Location

Located in northwest Germany, Hochschule Bielefeld – University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSBI), serves over 10,000 students and values hands-on teaching and research. Due to HSBI’s close cooperation with regional and trans-regional businesses, like Miele, a manufacturer of domestic appliances, and Dr. Oetker, a food-processing company, students have the opportunity to participate actively in professional life. The HSBI campus includes several student cafeterias, fitness centers and study spaces. For more information, please take the virtual tour on HSBI’s website. 

Bielefeld is a city of about 330,000 inhabitants with a large student population. It boasts several theaters and museums, as well as Sparrenberg Castle, a 16th century fortress located in the Teutoburg Forest. Bielefeld has a well-linked transportation system of buses, trams and trains that students can access to travel around Bielefeld as well as the surrounding area. Both the city and university are culturally diverse with a sizable population that has family roots in Turkey, Iraq, and Greece. Germany, a member of the European Union, is known for its economic strength, focus on sustainability and engineering expertise.

Academic Content

A person standing in front of a buildingDescription automatically generatedStudents participating in this exchange program must be of sophomore standing or above at the time of departure and must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above.

Students will attend classes at HSBI for a semester or academic year. Instruction will take place in English, and students will have the opportunity to take a German language course as well. Students will take classes with German and international students and will pick from courses in Business and Engineering. Please review available courses in English on the HSBI website. HSBI courses are generally worth 5-6 ECTS, which is the equivalent of 2.5-3 UW credits. Students will typically earn 24 UW quarter credits per semester. Please reach out to uwtintl@uw.edu to learn which HSBI courses have been approved.  Be sure to talk with your academic advisor about how these courses will fit into your academic schedule.

University exchanges are well suited for students who want to enroll in university courses in a variety of academic disciplines, seek full immersion in the student life and culture of a foreign university and society, and desire a high degree of personal independence.

Program Dates

Winter Semester: September 23, 2024 to February 7, 2025

**It is highly recommended that students participate in Freshers' Weeks, which begins September 2, 2023. This three-week orientation period, organized by the HSBI International Office,  will help you manage all the necessary formalities after arrival, improve your German language skills and make new friends. The Freshers' Weeks includes a free and intensive German language course as well as free culture and extracurricular activities. The Financial Aid Budget sheet for this program includes the additional costs for Freshers' Weeks. For more information, review the Guide for International students here.**

Housing and Daily Life 

Most students will live in on-campus student halls, or dormitories, while studying at HSBI. The International Office will assist students in their search for housing.  Upon arrival in Bielefeld, you will meet your buddy - a more experienced student at HSBI - who will assist you with all steps through the official bureaucracy and into everyday life in Bielefeld and at the HSBI. You will be able to attend various trips and events with your buddy as well.

With your HSBI student ID you will have access to free public transport (trams, buses, local trains) in and around Bielefeld for the entirety of your stay. For more information about daily life at HSBI, please read the Guide for International Students or take the HSBI virtual tour. 

Travel Documents 

UW Tacoma Study Abroad is not responsible for obtaining visas for study abroad program participants. The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad, including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. You can research visa requirements by contacting the consular offices of those countries. You can read more about this topic on the Passports and Visas page of the UW Study Abroad website.

Note: If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements. You can check the following the U.S. Department of State website to find contact information for the consulate of the country you will be visiting. For non-U.S. citizens, entry and exit procedures into a country may be different than those for U.S. citizens. It is important to investigate requirements as soon as possible in order to assemble documents and allow time for lengthy visa processing times (if applicable).

Program Cost   

Program Fee:  $6,880

Included in the program fee:

  • $470 Administrative Fee
  • Classes at HSBI
  • Field trips
  • Company visits
  • Cultural activities 
  • Local transportation pass
  • Support from HSBI International Office
  • Personal mentoring program

Not included in the program fee:

  • Meals
  • Accommodation
  • Travel to/from Germany
  • 320 Euro HSBI semester fee 
  • Health insurance

2024 Budget Sheet*: 

*Budget sheet above includes costs associated with Freshers' Week

How to apply 

Timeline 

1. Apply via our online application system by February 15, 2024. 

2. Upon your acceptance by UW Tacoma, you will be nominated to HSBI.

3. Upon your acceptance to HSBI, complete HSBI's student application. Then complete required documents. 

4. Work with HSBI to secure housing, course registration, etc. 

5. Complete UW Tacoma requirements, including pre-departure orientation. 

6. Participate in exchange program. 

Withdrawals A tall stone building with a clock towerDescription automatically generated

The $470 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

  • Unanticipated change in financial situation
  • Medical emergency
  • Death in immediate family
  • Active military duty
  • Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

  • Students may use financial aid to fund this study abroad program. If you plan to use use financial aid to pay for this program, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu ASAP so we can explain how financial aid works for this study abroad program that spans two academic quarters.
  • A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
  • For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
  • For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
  • Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
  • Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

  • Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
  • UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.