University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal)
Bergische Universität Wuppertal
A hillside university founded in 1972 that combines engineering and science with art, design and teacher education.
- Students
- 20,653
- International
- 14%
- of students
- Tuition
- €716
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1972
About BUW
The University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal, BUW) was established in 1972 as a comprehensive university, bringing together existing regional institutions in engineering, industrial art and education. It took its present name in 2003. The university says its teaching still centres on engineering and science on the one hand and art and design on the other, with economics, the humanities and state examinations for future school teachers added.
In winter semester 2025/26 it had 20,653 students, of whom 14 percent were international, and 275 professors. It offers 84 degree programmes across 31 subjects, including 29 Bachelor, 53 Master and one state-examination programme, plus a combinatorial Bachelor of Arts. Teaching is organised in eight schools (Humanities; Human and Social Sciences; Schumpeter School of Business and Economics; Mathematics and Natural Sciences; Architecture and Civil Engineering; Electrical, Information and Media Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Safety Engineering; Art and Design) plus the School of Education.
Most Bachelor programmes are taught in German, and the university has only a few English-taught degrees, so it suits applicants who either speak German at about C1 level or are targeting one of the English-taught programmes. Many Bachelor subjects are open-admission, which makes it more accessible than the most competitive German universities.
Why students choose BUW
Art and Design and Architecture sit alongside engineering, natural sciences and economics on the same hillside campus.
English-taught options include the Sustainable Chemistry Bachelor and Master programmes in Computer Simulation in Science, Applied Economics and International Economic Policy, and Smart Materials and Systems.
The semester contribution of 358.05 euros includes the Deutschlandticket, which covers public transport across Germany.
International students get the In Touch programme, a buddy programme and free study-accompanying German evening courses.
Admissions
Summer semester 2027 and winter semester 2027/28 (international applicants via uni-assist)
Selectivity
The university does not publish an overall acceptance rate. Many Bachelor programmes are open-admission (zulassungsfrei), where enrolment needs a qualifying school certificate rather than a competitive selection, while admission-restricted programmes select on grades.
Typical entry requirements
| Foreign school-leaving certificate | Must be recognised as a German university entrance qualification (HZB); uni-assist checks it. Applicants whose certificate is not sufficient may first need a Studienkolleg or TestAS route. |
|---|---|
| German-taught programmes: German language | DSH-2, or TestDaF TDN 4 in all parts, Goethe-Zertifikat C2 (GDS), DSD II, or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. Applicants with C1 can take the university's own DSH (150 euros). |
| English language | Level requirements for the English-taught programmes are set by each programme and were not verified on the pages fetched. |
Deadlines
- Summer semester 2027 (uni-assist) Non-binding Next deadline · In ~3 months15 November 2026 to 15 January 2027
Standard uni-assist window for summer semester; some Master programmes have earlier special deadlines.
- Winter semester 2027/28 (uni-assist) Non-binding In ~9 months15 May to 15 July 2027
Standard uni-assist window for winter semester; a few Master programmes have different special deadlines.
The university publishes these windows as standing dates without naming a year; they are applied here to the 2027 intakes. Enrolment deadlines after admission are 31 October (winter) and 30 April (summer) for degree studies. The uni-assist page prints the windows 15.11.-15.01. and 15.05.-15.07. without a year (and still mentions summer semester 2023 in another paragraph), so they are treated as standing windows.
How to apply
Applicants with a non-German qualification cannot use the university's own portal and apply through uni-assist, uploading officially certified copies of certificates (with certified translations if not in German or English). After admission they enrol with the international student secretariat, paying the semester contribution and providing a visa or residence permit (non-EU) and German or recognised health insurance.
What admissions looks for
- A school-leaving certificate that gives access to German university study (checked by uni-assist).
- Proof of German at DSH-2 level or equivalent for German-taught programmes.
- Complete, certified documents uploaded by the deadline.
Tips for applying to BUW
- 1 Check your entrance qualification (HZB) before you apply; the university lists this as the first step for international applicants.
- 2 If you have no qualifying certificate, look at the TestAS route and the preparatory German course.
- 3 Apply through uni-assist, not the university portal: the university says applicants with foreign certificates cannot apply through its own portal.
- 4 Do not transfer the semester contribution in advance; first-time enrollees receive the payment deadline with the enrolment confirmation.
Costs & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in EUR
The university lists scholarships via the International Office, the Deutschlandstipendium, the University of Wuppertal Foundation and the DAAD scholarship database. The International Office page lists DAAD STIBET scholarships and the Santander Welcome Scholarship (amounts not stated on the page).
- 358.05 euros: 109.00 social contribution, 22.25 student body contribution and 226.80 mobility contribution (Deutschlandticket)
- Semester contribution (winter 2026/27)
- 150 euros
- DSH language exam fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters (winter and summer intakes)
Sustainable Chemistry (Bachelor, English-taught)
The university's English-taught Bachelor programme.
Computer Simulation in Science (Master)
English-taught, with its own special uni-assist window (15 November to 31 March for winter semester).
Smart Materials and Systems (Master)
English-taught Master with its own special application deadlines.
Applied Economics and International Economic Policy (Master)
English-taught Master linked to the Schumpeter School of Business and Economics.
Architecture and Art and Design
The university says art and design is one of its traditional Wuppertal strengths, alongside engineering and science.
Research
- The university describes an interdisciplinary research profile built on six profile lines, with collaborative research centres, research groups and research training groups.
- Third-party research funding was about 47 million euros in 2025.
- According to German Wikipedia, institutes include the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research (IGIF) and the Institute of Occupational Medicine, Safety Engineering and Ergonomics (ASER).
Schools & faculties
- School of Humanities
- School of Human and Social Sciences
- Schumpeter School of Business and Economics
- School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- School of Architecture and Civil Engineering
- School of Electrical, Information and Media Engineering
- School of Mechanical Engineering and Safety Engineering
- School of Art and Design
- School of Education
The university reports 3,129 graduates and 173 doctorates in the 2025 examination year (1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025).
Student life
Wuppertal is a mid-sized university where the main Grifflenberg campus, the smaller Haspel and Freudenberg campuses and the city's hills are all close together. The semester contribution includes the Deutschlandticket, so trains and local transport are covered. For international students there is an In Touch programme, a buddy programme, Welcome Days each semester and free study-accompanying German evening courses. Housing comes from the Studierendenwerk and private providers, and the university warns international students about rental scams.
- The semester ticket for public transport across Germany is included in the semester contribution.
- In Touch programme and Buddy programme for international students.
- Free German evening courses for students in English-taught programmes.
- The university's Uni-Halle hosts the handball team Bergischer HC, according to Wikipedia.
Housing. Studierendenwerk Wuppertal runs dormitories, and the university lists furnished providers and private listing sites; applications to the Studierendenwerk open 90 days before planned move-in.
Location
Wuppertal is a city of about 355,000 people in North Rhine-Westphalia, strung along the Wupper valley between the Ruhr area, Düsseldorf and Cologne. It is known for its steep green hills and its suspended monorail, the Schwebebahn, which has run since 1901. The main campus sits on the Grifflenberg hill in Elberfeld.
Nearest airport: Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), to the north-west
Notable alumni
- KM Katharina MolitorJavelin thrower: 2015 world champion and Olympian in 2008 and 2012; German Wikipedia says she began teacher-training studies in geography and sport at Wuppertal before concentrating on training
- PS Patrick SalmenSatirist and writer, poetry slam champion in 2010; studied German studies and history for teaching at Wuppertal
- PS Peter SüßAuthor and screenwriter, head writer of the ARD telenovela Sturm der Liebe from 2005 to 2016; studied history, German studies and other subjects at the Wuppertal comprehensive university (GHS Wuppertal, today's BUW) and FU Berlin
- JW Josef WielandEconomist and business-ethics researcher; studied economics and philosophy at Wuppertal and graduated as Diplom-Ökonom in 1985
- KH Klaus HesseGraphic designer; studied photography and typography at Wuppertal and co-founded the agency Hesse Design in 1988
- PC Petra CroneSPD politician and member of the German Bundestag from 2009 to 2017; studied social sciences at Wuppertal
Frequently asked questions
Is there a tuition fee at the University of Wuppertal?
The university's fees page lists only a semester contribution of 358.05 euros per semester (winter 2026/27), which includes the Deutschlandticket. German course participants pay an additional 500 euros per semester.
How do international students apply to Wuppertal?
Applicants with a foreign school certificate apply through uni-assist, not the university portal. The winter semester window is 15 May to 15 July and the summer semester window is 15 November to 15 January.
What German level do I need?
For German-taught programmes you need DSH-2 or an equivalent such as TestDaF TDN 4 in all parts. You can apply with C1 and take the university's DSH exam (150 euros).
Are there English-taught programmes?
Yes: a Bachelor in Sustainable Chemistry and Masters in Computer Simulation in Science, Applied Economics and International Economic Policy, and Smart Materials and Systems.
How international is Wuppertal?
About 14 percent of its 20,653 students in winter semester 2025/26 were international.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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