Study in Dortmund
March 7, 2012
The Technical University Dortmund has contributed a lot to the city's re-orientation. Logistics, information technology and microtechnology are the sectors that are expected to take Dortmund into a new era. The university's reputable courses are natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, cultural studies and journalism. Its statistics degree is unique in Germany.
The Technical University Dortmund works closely together with the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences, which offers seven study areas, from design and economics to mechanical engineering. A highlight of studying in Dortmund is the multidisciplinary nature of the courses and the strong focus on practical application. Construction engineering students, for example, work closely together with architecture students and IT students. Some master's degree courses are taught in English.
In 2007, the Technical University formed an alliance with the neighboring universities of Bochum and Duisburg-Essen called Universitaetsallianz Metropole Ruhr or UAMR. These three institutions, while remaining independent, choose to work together on developing a common focus in various areas of research and teaching, while still specializing in different subjects. Thanks to geographical proximity, students are able to attend lectures at all three universities.
Practical experience just around the corner
A renowned technology park was established not far from the Technical University in 1988, with 283 different companies and around 8,500 employees. This gives the students a lot of internship and research opportunities, as well as the chance to start their own businesses.
Every November, students organize the Konaktiva Dortmund job fair - the largest of its kind in the Rhine-Ruhr area. Under the motto "students meet companies," some important corporate contacts can be made here.
Not a ghost town
The Technical University might be situated in a green field on the city's outskirts, but it's still only six minutes by train from Dortmund's main station. Those who don't like walking also have the option of taking a ride on the Hochbahn, an elevated urban railway. Every ten minutes, the sky-blue carriages glide between the campus stations Campus Nord, Campus Sued and the student apartments in Eichlinghofen.
Around three quarters of the students commute daily between home and the university. In the evenings, people seem to suddenly disappear from the campus. But the surrounding city district with shops, bars, restaurants and student apartments prevents the place from turning into a ghost town. Also, the various student bodies and the Students' Union Executive Committee AStA organize regular parties. The highlight is the annual campus party, when the university opens its doors to the general public for all-night celebrations.
New foreign students can take advantage of the "come2campus" program organized by the Academic Foreign Office. This involves older students helping new ones to adjust to their new environment and answering all their questions.
Author: Suzanne Cords