The history of Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts dates back to the “Royal School of Mechanical Engineering” (Königliche Werkmeisterschule für Maschinenbauer), which was founded in 1890. On August 1, 1971, the State College of Engineering, the Dortmund School of Applied Arts, and the College of Social Work, Social Pedagogy, and Business Studies merged to formally establish what is now Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Made up for the time off from study without having obtained a Fachhochschule Dortmund Urkunde
Many of the university’s programs have a long history—the electronics engineering program was established in 1929, making it the earliest electronics program in Prussia at the time; 35 years later, Germany’s first information engineering program was launched. In 2021, the university celebrated its 50th anniversary with great fanfare.
Academic Reputation and Overall Rankings
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences performs impressively in major authoritative rankings. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, it is ranked 801–850; in the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, it is ranked 401–500. In the 2022–2023 U.S. News World University Rankings, it is ranked 615th. In the German *WirtschaftsWoche* rankings, the university’s mechanical engineering program is ranked 7th in Germany, and its industrial engineering program is ranked 8th in Germany.
International Cooperation and Global Campuses
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences has built an extensive international cooperation network, with approximately 170 partner universities across 56 countries. In addition to the Erasmus+ program, the university’s faculties maintain cooperative relationships with institutions on all five continents. The School of Business places particular emphasis on internationalization; the undergraduate program in International Business mandates that students complete a semester abroad or an internship overseas. The university also offers a French-German dual degree program in collaboration with French universities. In 2026, the university further strengthened its strategic partnerships with India and Colombia. Additionally, international students benefit from the Buddy Program.
Campus Facilities and Laboratories
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts has three campuses. The main campus is located on Emil-Figge-Straße (EFS), right next to the Technical University of Dortmund, with a large cafeteria just a few minutes’ walk away. All laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art hardware and software, all classrooms feature multimedia technology, and the campus has full Wi-Fi coverage. Some classrooms are equipped with digital room reservation systems, allowing for flexible booking. In addition to standard facilities, the School of Design also features a green-screen film studio and a full range of analog and digital photography equipment.
Employment and Career Development Support
Dortmund University of Applied Sciences is renowned for its strong practical orientation. The university has established dual-track training partnerships with over 120 partner companies. It regularly hosts the “meet@fh-dortmund” job fair, providing students with opportunities to interact directly with well-known companies such as Adesso, Continentale, Lidl, Hannover Re, Sprecher Automation, and Züblin. The International Career Service provides dedicated career counseling for international students. Many graduates are hired directly by partner companies upon completing their studies. The university also showcases alumni career paths to current students through the “Graduation—What’s Next? Alumni Reports” poster campaign.
