# Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences

The Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (Hochschule Bielefeld) is the largest state university of applied sciences in East Westphalia-Lippe. The main location of this educational institution is in Bielefeld. Other locations are in Minden and Gütersloh. The range of courses includes bachelor's and master's degree programs, as well as certificate programs in six subject areas. At present, 10,535 students are taught by 286 professors and teaching staff at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences, while 629 employees provide administrative support.

## History

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts was founded on August 1, 1971 as the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and was one of the first universities of applied sciences in Germany. It was created by the merger of several educational institutions, including the State Engineering School for Mechanical Engineering in Bielefeld, the Municipal Werkkunstschule Bielefeld, the Landeshauptmann-Salzmann-Schule & Higher Technical School for Social Work, the State Higher School of Economics Bielefeld and the State Engineering School for Civil Engineering Minden. The aim of this integration was to promote practice-oriented academic training in the region of East Westphalia-Lippe.
Prof. Dr. Germanus Wegmann was the first rector of the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences.
Over the years, the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences expanded its range of courses and opened additional locations in Minden and Gütersloh.
On April 19, 2023, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences was renamed “Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI)” to reflect its broad range of subjects and its claim to be a modern university of applied sciences.
Today, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts is the largest state university of applied sciences in East Westphalia-Lippe, with over 10,500 students, and offers a wide range of courses in six departments.

## Locations

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI) is located at three sites, each offering different focuses in research, teaching and practice. The main campus is in Bielefeld, while the additional campuses in Minden and Gütersloh offer specialized courses of study. This geographical distribution enables close links with the respective regional economic and research structures.

### Main Campus Bielefeld

The university's main campus is located in the Bielefeld-Altstadt district. This location is the center of the university and houses the majority of the departments, including engineering and mathematics, design, economics, and health and social services. The main building is modern and offers students and researchers state-of-the-art laboratories, lecture halls, and libraries.
A special feature of the main campus is its central location in Bielefeld, which makes it easy for students to participate in the cultural and social life of the city. The campus is easily accessible by public transportation. Interdisciplinary research projects and innovative teaching methods are implemented here, which strengthen the university's profile as a practice-oriented educational institution.

### Minden Campus

The Minden Campus is a specialized location of the Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts and focuses on the fields of architecture, civil engineering and supply engineering. Its proximity to the city of Minden and close cooperation with regional companies and institutions make this location particularly attractive for students seeking practical training in technical disciplines.
The campus offers modern laboratories and a sustainable infrastructure that emphasizes energy-efficient construction and innovative technologies. Students benefit from practical projects that are often carried out in cooperation with the regional construction industry. This makes the Minden campus an important center for securing skilled workers in the East Westphalia-Lippe region.

### Gütersloh Campus

The Gütersloh Campus specializes in dual study programs and offers a unique model in which students can gain practical experience in partner companies while studying. Degree programs such as production management, digital technologies and applied computer science are based here and are in close contact with regional industry.
The location is characterized by its strong network of leading companies in the region, which means that students benefit directly from their proximity to industry. The Gütersloh campus is particularly attractive for young people who are looking for a close connection between theory and practice and want to prepare for the demands of the modern working world.

## Faculties

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts is divided into six faculties, each offering a specific range of practice-oriented courses and research fields. The university's range of courses is supplemented by the Minden and Gütersloh campuses, which function as specialized campuses. The university's faculties are described in detail below:

### Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics

The Faculty of Engineering and Mathematics offers degree programs in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, mechatronics, industrial engineering, and mathematics. The practice-oriented education is complemented by modern laboratories, project work, and dual study programs. The main research areas are automation, sustainable energy technologies, and digitalization. Students benefit from close links with companies that support their practical training and subsequent professional integration.

### Faculty of Design and Art

In the Faculty of Design and Art, students can specialize in areas such as communication design, digital media, photography, fashion and textile design. This faculty combines artistic approaches with technological innovations such as virtual reality, 3D printing and digital media production. Regular project presentations, such as exhibitions or the “Jour Fixe”, promote students' creativity. International collaborations and exchange programs also provide a global perspective on design topics.

### Faculty of Business and Health

The Faculty of Business and Health combines business and health-related degree programs, including business administration, business psychology, health management, and social management. Students are prepared for challenges in business and healthcare, for example through practice-oriented projects and cooperation with companies and healthcare institutions. Research focuses include digitalization in healthcare, process optimization, and sustainable management.

### Faculty of Social Sciences

The Faculty of Social Sciences focuses on degree programs such as social work, special education, and education. In addition to a solid theoretical education, students gain practical insights through projects and internships in social institutions. Research focuses include topics such as social integration, inclusion, and child and youth services. The department plays a significant role in training professionals for social professions in the region and beyond.

### Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering

This faculty specializes in courses of study such as architecture and civil engineering. The practice-oriented teaching is complemented by modern laboratories and research projects that focus on sustainable construction, energy efficiency and innovative construction techniques. Close cooperation with regional companies and the construction industry enables students to gain practical experience at an early stage and to prepare themselves optimally for the job market.

### Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers degree programs in electrical engineering, applied computer science, and related disciplines. The research and teaching focus is on areas such as artificial intelligence, embedded systems, and automation technology. Students often work on interdisciplinary projects that combine technical and computer science approaches to develop innovative solutions.

## Research Priorities

Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI) aligns its research profile with global societal challenges and places particular emphasis on the areas of climate and energy, health, mobility and communication.
Within these subject areas, the HSBI combines its research activities in various institutes and research priorities.
An outstanding example is the research focus IFE – Interdisciplinary Research and Application Development in Environmental Informatics. This combines expertise from computer science, IT security, physics and measurement technology to contribute to the development of climate-friendly residential buildings. Research focuses on areas such as machine learning, applications of artificial intelligence, photovoltaic yield forecasts, energy and room climate monitoring, and IT security.
Another important research focus is AMMO – Applied Mathematical Modeling and Optimization. This is dedicated to the development of mathematical models and optimization methods for solving complex problems in various fields of application.
In addition, the School of Business addresses topics such as digital transformation, internationalization and sustainability/CSR. These strategic cornerstones complement the university's own research profile and promote the innovative development of the Ostwestfalen-Lippe region.
Through these diverse research priorities and activities, Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences and Arts is actively contributing to overcoming current and future social challenges.

## Accreditation

A special feature of HSBI is its system accreditation, which enables it to ensure and further develop the quality of its programs independently. The university is also certified as a family-friendly university and is committed to equal opportunities.

## Partnerships

The university places a strong emphasis on internationalization and maintains partnerships with over 150 universities worldwide. It also works with around 350 companies, particularly in the OWL region, to ensure practical training and research.