HAWK Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen
About
HAWK Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen is tuition-free for international students as a public university of applied sciences in Hildesheim, combining an unusually broad mix of fields under one roof, teaching STEM, medicine, arts, social sciences and business. An EU-recognised degree brings Schengen-wide mobility and Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa, with IELTS 6 keeping entry accessible.
HAWK spans three campuses across Lower Saxony (Hildesheim, Holzminden, Göttingen), each a different mid-size university town with strong local character. Hildesheim is historic and artsy; Göttingen is intellectual and tight-knit. All three offer affordable living, tight student communities, and easy access to Germany's wider industrial and creative economy. Cost of living is low; internships and part-time work are abundant.
Accommodation
Studentenwerk OstNiedersachsen operates two dorms in Hildesheim (Blauer Kamp and Hansering, ~300 rooms combined) open to all HAWK students at the Hildesheim campus. Demand is high and dorm placement is not guaranteed, so apply as soon as possible after receiving the admission letter. Note: HAWK's Holzminden campus has no dormitories — this data applies only to Hildesheim.
SourceNational funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Zero tuition for international students makes HAWK far more affordable than private German universities charging €10,000–20,000 per year.
- As a public applied-sciences university, HAWK combines practical training with industry projects, easing your path to German employers.
- The broad field mix — STEM, arts, medicine, social sciences, and business — lets you combine disciplines rare at specialized institutions.
- An EU degree grants full Schengen mobility and access to Germany's 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
- Hildesheim's lower cost of living compared to Frankfurt or Munich stretches your €11,904 blocked-account funds noticeably further.
- Germany allows international students up to 120 full days or 240 half-days of paid work per year alongside studies.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes at German Fachhochschulen are taught in German; without C1 level you will face a very limited English-taught choice.
- Non-EU school leavers typically must complete a Studienkolleg or equivalent before university admission, adding one preparatory year.
- You must prove roughly €11,904 in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) before your visa is issued — plan for this well in advance.
- Hildesheim is a mid-sized city with a modest internship market; students targeting large corporate employers may need to commute or relocate.
- The IELTS 6.0 minimum applies to English-track programmes only; German-track entry requires separate certified German language proof.
Need help with your application?
Two ways to move forward — pick what suits you.
AI consultant
Step-by-step guidance on your route: documents, deadlines, visa questions — available any time.
€99 · one-time payment, 3 months of access
Open AI consultantHuman application support
A real advisor reviews your case and helps you apply.
We handle the application with you — from documents to submission.
Eligibility check is free; application support is a paid service — terms are agreed before we start.
Request human supportFind your route to this institution
Answer a few questions about your profile — we'll check if this institution fits and show realistic alternatives.
Figures are indicative and change by academic year. Always confirm tuition, deadlines and visa requirements on the official institution and government sources before applying.