Trier University of Applied Sciences

- Trier is located near the German border with Luxembourg and is less than a 30 minute drive from France and Belgium
- No language experience required - take your classes in English
- Ideal for Design and Environmental Studies students
- Only open for exchange in the Spring semester
- Collins Scholarship available. See Further Reading below for more information.
About 6,000 students are enrolled on three campuses in Trier, Idar-Oberstein and Birkenfeld, making Trier University of Applied Sciences the largest in Rhineland-Palatinate. Due to its location in the middle of Europe, the institution focuses heavily on preparing students for careers not just in Germany, but also in Luxemburg, France and Belgium. FH Trier offers a wide range of courses of study in technology, business, law, design and computer science, while the Environmental Campus of the FH Trier concentrates on topics related to environmental issues.
The Environmental Campus at Birkenfeld is one-of-a-kind. It offers students an interdisciplinary education at the only "Zero Emission University" in Europe. Innovative and ecological building standards are complemented by modern utility technology and sustainable water management systems. The electricity and heat demand of the campus is covered by renewable energy sources, provided by a neighboring biomass-combined heat and power plant.
Trier has a population of approximately 100,000, and is known as the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 AD. In 1984 it celebrated its 2000th anniversary. It was home to six Roman emperors and has many ruins including the impressive Porta Nigra, a four-story structure that was once part of the city's walls. "Roma Secunda", the second Rome, was another name for Trier, and nowhere else in Germany are Roman times so vividly recalled.
Located on the banks of the Moselle River, Trier lies in a valley between low vine-covered hills in the west of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, near the German border with Luxembourg; in fact, the closest city to Trier is the capital of Luxembourg, some 50 km to the southwest. It's location is ideal for a student interested in seeing a lot of Europe, as it is less than a 30 minute drive from France and Belgium.
Trier is also the birthplace of Karl Marx and a university town, housing Trier University and Trier University of Applied Sciences, the Fachhochschule, where KU students will be studying. The KU-Trier Design exchange program has been in existence since 2002, with as many as 3-4 students abroad at any given time from either university.
Design majors at KU have taken, but are not limited to, courses in Advanced Typography, Alphabet Design, Photography, and Graphic Design.
The FH-Trier Design Program prepares students for careers in the planning, design and production of visible messages of informative, didactic or advertising character in print media, multidimensional and electronic media.
Additionally, KU students can also participate in a new program on their Environmental Campus concentrating on topics related to environmental issues such as: Biotechnology, Environmental and Process Engineering, Engineering Physics, Environmental and Business Economics, Environmental Engineering/Environmental Planning, and Economic and Environmental Law.
The International Office at FH-Trier provides assistance to students in finding accommodations. Most students rent rooms in flats with other students. They have found this is the best way to make friends and learn some German.
Open to undergraduate or graduate students. All majors are able to apply however, students interested in design coursework must be majors in the Art and Design program. Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA required (expections considered after submission of a petition). No German language proficiency is required for the Design or Environmental programs. Students internested in other coursework must have four semesters of college-level German (or the equivalent).
Drs. Dean T. and Elisabeth Collins Scholarship
Fund created by estate gift from the late Dean and Elisabeth Collins. Awards up to $10,000 for students on semester or $20,000 for year long programs to Germany. Open to all majors but preference for students studying music and particularly opera. Minimum 2.5 GPA requirement. Apply online: https://ku.studioabroad.com/?go=CollinsScholarship
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
A wide range of scholarships are also available through the German Academic Exchange Service (www.daad.org). Please contact the KU Office of Study Abroad for more information.
Design students should contact:
Patrick Dooley
Professor of Visual Communication
The University of Kansas
School of Fine Arts
Department of Art
Art and Design Building
1467 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lawrence, KS 66045-7531
Phone: 785.864.5652
E-mail: pdooley@ku.edu
All other students should contact the:
Office of Study Abroad
Univeristy of Kansas
1410 Jayhawk Blvd.
Lippincott 108
Lawrence, KS 66045
Phone: 785.864.3742
Email: osa@ku.edu