"Education for Responsibility" is the mission of the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU). A university fully committed to sustainable development. This commitment is reflected in the HfWU's academic offerings : Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in the fields of business, environment, design, and therapies . This is the HfWU's profile : sustainability, coupled with a strong practical focus, in teaching, research, knowledge transfer, and continuing education.
As a university of applied sciences, HfWU focuses on scientifically sound and application-oriented teaching.
| Acronym | HFWU |
| Motto / Slogan | Responsibility through Education |
| Founded | 1949 |
| Undergraduate Programmes | |
| Postgraduate Programmes | 17 |
| Location | Nürtingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Address | Campus Geislingen Pa4 | Parkstraße 4 | 73312 Geislingen an der Steige |
They operate according to the following guiding principles:
The students are the focus of their work.
They distinguish themselves through qualification and motivation.
Education and research are their strength
They differ from other universities.
They take on social responsibility
Equality means promoting equal participation and equal opportunities for all genders in all areas of society. HfWU is committed to ensuring equal choices for all people within its sphere of influence. Existing disadvantages based on gender, particularly those affecting women, should be eliminated, and future disadvantages should be prevented.
HfWU aims to strengthen the compatibility of studies and family or career as a natural part of university culture. Our website lists all available advisory services. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Equal Opportunities Officer.
€168.60 Semester fee
Admission requirements vary by program and course. View the program page for course-specific requirements.
Admission requirements for the postgraduate vary by program and course. View the program page for course-specific requirements.
The application for a full bachelor's or master's degree program takes place completely online and has certain deadlines.
Before submitting your application, please inform yourself about the criteria for the admission and selection procedure. If you have any questions regarding the content or subject of your study or the bonus, please get in touch with the contact person of the respective study degree program.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +49 7022 201 347
System accreditation is a very complex procedure that demands high standards from the whole university. One of the rewards is the autonomy the university gains. Another one is that the university as an institution commits itself to high quality standards and systematically strives to achieve them.
The AQAS accreditation committee has granted system accreditation to Nürtingen-Geislingen University on 13 November 2013 and awarded the accreditation council's seal.
Originally focused on agriculture, the higher technical college has developed into a university with around two dozen degree programs. Today, in addition to its agricultural economics department, HfWU boasts one of the largest business administration faculties in Baden-Württemberg.
From agriculture to sustainability
With a value-based decision, HfWU has committed itself to the principles of sustainable development. Studies and teaching, guided by... read more
At the beginning of its history, the university began establishing a new type of agricultural education – with three full-time lecturers and 40 students. In the early 1970s, the degree programs in Landscape Management (winter semester 1970/71) and Business Administration (winter semester 1970/71) were launched in Nürtingen. In 1972, the agricultural educational institution was legally transformed into the Nürtingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU). Today, more than 5,000 students study at HfWU.
The first rector after the transformation into the Nürtingen University of Applied Sciences was Professor Dr. Eduard Nohe, who served until 1973. He was succeeded by Professor Paul Eugen Bauer. From 1977 to 2001, Professor Dr. Eduard Mändle led the university as rector. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving university rector in Germany. The development of HfWU is also due to his dedication.
Development into a regional university
In 1988, the university established a branch campus in Geislingen an der Steige, offering a business administration program. Today, students can study automotive management, real estate management, energy and resource management, health and tourism management, and business law there. Applicants come from all over Germany. Ten years after the branch campus was founded, the university was able to secure the location permanently in 1998. The HfWU provides approximately 2,000 student places in the town of Geislingen an der Steige.
At its main campus in Nürtingen, the university has adapted its academic programs to meet new challenges. The Business Administration department offers over 20 elective courses with a strong industry focus.
In the winter semester of 1996/97, the Economics program was launched – the first at a university of applied sciences in Germany. HfWU is the first university to offer a practice-oriented economics degree program. The Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft (Donors' Association for the Promotion of Sciences and Humanities in Germany) awarded the program a prize for its innovative study structure. Overall, the economics programs enjoy widespread recognition. HfWU consistently ranks among the top institutions in several important university rankings.
Internationalization and a constantly growing range of products
Internationalization has long since become established in economics degree programs.
The former postgraduate program "International Economic Relations" was transformed into the Master's program "International Management" in 1998. Graduates no longer receive the degree "Diplom-Wirtschaftsingenieur" (Diploma in Industrial Engineering and Management), but instead graduate with a "Master of Business Administration." Finance is covered by the program "International Finance." Offered since 2000, this program awards Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Business Administration.
The former Department of Landscape Management has also undergone a transformation. It now encompasses the degree programs in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Planning, and Urban Planning.
In the winter semester of 1989, the postgraduate program "Environmental Protection" was launched; this is now offered as a Master's program culminating in the title "Master of Engineering." HfWU is the lead institution for this program, but the curriculum is organized jointly with the universities of Reutlingen, Esslingen, and Stuttgart. This program represents a unique and pioneering model of cooperation.
The "Landscape Architecture/Landscape Planning" degree program has featured a new study concept since 1998. HfWU is the only German university to have recently added a "Urban Planning" degree program to its curriculum.
The signs for HfWU still point more towards change than stagnation.
While in the past it was primarily new degree programs that drove growth and change at the university, in the present and future it is internationalization that is the key. Bachelor's and Master's degrees are awarded as academic titles. For HfWU, this is of threefold importance: it increases its internationality, strengthens its reputation, and reduces the gap with traditional universities.
However, one thing it will remain: with short study periods and a high degree of practical relevance, it is a good training provider and a competent partner for the region and the economy.
Renamed University of Economics and Environment
With the entry into force of the new state higher education law of January 5, 2005, the name of the university of applied sciences changed. The Senate stipulated the name "University of Economics and Environment Nürtingen-Geislingen" in the basic regulations.