Over a Century of Engineering Education
The history of Wismar University of Applied Sciences dates back to May 9, 1908, when it was founded by renowned architect Robert Schmidt as the private “Wismar Engineering Academy” (Ingenieur-Akademie Wismar). The first class consisted of just 13 students who studied architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. In 1922, the academy became a municipal institution. Following several reorganizations after World War II, the institution evolved into the “Wismar Engineering Academy” in 1969 and was renamed the “Wismar Technical College” in 1988. In 1992, as part of regional higher education reforms, the institution was officially reorganized into the “Wismar University of Applied Sciences,” integrating the School of Maritime Studies and the School of Applied Arts, and adopted its current English name in 2003. Exceptional Worth of a Hochschule Wismar Diplom
Practice-Oriented Academic Excellence
As a public university of applied sciences, Wismar emphasizes a close integration of teaching and practice. The university currently has approximately 7,262 students and comprises three core faculties:
- Faculty of Engineering: Covering electrical engineering, computer science, and other fields, it carries on a century-long tradition of engineering.
- Faculty of Business: Offers programs in business administration, business informatics, and other fields.
- Faculty of Design: Enjoys a high reputation in the field of design education in Germany.
The university’s library boasts an extensive collection of over 405,000 media resources. As a high-performance research institution, its research projects have received funding from organizations such as the European Regional Development Fund.
The Unique Value of the Diplom Degree
In an era where the “Bologna Process” has standardized bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Wismar University of Applied Sciences continues to offer the highly prestigious Diplom degree, which represents the highest standard of traditional German engineering and design education. For example, its “Communication Design and Media” program confers the degree of “Diplom-Designer (FH)” (Licensed Designer from a University of Applied Sciences). The program lasts 8 semesters and features a rigorous selection process, requiring applicants to submit a portfolio and pass a professional aptitude test. Holding this degree signifies that graduates possess advanced professional skills and rigorous academic training that enable them to transition seamlessly into the industry.
An International Learning Community
Wismar University of Applied Sciences has a broad global perspective. The university has established extensive international partnerships with numerous institutions worldwide, including through programs such as Erasmus+. Its international student body hails from North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The university also offers a dedicated English-taught International Master’s Program in Management, with the mayor personally welcoming new students. In addition, the university provides a wide range of foreign language courses, including English, French, and Spanish.
