Universities of Applied Sciences

Universities of applied sciences (UAS) were established in the early seventies with the objective to help German industries maintain their international competitiveness. This new approach to higher education was intended to satisfy the ever-growing demand for a new practice-oriented education on a very solid academic footing. Since their introduction, the universities of applied sciences have grown into serious contenders to the more traditional German universities, especially since the European-wide introduction of Bachelor and Master programs, similar to the Anglo-Saxon system of higher education.

Universities of applied sciences differ from other universities by preparing students for their future professional careers through application-oriented instruction. Although research is becoming increasingly important to them, their focus is still on teaching. Their objective is to enable graduates to apply theoretical and method-based knowledge to concrete practical problems. Students systematically learn how to transfer these skills as they study and after graduation are able to integrate quickly into the business environment.

Important elements and major strengths of universities of applied sciences are:

Lectures in small groups (generally no more than forty students per lecture)
Lecturers with professional experience in industry and commerce (a minimum of five years)
Labs, tutorials, simulations, role-playing, projects and field trips
Integrated practical semesters in commerce and industry
Study projects, practical projects and thesis
Applied research in cooperation with companies and application-oriented research institutes
A stronger international outlook and program structure compared to traditional German universities

The advantages for students and future employers: clear focus on a specific career, predefined curricula and shorter study periods than at a university. Lecturers at universities of applied sciences are experienced practitioners, who have worked or still work in leading managerial positions, and who know exactly what companies want from their future employees. So the training they offer is correspondingly flexible and internationally focused.

The range of subjects taught at universities of applied sciences comprises around 15 disciplines which are also subdivided: engineering alone has around 30 specializations on offer. Nearly two thirds of all German “Diplom-Ingenieure” (engineers) graduate from a university of applied sciences, attesting to the schools’ strong tradition and reputation in the field.

Other disciplines offered at universities of applied sciences, among others, include: business administration, social work, design, computer and information science, mathematics, as well as communication.