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Bielefeld university

Bielefeld, Germany

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university Grade B+ Intakes: Oct 2026 Study in Germany →
Official site ↗
World rank #539
Tuition from ₹4.92 L per year, 1 courses
Courses 21
Founded 1969

About Bielefeld university

The biggest reason to go for the Bielefeld University admissions is that Indian students have to pay zero tuition fee here, which means you get a degree from a university that is known for its research output. Only a semester fee of EUR 333.65 (INR 36.7K) per semester is required to study here.

Given below are the other reasons why Indian students should choose Bielefeld University -

  • The Bielefeld University ranking of #710 in the best global universities (US News 2026)
  • English-taught Master's programs
  • A well-established Indian community
  • A single building campus (300,000 ) with all the facilities like 13 faculties, Mensa, student union, labs and libraries
  • Recognized expertise in subjects like CS, Physics, Neuroscience, Sociology and more
  • Strong graduate outcomes and a Post-Study Work visa of 18 months in Germany, leading to an EU Blue Card

Bielefeld University, also known as the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, is a major public research university in the German city of Bielefeld. It was founded in 1969.

(EUR 1 = 108.94)

Bielefeld University Facts

There are around 23,000 students enrolled at Bielefeld across 14 faculties and 139 Bielefeld University courses. Most of the courses are German-taught and would require Indian students to have B2 level proficiency (TestDaf). The Bielefeld University QS Ranking is #1001 globally in 2027.

Look at the table given below for the facts about Blelefeld -

Parameter Details

Official Name

Universität Bielefeld (Bielefeld University)

Type

Public research university, state-funded by North Rhine-Westphalia

Founded

1969 (as a "reform university")

Location

Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany

Student Enrolment

Approximately 23,000 to 24,255 students across 14 faculties and 139 programmes

Faculties

13 faculties (restructured to 14 with the addition of the School of Public Health)

Degree Programmes

139 total programmes: 74 Bachelor's, 64 Master's, plus doctoral programmes

Teaching Languages

Mostly German, 30+ programmes with significant English-language content

Tuition Fee

No tuition fee for all enrolled students, including Indian nationals

Semester Contribution (WS 2026/27)

Approximately €333.65 per semester (INR 36,700)

NRW Semester Ticket

Included in the semester contribution, provides unlimited public transport across NRW

QS World Ranking 2027

#1001 to 1200 globally

THE World Ranking

#201 to 250 globally

CHE Ranking Strengths

Top-performing subjects in Germany: Mathematics, Computer Science, Sociology, Physics, and Neuroscience

Application System

uni-assist (VPD) + Bielefeld University application portal

Official Website

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de

International Office

internationaloffice@uni-bielefeld.de

Don't miss the APS update for dMAT in 2026 -

Do you need Studiekolleg? Check out here -

Major Update on getting APS for Indian PG Students: Applicants applying for APS Certificate after Jun 29, 2026, cannot go for it directly. They have to take a dMAT (Digital Master Test) in case their bachelor's is in Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Economics or Business. 

Given below are the Bielefeld University application deadlines for Indian students - 

  • Winter Semester 2026/27: Jul 15, 2026 (NC Courses)
  • Summer Semester 2027: Jan 15, 2026 (NC Courses)
  • Master's Courses 2026/27: Oct 15, 2026 (non-NC courses)

Don't forget to check out the video given below to understand what NC and non-NC courses are - 

 

 

Courses and fees

Tuition as published by the source, converted to rupees. Per year unless the course page says otherwise.

Bachelor's (40)

CourseDurationTuition
BA in Art 3 years
BA in Bioinformatics Genome Research 3 years
BA in English Studies British and American Studies 3 years
BA in German as a Foreign or Second Language 3 years
BA in History 3 years
BA in Illustration and Art History 3 years
BA/BSc in Aesthetic Education 3 years
BA/BSc in Basic Language Education (learning area) 3 years
BA/BSc in Biology 3 years
BA/BSc in Chemistry 3 years
BA/BSc in Economics 3 years
BA/BSc in Education Sciences - Integrated Special Education (SPF) 3 years
BA/BSc in Educational Science 3 years
BA/BSc in Educational Sciences 3 years
BA/BSc in English Studies British and American Studies 3 years
BA/BSc in Ethics 3 years
BA/BSc in Fundamental Mathematics (learning area) 3 years
BA/BSc in General Studies 3 years
BA/BSc in History 3 years
BA/BSc in History and Culture of Latin America 3 years
Bachelor (Teaching) in French 3 years
Bachelor in Computer Linguistics 3 years
Bachelor in Computer Science 3 years
Bachelor in French 3 years
Bachelor in Law 3 years
Bachelor in Mathematics 3 years
Bachelor in Philosophy 3 years
Bachelor in Political Science 3 years
Bachelor in Psychology 3 years
Bachelor in Sociology 3 years
Bachelor of Arts in Law and Management 3 years
Bachelor of Arts in Medical Physics 3 years
Bachelor of Arts in Music 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Latin: Roman literature, culture and society in a European context 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Linguistics 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Linguistics of Romance Languages 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Literary Studies 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Mathematics 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Philosophy 3 years
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Philosophy of Science 3 years

Master's (40)

CourseDurationTuition
M.Sc. in Data Science 2 years
MA in Anglistik - British and American Studies 2 years
MA in Cultural Communication 2 years
MA in Educational Science 2 years
MA in Gender Studies 2 years
MA in InterAmerican Studies / Estudios InterAmericanos 2 years
MA in Interdisciplinary Studies of Science (ISoS) 2 years
Master of Arts in British and American Studies 2 years
Master of Arts in Literary Studies 2 years
Master of Arts in Philosophy 2 years
Master of Arts in Political Science 2 years
Master of Arts in Sociology 2 years
Master of Arts in Sport Organisation Development and Management 2 years
Master of Arts in World Studies: Orders, Politics, Cultures 2 years
Master of Arts/Master of Science in Media Sciences, interdisciplinary 2 years
Master of Education in Art 2 years
Master of Education in Basic Language Education (learning area) 2 years
Master of Education in Biology 2 years
Master of Education in Chemistry 2 years
Master of Education in Education Sciences - Integrated Special Education 2 years
Master of Education in Education Sciences - Integrated Special Education (SPF) 2 years
Master of Education in Educational Sciences 2 years
Master of Education in English Studies British and American Studies 2 years
Master of Education in French 2 years
Master of Education in Fundamental Mathematics (learning area) 2 years
Master of Education in General Studies 2 years
Master of Education in History 2 years
Master of Education in Latin: Roman literature, culture and society in a European context 2 years
Master of Education in Mathematics 2 years
Master of Education in Music 2 years
Master of Education in Philosophy 2 years
Master of Education in Physics 2 years
Master of Education in Protestant Theology 2 years
Master of Education in Social Sciences 2 years
Master of Education in Spanish 2 years
Master of Education in Sports Science 2 years
Master of Education in Teaching subject Pedagogy 2 years
Master of Science in Applied Psychology: Diagnostics, Counselling and Training 2 years
Master of Science in Behaviour: From Neural Mechanisms to Evolution 2 years
Master of Science in Biochemistry 2 years

At a glance

Type
Public
Course duration
2 years

Rankings

World rank#539
In Germany#49
Overall gradeB+
SubjectGradeRankOther tables
Mathematics B++ #16 QS #351 · ARWU #76
Physics C+ #41 QS #601 · ARWU #401
Biology C #50 QS #651

Admission requirements

Documents

  • SOPNot required
  • LORNot required
  • EssaysNot required
  • CVNot required
  • Additional documentsRequired

Application fees

  • No Fees

Type of deadline

  • Regular

Intake Season & Deadlines

  • Winter15ᵗʰ Jul 2026

Placements and recruiters

Internships: Not available.

Careers service ↗

Scholarships at Bielefeld university

K.C. Mahindra Scholarships For Post-Graduate Studies Abroad merit

Amount: ₹10 L · Deadline: 2026-04-30

Unimoni Student Stars 2023 merit

5 awards

Amount: ₹3 L ·

J.N. Tata Endowment Loan Scholarship merit

Deadline: 2026-03-29

Young Women in Public Affairs Awards merit

37 awards

Amount: ₹4.72 L ·

Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program merit

Amount: ₹42.37 L ·

GlobalScholarships.com $3,000 Scholarship both

1 awards

Amount: ₹2.83 L ·

Amberscholar Scholarship both

Amount: ₹47.13 L · Deadline: 2026-08-31

HEST 2025 - New Study Abroad Scholarship need

Amount: ₹3 L ·

Imported from public sources. Confirm amounts and deadlines with the university.

Why Indian Students Choose Bielefeld University?

The biggest reason to go for the Bielefeld University admissions is that Indian students have to pay zero tuition fee here, which means you get a degree from a university that is known for its research output. Only a semester fee of EUR 333.65 (INR 36.7K) per semester is required to study here.

Given below are the other reasons why Indian students should choose Bielefeld University -

  • The Bielefeld University ranking of #710 in the best global universities (US News 2026)
  • English-taught Master's programs
  • A well-established Indian community
  • A single building campus (300,000 ) with all the facilities like 13 faculties, Mensa, student union, labs and libraries
  • Recognized expertise in subjects like CS, Physics, Neuroscience, Sociology and more
  • Strong graduate outcomes and a Post-Study Work visa of 18 months in Germany, leading to an EU Blue Card

Bielefeld University, also known as the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, is a major public research university in the German city of Bielefeld. It was founded in 1969.

(EUR 1 = 108.94)

Bielefeld University Facts

There are around 23,000 students enrolled at Bielefeld across 14 faculties and 139 Bielefeld University courses. Most of the courses are German-taught and would require Indian students to have B2 level proficiency (TestDaf). The Bielefeld University QS Ranking is #1001 globally in 2027.

Look at the table given below for the facts about Blelefeld -

Parameter Details

Official Name

Universität Bielefeld (Bielefeld University)

Type

Public research university, state-funded by North Rhine-Westphalia

Founded

1969 (as a "reform university")

Location

Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany

Student Enrolment

Approximately 23,000 to 24,255 students across 14 faculties and 139 programmes

Faculties

13 faculties (restructured to 14 with the addition of the School of Public Health)

Degree Programmes

139 total programmes: 74 Bachelor's, 64 Master's, plus doctoral programmes

Teaching Languages

Mostly German, 30+ programmes with significant English-language content

Tuition Fee

No tuition fee for all enrolled students, including Indian nationals

Semester Contribution (WS 2026/27)

Approximately €333.65 per semester (INR 36,700)

NRW Semester Ticket

Included in the semester contribution, provides unlimited public transport across NRW

QS World Ranking 2027

#1001 to 1200 globally

THE World Ranking

#201 to 250 globally

CHE Ranking Strengths

Top-performing subjects in Germany: Mathematics, Computer Science, Sociology, Physics, and Neuroscience

Application System

uni-assist (VPD) + Bielefeld University application portal

Official Website

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de

International Office

internationaloffice@uni-bielefeld.de

Don't miss the APS update for dMAT in 2026 -

Do you need Studiekolleg? Check out here -

Bielefeld University Scholarships for Indian Students 2026

The students can apply for Bielefeld University scholarships like DAAD or Deutschlandstipendium. These fund the living expenses while they study in Germany. For DAAD, the applicants should apply 10 to 12 months before their target intake.

The table given below shows important info on Germany scholarships for Indian students -

Scholarship / Programme

Value

How to Apply

Deadline

DAAD Scholarships (Various Programmes)

EUR 861 to 1,200/month (INR 93.5K–130.3K/month) + additional benefits

Apply via daad.de or DAAD India; requirements vary by programme

Typically October–December for the following Winter Semester intake

Deutschlandstipendium

EUR 300/month (INR 32.6K/month) for up to 12 months

Contact Bielefeld University's Scholarships Office; nominations are coordinated by the university

Usually March–April for the following academic year

PROMOS (DAAD Short-Term Mobility Programme)

EUR 200–600/month (INR 21.7K–65.2K/month) + possible travel allowance

Apply through the Bielefeld International Office

Semester-specific; typically January and July

Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS)

Approx. EUR 850/month (INR 92.3K/month) + additional benefits

Direct application via kas.de; university support letter may strengthen the application

15 January (Winter Round) and 15 July (Summer Round)

Wanna know more about Germany scholarships like Deutschlandstipendium? Watch a quick video on the same -

Bielefeld University Courses

Many German universities, like Bielefeld University, have the NC restricted courses where the competition is high and Indian students need a really good application. The other ones are the non-NC courses where the applicants get an offer surely if they meet all the Bielefeld University eligibility requirements. There are 74 Bachelor's and 64 master's courses at this university.

Bielefeld University Popular Courses

The Blelefeld University English-taught courses include the MSc in Data Science, MA World Studies, MSc Computer Science and more which are quite popular among Indian students. All the Bachelor courses are German-taught at Bielefield.

Take a took at the table given below to know more -

Bielefeld Courses

Language

NC Status (WS 2026/27)

MSc Data Science

German/English

NC (restricted)

MSc Public Health

German

NC (restricted)

MA World Studies

English

Restricted (selection procedure)

MSc Computer Science

German/English

Varies by track

MSc Bioinformatics

English/German

Non-NC

BSc Computer Science

German

NC

BSc Mathematics

German

Non-NC

BSc Sociology

German

Non-NC

Bielefeld University Career Outcomes and Post-Study Work Visa

Bielefeld is a recognised German University which opens access to Germany's 18-month post-study work visa, allowing students to stay, look for and work for any employer. The location of North Rhine-Westphalia is advantageous for Indian students.

The starting average salary range for Master's grads in Computer Science, Data Science or Engineering typically ranges from EUR 45,000 to EUR 60,000 (INR 48.9L to INR 65.2L) gross per year. This is a crazy ROI for Indian students due to the zero tuition fee.

(EUR 1 = INR 108.65)

Look at the table for more info -

Sector

Example Employers / Regions

IT & Data Science

Bertelsmann, SAP (NRW offices), Deutsche Telekom IT, regional software and technology Mittelstand companies

Health & Public Health

Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA), NRW Ministry of Health, WHO, international NGOs

Industrial & Process Engineering

Phoenix Contact, Miele (Gütersloh), Claas (Harsewinkel), Weidmüller

Finance & Economics

Deutsche Bank, Allianz, DZ Bank, regional employers in Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund

Research & Academia

Bielefeld University (CITEC Excellence Cluster), Fraunhofer Institutes, Max Planck Society, DFG-funded research projects

Did you know? You can get an EU Blue Card (giving you access to work in any EU country) within 21 months if your salary is above EUR 45,300 (INR 49.2L) for the shortage occupations in Germany. The other requirement is to have the B1 German fluency.

Still confused about the EU Bluecard. We've got you covered with this quick video -

Bielefeld Univer Cost of Studies for Indian Students

The Bielefeld University tuition fee should not be a concern for Indian students because there is none. This is not a scholarship or a fee waiver; it is simply how German public universities work. This semester fee of EUR 333.65 (INR 36.7K) includes the NRW Semester Ticket, which gives students an unlimited public transport pass covering trains, buses and trams in all of North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany's largest state),

The tuition fee is zero, but students need to pay for living expenses, which can be around EUR 1K to EUR 1.4K (INR 1.08L to INR 1.52L).

Look at the table given below -

Fee / Cost Item

Amount (2026)

Tuition Fee

EUR 0 (INR 0)

Semester Contribution (WS 2026/27)

EUR 333.65 (INR 36.2K) per semester

NRW Semester Ticket

Included in EUR 333.65 (INR 36.2K)

Rent - Studierendenwerk Dorm (Single Room)

EUR 250 to 380 (INR 27.2K to 41.3K) per month

Rent - Private WG (Shared Flat, Bielefeld)

EUR 400 to 550 (INR 43.4K to 59.7K) per month

(EUR 1 = INR 108.86)

Do I Need a Bklocked Account for Bielefeld University?

Yes, Indian students need a blocked account showing an amount of EUR 11,904 (INR 12.95L). This is the student's money released in monthly installments of EUR 992 (INR 1 L) or living expenses.

Introduction

Major Update on getting APS for Indian PG Students: Applicants applying for APS Certificate after Jun 29, 2026, cannot go for it directly. They have to take a dMAT (Digital Master Test) in case their bachelor's is in Engineering, Accounting, Finance, Economics or Business. 

Given below are the Bielefeld University application deadlines for Indian students - 

  • Winter Semester 2026/27: Jul 15, 2026 (NC Courses)
  • Summer Semester 2027: Jan 15, 2026 (NC Courses)
  • Master's Courses 2026/27: Oct 15, 2026 (non-NC courses)

Don't forget to check out the video given below to understand what NC and non-NC courses are - 

 

 

Bielefeld University Admissions 2026

To apply for admission at Bielefeld University, Indian students need to apply via the uni-Assist portal (Germany's centralized foreign credential verification body), which will issue a Preliminary Review Documentation (VPD) before applying via the Bielefeld University application portal. The APS certificate is another requirement that is mandatory for Indian applicants and comes before starting the uni-assist VPD process and the German student visa application.

Update: The APS applications made after Jun 29, 2026, will require Indian PG students to sit for dMAT, for which the registration fee is EUR 150 (INR 16.3K).

Bielefeld University Application Deadlines 2026

For the Winter Semester 2026/27, 136 Bienefeld courses are open for admission with the primary deadline of Jul 15, 2026 for NC-restricted courses and the non-NC courses have a deadline of Oct 15, 2026. This university has two main intakes - Winter Semester (starting October) and the Summer semester (Starting in April).

Look at the table below for Bielefeld University application deadlines -

Intake

Semester Start

uni-assist VPD Deadline

University Application Deadline

Enrolment Deadline

Winter Semester 2026/27

October 2026

Closed

July 15, 2026 (NC programmes)

Oct 15, 2026 (Non-NC programmes)

Summer Semester 2027

April 2027

Nov 19, 2026 (8 weeks before 15 January)

Jan 15, 2027 (NC programmes)

Apr 15, 2027 (Non-NC programmes)

Master's (NC) - WS 2026/27

October 2026

Apply to Uni-Assist as early as possible

Jul 15, 2026

As stated in admission letter

Master's (Non-NC) - WS 2026/27

October 2026

Apply to Uni-Assist as early as possible

Oct 15, 2026

As stated in admission letter

Critical for Indian Students: The uni-assist portal requires the documents at least 8 weeks before the Bielefeld application deadline. To apply by Jan 15, 2027, applicants should submit their APS certificate by Nov 19, 2026.

Don't forget to check this out -

Bielefeld university Ranking 2027

The Bielefeld university is considered to be one of the top universities nationally. According to the Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Bielefeld University ranking stands at #49 in 2026 at the national level. Also, the university is ranked #539 in the world by Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026. Moreover, a few of the Bielefeld University courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking as mentioned below-

Bielefeld university Course Name Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026 (Country)
M.A. #16
Others PG #48
MS #43

By Other Ranking Bodies

Apart from the Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. It ranks Bielefeld University at #1001 in 2027. Bielefeld University ranking stood at #710 as per US News in 2026 and #701 by ARWU in 2025, globally.

Pro Tip For Indian Students: For German universities, Indian students should not only look for QS World Rankings but also the CHE Hochschulranking, which is the most detailed domestic rankings in Germany. This is the one that German Recruiters and counselors actually use. In these rankings, Blelefeld University regularly appears in the top group nationally for subjects like CS, Physics, Neuroscience, Mathematics and Sociology. Here Bielefeld generally outperforms many QS-ranked German universities.

Bielefeld university Campus Life

The Bielefeld University campus is not like any other major Geraman universities as it houses all 13 faculties, the central library, Mensa (student canteen), the sports centre, theatre and so much more under the same interconnected roof. This building covers an area of around 38 acres. The facilities offered are very modern after the renovation, worth EUR 1 billion+. The students now have access to updated labs, new study spaces and a canteen (Mensa) with more vegetarian and food options.

The most practical benefit here is that the students never have to go outside in the North German Winter for anything; they have everything under one building, from lecture halls and library to club activities and gym.

Campus Life

For Indian students, the Bielefeld University campus life can be a nice experience where they get a growing Indian community, Indian grocery stores, restaurants and more. The Indian Students Association organises Diwali and Holi celebrations annually. Look at the other components of the campus life at this university -

  • International Office runs a Brother-Sister Programme in which they pair a new International student with the old one for their first semester
  • There is a PunktUm counselling centre on campus offering dedicated suppor for international students on visa, accomodation and personal issues.

Common questions

Is Bielefeld University a good university for Indian students?

Yes, Bielefeld University is a good university for Indian students due to its public research university status with zero tuition fees. The other reasons include its strong subject rankings in subjects like CS, Mathematics, Sociology, Physics and Public Health. 

There are English-taught courses (30+) and a dedicated international office that has been handling Indian students for over two decades now.  

What is Bielefeld University known for academically?

Bielefeld University is genuinely known for interdisciplinary research and top-10 national rankings in subjects like Mathematics, Computer Science, Sociology, Physics and Neuroscience. 

Also, it is Germany's the largest provider of public health courses and one of the few German universities with a dedicated school of Public Health

Is Bielefeld University ranked in QS?

Yes, the Bielefeld University rankings appear in the QS World University Ranking 2027 and it places it in the band of #1001 to #1200

This university does significantly better in the Times Higher Education Rankings 2026, in the band of #201 to #250

In Germany, there is the CHE Hochschulranking for the Bielefeld courses like CS and Mathematics

Does Bielefeld University charge tuition fees for Indian students?

No, Bielefeld University is a public university in Germany that charges zero tuition fee from Indian students

These students are only required to pay a semester fee of around EUR 333.65 (INR 36.3K) for the Winter Semester 2026/27. 

This fee includes a full-semester NRW public transport pass.

When does the application for Bielefeld University Winter Semester 2026/27 close?

The Bielefeld University application deadlines are based on the kind of courses offered. For NC-restricted courses, the admission deadline is Jul 15, 2026 which is about to close. 

For the open admission courses, the applications are possible till Oct 15, 2026. Indian students applying should be mindful of the application deadlines due to the high processing times

Does Bielefeld University use uni-assist for Indian applicants?

Yes, for the Bielefeld University admissions, almost all international applicants with non-German qualifications need to first submit a VPD (preliminary review documentation) application by using the uni-assist portal. 

It should happen 8 weeks before the university's own deadline. The APS certificate is required as part of the uni-assist application for Indian students. 

After getting a VPD, the students should directly apply via the university application portal

Is there a Summer Semester intake at Bielefeld University?

Yes, Bielefeld University accepts applications for both the Winter semester (October start) and the Summer semester (April start)

The Summer semester deadline for the NC courses at Bielefeld is Jan 15, 2027, for the 2027 intake. The students should note that fewer programs open new cohorts in the Summer semester for Indian students

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