Mission & Vision
In recent years, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has developed into an international institution. With a proportion of international students and students with a non-German university entrance qualification of higher than the national average (over 30%), this reflects the appeal and quality of the programmes offered/available, which comprise numerous study programmes conducted in English and internationally oriented study programmes.
With the growing offer of English-taught and internationally oriented study programmes, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has become considerably more attractive to international students in recent years. The campus offers an open and inclusive atmosphere, where a genuine welcoming culture is the norm.
A key priority for Fulda University of Applied Sciences is to prepare all students as well as possible for the challenges of a globalised world and to equip them with the necessary international competencies. To this end, the university offers a wide range of periods abroad as well as funding options at numerous partner universities in Europe and globally.
Membership of the European University Alliance E³UDRES² means greater international visibility for Fulda University of Applied Sciences; at the same time, the university is committed to achieving the alliance’s objectives and to involving all members of the university community in this process.
To ensure students are fully prepared for their university studies, the International Office offers programs such as ‘Pre-Study Fulda’ and ‘Pre-College’ – the only program of its kind in Hesse – which provide participants with intensive language and subject-specific preparation.
To counteract the shortage of skilled workers, the university cooperates closely with regional employers, who can get to know international students as potential skilled workers.
Fulda University of Applied Sciences has reviewed and revised its internationalisation strategy and initiatives, including as part of its participation in the HRK re-audit on ‘Internationalisation of Higher Education Institutions’. The objectives and measures are set out in the internationalisation strategy.
- a high proportion of foreign students (2019: 11%)
- an above-average number of international study programmes, in which 17.5% of all students are enrolled
- international short programmes such as the International Summer and Winter University or the specialisation International Course in Social Work
- a comprehensive range of pre-study programmes (preparatory programmes)
- an above-average proportion of outgoing mobility (Erasmus: 8-9% in the last 10 years)
- several third-party funded projects with international appeal
- In the areas of doctoral training and the internationalisation of research, Fulda University of Applied Sciences plays a pioneering role among HAWs/FHs.
- As a campus university, Fulda University of Applied Sciences has the advantage of short distances and a familiar atmosphere with very good personal contact between students and professors. At the same time, Fulda is a very safe city with a very high quality of life and good transport connections.
- Very good contacts to stakeholders in the city and region
Strategic and concrete goals 2026-2031
Four strategic overarching goals are pursued, each of which is assigned a number of concrete objectives:
Students at the HFD should be aware of and make use of the various opportunities for studying abroad (semester-long and short-term stays), as well as the relevant exchange and scholarship programmes
The scholarship funding secured for periods abroad should be maintained at least at the 2024 level
Opportunities for participation and mobility within the European University Alliance E³UDRES² are to be publicised and utilised across the university; mobility within the E³UDRES² partner universities is to be given strategic priority
Mobility windows have been established in every study programme, and the recognition of credits earned abroad has been streamlined
Interaction between international and German students at Fulda University of Applied Sciences is to be actively supported, in particular through the university’s own projects, formats and initiatives
The aim is to facilitate student mobility and increase the number of students going abroad
Opportunities for participation and mobility within the European University Alliance E³UDRES² are to be publicised and utilised across the university
Erasmus+-funded stays at E³UDRES² partner universities are to be given priority support
The visibility and strategic use of scholarship programmes should be increased; these include, in particular, scholarship programmes from the DAAD, Erasmus+ and the DFG
University-wide international networks and memberships should be utilised strategically, e.g. within the DHIK or EURASHE
Scholarships offered by internal and external stakeholders for international programs, such as the International Summer and Winter University, should be utilised strategically
The network of partnerships with foreign universities is being strategically expanded and consolidated
The HFD is committed to providing funding for persecuted and refugee students and researchers
The aim is to increase the number of international researchers and those with international experience
Administrative structures are to be better adapted to the needs and challenges faced by international members of the university
Staff in the departments, administration and central facilities are to further develop their language, international and intercultural competencies
Topics and university strategies relating to diversity, anti-discrimination, sustainability and digitisation / digitalisation are taken into account in the internationalisation process and are closely interlinked with it
The HFD exerts an open and international influence on the region, its enterprises and organisations, as well as on regional and global society
The HFD is committed to increasing the supply of student accommodation and supports initiatives by the Giessen Student Services Organisation, the City of Fulda and private investors to provide affordable housing
Welcome services and administrative support structures for international students and researchers will be further improved, rolled out across the university and made more visible
The proportion of students with a non-German university entrance qualification is to be maintained at the high level of at least 25 per cent
The advisory services and support structures for prospective international students and current international students will be further strengthened, expanded and made visible across the university
Project-based preparatory schemes are to be continued, e.g. ‘Pre-College’ or the DAAD ‘FIT’ project in collaboration with the International Career Service
International students should have the opportunity to acquire German language skills (at least A2 level) during their university studies
Teaching at Fulda University of Applied Sciences should be better tailored to the increasingly diverse international student body
The International Office’s key international marketing initiatives are being systematically pursued
Here you will find the internationalisation strategy as a PDF file.
European Policy Statement (EPS)
Fulda University of Applied Sciences has received the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) 2021-2027
Erasmus Code: D FULDA01
Organisation ID (OID): E10206200
Internationalisation plays a key role in the future success of academia and will become a key element in shaping Fulda University’s profile as it continues to develop over the coming years. Read more here "Planned strategic objectives through participation in the Erasmus program in line with our overall internationalisation strategy"
Fulda University of Applied Sciences aims to encourage widespread participation in the Erasmus Actions in order to derive the maximum benefit from the program. This can only be achieved by raising the profile of the Erasmus Actions across the institution; therefore, departments, other relevant units and the university board must be more closely involved. Read more on “Implementation of Erasmus Actions and contribution to achieving the objectives of our institutional strategy”
Read more on "Impact of participation in the Erasmus Program"
Contact person
Julia-Sophie Rothmann Head of the International Office
internationalisation strategy • university partnerships • funding programmes • fundamental questions international students and refugees • international marketing
Contact person
María Campuzano Deputy Head of International Office
Erasmus Institutional Coordinator • Bilateral Agreements • Erasmus Student and Staff Mobility • Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility