In short
Paderborn has 3 universities and colleges offering 316 degree courses (139 Bachelor's, 176 Master's), and 21% of them are taught in English or bilingually. Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Paderborn University charges no tuition, including for non-EU students; you pay a semester contribution that includes the Deutschland-Semesterticket. The Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft is private and charges fees.
Paderborn is a small, historic city with a modern economy: computer pioneer Heinz Nixdorf founded his company here, and Paderborn University is known for computer science, engineering and business. It is safe, easy to get around by bike and cheaper than the big Rhine cities. Daily life is quiet outside term time.
Universities in Paderborn
Every university and college in Paderborn in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Universität Paderborn (opens in a new tab)
Universität Paderborn
University 252 courses
- Website of Paderborn University (opens in a new tab)
Paderborn University
University 58 courses
- Website of Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (opens in a new tab)
Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft
University of applied sciences 6 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Paderborn 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
- Paderborn is not in the MLP rent study; rents are generally lower than in larger NRW cities, but student rooms go quickly before the winter semester.
- The university's Heinz Nixdorf Institute links computer science and engineering research with local industry; look there for student jobs.
- Most students cycle; the campus is about 15 minutes by bike from the centre.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Paderborn.
Diebold Nixdorf
Banking & retail tech
ATM and checkout systems maker; Paderborn is its main German site.
dSPACE
Software & simulation
Automotive simulation and testing company headquartered in Paderborn.
Benteler
Automotive & steel
Automotive and steel-tube group with large plants in Paderborn.
Phoenix Contact Power Supplies
Electronics
Power-supply unit of Phoenix Contact, based in Paderborn.
Culture & people
Paderborn is an old Catholic bishopric: Charlemagne met Pope Leo III here in 799, and the cathedral dominates the centre. Right next to it, about 200 springs feed the Pader, which at around four kilometres is often called Germany's shortest river.
The city has a big student population for its size, and life centres on the old town, the Pader meadows and the cafés around the cathedral. Football fans follow SC Paderborn 07.
Events & festivals
Libori
Late July
A church festival and big funfair honouring St. Liborius, one of Germany's oldest folk festivals.
Paderborner Osterlauf
Easter Saturday
A large, long-running road race through the city.
Christmas market
Late Nov – Dec
Stalls around the cathedral and town hall.
Places to see
Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum
Museum
The world's largest computer museum.
Paderborn Cathedral
Church
Romanesque-Gothic cathedral with the famous Three Hares window.
Pader springs
Nature
Around 200 springs in the centre feeding the short Pader river.
Kaiserpfalz
History
Remains of Charlemagne's palace, with a museum next to the cathedral.
Getting around
Paderborn's buses (PaderSprinter) and regional trains are covered by the Deutschland-Semesterticket included in the semester contribution. Intercity and regional trains connect to Hamm, Bielefeld, Kassel and the Ruhr area, and Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport is about 20 kilometres away. The flat city centre is ideal for cycling.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Paderborn, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Paderborn: FAQ
Which universities are in Paderborn?
The main university is Paderborn University, known for computer science, engineering, business and teacher training; the private Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) also has a campus here.
Can I study in English in Paderborn?
Only some programmes: 21% of Paderborn's 316 degree courses are taught in English or bilingually, mainly Master's degrees in computer science and engineering.
Is Paderborn good for computer science?
Yes. Paderborn University has a long computer-science tradition, the Heinz Nixdorf Institute and close links to local tech firms such as dSPACE and Diebold Nixdorf.
Do I pay tuition fees in Paderborn?
No. Paderborn University is public and charges no tuition for EU or non-EU students; you pay only the semester contribution.
More guides in North Rhine-Westphalia
Sources
- Paderborn University (opens in a new tab)
- City of Paderborn: economy (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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