Nearest deadline15.10.2026
Tuitionfree
Open
Applied sciencesPublictuition-free for international students
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Hochschule Darmstadt
Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Darmstadt, h_da) puts science into action. With a student body of approx. 15,000, it is one of the largest and most distinguished universities of applied sciences in Germany. Its excellent reputation is the result of a scientifically grounded, real-world approach to higher education and the professional success of its graduates. The 2006 “trendence” study, for example, ranked h_da graduates in the top five among German Universities of Applied Sciences. And according to a survey conducted by the business magazine Wirtschaftswoche, h_da graduates have long been among the favorite picks of German companies.
Data from the university's official pages
Facts about the university
| Ownership | Public, Hesse |
|---|---|
| City | Darmstadt |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Students | ≈ 16,136 |
| Programmes | 14 programmes · 10 bachelor's, 4 master's, 6 in English |
| German for enrolment | C1 |
| Tuition fee |
€0 per semester for international students what it consists ofTuition fee of the federal state (Hesse), international students€0 Semester contribution€382
Some programmes charge their own fee — see the programme page.
|
| Semester contribution | €382 per semester |
| Application | Via uni-assist; bachelor's until 01.08; master's until 01.06 |
| Campuses | Campus Darmstadt, Campus Dieburg |
| Studienkolleg | International Studienkolleg TU Darmstadt |
About the university
In addition, since its founding in the 1970s, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has considerably expanded its services and expertise in applied research and development. Thus, it is in a development of the Hessian HAWs, which resulted in 2016 in the renaming of universities of applied sciences in universities of applied sciences and its own doctoral right for research-intensive fields.
Accompanying studies Social and Cultural Studies (SuK)
A special feature of the University of Darmstadt is the Accompanying Studies Social and Cultural Studies (SuK). Since the founding of the university, it has been an integral part of student education and in its tradition and form as an interdisciplinary organizational unit unique in the German higher education landscape. It teaches competences at scientifically and practically important interfaces of society, economy, politics, law, technology, science and culture and takes up current developments and problems of technical and economic as well as social and cultural change and its consequences from different perspectives. One focus is on offers related to sustainable development. The transfer strategy is also designed to initiate learning processes that make up h_da’s contributions to sustainable development in the region.
“Outstanding Learning Location” for Sustainable Development
For the first time in 2017, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the German UNESCO Commission awarded h_da the title of “Outstanding Learning Location for Sustainable Development”. The independent jury praised the consistent orientation at h_da towards sustainable development – not only in teaching and research, but also in the management of buildings. The “Sustainable Development Initiative” (I: NE) has a special share in this award, as the nucleus for numerous joint projects of h_da and partners in the region. The university and its partners are implementing numerous sustainability projects as part of the federal-state funding project “Innovative University”. The “Excellence Initiative for HAWs (formerly FHs)” will give them around ten million euros.
Excellent family friendliness
As the first Hessian University of Applied Sciences, h_da has been awarded the “Family-friendly Hesse State University” seal of approval by the Hessian Ministry of the Interior and Sports. In addition, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences has signed the “Family in the University” charter, which also aims to improve the compatibility of studies, work and science with family life.
Faculties
12 faculties · showing the 6 largest
The faculty determines the campus, the language of its programmes and the admission committee that evaluates your grades. Requirements can differ between faculties of the same university.
Faculty of Media
7 programmes · Campus Dieburg
Faculty of Computer Science
3 programmes
Fachbereich Maschinenbau und Kunststofftechnik
1 programme
Fachbereich Gesellschaftswissenschaften
1 programme
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
1 programme
Faculty of Civil Engineering
1 programme
Studienkolleg
If your school certificate does not give direct admission, you first go to a Studienkolleg and pass the Feststellungsprüfung — it is recognised by every university. The colleges listed here are this university's partners.
Programmes
All 14 programmes →How to apply
The general procedure is the same for all programmes of the university; the required grade, language and additional requirements are on the page of each programme.
- 1Check your school-leaving certificateDirect admission, admission after a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — it depends on your country and certificate.
- 2German C1 and a certificateDSH, TestDaF or telc C1 Hochschule — before you apply, not after.
- 3Application via uni-assistBachelor's until 01.08, master's until 01.06. Deadlines differ between programmes — check the programme page.
- 4Admission, visa, movingPlan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account — start them in parallel with the application.
What it costs to study
| Tuition fee | €0 per semester for international students |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee of the federal state (Hesse), international students | €0 |
| Semester contribution | €382 |
Some programmes charge their own fee — see the programme page.
Campuses
About the campuses in detail →Campus Darmstadt
Schöfferstraße 3, 64295 Darmstadt, Germany
Campus Dieburg
Max-Planck-Strasse 2, 64807 Dieburg, Germany
A programme is tied to a campus — when looking for housing, go by the campus, not by the university's main address.
Studying in Darmstadt: housing, transport, costs →If you don't meet the requirements yet
Two typical stops: a school certificate without direct admission and German below the required level. Both can be solved within a year, but plan them before you apply, not after a rejection.
Questions about Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
How much does it cost to study at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences?
The federal state charges no tuition fee, including for international students. Every student pays the semester contribution of €382. Some programmes charge their own fee — see the programme page.
Are there programmes in English?
Yes: 6 programmes are taught in English.
When do I need to apply?
Most bachelor's programmes: until 01.08 for the winter semester; master's programmes: until 01.06. If you apply via uni-assist, send the documents 4–6 weeks earlier.
Do I need a Studienkolleg?
It depends on your certificate, not on the university. The Feststellungsprüfung of any Studienkolleg is recognised by all universities; Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences works with International Studienkolleg TU Darmstadt.
Universities nearby
University chosen — next come the programme and the deadlines
Requirements and deadlines differ within one university. We will pick 3–5 programmes for your certificate and language and plan everything back from the deadline.