In the eastern part of North Rhine-Westphalia lies the city of Hamm and the small town of Lippstadt. In 2009, a practice-oriented university of applied sciences was established here: the University of Applied Sciences Hamm-Lippstadt (Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt). As part of Germany’s new generation of universities established to address the shortage of engineers, this young institution has swiftly carved out a place in the nation’s higher education landscape through modern teaching concepts, interdisciplinary curricula, and close industry partnerships.
📚 Faculties and Programs: Interdisciplinary Integration, Future-Oriented
The university’s programs are closely aligned with industry needs, emphasizing interdisciplinary integration and offering students diverse options from bachelor’s to master’s degrees. Order a German Degree
Undergraduate Programs include Applied Computer Science and Social Media, Economic Engineering, Energy Technology and Resource Optimization, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Biomedical Engineering, Sports and Health Care Engineering, and Visual Computing and Design. These programs are inherently interdisciplinary—for instance, Mechatronics integrates mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to equip students with skills for tackling complex technological challenges.
Master’s Programs offer even greater diversity and cutting-edge focus, including Biomedical Management and Marketing, Technology and Systems Management, Product and Asset Management, Technology Consulting and Management, Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Cross-Cultural Business Psychology. The “Technology Entrepreneurship and Innovation” program is specifically designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, combining technological innovation with business model thinking.
Notably, the undergraduate program in Electronic Engineering is taught entirely in English, attracting international students worldwide. Its curriculum covers electronic technology, computer science, and system design, laying a solid foundation for students to tackle complex technological challenges like Industry 4.0 and autonomous driving.
🧪 Research Strength and Innovation: Application-Oriented, Industry-Academia Collaboration
As an applied science university, Hamm-Lippstadt’s research focus is clear: application-oriented, industry-serving, and problem-solving.
All research projects share a common trait: interdisciplinarity. The university employs a unique organizational structure, allocating laboratory space based on task domains rather than individuals or departments. This approach breaks down traditional disciplinary barriers and fosters cross-disciplinary integration. This mechanism enables close collaboration among research teams in diverse fields such as biomedical technology, mechatronics, and energy technology.
Faculty performance in research funding is impressive. For instance, professors in the Applied Natural Sciences department at the Hamm campus receive an average of €6,700 in third-party research funding annually, while their counterparts in the Electronics and Information Engineering department at the Lippstadt campus secure €15,400. These funds, sourced from federal and state governments as well as corporate collaborations, are directly channeled into research closely aligned with industrial needs.
The university’s research priorities span: Autonomous Systems and Artificial Intelligence (autonomous driving, deep learning), Cyber-Physical Systems and the Internet of Things (Industry 4.0, smart homes), and Materials Science (sensor technology, analytical instruments). Additionally, the university operates the Institute for Sector Coupling, dedicated to energy transition and sustainability research, with solar systems covering a significant portion of its own energy needs.
The university maintains deep industry partnerships through collaborative platforms including the Fraunhofer SYMILA Applied Research Center, the Automotive Electronics Competence Center, the L-LAB Automotive Lighting Technology and Mechatronics Institute, and the E-LAB Automotive Electronics Institute.
🌍 International Cooperation and Exchange: Global Vision, Local Roots
Ham-Lippstadt University positions itself as “a university rooted in the region, thinking globally.” This philosophy is fully embodied in its practical actions.
The university maintains partnerships with institutions worldwide, enabling students to participate in overseas exchanges through the Erasmus program and various summer schools. Taking the Electronic Engineering program as an example, all modules are taught in English, attracting international students while enhancing graduates’ global employability.
The university also offers extensive intercultural support, including workshops, cross-cultural training, and diverse activities. These initiatives help international students integrate more effectively while strengthening intercultural competencies for all students. The Language Center offers courses in up to 13 languages, including English, French, German as a Foreign Language, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Russian, Japanese, Arabic, Turkish, Korean, German Sign Language, as well as preparation courses for Cambridge certificates and TOEFL.
The annual International Summer School stands out as a highlight of international collaboration. Open to students worldwide, the program costs €1,800 and includes courses, company visits, accommodation, social and cultural activities, and transportation. A limited number of full or partial scholarships are available. Participants not only study specialized courses in German engineering technology but also visit SMEs to gain deep insights into Germany’s innovation ecosystem.
🏛️ Campus Technology & Digitalization: Germany’s First University VPstage Pioneers Innovation
The University of Ham-Lippstadt leads German higher education institutions in digital teaching facilities. In July 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister of Culture and Science, Ina Brandes, personally inaugurated the university’s Visual Effects Lab (VFX Lab)—Germany’s first multifunctional LED wall and motion capture studio (VPstage) in higher education.
This lab centers around the newly established “Visual Computing and Design/Visual Effects and Virtual Production” undergraduate program, offering students access to cutting-edge film and television production technologies. The lab features a high-resolution LED wall composed of millions of micro-pixels, enabling “in-camera compositing” with real-time background rendering. Adjacent to the LED stage is a full-body motion capture array, allowing actors’ live performances to be captured and transmitted into virtual environments.
The facility supports diverse applications spanning film and television, gaming, advertising, live events, and even medical visualization. Additional features include a professional climate control system, load-bearing stage flooring, dedicated prop access ramps, and a control room equipped with real-time effects consoles, a cluster of graphics workstations, and comprehensive network infrastructure.
This lab serves not only as a teaching powerhouse but also as a platform for research and innovation. The university plans to host annual workshops with students from the Babelsberg Film School and collaborate with professional organizations like SMPTE and FKTG on “Digital Location” research projects, exploring real-time production workflows and industry standards.
Beyond this landmark facility, both campuses feature new academic buildings equipped with state-of-the-art lecture halls and laboratories. The Lippstadt campus further houses the Smart Engineering Lab and Hardware Engineering Lab, equipped with large-scale machinery including 3D printers, CNC machines, and oscilloscopes, alongside professional databases such as IEEE Xplore and SpringerLink. The library prioritizes digital resources, holding approximately 800,000 e-books and 120,000 electronic journals. Students may borrow laptops, robotics kits, and other equipment, while enjoying 24-hour self-service book returns.
