Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) is a long-standing, public university of research in the middle of Germany's Ruhr area. From its establishment in 1965, RUB has designed itself after the motto "Built to change", an indication of its focus on flexibility, creativity, interdisciplinary approaches, and a robust international focus.

Academic Structure & Reputation

RUB has 21 faculties covering a wide variety of disciplines: natural sciences; engineering; social sciences; humanities; medicine; education; economics; arts; etc.

It has about 37,700 students enrolled (includes domestic and international students).

The university is active in research, with multiple Collaborative Research Centers, innovation labs, spin-offs, and strong partnerships to support research and teaching. For example, RUB together with TU Dortmund is applying to become a Ruhr Innovation Lab under Germany’s Excellence Strategy.

Internationalisation & Support for International Students

RUB is globally connected: it admits students and researchers from many countries, with around 3,800 international students spread across degree and exchange programmes.

The International Office and RUBiss act as main contact points for international, exchange, and prospective students. They assist with administrative, legal, cultural, and university affairs.

For new students (degree-seeking or exchange), RUB provides orientation courses prior to the winter/summer semesters: intensive German instruction, administrative assistance, social/cultural integration training, excursions.

Language, Courses & Instruction

Most degree programmes are taught in German. For many Bachelor’s programmes, state examinations, and many Master’s, German language proficiency is required.

However, there are also programmes taught in English or bilingual (German-English), especially Master’s and international joint/double degree programmes. For example, the “Subsurface Engineering” programme is entirely in English: lectures, examinations, master’s thesis all in English.

RUB's University Language Centre (ZFA) provides courses in some 15 languages, among them English and German foreign language, as well as numerous others. It also offers test-centres for established tests (IELTS, etc.), individualized academic/professional language courses, and collaborations with faculties to meet specific language-needs.

Admission, Preparatory Programs & Requirements

International prospective students need to secure financing, and submit applications during fixed windows: e.g. for the winter semester applications are open from early June to 15 July; for the summer semester from early December to 15 January.

German language proficiency is required for many programmes. For English-taught programmes, proof of English language skills (depending on programme) is needed. Some programmes require that a prior degree was taught in English, or achievement of tests like TOEFL/IELTS etc.

RUB also offers preparatory studies: combined German language courses, propaedeutic events, Studienkolleg options for those without direct eligibility or for refugee backgrounds. These prepare students academically and socially.

Facilities, Student Life & Campus

The campus is large and fairly compact for its size, facilitating interdisciplinary work; having many faculties in one place encourages cross-faculty collaboration.

The Language Centre (ZFA) is a major facility, offering language learning, coaching, test preparation.

Student life has a strong international component: mentoring programmes (“Study Buddy”), language cafés, semester-events, cultural and social integration programmes.

The university also supports talent development through career services for international students (e.g. “mycareer@RUB”, “FIT without Borders”) and programs like “Lehrkräfte plus” for teacher qualification among refugee backgrounds, etc.

Why Choose Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Putting it all together, here are strong reasons to pick RUB

Breadth + Research Strength: You get many study fields and active research work, with access to labs, collaborative centres, innovation labs and spin-off support.

Strong Support for International Students: From orientation, language training, help with formalities, and cultural integration to career assistance.

Flexible Language Options: If you’re more comfortable with English, there are fully English programmes; also very accessible language‐courses to get you up to speed in German.

Modern Public University: As a public university, tuition is low to non-existent (for most) for both national & international students; fees are mostly administrative/semester contributions.

Lifestyle & Location: Bochum is located in an active area (Ruhrgebiet), which is well networked, has a lot of student culture, cultural activities. On and off campus there are clubs, events, and multi-cultural settings.