Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt

About Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt

THWS is a state university of applied sciences operating across Würzburg and Schweinfurt in Lower Franconia. The institution was formally founded on 1 August 1971 under Bavaria's legislation for universities of applied sciences, although its official history traces predecessor schools back to 1807. It began teaching in winter semester 1971/72 and retained institutional continuity when it changed from FHWS to THWS on 1 January 2023. The university's winter 2025/26 figures show 9,267 enrolled students: 6,028 in Würzburg and 3,239 in Schweinfurt. Its 69 programmes were divided between 43 bachelor's and 26 master's programmes. The same official snapshot identified nine English-taught bachelor's programmes, six English-taught master's programmes, two online programmes and one transnational programme. Those figures are useful for understanding scale but should not be assumed to describe later programme availability without checking the current catalogue. THWS is not a single compact campus. Faculties and facilities are spread across both cities, and the institution lists disciplines spanning engineering, computing, business, architecture and civil engineering, applied social sciences, design, applied natural sciences, plastics engineering and surveying. Prospective students should therefore compare programmes at the campus level. The choice affects commuting, semester contributions, housing searches and the local student environment. The university remains operational and accepting applications for the 2026/27 academic year.

Admission is programme-specific. For bachelor's study, applicants generally need a recognized university entrance qualification, such as the German Abitur, a subject-specific qualification, the Fachhochschulreife, an eligible professional qualification or a comparable foreign credential. Master's applicants generally need a first professionally qualifying academic degree. Individual programmes may add language evidence, selection restrictions, aptitude procedures, portfolios, prerequisite internships or subject-specific academic requirements. For winter semester 2026/27, THWS states that non-restricted English-taught on-campus programmes generally accepted applications from 1 April through 15 June 2026. The general period for other programmes was 1 May through 15 July 2026. Most first-semester programmes begin on 1 October, while some permit or require a summer start. Restricted bachelor's applicants generally register with Hochschulstart before completing the THWS CampusPortal process. These are cut-off periods, and exceptions exist, so applicants should use the current programme page and CampusPortal rather than applying one general deadline universally. International applicants must have their educational credentials assessed under the applicable process and meet the language requirements of their chosen programme. English-taught engineering programmes may impose additional requirements on some non-EU applicants, but these should not be generalized across THWS. Applicants should upload complete documents through the portal and review programme-specific instructions for translations, recognition, language certificates, enrolment, health-insurance evidence and any pre-study practical training.

THWS reported 43 bachelor's and 26 master's programmes for winter semester 2025/26. Its subject range includes engineering and technology, computer science and business information systems, economics and business, architecture and civil engineering, applied social sciences, design, applied natural sciences, plastics engineering and surveying. Programme details matter: teaching language, campus, start semester, admission restrictions and prerequisite internships vary rather than following one university-wide pattern. Applied learning is central to the academic model. THWS describes projects, laboratory and seminar work, and integrated internship semesters as important parts of study. Employer cooperation can extend to practical-semester placements, project work and final theses. Cooperative variants combine university study with structured periods at a practice partner; these variants are offered only in German, and availability depends on the individual degree programme. Students considering this route must secure the relevant practice arrangement rather than treating it as automatic admission to a separate programme. International applicants have more English-medium choices than the database's German-language label alone suggests. In winter 2025/26, the official programme count included nine English-taught bachelor's and six English-taught master's programmes. THWS also uses the TWIN model in selected subjects, pairing comparable German- and English-taught curricula and offering opportunities for bilingual and international study. Since winter semester 2025/26, the institution has also offered fully online degree options. Applicants should rely on the current programme page and examination regulations for curriculum, language evidence, internship timing and award requirements.

Key Highlights

• Founded as Fachhochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt on 1 August 1971
• Renamed THWS on 1 January 2023 without closure or merger
• 9,267 students were enrolled in winter semester 2025/26
• Operates in both Würzburg and Schweinfurt

Student Life & Environment

Student life is divided between two study locations rather than centred on one residential campus. THWS students can participate in faculty-level and university-wide student representation, student organisations and university sports. Libraries, IT services, a media centre, academic advising and career support are available through the institution, while the Studierendenwerk Würzburg provides much of the social infrastructure at both locations. The Studierendenwerk operates or supports canteens and cafeterias, student residences, private-accommodation searches, financing information, and social, legal and psychotherapeutic counselling. THWS itself does not guarantee housing. Its international guidance advises students to begin searching early because residence capacity is limited and admission does not include accommodation. Residence rooms are generally self-catering, and students must submit their own application to the Studierendenwerk or search the private market. The experience differs by city. Würzburg has a large student population shared among several higher-education institutions and a broad urban cultural and nightlife setting. Schweinfurt is smaller and has a strong industrial identity, with cultural activities, museums and local nightlife. Canteen access and local public transport are tied to the student's study location, so applicants should establish where their programme is taught before planning accommodation or daily travel.

Location & Surroundings

THWS is based in Würzburg and Schweinfurt, two Lower Franconian cities connected by the River Main and approximately 40 kilometres apart. Programmes are assigned to a particular location, making the campus designation a practical factor in housing, transport and social life rather than a minor administrative detail. Würzburg is the larger university city. THWS describes it as well connected by intercity rail, the A3 and A7 motorways, trams and buses. Its urban environment includes the historic centre, museums, theatres and festivals, with the Würzburg Residence designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Students share the city with Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and the University of Music Würzburg. Schweinfurt is smaller and closely associated with manufacturing and engineering. Rail, buses and the A70 and A71 motorways provide transport links. The presence of companies including Schaeffler, Bosch Rexroth, SKF and ZF contributes to opportunities for industry projects, internships and theses, although no placement is guaranteed. Both locations are within reach of major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich, but students should plan their routine around their assigned city rather than expecting frequent cross-city attendance to be effortless.

Costs & Career Outcomes

THWS's international finance page states that standard bachelor's and master's programmes do not charge tuition, while advanced-training master's programmes may charge tuition. All enrolled students pay a semester contribution, and the amount depends on the programme's study location. As of August 2026, THWS's official pages were inconsistent for Würzburg: the general finance page listed €182.10, while the dedicated semester-fee page listed €180.00 from summer semester 2026. Both listed €117.70 for Schweinfurt. Applicants should therefore confirm the invoice in the CampusPortal before payment rather than budgeting from a static figure. The contribution includes the local semester transport ticket. Housing and living expenses are separate. THWS does not provide guaranteed accommodation, although Studierendenwerk residences and private-market assistance are available. Students should also budget for health insurance, food, study materials and any travel or accommodation associated with internships or study abroad. The university warns that internship and overseas-study costs may fall to the student. Career preparation is embedded in THWS's applied model through projects, practical semesters, employer-linked theses and cooperative study variants. The Career Service provides counselling and training, and THWS participates in a shared Bavarian higher-education job exchange. Schweinfurt's industrial base can support access to projects and placements, but students remain responsible for applications, and neither an internship nor graduate employment should be assumed solely from enrolment.