships.

The university curriculum is strongly concentrated on certain fields: HSD offers teaching and research in the interdisciplinary areas of design, technology, the social sector and business studies. The emphasis is put on architecture, design, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and process engineering, media, social and cultural sciences and business studies. All degrees which can be obtained at HSD are Bachelor or Master degrees.

The University has around 80 European and around 30 international university agreements and actively promotes the international exchange of students and lecturers by participating in congresses and summer schools. We advise and organise study and internships abroad as well as communicate and offer many other opportunities for advancement.