Production & Logistics, Chemical & Bioengineering, Computer Science & Data Science
TU Dortmund University sits on two campuses on the edge of Dortmund, in the Ruhr area of North Rhine-Westphalia: a larger North Campus and a smaller South Campus. Since 1984 the H-Bahn suspended monorail has linked the two sites.
The university was opened on 16 December 1968, with teaching starting in April 1969 in chemistry. In 1980 the Pedagogical University of the Ruhr (Pädagogische Hochschule Ruhr) was integrated, which added a humanities-oriented college to a technical core. On 1 November 2007 the Universität Dortmund was renamed TU Dortmund University.
The university is divided into 17 faculties, ranging from mathematics, physics, chemistry and computer science to mechanical, electrical and biochemical engineering, spatial planning, architecture and civil engineering, business, education, rehabilitation sciences, cultural studies, and social sciences. Statistics and spatial planning each form a faculty of their own. About 80 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes are offered, and enrolment has been around 30,000 students in recent years, with 29,454 in the winter semester 2024/25.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Industrial Design, Life Sciences, Logistics, Manufacturing, Materials, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology and Genetics, Nanotechnologies, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Project Management, Quality, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics, Transportations
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Strong regional collaborations within the Ruhr industrial area. Member of UAMR (University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr).
Research:
Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics, Process Engineering & Industrial Biotechnology, AI & Machine Learning, Particle Physics (DELTA Synchrotron).
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
3500
Current students***:
33000
Foreign students***:
10%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Strong in production engineering and logistics, chemical/bioengineering, operates a synchrotron light source (DELTA).
Cons
Located in Dortmund (Ruhr area), more regional focus than some top TUs.
Best For
Technical university strong in production engineering, logistics, chemical/bioengineering, and computer science.
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, a public university in the same Ruhr region, lists materials science and engineering with IT security and mechanical engineering.
Universität Duisburg-Essen is a public university in North Rhine-Westphalia with engineering in mechanical, electrical, civil and computer fields.
Bergische Universität Wuppertal, public and in the same state, combines mechanical and safety engineering with electrical engineering.
Technische Universität Darmstadt, a public technical university in Hesse, is listed for computer science and AI and for mechanical and process engineering.
INSA Rennes, a public French engineering school, lists electronics and telecommunications with computer science and cybersecurity.
Chongqing University in China is a public university with mechanical, electrical, architecture and civil engineering.
Beijing University of Technology, also in China and public, covers civil, mechanical and materials engineering.
Tokyo Tech is a public Japanese institute of technology with engineering in mechanical, electrical and computer science.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When did TU Dortmund open?
The university was opened on 16 December 1968 as the University of Dortmund. Lectures began in April 1969 in the chemistry department.
Why did it take its present name?
The senate decided in October 2007 to rename it, and the change took effect on 1 November 2007.
What happened with the Pedagogical University in 1980?
From 1 April 1980 the Pedagogical University of the Ruhr belonged to the university. This integration brought a humanities-oriented college into the institution.
How is the campus arranged?
There is a larger North Campus with most of the faculties and a smaller South Campus. The H-Bahn monorail connects them and has done so since 1984.
How many faculties does it have?
There are 17, including mathematics, physics, chemistry and chemical biology, computer science, statistics, spatial planning and rehabilitation sciences.
How many students are enrolled?
The higher education compass gives 29,454 students for the winter semester 2024/25, and other sources speak of around 30,000. Roughly 80 Bachelor's and Master's programmes are offered.
Where do I look for admission and fee rules?
The conditions depend on the programme and the applicant, so the university's official admission pages are the reference for deadlines and fees.
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
Innovation.world is not affiliated with this school/university. We recommend to contact them directly on their website for any special request.
To complete or correct any information here or share your opinion, please comment below or > send us a direct message <.
