How to Study in Dortmund for International Students

Search Courses:

Dortmund, one of the beautiful cities in Germany, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Dortmund, North Rhine Westphalia currently has 3 universities, from which 2 universities are a part of the public sector and 1 universities are private institutions.

In case you are not just searching for a place to study, but you are trying to be a part of the best schools available, you have several choices, such as Technical University Dortmund and Fachhochschule Dortmund-University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

Being able to study in Dortmund as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Dortmund, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Dortmund

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Dortmund don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Technical University Dortmund and Fachhochschule Dortmund-University of Applied Sciences and Arts are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Dortmund with their tuition fees:

International School of Management

  • Bachelor’s international tuition fee :International School of Management - 10,600 Euros - 11,200 Euros
  • Master’s international tuition fee :International School of Management - 12,600 Euros - 23,400 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Dortmund for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Dortmund, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Dortmund, English and German are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting DSH for German.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Dortmund and their required minimum scores for each program level.

International School of Management

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Technical University Dortmund

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Fachhochschule Dortmund-University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Dortmund

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Dortmund have online applications available on their websites, like Technical University Dortmund and Fachhochschule Dortmund-University of Applied Sciences and Arts. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Dortmund.

Technical University Dortmund

Fachhochschule Dortmund-University of Applied Sciences and Arts

International School of Management

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Dortmund differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Dortmund.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Dortmund

If you’re going to study in Dortmund, you will need to apply for a student visa in Germany

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Germany. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a German Student Visa .

To start your student visa application in Dortmund, you will need to present the following:

  1. Two filled-out and signed national visa forms
  2. Valid passport with two photocopies
  3. Birth certificate
  4. Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs
  5. Proof of financial capability. If you are a scholar, you may present the scholarship certificate
  6. Proof of admission to the university
  7. Original documents of previous education
  8. Curriculum Vitae
  9. Motivational Letter
  10. Travel Health Insurance

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Germany is 75 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare the required documents and fill up the application form.
  2. Find the closest German Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
  3. Schedule a visa appointment,.
  4. Attend your visa appointment and submit the documents.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Dortmund. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!