With almost 13,000 students, The Hochschule Niederrhein (HSNR) is one of the largest universities in Germany.
Nevertheless, our students benefit from manageable study groups and a good student-to-staff ratio.
HSNR has 9 faculties spread across three locations in the neighbouring cities of Krefeld and Faculties in Mönchengladbach.
There is a wide range of academic and non-academic activities on offer for our students at all locations.
HSNR offers a wide range of BA and MA degree programmes with a practical focus.
Many of our German-language degree programmes include modules taught in English, which can be selected by exchange students.
Incoming exchange students can also choose individual project modules or write their thesis at HSNR provided both host and home university approve.
We offer four degree programmes taught in English and an international minor:
If you have any questions about the content of the individual degree programmes, please contact our respective coodinator within our faculties.
The international student community GLOBUS regularly organises networking meetings and exchange activities.
The university sports centre also offers a wide range of different sports.
The HSNR is also very conveniently located: excursions to Düsseldorf, Cologne or Aachen can easily be made by public transport.
Your university nominates you for one or two exchange semesters at HSNR by sending an e-mail to inboundexchange(at)hs-niederrhein.de.
Details required for a successful nomination:
Study period (1 or 2 semesters)
Please note the following nomination deadlines:
Your university nominates you for one or two exchange semesters at HSNR by sending an e-mail to inboundexchange(at)hs-niederrhein.de.
Details required for a successful nomination:
Please note the following nomination deadlines:
A nomination by the home university is not necessary in this case.
Students who would like to come to HSNR as a freemover for one or two exchange semesters can contact HSNR's international office directly.
Once the home university as well as HSNR have agreed upon a freemover arrangement, students will be able to apply via HSNR's online application tool.
Please note the following deadlines for a freemover arrangement:
Once we have received and accepted your nomination, we will send you a link to our online application portal.
Please note the following application deadlines:
This video tutorial explains the essential steps of the application via Mobility Online.
After a successful application, we will provide you with further information by e-mail.
Once we have received and accepted your nomination, we will send you a link to our online application portal.
Please note the following application deadlines:
This video tutorial explains the essential steps of the application via Mobility Online.
After a successful application, we will provide you with further information by e-mail.
Once your stay at HSNR has been coordinated with your home university, we will provide you with a link to the application portal.
Please note the following application deadlines:
This video tutorial explains the essential steps of the application via Mobility Online.
After a successful application, we will send you further information by e-mail.
When logging on to Mobility Online for the first time, you will be asked to create your own account.
Then please fill in your personal data as well as information about your university and your degree programme.
Once you have uploaded all required documents (→ Application Step 2), we will review your application.
If your application has been submitted successfully, we will inform you and ask you to set up the Learning Agreement.
Please note that we reserve the right to reject applications that are incorrect or not submitted on time.
Please upload these documents as part of your application:
*For all German-taught degree programmes, you will rquire German language skills at level B2 CEFR (at least B1.2 CEFR at the time of application).
List of recognised certificates
For all English-taught degree programmes, you will require English language skills at level B2 CEFR (at least B1.2 CEFR at the time of application).
List of recognised certificates
Please either submit the relevant certificate or have your language level confirmed by a representative of your university.
ERASMUS+ studies
If your university works with EWP (Erasmus without paper), please complete the Learning Agreement (LA) in your university's online tool.
The LA will then be sent to HSNR and we will link it to your application in our tool.
If your university does not work with EWP, please contact us.
Students from non-EU countries or freemovers
Please complete the document that you will find in the download area and upload it to Mobility Online.
You can find the semester and lecture times on the Student Services website.
Our Welcome Day for international students and exchange students usually takes place on the last Friday before lectures start.
The exact date will be announced by the International Office on our events page.
HSNR Invitation Letter
Once your application and your Learning Agreement has been agreed upon, we will issue an Invitation Letter for all incoung exchange students coming from non-EU countries.
The InvitationLetter will be required in order to apply for a visa at the local embassy.
Further information
How do I get a student visa for Germany → FAQ Federal Foreign Office
Student visa for Germany → Studying in Germany
Visa regulations and types of visa → Study in Germany
The semester contribution for the winter semester 2025/2026 amounts to € 350.80
The amount includes:
€ 120.00 Social contribution for the Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf
€ 22.00 AStA - Allgemeiner Studierenden-Ausschuss (Students' union) contribution
€ 208.80 Semester ticket for public transport
For more information on the semester ticket please click here.
Health insurance in Germany
Please take out health insurance in Germany if you do not have a European Health Insurance Card.
Further information
Health insurance for international students in Germany → Studying in Germany
Once the Learning Agreement has been completed and we have issued your Acceptance Letter, we will proceed with registration as quickly as possible.
Prior to your enrolment, please submit prove of
Upon registration, you will receive data to create your student e-mail account and to access all HSNR online services.
HSNR has a limited number of rooms in a hall of residence in Krefeld and a hall of residence in Möchengladbach, both of which are run by the Studierendenwerk Düsseldorf.
If you have indicated to the Incoming Exchange Student Advisor that you need accommodation, we will forward you a link to the Studierendenwerk after you have completed your application.
You can register under the link and will be sent an activation link later. If you activate this link within 5 days, you will receive a rental offer for a room in one of the student halls.
If you are not allocated a room, we will support you in your search for accommodation by forwarding links to rental offers or corresponding networks.
The HSNR Language Centre offers free language courses during the semester.
Further information on our language centre
Please click here to see the courses on offer.
HSNR has developed an app to provide students with all details about their studies and campus life.
You can download the app here.
The introductory pages are currently only available in German, but the more detailed pages can often be switched to the English version.
If you have any questions regarding installing the app, we will be happy to help you at our Welcome Day.
You can find the current course catalogue here.
When setting up the Learning Agreement, it is helpful to use the course catalogue or the module manual of the respective degree programme.
However, please check again a few weeks before your stay at HSNR - when the new course catalogue is available - to make sure that all courses can be taken as desired. The international coordinators of the faculties can also help you here.
The HSNR Buddy Programme is an initiative of the International Office and brings new international students and exchange students together with experienced HSNR students.
In this way, HSNR newcomers receive support and helpful tips from students from higher semesters and find their way into everyday university life more quickly.
The Buddy Programme is run on a voluntary basis and is free of charge for international students.
Here you can send a message to David and Mitansh:
Schwalmstrasse 301 Monforts Quartier
Please arrange an appointment in advance.
by arrangement
By appointment via mail
by arrangement
by appointment (registration by e-mail)
by arrangement
By arrangement
The Hochschule Niederrhein has committed itself to this with its Code of Conduct. It has joined the "National Code of Conduct for Foreign Students at German Universities". The contents of the Code of Conduct are explained in the following brochure.
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