Universities in Dusseldorf: Where can you study?

Marle

Updated on Jul 14 • 6 minute read

6 universities in Dusseldorf, 32 different programmes for international students. Be it private or public universities in Dusseldorf, one thing is for sure: in the midst of mathematics, medicine, arts and humanities, there’s almost no academic aspiration that remaining unfulfilled in Dusseldorf.

We introduce you to all 6 universities in Düsseldorf: from the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf to the Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. So, which degree programme will you go for?

Studying in Dusseldorf: These are the universities with English programmes

Should it be Heinrich Heine University or the University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf? Let's admit it, all decisions are tough. However, the choice of which university in Düsseldorf to opt for as an international student hinge above all on your personality and the type of learner you are.

Generally speaking, universities of applied science are much more practice-oriented and you will immediately apply what you have learned. At university, you are more dependent on yourself and your ability to learn independently and to keep theories in your mind.

In Düsseldorf, you can choose from 6 different universities, from universities of applied sciences to universities of applied sciences, from private to public. While private universities have a good reputation in many countries, in Germany it's mainly the public universities that impress with good rankings. Let's also not forget:

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public universities are free!

”

What's more, it is often the public universities that focus on the international exchange of their students. For example, the Düsseldorf university paves the way for 80 European and 30 international university agreements and actively supports the exchange of international students. Your expat community in Düsseldorf is waiting at the doorstep of the public universities!

1. Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf

Named after Dusseldorf's best-known child, the poet Heinrich Heine (once you've overcome the language barrier, try reading one of his most important works, 'Reisebilder'), the University of Dusseldorf was founded not all that long ago: Just in 1965, the university was founded in Dusseldorf.

Today, research centres, the university hospital and lecture halls stand side by side and close to 2,000 lecturers educate almost 37,000 students in the five faculties. The heart of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf remains the field of Medicine, followed by the Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. In recent years, the Faculty of Business and Economy and the Faculty of Law have joined the programme. You can see for yourself: Heinrich Heine University truly is an all-rounder.

Here are the core facts at a glance:

Heinrich Heine University	Fact
Number of students	37,000
Fees	€0
Degrees	Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science (M.Sc.)

2. University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf

Spread over 36 degrees in seven faculties, almost 10,000 students are taught by 200 professors. Quite a lot, isn't it? After all, this makes the University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf the largest university not only in Dusseldorf but in the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf is your go-to place if you strive for a practical and interdisciplinary approach to your studies, especially in the fields of engineering, media, design, architecture, social and cultural sciences or economics.

Practical courses during your studies are common practice at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. What's even better: with its practical orientation, the University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf maintains numerous relationships with companies in Dusseldorf and institutions in Düsseldorf. The best starting point for securing an internship or part-time job in Düsseldorf!

Here are the facts at a glance:

University of Applied Sciences	Fact
Number of students	10,000
Fees	€0
Degrees	Master of Science (M.Sc.)

3. AMD Academy Fashion & Design

Amidst 1,600 other students, you can get your creative juices flowing at the private but state-recognised Academy of Fine Arts. For the past 30 years, AMD has been preparing fashion and design talents for the creative industry with a forward-looking and practical approach.

As an international student, you can take the English-language programmes 'Sustainability in Fashion and Creative Industries', 'Fashion Design (with internship)' or 'Fashion & Design Management' at this private university in Düsseldorf.

AMD Academy Fashion & Design	Fact
Number of students	1,600
Fees	€4,170-€4,350 per semester
Degrees	Master of Arts (M.A.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

4. EBC University of Applied Sciences

For the EBC you need a 'hands-on' mentality: the practical studies with real-life projects and internships will make you an expert in your field of international business and management in no time. The EBC is especially known for strengthening intercultural skills, so every student has to go abroad at some point.

Here is an overview of everything:

EBC	Fact
Number of students	1,000
Fees	€4,700-€5,388
Degrees	Bachelor of Arts(B.A.)

5. Hochschule Fresenius - University of Applied Sciences

At Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, you have the choice between one Bachelor and no less than 8 Master's degree programmes. The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf trains students in its cutting-edge laboratories for the Bioanalytical Chemistry and Pharmaceuticals Analysis programme, or you can dive into the heart of the pharmaceutical industry and study International Health Economics & Pharmacoeconomics. Of course, the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences also offers various programmes in the field of business.

Ultimately, you'll find yourself in a very international environment: almost 75% of the students here are internationals.

The key facts at a glance:

Hochschule Fresenius	Fact
Number of students	14,000
Fees	between €2,880-€4,770
Degrees	Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.)

6. WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management

The core competency of WHU becomes clear straight away: business. At the private, state-recognised university in Düsseldorf, you'll find eight-degree programs that will fulfil your business dreams. You can choose between International Business, International Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship or Finance.

The key facts at a glance:

WHU	Fact
Number of students	1,500
Fees	€6,470-€23,750 per semester
Degrees	Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.)

This is how the universities in Düsseldorf rank

So, how well do the universities in Düsseldorf compare?

Heinrich Heine University is at the top of the universities in Düsseldorf: ranked number 1. If we compare Heinrich Heine Universities with the rest of the universities in Germany, it ranks 31st. On a global scale, the Heinrich Heine University holds a high standing and therefore claims the 351st rank, putting it in the top 3% of the world's universities.

Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences is ranked 2nd among the best universities in Düsseldorf. If we take a look at Germany as a whole, Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences is ranked 133rd, and 2,468th worldwide, placing it in the top 15% worldwide.

And this is how the private universities in Düsseldorf perform: