Founded in 1994, our multi award-winning university has become the most successful newly founded University of Applied Sciences in Bavaria. We believe this is due to our vision which has always been at the forefront of our development strategy: we have continuously developed attractive fields of study supplemented by a range of further education courses, generated intensive research, knowledge and technology transfer to modern economy, followed economic and social trends, and developed a vast regional and international network.

1. Quality of Life and Study Experience

Studying at DIT is the best time of your life. We support our students in balancing study, work, and leisure for a high quality of life. We develop flexible and innovative study formats and use diverse teaching methods. Our campuses are designed with students to be places for both social learning and relaxation. We also organize events and promote sports and cultural activities for our students.

2. Internationality and Integration

With students from over 100 nations, DIT is one of the most international universities in Germany. We offer unique intercultural learning environments and prepare students for global challenges through international programs, study groups, and modules. We ensure that both international and local students feel welcome and valued. We counter exclusion with team-building measures and foster a sense of community. We support our students from their arrival at DIT to their successful job applications.

3. Practical and Demand-Oriented Training

As an educational partner in East and Lower Bavaria, we are dedicated to training specifically for the needs of regional businesses. Practical and demand-oriented training is our core task. International students are introduced to companies early on through intensive language courses and dual study programs. This leads to excellent employment opportunities in the region and beyond.

4. Applied Research, Transfer, and Start-Ups

DIT stands out for its research strength and experience in start-ups compared to other universities. This is reflected in the courses and additional offerings for our students. Master's programs are closely linked to the research competencies of our technology campuses and research groups, providing excellent starting conditions for scientific careers and further doctoral studies. Entrepreneurial students find a start-up-oriented environment with relevant course content and extensive additional services.

5. Quality

DIT continuously works on developing a unified understanding of quality in teaching. The best applicants are admitted through suitability tests and can study at DIT in an attractive and performance-oriented learning environment. All lecturers are involved in the process of continuous quality improvement. We regularly measure and evaluate our teaching quality and develop our teaching formats, content, and methods based on these results.

What's perfectly normal in sports may seem a little odd at a German university: the mascot. But Deggendorf Institute of Technology is ambitious to always play in the premier league, that's why it has a mascot too: The Deggster. With ggs instead of x, because he's quite a nice guy. Even if some may spontaneously mistake him for a tiger, the Deggster is actually a panther. That's because the (red) panther is the (only) heraldic animal of Lower Bavaria. Surprise, because many people would probably instinctively name the lion as THE Bavarian cat.

The Deggster has been around since 2021 - as a key fob and in real life. Well, almost. Because there is always a mysterious person at every event who slips into his two-metre tall, South American robe. Nice and cosy in winter, hot as hell in summer. Nevertheless, the Deggster is always friendly and, as a university icon, adorns countless selfies on all kinds of social networks in the western and eastern hemisphere. It is even rumoured that he became the most photographed personality in DIT history in his early years.

Perhaps for this reason - but we don't know for sure - the Deggster was also honoured with its own decorative seal. On it, it can be seen in a highly stylised form together with its blue colleague, which stands for Upper Bavaria as well as Lower Bavaria. And here it comes: both the blue and the red panther in elegant and sublime black. Which, by its very nature, is a better colour for the panther. The seal also honours the city of Deggendorf and the state of Bavaria with its coat of arms and diamond pattern. As befits a decidedly international university, the seal includes both its German and English names: ‘Technische Hochschule Deggendorf’ and ‘Deggendorf Institute of Technology’.

rankings

WURI (World University Rankings for Innovation)-Ranking

2025:

• No. 16 worldwide in the category "Global Top 400 Innovative Universities"
• No. 9 worldwide in the category "Technology Development and Application"
• No. 14 worldwide in the category "Cost-Benefit Management"
• No. 23 worldwide in the category "Empowering Professionals: Education for a Sustainable Tomorrow"

2024:

• No. 16 worldwide in the category ‘"Leadership"
• No. 20 worldwide in the category "Global Top 300"
• No. 24 worldwide in the category "Generative AI Application"
• No. 28 worldwide in the category "Student Mobility and Openness"

2023:

• No. 1 worldwide in the category „Entrepreneurial Spirit“
• No. 16 worldwide in the overall ranking of the most innovative universities
• Most innovative university in Germany

2022:

• No. 2 worldwide in the category „Entrepreneurial Spirit“
• No. 8 worldwide in the category „Crisis Management“
• No. 33 worldwide in the category „Industrial Application“
• No. 51 worldwide in the category „Student Mobility and Openness"
• No. 24 worldwide in the category „Real Impact"

2021:

• No. 5 worldwide in the category "Entrepreneurial Spirit"
• No. 7 worldwide in the category "Crisis Management"
• No. 29 worldwide in the category "Industrial Application"
• No. 29 worldwide in the overall ranking of the most innovative universities

2019:

• No. 8 worldwide in the category "Entrepreneurial Spirit"
• No. 26 worldwide in the category "Student Mobility and Openness"
• No. 43 worldwide in the overall ranking of the most innovative universities

CHE university rankings

2023/24 ranked as outstanding in:

• Business Administration
• International Management
• Tourism Management
• Organisational and Economic Psychology
• Industrial Engineering
• Business Informatics

2019/2020 ranked as outstanding in:

• Civil and Construction Engineering
• Electrical Engineering and Information Technology
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronics
• Engineering Physics

2023: DIT is one of the best state universities in Germany according to the study "Deutschlands Beste" (Germany's Best) in cooperation with Focus and Focus Money.

awards

• Certificate "Herausragende Ausbildungsleistung 2025" - IHK Niederbayern
• Award "Top-Arbeitgeber im Mittelstand 2024" (Top employer in the SME sector 2024)
• Award "Arbeitgeber der Zukunft" (Employer of the future) 2023
• European Society for Quality Research: International Diamond Price for Excellence in Quality 2023
• ACEEU Triple-E Award: #4 in Europe in "Young Entrepreneurial University of the Year" (From Technology to scale: Full 360° Mission)
• Prof. Peter Schmieder: Triple-E-Award „Male Entrepreneurial Leader of the Year“ 2022
• Proudr LGBTIQ+ Campus Index for Germany, Austria and Switzerland, 2021. Placed no. 4 with a result of 79,7%
• ESPA Innovation Award 2019
• Winner of the "Zwei-Länder-Preis" 2019
• Winner of U-Multirank award as top 25 worldwide in the category " Contact to work Environment" 2019
• Winner of U-Multirank award as top 25 universities worldwide in the category " International Orientation of Degree Programmes" 2019
• Winner of the MINTernational Best Performance Prize 2018
• Winner of the National Employer Prize for Education 2013

certificates

• The European Campus got certified in 2023 as bicycle-friendly employer
• E-Quality Label certificate, ensuring equal opportunities
• National Code of Conduct for German Universities certificate, regarding international students

academic institutional memberships

• Heroes Alliance
• MINT Zukunft schaffen (STEM initiative)
• Affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization
• Member of the European University Association
• Member of Families in the University best practise club
• Hydrogen Alliance Bavaria

The European Campus Rottal-Inn is an academic institutional member with the following top professional societies in Digital Health:

• Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS)
• International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth (ISfTeH)
• International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA)
• European Federation for Medical Informatics (EFMI)

1. digitalisation

A centre for digitisation technology is our vision for the digital transformation of the Bavarian economy.

2. health

We strengthen the health care market through suitable academic courses and our goal is to shape the future of the health care industry.

3. mobility

Mobility is an essential element to success, especially in rural areas, which we strengthen through our intensive research and technology transfer.

4. sustainability

Sustainability interconnects all degree courses and areas of study out of humility and respect for future generations.

5. internationality

Our university is without borders, we have a vast range of partner universities around the globe and our students represent over 100 nations.

6. knowledge and technology transfer

Essential in growth areas and relevant research topics with and for our business partners.

7. further education courses

We are a reliable and innovative institute for life long learning parellel to full-time work at any age

8. startup campus

We will provide you with all the knowledge you need as an entrepeneur: a suitable degree, advise and support, scholarships and innovation labs.

9. quality of education

Our alumni are proof of our exceptional standard of education and innovative teaching methods. They are in professions all around the globe, we're very proud of them.

2025

Opening of the Campus Wörth-Wiesent

Opening of the Campus Kemnath

2024

Opening of the BITZ Transformation Lab in Oberschneiding

Opening of the Promotionszentrum NITRO

Opening of the Promotionszentrum DigiTech

Prof. Waldemar Berg takes over as University President on 15 March

2023

Opening of the Technology Campus Vilshofen

10 years Technology Campus Grafenau

Laying of the foundation stone for the extension in Cham

Richtfest des Erweiterungsbaus Mensa

University milestone: Opening of new facilities in the Veilchengasse in Deggendorf 

2022

In June, the DIT awards the Anton Fink Science Prize for Artificial Intelligence for the first time

20 years of the Centre for Academic further education

2021

8,324 students for the winter term 2021/2022

Campus Cham becomes third study location at DIT

Opening of the Bavarian Innovation and Transformation Centre (BITZ) Oberschneiding

2020

DIT receives system accreditation

Opening of the Technology Campus Plattling

Decision to open another Technology Campus in Vilshofen in 2022 with focus on cyber security

DIT becomes the only university of applied sciences in Germany with a European Grouping for Territorial Cooperation (EGTC)

2019

7,158 students for the winter term 2019/20

Foundation of the Faculty of Applied Computer Science (AI)

Establishment of the Faculty of European Campus Rottal-Inn (ECRI)

Opening of the Technology Campus Parsberg-Lupburg

Opening of the Technology Campus Hutthurm

Opening of the Technology Campus Teisnach II

DIT's 25th jubilee festival

2018

Opening of the Transfer Centre for Technology and Innovation on 7 June as the fifth building in a major extension project

2017

Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber is elected to carry on his presidentship for the second successive term

2016

The new campus building for TC Grafenau is opened

Student population in Oct 2016: 6,068

2015

Founding of the European Campus Rottal-Inn in Pfarrkirchen, courses start on 1 Oct 2015

Technology and Study Centre Weißenburg is opened

Faculty of Applied Healthcare (AGW) is founded

2014

Major campus extension in Deggendorf is opened on 26 Oct 2014, including 4 new buildings over an extended area of 5,700 sqm

2013

Student population in Oct 2013: 5,061

Federal President Joachim Gauck visits Deggendorf as students help locals during a flood catastrophy

New "THD" and "DIT" logos

Awarding of the new titles "Technische Hochschule Deggendorf" and "Deggendorf Institute of Technology"

Technology Campus Grafenau is opened

2012

Heathcare Campus Bad Kötzting is opened

Technology Application Centre Spiegelau is opened

2011

Prof. Dr. Peter Sperber is elected to be the University President, starting March 2012

Faculty of Naturwissenschaften und Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen (NuW) is founded

New “HDU“ logo is created for "Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Deggendorf" and "Deggendorf University of Applied Sciences"

Campus Schloss Mariakirchen is opened

2010

Student population in Oct 2010: 4,052

Technology Campus Cham is opened

2009

Technology Campus Teisnach is opened

Technology Campus Freyung is opened

2008

Visit from Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel

2007

Student population in Oct 2007: 3,159

German degree titles are adjusted to Bachelor und Master titles for international transparency

2006

Faculties are established

2003

Student population in Oct 2002: 2,146

2002

The Further Education Centre is established

 “Fachhochschule Deggendorf“ logo is redesigned

2001

Innovation and Technology Campus Deggendorf (ITC 1) is opened

1999

Student population in Oct 1999: 1,121

Development of the R&D labs, cooperative doctorates

On 1 Oct 1999 virtual teaching methods begin  (IT compact course, E-Learning)

1998

“Fachhochschule Deggendorf“ logo is developed

1997

On 24 April 1997 a foundation stone for the new campus is laid

1996

Prof. Dr. Reinhard Höpfl is elected to be University President

1994

The university is founded with the title of  "Fachhochschule Deggendorf - Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft"

1991

On 26 Nov 1991 the Bavarian Council of Ministers decide to establish a university in Deggendorf

Stats and facts gives you an overview of various key figures, evaluated regularly on fixed key dates. Please direct any enquiries to pressestelle@th-deg.de.

For over 30 years, Deggendorf Institute of Technology has been a reliable partner for students, companies, schools, research institutions, and municipalities while also providing a professional home for its staff.

We stand for practice-oriented teaching, applied research and development, and the transfer of knowledge to society.

We are aware of the challenges of our time and align our actions accordingly.

We are characterised by mutual respect, openness to the world, cultural diversity, dynamic development, democratic values, equal opportunities, and diversity.

As a responsible actor and key driver in the region, DIT significantly contributes to the development of the innovation ecosystem. We build bridges between national and international research institutions, municipalities, companies, and start-ups, actively shaping the future of our region.

We are pioneers

In teaching, further education, applied research, and start-up support, we are pioneers in the higher education landscape. The openness to new target groups and the continuous dialogue with society, politics, and business shape the development of our university. Innovative teaching and learning environments and the pursuit of excellence in research are key to our success.

Our principle is continuous improvement

We provide our students with excellent conditions through practice-experienced scientists and service-oriented administration to bring out their individual potential. We align our teaching and learning offerings with the needs of the economy and continuously develop them further.

As part of our excellent offerings in teaching, further education, research, and start-up support, we promote social and professional skills as well as entrepreneurial thinking and action.

We actively shape the future

The challenges of our time are our guide and drive. Our daily actions shape the future of our region and that of our students and staff. We are always aware of this great responsibility.

Our goal is to actively shape the future. In developing new study programmes, setting research priorities, and promoting founders, we rely on the highest quality and future orientation.

We create working conditions that enable our employees to actively shape the future. We place great emphasis on careful selection and qualification of our staff to ensure they are up to future challenges and contribute positively to the university's development.

The Teaching Mission Statement reflects the THD’s self-image and the institution-wide standards for teaching. It serves as a guide for all members of the university community – including teaching staff, students, and academic and non-academic staff – on the kind of teaching and learning that the THD embodies. The following principles, which are transparent and aligned with the university’s mission statement, describe the teaching ideals that the THD stands for. In doing so, educational goals such as subject-specific competence, methodological competence, social competence and personal competence are systematically promoted.

1. Quality of life and the student experience
Your time at THD is the best time of your life. We support our students in balancing their studies, work and leisure time to achieve a healthy work-life balance and a high quality of life. To this end, we develop and trial flexible and innovative course formats and employ a wide range of teaching methods. Together with our students, we shape our campuses into places that invite both social learning and relaxation. In addition, we organise festivals and events and promote sporting and cultural activities with and for our students. The aim is to support students’ personal development so that they can organise their studies independently whilst also getting involved in the social life of the university.

2. Internationality and Integration
With students from over 100 countries, THD’s campuses are among the most international in Germany. We thus offer unique intercultural learning environments and prepare our students for the challenges of our globalised world through international degree programmes, study groups and modules. In doing so, we place particular emphasis on ensuring that international students, as well as national and regional students, feel at home and welcome at THD. By expanding team-building initiatives, we actively counteract exclusion and foster a sense of community. We guide, advise and support our students from the moment they arrive at THD right through to their successful job applications. The focus is on developing intercultural sensitivity and the ability to act responsibly within diverse and collaborative teams.

3. Practical and needs-based training
As a training partner in Eastern and Lower Bavaria, we are particularly committed to providing training that is specifically tailored to the needs of businesses in our region. We regard practice- and needs-oriented training as our core mission. International students are introduced to companies at an early stage through, amongst other things, intensive language courses and dual study programmes. This results in excellent employment opportunities for our students both within the region and far beyond. The focus is on acquiring specialist and methodological skills that directly prepare students for the demands of the economy and the labour market.

4. Applied Research, Knowledge Transfer and Start-ups
Compared to other universities, the THD stands out for its research strength, as well as its impact and experience in the field of start-ups. This profile is reflected in the teaching and additional programmes offered to our students. The Master’s programmes, in particular, are closely integrated with the research expertise of the Technology Campus and its research groups, offering excellent starting points for an academic career and a subsequent PhD programme. Students interested in start-ups will find a start-up-oriented environment in the form of course content and a wide range of additional and support services. The aim is to strengthen research-based learning, unleash innovative potential and foster confidence in one’s own entrepreneurial creativity.

5. Quality
THD is constantly working to develop a consistent understanding of quality in teaching. Through entrance examinations, we admit the most suitable candidates, who can then study at THD in an attractive and performance-oriented learning environment. All teaching staff are involved in the process of continuous quality improvement. We regularly measure and evaluate the quality of our teaching and, based on these results, develop our teaching formats, content and methods in a targeted manner. The focus is on the continuous improvement of teaching quality to enable an effective and motivating study experience.

University Target Agreement 2023 - 2027

Like all Bavarian universities, Deggendorf Institute of Technology has concluded a framework agreement for the years 2023 - 2027 with the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts. The fields of action described therein and their implementation serve to sharpen the strategic profile of the university and its specific focus. The interim report as at 30 June 2025 can be viewed here: