HTW Berlin - University of Applied Sciences

HTW Berlin offers over 70 study programmes in the areas of technology, computing, business, culture and design. It is the largest university of applied sciences in Berlin. Subjects range from classical disciplines such as mechanical engineering, automotive engineering and business administration to new and innovative study programmes such as facility management, economic policy and game design.

Rankings regularly confirm the high level of education provided by HTW Berlin. Great importance is attached to foreign languages and key qualifications such as presentation skills. To facilitate the transition into working life, the university’s Career Services department also offers specially developed training courses. Students wishing to complete part of their studies abroad have plenty of opportunities to choose from. HTW Berlin actively collaborates with 140 universities worldwide and has an established network of cooperation partnerships.

Research is a core task of HTW Berlin and a key success factor. Research activities connect the university with the professional world, scientific networks and companies, simultaneously guaranteeing a high level of quality in our study programmes and teaching. HTW Berlin’s researchers contribute their ideas, expertise and contacts to over 150 third-party funded research projects every year. Covering a wide variety of topics, these projects are generally carried out in cooperation with partners from industry. Many projects are specifically geared towards meeting the innovation needs of individual companies and industries or the development potential of the region.

The research agenda also includes topics that bundle a wide variety of specialist expertise and skills. It is only through interdisciplinary teams that integrated strategies can be developed, for example for a climate-friendly transformation of our energy supply, improved healthcare system, meeting the challenges of an aging society or the digitalisation of culture and society.

HTW Berlin is a comparatively young institution. In 2014 it celebrated its twentieth anniversary as an independent university of applied sciences.

The historical roots of today’s university of applied sciences can be traced back to the German Empire. In 1874, the "Fachschule für Dekomponieren, Komponieren und Musterzeichnen" (school of engineering and technical drawing) was established. Predecessor institutions of HTW Berlin include the Ingenieurhochschule Berlin (Berlin engineering school) of the GDR, which was founded in 1948. It became part of the Fachhochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft in October 1991. During this foundation phase, the university also took over the buildings and property of the former Hochschule für Ökonomie (HfÖ – College of Economics) in Berlin-Karlshorst.

Our university gears its study programmes and teaching towards a society and working world that is constantly undergoing a process of change. Ecological and social problems are therefore an integral part of the university's educational mandate. HTW Berlin’s work reflects this in applied research and teaching. We have a clear duty to continually develop our study programmes.

HTW Berlin uses the diversity of its study programmes in an interdisciplinary manner. Teaching staff and students are committed to delivering stimulating study programmes with a focus on technical and social skills.

Teaching staff and students cooperate with partners at other universities, in industry, administrations, culture and society.

The standards, expertise and responsibility that define HTW Berlin are embodied by our graduates and staff.

The quality of teaching and research is our most important goal. We integrate the results of research and teaching into our work.

Communication with each other and externally is based on transparency and openness, participation and cooperation. All members of our university are obliged to uphold these principles.

Ensuring equal rights for all genders is a key task of HTW Berlin.

Our university is part of a network of international cooperation partnerships which is actively maintained through exchange between students and teaching staff and through joint research and education projects.

As a university located in the State of Berlin, HTW Berlin serves the interests of regional development by contributing its research and developments as well as through the transfer of knowledge and technology. HTW Berlin actively promotes innovation.

A critical dialogue is an elementary part of how we perceive ourselves as a university. Our Mission Statement is therefore subject to a continual process of review and development on the basis of further discussion.

HTW Berlin formulated its mission statement in 1999. It is the result of a dialogue-based process in which students, teaching staff and employees of the university agreed on ten key principles for working together.

HTW Berlin cooperates with regional and international institutions as well as key players in the areas of science, business, management and culture. As a research partner, HTW Berlin is involved in numerous education, culture and regional infrastructure projects as well as development initiatives and economic development programmes.

HTW Berlin projects are directly related to the practice world and are developed in close cooperation with authorities, organisations and companies. The research projects often result in inventions and patents.

KONTAKT serves at the central point of contact for all cooperation enquiries. It connects people with the right experts at the university and helps to get collaborative research activities off to a flying start.

HTW Berlin holds numerous events and fairs relating to science and research every year. All HTW Berlin projects are presented in the university’s online research catalogue. Publications, scientific lectures and events can also be filtered and viewed according to scientific field or industry. The “Beiträge und Positionen” series (Papers and Positions) explores current research focus areas that scientists are currently working on at the university.

HTW Berlin students are familiarised with the needs of the practice world through internships, application-based degree theses and interdisciplinary projects. Working in interdisciplinary teams, they develop creative solutions and bring back their findings to the university.

The career and alumni portal of HTW Berlin connects students, alumni and companies. HTW Berlin actively stays in contact with its alumni in order to learn from the experience they gain while working in practice – whether as mentors or through a teaching position.

The Career Service facilitates contact between students/alumni and companies. The Start-up Competence Centre provides advice on the subject of starting up a business.

HTW Berlin is committed to using its pool of knowledge and expertise to promote regional development and takes its ecological and social responsibilities very seriously.

HTW Berlin maintains cooperation partnerships with workshops for the disabled. The university has received two integration awards in recognition of its activities in this area.

Service Learning offers students at HTW Berlin the opportunity to do voluntary work and receive accreditation as part of their study programme. The CSR programme encourages students to get involved in charitable study projects. There are also a number of student initiatives to support ecological projects or social engagement.