In short
Wismar has 1 university offering 87 degree courses (43 Bachelor's, 43 Master's), and 22% of them are taught in English or bilingually. Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Hochschule Wismar charges no tuition for its regular on-campus degrees, including for non-EU students; you pay a semester contribution. Its distance-learning programmes charge fees.
Wismar is a small, quiet harbour town between Lübeck and Rostock whose old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hochschule Wismar offers engineering, business, architecture and design, and is known in Germany for its distance-learning programmes. Life is calm and affordable, and the Baltic is right there.
Universities in Wismar
Every university and college in Wismar in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Hochschule Wismar - University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule Wismar - University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design
University of applied sciences 87 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Wismar costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- No figure yetNot covered by the MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 — check the local Studierendenwerk.
- Tuition for non-EU students
- €0 / semesterPlus the semester contribution every student pays. The rules are summed up in In short.
- Proof of funds for a visa
- €992 / monthThe proof of funds German missions currently ask of student-visa applicants (€11,904 a year) — confirm with the German embassy or consulate handling your application.
Good to know
- Wismar is not in the MLP rent study; as a small eastern German town it is generally inexpensive.
- Schwerin, the state capital, is about half an hour away by train, and Rostock and Lübeck are within easy reach.
- German is important here; check whether your programme is offered in English before you apply.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Wismar.
TKMS Wismar
Shipbuilding
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems took over the former MV Werften shipyard and is hiring.
Egger
Wood-based materials
Large wood-panel plant, one of the region's biggest employers.
Port of Wismar
Logistics
Baltic port specialised in timber and bulk goods.
Culture & people
Wismar was a Hanseatic trading town and then, from 1648 to 1803, part of Sweden, a period it still celebrates every summer. Its huge market square, the Wasserkunst fountain house and three brick Gothic churches give the old town its character.
The old harbour is where locals buy fish straight from the boats and watch the sunset. The island of Poel, with quiet Baltic beaches, is a short bike or bus ride away.
Events & festivals
Schwedenfest
August
Weekend festival with a Swedish-era parade, market and harbour events.
Christmas market
Late Nov – Dec
Held on the large market square.
Places to see
Market Square
UNESCO
One of the largest market squares in northern Germany, with the Wasserkunst.
St Nicholas Church
Church
Brick Gothic sailors' church with one of Germany's highest naves.
Old Harbour
Harbour
Fishing boats, a Swedish-era gate and fish sandwiches.
Poel
Island
Quiet Baltic island with beaches, just north of the town.
Getting around
Buses and regional trains are covered by the Deutschland-Semesterticket included in the semester contribution. Regional trains reach Schwerin in about half an hour and Rostock in about an hour, and Hamburg is around two hours away with a change. Hamburg Airport is the nearest major airport. The town is small enough to walk or cycle everywhere.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Wismar, read by our team before they appear.
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Studying in Wismar: FAQ
Which universities are in Wismar?
Wismar has one university in our catalogue, Hochschule Wismar – University of Applied Sciences, Technology, Business and Design, with 87 degree courses.
Can I study in English in Wismar?
Partly: 22% of Hochschule Wismar's courses are taught in English or bilingually, mostly at Master's level.
Is Wismar cheap for students?
Wismar is not covered by the MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026, but as a small town in eastern Germany it is generally much cheaper than large university cities.
Do I pay tuition fees in Wismar?
Not for regular on-campus degrees: Hochschule Wismar charges EU and non-EU students only the semester contribution. Distance-learning programmes are fee-based.
More guides in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Sources
- Historic Centres of Stralsund and Wismar, UNESCO (opens in a new tab)
- Hochschule Wismar (opens in a new tab)
- TKMS acquires MV Werften's Wismar yard (opens in a new tab)
- Egger Wismar as regional employer (Nordkurier) (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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