Current Student Numbers: TU Dortmund University’s International Profile is Growing

Although the large cohorts that graduated from high school in the 2010s are now completing their university degrees across the country, the total number of students at TU Dortmund University remains at a high level. This year, a particularly large proportion of the approximately 5,000 new students have enrolled in the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration and Economics, which this time was not subject to admission restrictions: Around 560 new students have commenced their studies in this subject. One in four students at TU Dortmund University, or 7,272 in total, are enrolled in a teacher training program. About 9 percent more new students than in the previous year have opted for a teacher training program for primary school education. The demand for teacher training for grammar school education remains stable, while other types of schools are experiencing an overall decline.

The proportion of students from other countries has risen this year to 21.6 percent – an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to the previous year. At 43 percent, the proportion of students with an international background is even higher in the Master’s programs (excluding teaching degrees). “I’m delighted that the number of international students continues to grow,” said TU President Professor Manfred Bayer. “Internationalization is part of the university culture we actively practice at TU Dortmund University.” To reflect this development and train the next generation of international experts, the university has introduced four further English-taught Master’s programs this winter semester. One example is the specialization “Biopharmaceutical Engineering” at the Department of Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, for which 23 students have enrolled. The European M.Sc. in “Mechanics of Sustainable Materials and Structures” – the second multiple-degree program at TU Dortmund University funded by the EU within the Erasmus Mundus program – is now in its second year, and the number of students has already increased to 45.

Outlook for 2026

Universities in North Rhine-Westphalia are expecting significantly fewer new students in the next academic year. The reason for this is the return to the Abitur (the German university entrance qualification) after nine years of grammar school education (G9) instead of eight years (G8) as was previously the case. This will result in less high school graduates in North Rhine-Westphalia in 2026: The Ministry for Schools and Education predicts that the number will fall from 66,000 to 22,000. However, not all new students are recent high school graduates. This means there will be excellent opportunities for school students from previous years who are interested in going to university, as well as for applicants from other federal states and abroad, to obtain a place of their choice at TU Dortmund University.

Contact for queries: