DISCOVER PFORZHEIM

FIND YOUR STUDY PROGRAM IN PFORZHEIM

PFORZHEIM AT A GLANCE

Pforzheim is a city in the state of Baden-Württemberg, southwest Germany. It is often referred to as “Goldstadt” (or Golden City), because of its established jewelry and watch-making industry. Pforzheim is located at the junction of the rivers Enz, Nagold and Würm, between the cities of Karlsruhe and Stuttgart. The climate in Pforzheim is moderate all year round with significant amounts of rainfall. The population of Pforzheim is over 120,000, and the main spoken language is German. The city has high industrial activity, and is one of the administrative centers in Baden-Württemberg. The public transport system within Pforzheim is well organized with buses and taxis available daily. Bus fares are unified. The city is also connected to the Karlsruhe Light Rail network and has four freeway exits, so traveling in and out is very convenient. Pforzheim is a city of rich and fascinating history. Some facts worth noting include that the city was originally a Roman settlement; in the Middle Ages it was home to a famous Latin school; during the bombing in World War II nearly a third of the population was killed and the infrastructure and architecture was virtually destroyed to be rebuilt later; and that it has been the center of Germany’s jewelry, watch, and clock industry since the 18th century.

Academic Year

Summer Semester: April – September / Winter Semester: October – March

Official Language

German

Higher Education Institutions

Population

124289

Living Costs

700 EUR

STUDYING IN PFORZHEIM

Originally established in 1877 to educate specialists in the jewelry industry, Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences has now become one of Germany’s leading research-focused universities. Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences is divided into three faculties: the School of Design, the School of Engineering, and the Business School, which together offer 29 Bachelor and 17 Master degree programs. The university is host to over 6,000 students and is therefore one of the largest higher education institutions in Baden-Württemberg. The Business School is the most popular, with 56% of the students enrolled there. It offers Bachelor programs such as International Business, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Business Law, Purchasing and Logistics, Digital Enterprise Management, Media Management and Psychology of Advertising and others, as well as Master programs like Auditing and Taxation, Corporate Communication Management, and Information Systems. The "MBA International Management" program is taught in English only, and "BSc International Marketing", "Digital Enterprise Management" and "BSc International Business" are partly taught in English. 33% of all students are enrolled in The School of Engineering. The most popular Bachelor programs and Master programs respectively include Electrical Engineering/Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering/Product Development, Engineering and Management, as well as Master’s in Embedded Systems, Information Systems, and Mechatronic System Development, among others. The new “Engineers – Made in Germany (EMIG)” program is specially tailored for international students and is taught in English. The School of Design accommodates 11% of all students who are pursuing Bachelor degrees in Fashion, Jewelry, Industrial Design, Visual Communication and others, and Master degrees in Creative Direction, Design and Future Making, and Transportation Design. The "Master of Arts in Transportation Design" program is taught entirely in English. Accommodation for students in Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences is easy to find, as the student organization Deutsches Studentenwerk DSW in Karlsruhe has about 500 rooms reserved for Pforzheim students, and the Studentenwerk-FH e.V. runs a student hall in Pforzheim with over 200 available rooms. Monthly rent expenses range between 200 and 300 EUR. Private renting options are of course also possible.

PFORZHEIM LIFESTYLE

Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Pforzheim include the Gasometer featuring 360-degree panoramic paintings by artist Yadegar Asisi, the Jewelry Museum that exhibits 5000-year-old pieces of jewelry, the Wildpark animal park, the Technical Museum, and the Pforzheim Gallery. Pforzheim has a rich cultural scene with theaters, orchestras, museums, cinemas and other cultural institutions open to the public. In addition, the Pforzheim main park, or Stadtgarten, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. The nightlife in Pforzheim is exciting with a variety of clubs and bars that are open through the night, and the restaurants in the city offer international and traditional German meals that cater to every taste and diet.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN PFORZHEIM

The career center at Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences aims at advising students on their future careers and providing them with opportunities for internships and work placements during their studies. Company contact fairs like “X-Day” and “Meet Master” are organized annually. There students can meet potential employers and inform themselves about the qualifications they need, all the possible future jobs they can pursue and how to successfully transition from study to work. Graduates from Pforzheim University of Applied Sciences can enjoy excellent career prospects. Pforzheim and Baden-Württemberg are well-developed economically. The digital revolution has led to the creation of new jobs and higher demand for skilled professionals. The biggest industries in Pforzheim and the state of Baden-Württemberg, respectively include automobile manufacturing, mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, and medical technology. In Pforzheim specifically, students can pursue careers in the jewelry and watch-making industry, which is the most established one.