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How much does OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts cost for international students?
TH OWL charges no tuition fees, including for non-EU students. Every student pays a semester contribution when enrolling and re-registering.
| Item | Cost per semester (winter 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Bachelor's and Master's) | None |
| Deutschlandsemesterticket | 226.80 EUR |
| Studierendenwerk Bielefeld | 106.00 EUR |
| Student body | 20.00 EUR |
| Total semester contribution | 352.80 EUR |
Applicants with a qualification from outside the EU also pay the uni-assist processing fee.
No tuition does not mean no proof of funds. For the student visa you still need to show 11,904 EUR for the year, usually in a blocked account, and that money has to be transferred months before the semester starts.
What are the application deadlines?
If your university entrance qualification is from outside the EU, apply through uni-assist. Your application must reach uni-assist by the deadline; the review itself may finish afterwards. A few programmes take applications directly, so check the programme page. Applicants from India need an APS certificate.
| Programme | Intake | Deadline (non-EU qualification) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's, restricted admission | Winter only | 15 April – 15 June |
| Bachelor's, open admission | Winter only | 15 April – 15 July |
| Information Technology M.Sc. | Winter / summer | 1 April – 1 June (winter); 17 November – 15 January (summer) |
| Integrated Design M.Eng. | Winter only | 1 February – 31 March |
| Sustainable Landscape Design and Development M.A. | Winter only | 1 February – 15 May |
| Other Master's programmes | Varies | See the programme page |
Visas often take months, so start your visa application early, even before you have your admission letter.
How many programmes are taught in English?
Most programmes at TH OWL are taught in German and need German at B2 level or higher. TH OWL lists 7 English-taught programmes:
- Information Technology M.Sc. (Lemgo; also offered part-time)
- Integrated Design M.Eng. (Detmold)
- Sustainable Landscape Design and Development M.A. (Höxter)
- Urban Planning and Sustainable Transformation M.Sc. (two semesters; needs a 240-credit Bachelor's, or a preparatory year or internship)
- Applied Entrepreneurship M.Sc. (taught in English with some German parts; few in-person days, much of the content is digital)
- International Logistics Management M.Sc. (bilingual; some modules in German and Business German B2 is required)
- General Engineering B.Sc. (English for the first three semesters, then German; A1 German needed to start)
TH OWL plans to move its Höxter programmes to Detmold or Lemgo; no timeline has been announced, and students will be told several months in advance.
Which English certificates does OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts accept?
Certificates should not be older than two years. Most English programmes ask for B2; check each programme page for its exact level.
| Certificate | English B2 | English C1 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 5.5–6.5 | 7.0–8.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 72–94 | 95–120 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 59–75 | 76–84 |
| Duolingo English Test | 100–125 | 130–150 |
| Cambridge | FCE grade B or C | FCE grade A, or CAE grade B or C |
Sustainable Landscape Design and Development requires at least IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79. A school certificate or degree from an English-speaking country such as the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Nigeria or Kenya exempts you from proving English.
About OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts
The Technische Hochschule Ostwestfalen-Lippe (TH OWL) is a public university of applied sciences and arts in North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 1971. Its main campus is the Innovation Campus in Lemgo, with the Kreativ Campus in Detmold and the Sustainable Campus in Höxter, plus learning locations in Herford and Minden.
TH OWL has around 50 Bachelor's and Master's programmes in engineering, computer science, architecture, design, landscape planning, business and life sciences. In winter 2024/25 it had 5,672 students, about 15 percent of them from abroad.
Frequently asked questions
Does TH OWL charge tuition fees?
No. TH OWL charges no tuition, including for non-EU students. You pay a semester contribution of 352.80 EUR (winter 2026/27), which includes the Deutschlandsemesterticket.
How do I apply with a qualification from outside the EU?
Apply through uni-assist by the programme deadline. For Bachelor's programmes that is 15 June (restricted admission) or 15 July (open admission), for a winter start only. Master's deadlines vary; Information Technology, for example, closes on 1 June for winter.
Can I study at TH OWL in English?
Yes, mainly at Master's level. TH OWL lists 7 English-taught programmes, but some are bilingual with German parts. All other programmes need German at B2 or higher.