Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

The Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is a vocational university with locations in Bernburg (Saale), Dessau-Roßlau and Köthen, Germany.^[1] Established in 1991 during the post-reunification reorganisation of regional higher-education institutions, it now enrols roughly 7,000–8,000 students, including a substantial international cohort.^[2] Academic programmes are distributed across the campuses: engineering and informatics are centred in Köthen, business and life sciences in Bernburg, and architecture, design and heritage-related disciplines in Dessau.^[3]

Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

Type	State
Established	1991
Budget	approx. EUR 31,000,000 double budget 2010/11
President	Jörg Bagdahn
Students	8.020 WS 2015/16
Location	Köthen (headquarters), Bernburg (Saale) & Dessau-Roßlau , Saxony-Anhalt , Germany 51.8236°N 11.7092°E / 51.8236; 11.7092
Website	https://www.hs-anhalt.de

History

In the 19th century the Higher Technical Institute at Köthen provided engineers were educated with three years of study in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, chemistry, metallurgy, and brick or ceramic art.^[4]

Locations

Technical subjects are mainly taught in Köthen. In addition, a part of the state Studienkolleg is located here, at which students are prepared for university study in Germany.^[5] There were two departments in Bernburg: Economy and Agriculture/Conservation and Ecotrophology. Design or architecture-related courses along with the Bauhaus art school are located in Dessau.^[6]

Gallery

• 
  The main building in Köthen
• 
  Seminar Building, Campus Dessau

Study

Hochschule Anhalt divides its study offerings across seven faculties situated at three locations—Köthen, Bernburg, and Dessau-Roßlau. It provides over 50 undergraduate and graduate programs taught in both German and English, including cooperative and part-time options directed at working professionals.^[7]

Bachelor's Programs

Undergraduate degrees (B.A., B.Sc., B.Eng.) cover engineering and applied sciences (e.g., biomedical engineering, food technology, electrical engineering), business administration, architecture, design, computer science, biotechnology, and linguistics.^[8] Certain programs offer dual-study placements integrating work and study, typically lasting six to seven semesters (180–210 ECTS).^[9]

Master's Programs

The university offers Master’s degrees (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.A.) across its faculties, such as molecular biotechnology, sustainable food systems, digital media and management, and engineering management. Program durations are between three and four semesters (60–120 ECTS). Select master’s courses are delivered in English, including dual formats with partner organisations.^[10]

Continuing and Certificate Courses

Hochschule Anhalt provides continuing education formats including certificate studies, career-integrated master’s options, and online learning programs tailored to professional upskilling.

Admission

Admission requirements generally include a recognized secondary school diploma and successful completion of program-specific aptitude assessments or entrance examinations. Dual-study and English-taught programs may require additional criteria like language proficiency or sponsor agreements.^[11]

Research

Hochschule Anhalt conducts application-oriented research organized around three principal focus areas: Life Sciences, Engineering Sciences, and ICT & Media Sciences. These cross-disciplinary domains underpin the majority of its externally funded projects and R&D initiatives.^[12]

Research projects address themes such as food technology (e.g., additive manufacturing in food processing), agriculture, renewable energy systems, smart materials, digital media, and artificial intelligence . The university houses specialized laboratories and incubator spaces to support experimental and prototype-based work in these sectors .

Structured research support is provided through the institution’s Research, Transfer and Start‑up Centre (FTGZ), which offers funding assistance, project management, and technology transfer services. In addition, several faculties maintain active research groups, such as the building-envelope research group in the Department of Architecture, and the AI and machine-learning group within Computer Science.^[13]

Doctoral projects are supported via collaborative structures and the Graduate Centre, which coordinates external PhD supervision and academic development.^[14]