University of applied sciences or university? The answer depends on your learning style, your career goal and whether you want to do a doctorate later. Universities of applied sciences, today often called Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW), focus on practical relevance, while universities focus on theory and research. Both award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. An important difference lies in the right to award doctorates, which in principle rests with the universities.
The most important points at a glance
- Universities of applied sciences and HAW focus on application and practice, universities on theory and research. These are tendencies, and individual degree programmes deviate from them.
- Both types of institution award bachelor’s and master’s degrees. There are no general tuition fees.
- The right to award doctorates rests in principle with the universities. With a master’s from a university of applied sciences, you usually do a doctorate cooperatively with a university, and some states make exceptions.
- Median total study duration for first-time bachelor’s graduates is 8.0 semesters (all types of institution combined).
- Learning type, career goal and the specific range of courses are what tip the balance.
What is the difference between a university of applied sciences and a university?
The term “Hochschule” covers both types. Many universities of applied sciences operate under the name “Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften”, and it remains the same type of institution. The following overview shows the typical differences:
| Criterion | University of applied sciences (HAW) | University |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Application and practical relevance | Theory and research |
| Teaching | Often projects, smaller groups and fixed curricula | Often large lectures and more freedom in choosing courses |
| Practical phases | Practical semester or projects often firmly scheduled | Internships are often your own responsibility |
| Degrees | Bachelor’s and master’s | Bachelor’s and master’s |
| Right to award doctorates | In principle no, exceptions in some states | Yes |
How a degree programme is actually structured is set out in the examination regulations and the module handbook. Looking there replaces any rule of thumb.
Which institution suits your learning style: University of applied sciences or university?
A university of applied sciences is more likely to suit you if you …
- enjoy working to fixed schedules and value clear structures
- want to work on real projects early in your studies
- know your career goal and want to move straight into practice
A university is more likely to suit you if you …
- like to go deep into theory and methods
- want to decide for yourself which courses you take and in what order
- want to keep the option of a doctorate open
The subject plays a role of its own. Using computer science as an example, this often means projects and current tools at a university of applied sciences, and more mathematics and algorithms at a university. For legal professions such as lawyer or judge, the state examination (Staatsexamen) is the usual qualification, and this degree is offered at universities. Universities of applied sciences offer related degree programmes such as business law with a different profile. Whether a degree leads to your career goal is something the student advisory service of the institution can clarify.
As for access: Universities of applied sciences often also admit applicants with the Fachhochschulreife (subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification), while universities require the general higher education entrance qualification (Allgemeine Hochschulreife) for many subjects. The specific routes, for example via a vocational qualification, are regulated by the federal states and the institutions. If you start only after vocational training or working for several years, you will find information on funding and health insurance in studying after 30 (in German).
How do you gain practical experience alongside your studies?
Practical relevance arises at both types of institution outside the timetable as well. For a compulsory internship prescribed by the study regulations, there is no minimum wage. A voluntary internship lasting more than three months is paid at the minimum wage of €13.90 per hour. As a working student with at most 20 hours a week during term, you are exempt from compulsory contributions to health, long-term care and unemployment insurance, while pension insurance remains compulsory.
Can you do a doctorate with a university of applied sciences degree?
Yes, usually through a university. The right to award doctorates rests in principle with the universities, so graduates of a university of applied sciences with a master’s degree usually do a doctorate cooperatively. Some states have created exceptions. According to the information sheet of the university lecturers’ association hlb on doctoral rights of universities of applied sciences (in German, as of 9 January 2026), the following applies:
| State | Option for graduates of a university of applied sciences |
|---|---|
| Hesse | The ministry can grant individual subject areas of universities of applied sciences their own right to award doctorates, initially limited in time and by subject, and possibly permanent after a positive evaluation |
| Bavaria | Right to award doctorates limited in time and by subject under Art. 96 para. 7 BayHIG, in force since 1 January 2023 |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Doctoral college for applied research of the universities of applied sciences, right to award doctorates since November 2022 |
| Baden-Württemberg | Doctoral association of the universities of applied sciences, ordinance in force since 1 October 2022, limited in time and by subject |
| Brandenburg | Doctoral college of the universities of applied sciences, legal basis since 30 April 2024 |
| Other states | Partly their own rules, otherwise a cooperative doctorate with a university |
The requirements vary by faculty. As a rule, they call for a master’s degree, a diploma, a magister or a state examination, often with a minimum grade, plus the agreement of a supervising professor entitled to supervise doctorates and admission by the doctoral committee. Without a master’s degree, only an aptitude assessment or a preparatory course comes into question. More on this is in the article doctorate in Germany (in German).
Are there differences in duration, costs and health insurance?
General tuition fees have been abolished, and they are not charged in any state. Each semester you pay the semester contribution, which differs from one institution to another, and in some states enrolment or re-enrolment fees are added. An overview by the German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studierendenwerk) explains the types of fees. Funding depends on your personal situation, and the type of institution plays no role in it.
For health insurance, the form of study matters. According to health insurers, private universities as well as dual and part-time degree programmes are not covered by student health insurance. Dual students are subject to compulsory health, pension, long-term care and unemployment insurance, like trainees. For a distance degree, FernUni Hagen, for example, requires a digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer of your insurance status before enrolment. Therefore, check with your health insurer before applying to a private university.
What if the choice does not suit you?
A course of study can be corrected. When changing degree programme makes sense (in German) depends on the subject, your progress and the timing. For BAföG, the subject semesters matter: Up to the start of the 4th subject semester, the BAföG office assumes an important reason for a first change of field, up to the start of the 5th subject semester you must state the reason in writing, and after that only an unavoidable reason applies. Whether a change of university within the same subject falls under this is for the BAföG office to decide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a university of applied sciences or a university better?
Neither is better across the board. A university of applied sciences often offers more practical relevance and fixed structures, a university more theory, research and freedom of choice. What matters is your learning style, your career goal and the specific degree programme. If you want to do a doctorate, the university remains the standard route, and with a master’s from a university of applied sciences it is usually cooperative.
Is a Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften the same as a Fachhochschule?
Largely, yes. “Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften” (HAW) or “University of Applied Sciences” is the name many former Fachhochschulen carry today. The orientation remains the same: Application-oriented teaching and research with a practical focus. You can recognise a university by the fact that it generally holds the right to award doctorates.
How long does a degree take at a university of applied sciences or a university?
The standard period of study is set out in the examination regulations. In practice, first-time bachelor’s graduates in the 2025 examination year needed a median of 8.0 semesters of total study duration, while across all first degrees combined it was 8.4 semesters (Federal Statistical Office). These figures apply to higher education institutions as a whole.
Does studying at a university of applied sciences cost less than at a university?
No state tuition fees apply, and at both types of institution you pay the semester contribution. Its amount depends on the location. Differences arise more from the cost of living at the place of study. Private universities have their own conditions, which you should check before applying. BAföG, the Deutschlandstipendium and other funding depend on your situation.
How to proceed now
- Clarify the subject first. For topics such as environment and energy, the overview of sustainable degree programmes (in German) helps.
- Compare two or three degree programmes each at universities of applied sciences and at universities, based on the module handbook, the practical component and the examination regulations.
- Consider whether a doctorate is an option for you, and check the route in your federal state.
- Clarify access and application deadlines on the website of your preferred institution, and speak to the student advisory service if you have questions.
- Check the form of study and health insurance, especially for private universities, dual study and distance learning.
Related reading
- Doctorate in Germany: Paths, titles and requirements (in German)
- Changing degree programme: When it makes sense and how it works (in German)
- Studying after 30: Opportunities, funding and everyday life (in German)
- Choosing your deductible in private health insurance: How high should it be? (in German)
- Studying without the Abitur: Paths, requirements and funding (in German)
- Medical studies: Electives, practical year and health insurance (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
