About the university
Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Rhein-Waal, HSRW) was founded in 2009 on the Lower Rhine, close to the Dutch border. It opened with 15 students and grew quickly; by 2018 more than 7,300 students were enrolled, half of them from abroad.
It has four faculties: Communication and Environment, Society and Economics, Life Sciences, and Technology and Bionics. Most of its bachelor's and master's programmes are taught in English, which is unusual for a German public university.
Indian students choose HSRW for English-taught bachelor's and master's in engineering, computer science, business and economics, with no tuition fees. Master's programmes run for three semesters and accept students in both September and March.
Kleve is a small town in North Rhine-Westphalia near the Netherlands; the second campus is in Kamp-Lintfort, closer to the Ruhr area. Both are quieter and cheaper than big German cities, and the termly fee includes a Deutschlandticket for local and regional trains across Germany.
- Founded
- 1 May 2009; teaching began in September 2009
- Type
- Public university of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Campuses
- Two: Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort
- Students
- More than 7,300 in 2018, with half from abroad for the first time (latest figure the university publishes in its history)
- Tuition
- No tuition fees; termly fee of €365.10 for winter 2026/27, including the Deutschlandticket
- Intakes
- September (winter) for bachelor's; master's start in September or March
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Information Engineering and Computer Science, MSc
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- September; March
- English
- English at B2 level (CEFR); a non-EU bachelor's also needs TestAS 100, GATE or GRE (Q 160, V 145, AWA 4.5)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- September; March
- English
- B2 level, shown by a TOEFL or IELTS certificate no older than two years (needed even after an English-taught degree)
- Postgraduate
International Management and Psychology, MSc
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- September; March
- English
- B2 level, for example IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 1.5 years (3 semesters)
- Intakes
- September; March
- English
- C1 level (CEFR), unless your first degree was taught in English
- Undergraduate
Infotronic Systems Engineering, BSc
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 3.5 years (7 semesters)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level (CEFR)
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 3.5 years (7 semesters)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- Taught in English; proof of English may be required (B2 for English-taught programmes)
- Undergraduate
International Business Administration, BA
- Fee / year
- €730
- Duration
- 3.5 years (7 semesters)
- Intakes
- September
- English
- English at B2 level (CEFR)
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Engineering and Computer Science, MSc | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| Economics and Finance, MSc | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| International Management and Psychology, MSc | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| Usability Engineering, MSc | 1.5 years (3 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| Infotronic Systems Engineering, BSc | 3.5 years (7 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| Engineering, BSc | 3.5 years (7 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
| International Business Administration, BA | 3.5 years (7 semesters) | €730 | ≈ ₹77,380 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Enrolled students
Germany Scholarship (Deutschlandstipendium) at HSRW
Value: Monthly stipend under the national Deutschlandstipendium scheme
Eligibility: Merit-based; see the university's scholarships page for entry requirements and dates.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Bachelor's programmes start in September only; apply by 15 July.
- Applicants with school certificates from outside Germany apply via uni-assist, after registering on hochschulstart.de for restricted programmes.
- Whether an Indian Class 12 certificate gives direct entry depends on your qualifications; use the uni-assist check before applying. Many Indian students need a year of university study or a Studienkolleg first.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the visa.
Postgraduate
- A relevant bachelor's degree. Some programmes set a minimum grade: 2.3 (German scale) for Information Engineering and Computer Science, 2.0 for Usability Engineering and International Management and Psychology.
- Master's ideally build on 210 ECTS (seven semesters). With a three-year, 180-ECTS degree you may be admitted with extra modules to make up 30 ECTS.
- Applicants with degrees from outside Germany apply via uni-assist. Deadlines: 15 July for September, 15 January for March.
- Information Engineering and Computer Science asks non-EHEA graduates for TestAS (100), GATE or GRE.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the visa.
Documents
- Valid passport
- APS certificate
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts, or a current transcript with your credits and average mark
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- English certificate at B2 (or C1 for Usability Engineering)
- GATE, GRE or TestAS score for Information Engineering and Computer Science
- CV and, where asked, a written statement on how you meet the subject requirements
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Level needed | B2 (CEFR) for most English-taught programmes; C1 for Usability Engineering, MSc. |
| IELTS | 5.5 is listed as a B2 example for International Management and Psychology, MSc. |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 is listed as a B2 example for International Management and Psychology, MSc. |
| Other tests | HSRW publishes a list of accepted certificates; check it before booking PTE or Duolingo. Economics and Finance needs a test certificate no older than two years, even after an English-taught degree. |
Accommodation and living costs
Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf runs student halls in Kleve and Kamp-Lintfort, allocated centrally with online applications. Many students rent privately through WG-gesucht or local groups; deposits are usually one to three months' rent. Start early and book a hostel for your first nights if needed.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Termly fee (no tuition)Winter 2026/27: €120 social contribution, €15.30 student union, €226.80 Deutschlandticket, €3 sports and music | €365per semester | ≈ ₹38,701 |
| Living costs (rent, food, transport and other)HSRW's average estimate | €900–1,200per month | ≈ ₹95,400 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Student health insuranceAbout €150, as estimated by HSRW | €150per month | ≈ ₹15,900 |
Campus and location
HSRW has two modern campuses on the Lower Rhine: Kleve, opened in 2012, and Kamp-Lintfort, opened in 2014. Both are small towns, so student life is close-knit and the Netherlands is a short trip away.
- Kleve campus: life sciences, economics and engineering programmes.
- Kamp-Lintfort campus: computer science, communication, business administration and psychology programmes.
- The termly fee includes a Deutschlandticket for local and regional transport across Germany.
- In 2017 HSRW became the first university in North Rhine-Westphalia to be named a Fairtrade University.
Careers and graduate outcomes
As a university of applied sciences, HSRW builds practical work into its programmes. Graduates often look for jobs in the Rhine-Ruhr region and the Netherlands border area. The figures below are general rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week | Make it in Germany |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
Does Rhine-Waal University charge tuition fees?
No. You pay only the termly fee, €365.10 for winter 2026/27, which includes a Deutschlandticket. Budget about €900–€1,200 a month for living costs.
Can I start a master's in March?
Yes. HSRW master's take students in both September and March. Apply by 15 July for September or by 15 January for March.
Is a three-year Indian bachelor's accepted for a master's?
Master's are designed for 210 ECTS. With a 180-ECTS degree you may be admitted with extra modules worth 30 ECTS; check the programme page.
What English score do I need?
Most programmes ask for B2; International Management and Psychology gives IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 as examples. Usability Engineering needs C1.
Do I apply directly or through uni-assist?
With Indian certificates you apply through uni-assist. You also need an APS certificate for the visa.
Sources
- HSRW: all degree programmes (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: tuition fees (termly fee) (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: master's application (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: guide for international applicants (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: Information Engineering and Computer Science, MSc (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: International Management and Psychology, MSc (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: living costs in Germany (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- HSRW: history (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: visa for studying (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.hochschule-rhein-waal.de/en (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details