No tuition, just a semester contribution: that is the deal at Fachhochschule Dortmund, a public university of applied sciences in the Ruhr. Around 14,000 students study engineering, computer science, business, design and social work. Most bachelor's degrees are taught in German, but a handful of master's programmes run in English, including Embedded Systems for Mechatronics and Digital Transformation.
Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
Official website: fh-dortmund.de
Public university of applied sciences
1971
Around 14,000
€600 – €700
Semester contributions only, no tuition fees
€10,500 – €12,500
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on fh-dortmund.de before you apply.
MSc Embedded Systems for Mechatronics
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
MSc Digital Transformation
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Oct
Exam Score
IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
BSc Computer Science (German-taught)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
42 Months
Intake
Oct
Exam Score
German: C1 (DSH-2 or TestDaF 4)
BEng Mechanical Engineering (German-taught)
Bachelors DegreeDuration
42 Months
Intake
Oct
Exam Score
German: C1 (DSH-2 or TestDaF 4)
No tuition fees, only a semester contribution.
English-taught master's in mechatronics and digital transformation.
Hands-on, industry-linked teaching typical of a Fachhochschule.
Engineering and IT graduates join manufacturers, logistics firms and software houses in the Ruhr.
Dortmund's technology park, next to the university district, hosts many employers.
Graduates can stay in Germany for up to 18 months to look for work.
Undergrad
Uni-assist, mid-July
Postgrad
Programme deadline
FH Dortmund is spread across several sites, including Sonnenstraße near the centre and Emil-Figge-Straße in the university district.
Dortmund is a former coal and steel city with low rents and a football culture built around Borussia Dortmund. The semester ticket covers local transport across Germany.
Admission letter from the institution
Blocked account for living costs
German-recognised health insurance
APS certificate for applicants from India
English test at required level
Valid passport and national visa form
Deadlines depend on the programme. English-taught master's courses often close several months before the October start, and many international applications go through uni-assist. Allow extra time for the blocked account and visa.
Most programmes start in the winter semester in October. A few also admit in the summer semester in March or April.
You'll need a national visa for study. The blocked account is the part people forget to open in time, so start it as soon as the admission letter arrives. Indian applicants also need an APS certificate.
Embedded systems for mechatronics and digital transformation are the English-taught master's most international students pick. They need a relevant bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.5. German-taught bachelor's degrees need recognised school results and German at C1.
There is no tuition to cover, but FH Dortmund takes part in the Deutschlandstipendium, and DAAD scholarships are open to international master's students.
