International prospective students
Studying for a degree at HSNR

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Welcome to HSNR

If you are from a non-EU country you will find information on how to apply for a full degree programme at the Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) on this website.

For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For a personal consultation, please arrange an appointment.

If you are from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or if you would like to apply for a dual, part-time or continuing studies programme, you can apply directly via the HSNR online portal.

We hope to be able to welcome you soon at the HSNR.

Information and Q&A session for prospective international students (English degree programmes)
Date: 2025-11-11 / 01:00 o'clock (pm)
Location: ZOOM
Information and Q&A session for prospective international students (German degree programmes)
Date: 2025-11-13 / 02:00 o'clock (pm)
Location: ZOOM
Holiday Party
Date: 2025-12-12 / 05:00 o'clock (pm)
A student in a pink blouse bends over design drafts with her lecturer. In the background you can see colourful canvases on easels.
Undergraduate programmes

In order to apply for a bachelor's degree programme, you will need to submit:

  • a higher education entrance qualification (German: HZB) or proof of an equivalent previous education
    → You can check whether your qualification entitles you to study in Germany in the DAAD admissions database.

    If you have a foreign entrance qualification that does not entitle you to study in Germany, you could take the TestAS admission examination (German: Zugangsprüfung) to obtain an accepted entrance qualification in Germany.

  • proof of the required language skills → further details

  • if applicable, further documents.  → Please check the specific information on the degree programme you wish to apply for carefully.

A student with an Asian appearance is sitting in the college library reading a book.
Postgraduate programmes

In order to apply for a master's degree programme at HSNR, please submit the following:

  • proof of a completed, qualified and recognised bachelor's degree (at least three years).

  • proof of the required language skills → see further details

  • if applicable further documents → Please check the specific information on the degree programme you wish to apply for carefully.

The following table shows which language skills you need for which degree programme.

Please submit the relevant certificates upon enrolment at the latest.

Please note: When applying for a study place it is sufficient to submit proof of your current language skills or proof that you are due to take a suitable language test in the near future.

German

 

For all

  • German-taught degree programmes

you need German language skills at level C1 CEF.

Please note:

This requirement applies to all applicants with a foreign university entrance qualifcation.

 

Accepted certificates

 

Exception:

For the following degree programmes:

  • BA Chemical Engineering
  • BA Chemistry and Biotechnology
  • MA Computer Aided Process Engineering
  • BA and MA Electrical Engineering
  • BA and MA Computer Science
  • BA Communicationdesign
  • MA Design
  • BA and MA Mechatronics
  • BA Mechanical Engineering
  • BA Process Engineering
  • MA Product Development in Mechanical Engineering
  • BA Product- and Object Design

you need German language skills on a B2 CEF level.

Accepted certificates

English

 

For these English-taught degree programmes:

  • Bachelor Textile and Clothing Management
  • Bachelor Sales and Marketing
  • Master International Management

you need English language skills on a B2 CEF level.

 

For our English-taught Master degree programme

  • Management of Textile Trade and Technology

you need English language skills at level C1 CEF.

 

Exception:

Should you have completed your previous studies in English, i.e. the mode of instruction (MOI) was English, then it will be sufficient to submit a university document stating that the medium of instruction had been English.

Accepted certificates

French

 

For our Bachelor degree programme:

  • International Marketing

and our Master degree programme:

  • International Marketing

you need - additionally to the required German language skills - French language skills at level B2 CEF.

 

Accepted certificates

The application process via uni-assist

All prospective students who are citizens of a non-EU country and have acquired their higher education entrance qualification (HZB) in a non-EU country apply via the application portal uni-assist.

→ All other international students please refer to the next chapter "Exceptions (application directly via the HSNR portal)" below.

To help you with the application process, please find here a uni-assist application checklist as well as a step-by-step instruction.

Please note that for undergraduate degree programmes with restricted admission (1st semester) you also have to register at hochschulstart.de → This checklist  might be helfpul.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are uni-assist's application deadlines?

Deadline winter semester
(subject to change)
 

1st semester and higher semester

Admission-restricted and admission-free Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes: 15 April - 15 June

 

Summer semester deadline
(subject to change)
 

1st semester and higher semesters

Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes with and without admission restrictions: 15 October - 15 December

 

Please note:

Your application will be considered as long as it was submitted on time, even if the review takes place after the application deadline.

Does uni-assist charge a fee?

Yes, uni-assist charges a fee for reviewing your documents, which must be paid in advance.

You will automatically be asked to pay after you have completed your online application.

What documents do I need to upload?

Please upload the following documents - even without certification - to the uni-assist portal:

  • Certificate of your higher education entrance qualification

  • if applicable, university entrance examination (e.g. Iran, Portugal, Spain, Turkey)

  • if applicable, assessment test of a preparatory college or TestAS certificate

  • if applicable, degree or previous academic achievements (degree certificate, overview of subjects and grades, grading system)

  • for applications from China, India or Vietnam: APS document

  • if applicable, proof of practical activities related to the course of study

  • Proof of current language skills or registration for language test soon to be taken

Do copies have to be certified?

No. The documents must be copies of the original documents.

If the original is not in English or German, a sworn translation in English or German must also be uploaded.

How long does the review take?

After your application and payment have been duly received by uni-assist, uni-assist will check your documents and send you the results of the examination. This can take 4 - 6 weeks.

The earlier you apply, the faster the review will take place: As experience shows: a lot of applications are received at the end of the application period and the review then takes correspondingly longer.

When and how will I be admitted to HSNR?

If you meet the formal requirements, your application will be forwarded to HSNR for a decision.

The HSNR will inform you by e-mail if registration/enroment in the desired degree programme is possible.

For degreeprogrammes that are open for admission, you will then be invited to register / to enrol.

For degree programmes that are admission-restricted, the allocation of places can only take place once all applications have been checked by uni-assist and forwarded to the HSNR.

This is normally the case at the end of January for the summer semester or at the end of July for the winter semester at the earliest.

How do I enrol in HSNR?

Once you have successully applied to HSNR or you received our invitation to enrol, please enrol via our online portal.

More detailed information on how to enrol you will find here.

We reserve the right to - occasionally - request certified copies of certificates for further review.

How do I apply for a higher semester?

Please find detailed information here.

Can I reapply via uni-assist?

If you have applied for a degree programme at HSNR through uni-assist before and would like to apply again, please email us at internationalapplicants(at)hs-niederrhein.de and include your former uni-assist applicantion number.

Exceptions (application directly at the HSNR)

All prospective students who are citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway can apply directly via the HSNR's online portal.

Likewise, all prospective students who

  • have obtained their HZB in an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway or at a school offering a German "Abitur",

  • live in Germany and whose registered partner, spouse or parent is an EU citizen and works in Germany,

  • have already obtained a degree in Germany or in a country of the EU, in Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway,

  • would like to apply for part-time, dual, career-integrated or continuing studies,

  • have successfully completed a German language course (level B2/C1) at HSNR

apply directly online at the HSNR.

Please register with hochschulstart.de beforehand if you wish to apply for an admission-restricted degree programme  → this Checklist might be helfpul.

Please provide proof of your required language skills in any case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are HSNR's application deadlines?

Deadline winter semester
(subject to change)
 

1st semester and higher semester

Admission-restricted and admission-free Bachelor's and Master's degree programs: 01 May - 15 June

 

Summer semester deadline
(subject to change)
 

1st semester and higher semesters

Bachelor's and Master's degree programs with and without admission restrictions: 01 November - 15 December

Is an assessment test regarded as German HZB?

The assessment test of a Studienkolleg ist not considered a German HZB.

Therefore, graduates of a Studienkolleg will have to apply via uni-assist .

What documents do I need to submit?

After submitting the online application, please send us the following application documents by e-mail (internationalapplicants@hs-niederrhein.de), if you have not already uploaded them during the online application:

  • Certificate of higher education entrance qualification

  • If applicable, university entrance examination (e.g. Iran, Portugal, Spain, Turkey)

  • if applicable, degree or previous academic achievements (degree certificate, overview of subjects and grades, grading system)

  • if applicable, proof of practical activities related to the course of study

  • Proof of required language skills or registration for language test

  • Proof of eligibility to apply "like Germans" (e.g. copy of marriage certificate, passport copy of spouse)

Are translations / certifications necessary?

Certificates must always be submitted in the original language and as a sworn translation if the original language is not German or English.

Further information on sworn translations can be found here:
Sworn translations and certifications.

We adhere to a digital enrolment process. Only in individual cases do we reserve the right to request certificates as originals or certified copies to be sent by post.

How do I enrol at HSNR?

Once you have successully applied to HSNR or you received our invitation to enrol, please enrol via our online portal.

More detailed information on how to enrol you will find here.

We reserve the right to - occasionally - request certified copies of certificates for further review.

Test for international students - TestAS

International prospective students who have a valid higher education entrance qualification in their home country, but can only be admitted to a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) in Germany can start their studies at the HSNR if they have previously successfully completed the TestAS.

The following still applies: applicants from non-EU countries apply via uni-assist, unless they meet one of the criteria described above under exceptions, in which case they can apply directly via the HSNR's online portal.

These are the examination regulations.

You can see which subject test is required for which degree programme in the table under the FAQs.

 

IMPORTANT: If you take your TestAS on 17 June and have applied for an admission free degree programme via uni-assist by 15 June, we will be able to consider your application.

If this applies to you, please contact us and provide your uni-assist applicant number. 

This is not applicable for the admission restricted degree programme Sales and Marketing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where and how can I sit the TestAS?

There is a digital and a paper-based version of the TestAS. You can register to take the exam at various test centres (https://www.testas.de/).

With regard to the paper-based test, you need to achieve 90 points in both the core as well as the subject test in order to be able to start a degree programme at the HSNR, provided that you fulfill all other entry requirements as well.

In the online test, 50 points in the TestAS score are required for admission to the HSNR.

In which language can I take the TestAS?

The HSNR accepts the TestAS in German as well as in English.

Please note: you will still need to proof your language proficiency with one of the accepted certificates upon enrolment.

Can it offset subject-related qualifications?

Yes, if your higher education entrance qualification is subject-related, you can broaden your qualification to include other subjects by means of the subject-specific TestAS modules.

See next questions for the range of subject-specific modules.

Which TestAS subject tests can I choose from?

There are four subject-specific modules:

1. Humanities, cultural studies and social sciences (GKG)

2. Engineering (I)

3. Mathematics, computer science and natural sciences (MIN)

4. Economics (W)

Which subject module entitles you to which degree programme?

A female student with dark hair in a pink blouse stands in front of a workbench on which various cards with colour schemes are spread out in front of her.
Humanities, Cultural Studies and Social sciences (GKG)

This TestAS subject-specific modul entitles you to apply for the following degree programmes:

  • Communication design

  • Product and object design

  • social work and education

  • Cultural education

  • Early childhood education

  • Nursing

Student in a dark t-shirt operates the arm of a robot by remote control.
Engineering (I)

This TestAS subject-specific module entitles you to enter the following degree programmes:

  • Chemical engineering

  • Mechatronics

  • Electrical engineering

  • Process engineering

  • Mechanical engineering

  • Design engineering

  • Textile and clothing management

  • Textile and clothing technology

  • Industrial engineering

A student is experimenting with colourful plates in front of a light source.
Mathematics, computer science and natural sciences (MIN)

This TestAS subject-specific module entitles you to enter the following Bachelor degree programmes:

  • Chemistry and biotechnology

  • Digital forensics

  • Computer science

  • Food sciences

  • Nutritional sciences

  • Cyber security management

  • Business information systems

  • Medical informatics

  • Applied Psychology

Students are sitting in the seminar room; a lecturer stands in front of the whiteboard and points to it.
Economics (W)

This TestAS subject-sprecific module entitles you to enter the following degree programmes:

  • Business administration

  • Cyber security management

  • International marketing

  • Sales and marketing

  • Taxation and auditing

  • Business information systems

  • Industrial engineering

  • Health care management

Two male students are sitting in one of the lounge areas in our J-building on campus Krefeld-South talking to each other.

 

The International Office has established a Buddy Programme to bring together newly enrolled international students as well as exchange students with experienced HSNR students.

 

This way new students will receive help and support from more advanced students and ease into student life more quickly.

 

Being a "buddy" is a voluntary activity and free of charge for international students.

 

Advantages for international students

Participating international and exchange students will benefit from

 

  • getting to know the university and its campus with a buddy
  • being supported at the start of their studies
  • finding their way around the city and familiarise themselves with the German culture
  • meeting new people easily
  • being supported when dealing with authorities
  • taking part in activities as part of the Buddy Programme (Buddy meetings or GLOBUS events)

Advantages for HSNR students

Students, who become HSNR-Buddies (mentors), will

 

  • acquire intercultural competencies on campus and apply language skills
  • get to know members of an international network and become part of it
  • meet many new people
  • get to know students from other countries which will prepare them for their own semester abroad
  • be able to pass on already gained experiences from a semester abroad and thus help international students
  • be able to accomplish one component towards for the Certificate for Intercultural Competence (ZIK)
  • will receive a Certificate of honorary commitment

For additional information, interested HSNR students can refer to the Buddy Programme Flyer and the Buddy Programme Guide.

Two male students sitting next to each other discussing lecture material.
Registration

 

Please register via the links below no later than:

 

October 15th (winter semester)

 

March 15th (summer semester)

 

The data to be provided for the buddy programme, will be used solely for the purpose of networking between buddies.

Registration form for international students
Registration form for HSNR students
Contact

Should you have queries regarding the Buddy Programme please contact the International Office.

Send a message »
Eine Gruppe internationaler Studierender kommt für ein Gruppenbild auf dem Campus Krefeld-Süd zusammen. Bild: Nina Maria Kohl

 

 

GLOBUS is HSNR's international student network and an initiative of the International Office.

 

Our student GLOBUS tutors put a lot of effort and committment into supporting and extending the network on campus.

 

The focus is on joint activities to facilitate exchange and dialogue between international students - also exchange students - from all semesters and disciplines.

 

The activities include our Welcome Day for newly arrived students, excursions and various semester activities.

 

Semester actvities
Winter semester 2025-26

 

Save these dates for our upcoming GLOBUS community events:

17.10.2025  International Food Day

12.12.2025  Holiday Party

More information to follow shortly.

Welcome Day Wintersemester 2025-26
Introduction

 

On September 19, 2025, the International Office (IO) welcomed our new international students in Krefeld.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and made the event such a successful start.

We hope to meet all those who were unable to attend at one of our next events.

We wish you a good start at HSNR!

HSNR's GLOBUS Team

David
GLOBUS Tutor

‘I am part of GLOBUS because my aim is to enhance the academic and cultural experience of my fellow students through fun activities that bring people together and allow them to interact with each other.’

Mitansh
GLOBUS Tutor

“Being a GLOBUS team member is something special for me because I enjoy meeting new people, making contacts and learning more about different cultures. Our university offers the perfect environment for this, as it brings together many students from different disciplines and countries, both international and German. I see it as my way of giving something back to the community and the country that gave me the opportunity to study here by supporting new students and organising social events."

Contact

Send a message to David and Mitansh should you have any queries or would like to share your ideas:

Message to GLOBUS »

DAAD Prize

The Hochschule Niederrhein annually awards the DAAD Prize to an international student who has distinguished himself or herself through special academic achievements and remarkable social or intercultural commitment.

Each faculty can first propose a particularly suitable student.

The Senate selects the award winner.

The prize money of € 1,000 is provided by the DAAD from funds of the Federal Foreign Office.

The nomination deadline for the DAAD Award 2025 is 15 November.

Proposals can be submitted to the International Office.

Verena Holzki
Coordination International Applications and Admissions (degree seekings)
More service for international students!

The Hochschule Niederrhein has committed itself to this with its Code of Conduct. It has joined the "National Code for the Study of Foreigners at German Universities". The following brochure explains the contents of the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct »
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