Urban Planning and Sustainable Transformation (UPST) OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts

The programme is conducted 100% in English.

The Urban Planning and Sustainable Transformation Master's programme

• guides students in the development of new creative and scientific skills through individual professional and personal growth as competent advocates of the global, regional, and local environment,

• supports students in developing analytically sound attitudes and scientifically based strategies for selected tasks in spatial planning,

• supports students in developing an individual profile that enables them to work independently in various professional fields of planning sciences, and

• qualifies students not only for traditional professional fields in private offices and public administration, but also for research and doctoral studies at the national and international levels.

Application periods

Germany and EU countries: winter semester: 2 May – 30 June
Non-EU countries: winter semester: 1 February – 23 May

For current information from the TH OWL International Office, please click HERE.

Current information about TH OWL can also be found HERE.

A semester overview with the course organisation can be read HERE.

Students are encouraged to study abroad for one semester.

Information on several options to study abroad during your studies can be found on our website under Go Abroad.

TH OWL students have the option to complete an international internship during or even after their studies. Information on international internships can be found on our website under International Internships.

No tuition fees

All students must contribute to the semester fee. The semester fee is established prior to the start of the semester. Information regarding the current semester fee can be found on the website:

Semester fee

Accommodation costs in Detmold need to be taken care of by the student. They vary between 300 and 400 EUR per month.

Since January 2025, the annual amount that must be paid into a blocked account when applying for a visa has been set at 11,904 EUR (992 EUR per month).

Information on the cost of living and requirements for your visa and blocked account can be found by clicking here.

Information on admission requirements is listed on the programme website. Please click HERE for admission requirements. Please read the section titled "Admission".

The programme requires a minimum English level of B2.

Information regarding accepted language exams can be found on the "Applying to TH OWL" website in the Accepted Language Certificates section.

TH OWL does not accept medium of instruction letters as proof of meeting the language requirement.

Application periods

Germany and EU countries: winter semester: 2 May – 30 June
Non-EU countries: winter semester: 1 February – 23 May

The Deutschlandstipendium programme was created in 2011. As part of this programme, the federal government subsidises private donation funds raised by colleges to finance scholarships for talented and academically strong students. The programme was modelled after other programmes, including Studienfonds OWL which has been granting privately funded scholarships on behalf of five colleges in Ostwestfalen-Lippe, North Rhine-Westphalia. More information and details are available at the following link: www.studienfonds-owl.de/en/scholarships/deutschlandstipendium/.

Additional offers: www.th-owl.de/en/international-office-th-owl/international-support-services/scholarships/

As registered students at OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts, non-EU students are permitted to work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without an additional work permit.

You may work when the university is in session as well as during semester breaks. Only those days on which work is carried out are considered to be work days. Traditional jobs of an academic character such as student tutoring can be carried out in addition to the above-mentioned 140 full days or 280 half days. Such jobs are not subject to time restrictions.

First-year students are strongly advised to focus primarily on their studies and to begin learning German as the vast majority of off-campus jobs will require at least basic proficiency in German. This will open up many more opportunities in later semesters. Free German courses are available for students through our International Office.

A list of accommodation possibilities at OWL can be found here: https://www.th-owl.de/en/studies/starting-your-degree/housing-during-your-degree/ and in our accommodation list

• Housing cost estimate: average 300 EUR – 400 EUR per month
• Housing application deadline: 1 June for the winter semester, 1 December for the summer semester

Career Services of the OWL University of Applied Sciences and Arts: https://www.th-owl.de/en/career-service/

The International Office of TH OWL warmly welcomes and supports all international students. On the International Welcome Guide page, we provide you with an initial orientation on how to apply and have a successful start in your studies with us. There, you will find all relevant information about studying and living at OWL.