Internationalisation is a focal point of Furtwangen University's strategic development and is a cross-sectional responsibility for all areas of the university, including teaching, studies, research, academic continuing education, as well as knowledge and technology transfer.

Sustainable, qualitative and cross-faculty internationalisation ensures the high quality of education, international competitiveness and international visibility of the university. The individual and differentiated strategies for the internationalisation of the university are integrated into the strategic goals of the university and thus correspond to its institutional goals and strengths.

Furtwangen University's internationalisation strategy comprises four core strategic goals:

1. In the long term, as many HFU students as possible should spend a study and/or internship semester abroad.
2. The internationalization of the campus is promoted by attracting international students and academic staff and by expanding the range of courses taught in English.
3. HFU is expanding its international cooperation network, developing relationships with foreign partner universities and deepening its international contacts.
4. HFU students are specifically prepared for a career in an international environment.

Furtwangen University will continue to develop into an "international campus" where people from diverse backgrounds and with different life paths can study, research, teach and further their education together. We want to promote the professional, interdisciplinary and socio-cultural integration and networking of our students and facilitate intercultural dialogue. All members of the university, not only students, are encouraged to participate in this academic and cultural exchange characterised by tolerance and openness.

Furtwangen University promotes the mobility of students and university staff within the framework of exchange programmes, international research cooperation, integrated study programmes, binational study programmes with double degrees and internationally oriented, practice-oriented study programmes. We aim to deepen and expand our worldwide contacts with universities, companies, research institutes and other institutions in the long term through strategic partnerships.

Furtwangen University is a member of various national and international networks and university organisations:

• International Lake Constance University
• Trinational Metropolitan Region Upper Rhine
• GATE-Germany
• Specialist Alliance Winning Region

Global Services coordinates and manages important university-wide internationalisation processes. Campus and university-wide support programmes, which contribute significantly to the internationalisation of the university, are located at Global Services. For example, Global Services offers an English translation service, supports the placement and supervision of foreign interns and promotes the expansion of the International Semester.

The International Center is the central point of contact for all foreign students and guests of Furtwangen University as well as for students, academics and scientists who are planning a stay abroad. The International Center is also responsible for the maintenance and further development of international university relations and is the point of contact for all questions relating to the internationalisation of studies, teaching and research.

More information on Internal link opens in the same window:studying internationally

The School of Languages and Cultures (SLC) offers all members of Furtwangen University the opportunity to acquire, improve or deepen their foreign language and intercultural skills.

Over 40 qualified teachers, most of whom are native speakers, teach well over 75 courses per semester to both students and university staff in groups of up to 23 people. Our aim is to make foreign language teaching modern and innovative by constantly expanding our range of courses and using online modules.

The School of Languages and Cultures is also a test center for internationally recognised language tests for German, English and Spanish.

HFU has been funded by the DAAD's HAW.international programme since March 2021 and has set itself the goal of becoming a bilingual university. The focus is on a digital and internationally oriented range of courses, the establishment of double degree programmes, the expansion of foreign language offerings and the development of intercultural further education opportunities for HFU students and staff.

More and more degree programmes at HFU are being offered bilingually and with the option of a double degree in two languages.

Internal link opens in the same window:To our degree programmes