Your Directions
The directions lead you step by step to the most important information.
To Your DirectionsStudying in the Ruhr region means having an enormous choice of study options. This not only concerns the individual courses and subjects, but above all the range and variety of universities and colleges in the Metropole Ruhr.
The choice is yours: there are 22 universities and colleges located in the Ruhr region. Of these, there are five universities alone in the cities of Bochum, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen, Hagen and Witten. In addition, Folkwang University of the Arts is an internationally-acclaimed art college with its base in the Ruhr region. However, the universities are not the only places where academic qualifications can be obtained. At 15 different universities of applied sciences students have the opportunity to undertake practice-relevant and qualified studies in various subjects.
Orientation (Cities will be displayed on the map)
University co-operation results in unlimited options for studying
And even after you have decided on one of the universities or colleges in the Metropole Ruhr you can still benefit from the proximity to the other establishments in the region.
University Co-operationen
The universities in Bochum, Dortmund and Duisburg-Essen have joined forces to form
the UniversitätsAllianz Ruhr, with the goal of expanding the capabilities of
the three universities, further developing their focus of activities and
enabling researchers to network better with one another.
The Ruhr Master School is a network of the Universities of applied sciences in Bochum,
Dortmund and Gelsenkirchen for Master of engineer and computer science. The
Ruhr Master School is supported by Stiftung Mercator.
UniverCity Bochum is an association of 12 institutions, including seven universities located in Bochum. All partners in the network aim to increase the profile of Bochum as a city of science and education. For example, UniverCity Bochum offers joint events for study orientation to provide the best advice for prospective students.
The TalentKolleg Ruhr project is supported by the University Duisburg-Essen, the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Dortmund and the Westfälische Hochschule. The TalentKolleg Ruhr pursues the goal to facilitate the decision for training and education for non-traditional target groups and to encourage suitable candidates for studies. Thereby participants can benefit from an orientation and qualification phase up to one year.
The TalentKolleg Ruhr is represented at three locations:
Three univercities of applied sciences work together with StartUps
And the Ruhr region also offers everything that students require beyond the courses themselves: affordable housing, jobs and a wide range of cultural, sporting and leisure activities. In addition, the Semester Ticket allows you to travel quickly and economically from place to place throughout the Ruhr region - whether it is by rail, underground or bus.
Bochum Universtiy of Applied Sciences
Whether or not you require a visa to work in the Ruhr region depends on your country of origin. As a rule, foreign citizens wishing to work or study in Germany require a visa. However, there are exceptions.
Information on visas for students
Information about Visa for purpose of applying for a course of study
Prerequisite for studying at a German university is a university access entitlement (HZB). Before you enrol at a university or college in the Ruhr region you should find out if your school-leaving qualifications are recognised as university access entitlement.
In addition, German language skills are also a prerequisite for studying at a university in the Ruhr region, as the majority of courses are taught in German.
How and where you are required to apply for a course at a German higher education establishment depends on which subject you wish to study, where you obtained your school-leaving examinations and what university qualification, e.g. Bachelor or Master, you wish to study for.
Have you chosen a course and - where necessary - been accepted? Then you need to enrol at the university or college. This is known as matriculation. Once you are enrolled - or matriculated - you can attend lectures as a student, use the library and take exams.
If you have questions regarding your studies, you can contact the central student advice office that nearly every university offers. Specific questions regarding your course can be directed to the course advice office at the respective university or college.
Information about grants for studiying in the Ruhr region
Registering with the authorities
Finding ScholarshipsEarning Money
Universities and Colleges in the Ruhr region take over social responsibility and recruit non-tradiotional groups by their profil of appreciating handling with diversity