Witten is a mid-sized city in the Ruhr area and home to Witten/Herdecke University - Germany's oldest private university. Over 10 programmes in medicine, dentistry, psychology, nursing science, and philosophy are available. This reform university champions unique pedagogical approaches and the Studium fundamentale.
Witten is a mid-sized city of around 97,000 residents in the south-eastern Ruhr area – and home to Witten/Herdecke University. Founded in 1982, it is Germany's oldest private university. Over 10 programmes in medicine, dentistry, psychology, nursing science, philosophy, and business are available. Around 3,000 students study at an institution that deliberately takes a different approach to education.
What makes Witten/Herdecke University unique?
Witten/Herdecke is a reform university with a pedagogical philosophy that is unique in Germany. Small seminars, personal mentoring, and the mandatory Studium fundamentale – an interdisciplinary programme covering art, philosophy, and society – define the student experience.
Medicine and dentistry without NC
Witten: Medicine, psychology and philosophy at Germany's oldest private university
Witten/Herdecke University offers human medicine and dentistry as Staatsexamen programmes – without a Numerus Clausus. Selection is based on a multi-stage process with interviews, group tasks, and a trial study day. The medical programme is patient-oriented and clinically focused from an early stage.
Studium fundamentale: Beyond your main subject
All students take courses in the Studium fundamentale alongside their main programme: philosophy, art, music, theatre, or societal reflection. The aim is personal growth alongside academic excellence – a concept that sets Witten/Herdecke apart from all other German universities.
Psychology and nursing science
Beyond medicine, Witten/Herdecke offers psychology (B.Sc./M.Sc.) and nursing science. The psychology programmes are clinically oriented and provide a pathway to clinical licensure. Nursing science targets qualified nurses seeking academic further education.
What does it cost to study and live in Witten?
Witten is in the Ruhr area and ranks among the more affordable cities in North Rhine-Westphalia. The cost of living index is 60 (Numbeo). Monthly total costs (excluding tuition) range between €680 and €850. Tuition at Witten/Herdecke can be deferred through the reverse generational contract.
Rent and housing
A room in a shared flat costs between €300 and €400 per month on average. Housing in Witten itself is limited. Many students live in Bochum, Dortmund, or Hattingen and commute by S-Bahn.
Tip: Witten/Herdecke's reverse generational contract lets you defer tuition fees until after graduation, with repayments based on your income. This removes the financial barrier during your studies.
Sample monthly budget
- Rent (shared flat): €350
- Health insurance: €110
- Public transport: €35
- Groceries & household: €200
- Leisure & culture: €70
- Total: approx. €765 per month (excluding tuition fees)
What are the admission requirements at Witten/Herdecke?
Witten/Herdecke admits students without an NC. The selection process is multi-stage: online application, selection day with interviews, group tasks, and a trial study day. For medicine, additional science-related tasks are included. Personality and motivation count at least as much as grades.
International applicants
Some programmes at Witten/Herdecke include English-language components, but most teaching – especially medicine – is in German (C1 level required). Verify your school-leaving certificate at anabin.kmk.org. The Ruhr area's diverse economy offers career opportunities across healthcare, consulting, and industry.
How can you finance your studies at Witten/Herdecke?
Witten/Herdecke offers the reverse generational contract: you repay tuition fees after graduation, based on your income over a fixed period. If your income falls below a threshold, you pay less or nothing. BAföG is also available (maximum €934/month). Scholarships from the StudierendenGesellschaft and external foundations complement these options.
Frequently asked questions about Witten/Herdecke University
Under the reverse generational contract, you repay tuition fees only after graduation and starting your career – income-based over a fixed period. If your income is below a certain threshold, you pay less or nothing. This model removes financial risk during your studies.
Yes. Witten/Herdecke does not select by NC. The admission process includes interviews, group tasks, and a trial study day. Personality, motivation, and social competence are decisive – not just your grade point average.
Witten is centrally located in the Ruhr area. By S-Bahn, you reach Bochum in 10 minutes and Dortmund in 20 minutes. The VRR ticket covers the entire Ruhr region – giving you access to culture, nightlife, and the job market of a metropolitan area with over 5 million people.
The Studium fundamentale is a mandatory programme for all students. You choose courses in art, philosophy, music, theatre, or societal reflection. The goal is personal development beyond your main subject – a defining feature of Witten/Herdecke University.
Picture above: Johannes Buldmann - Universität WittenHerdecke gGmbH, CC BY-SA 4.0
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