Press

UW/H is Germany's first private university; since its foundation, it has significantly shaped the university landscape with its educational innovations - for example with the development of the model degree programme in Medicine, the introduction of problem-based learning in Medicine, the independent Chair of Nursing Science, the Chair of Special Care Dentistry or the Bachelor of Choice study model in the Faculty of Economics and Society, which is unique in Germany. With more than 800 employees, the UW/H is a medium-sized company; however, as a non-profit limited company, it is not designed to make a profit.

Of the 427 universities in Germany, only 109 have the right to award doctorates and are therefore authorised to train young academics - one of them is Witten/Herdecke University. In 2024, the Science Council accredited UW/H for the first time for a maximum period of ten years and granted it the right to award doctorates for the same period. A first in Germany. Of the 115 private universities, the UW/H is one of only four that offer degrees in medical subjects such as medicine, dentistry, psychology and nursing science.

A flexible spatial concept, places to meet and collaborate, a modern library, various seminar rooms and office workspaces - the hybrid timber construction, which was completed in 2021, is a future-oriented space for those in positions of responsibility. After around 18 months of construction, a building has been created that not only has an excellent carbon footprint, but is also socially and culturally sustainable. It takes inclusion and diversity into account and connects the university with the neighbouring public space.

The UW/H is the best place to grow professionally and personally - for students, staff and lecturers. Our claim "Here we grow." means that we not only educate young people professionally, but also enable them to realise their own ideas and act with commitment and effectiveness - at the university and beyond. This is evidenced not least by the numerous initiatives in which students are passionate and committed to advancing topics, projects and ideas that are close to their hearts.

Our claim also means that the university offers staff and lecturers a place where they can develop. And it means that we integrate important social issues into degree programmes and research specialisations, promoting and challenging critical discussion. The UW/H sees itself as a driving force and enabler of transformation in various areas of our society, such as issues of justice, sustainability and diversity.

Because studying should have no financial limits, students at the UW/H can study first and pay back their tuition fees later depending on their income. This means that those who earn a lot later pay a little more; those who earn less pay back less or even nothing. The Income Share Agreement (ISA) of the Witten StudierendenGesellschaft makes this possible.

Individual support, learning at eye level and the opportunity to try things out are all part of the unique study concept at Witten/Herdecke University. In Studium fundamentale, students have the opportunity once a week to deal with topics outside their own subject boundaries - for example, they can expand their communication skills, become artistically active or immerse themselves in topics outside their subject area. In this way, we encourage them to think in broader contexts and adopt new perspectives - beyond the boundaries of their own discipline. The fact that our students learn to take responsibility for themselves and others during their studies is also reflected in the large number of business start-ups that the UW/H produces.

Through mentoring programmes, Witten/Herdecke University promotes and strengthens students' self-reflection and self-organisation. Depending on their needs, students exchange ideas with experienced mentors, graduates or their peers. In this way, they acquire additional skills that are useful for their careers and receive support for their individual career paths. The university also works with many practice partners so that students can build up a strong network for their future careers while still studying.

Research is not an end in itself, but is only valuable if it is of benefit to people, society and the world around us. That is why we at the UW/H attach great importance to practice-orientated research with social relevance. To this end, the university works with many cooperation partners in more than 50 countries and maintains a large network of practice partners and affiliated hospitals.