What is a professorship at a University of Applied Sciences?
A HAW (in German: Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) is a University of Applied Sciences. A HAW professorship combines teaching and research with practical application. The requirements for a HAW professorship are a doctorate (or a demonstrated aptitude for academic or artistic work) and current professional experience. A habilitation is not required.
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HAW Professorship: at a glance
A professorship at a University of Applied Sciences is awarded directly to an individual and is not tied to a specific chair. As a professor at a University of Applied Sciences – such as Hochschule München – you combine your academic expertise with your professional experience. You teach (18 hours per semester) and conduct research. You set your own research priorities, topics and objectives.
Become a prof!
An interview with Professor Dr Daniel Ossmann.
The following video is available in German only.
HAW Professorship: requirements
From the workplace to higher education: Who is eligible to teach and conduct research at a HAW (formerly: university of applied sciences)? What does it take to become a professor?
- Academic qualifications: a university degree in a relevant subject.
- Formal requirements: a doctorate or an assessment confirming that the candidate’s achievements are of doctoral standard; in the arts, evidence of exceptional aptitude must be provided.
- Preferably: at least 5 years’ professional experience following a university degree, of which at least 3 years must have been gained outside a university.
- Educational: Suitability for teaching (ideally with previous teaching experience or practical experience in initial and advanced professional development).
- Social and organisational: A keen interest in and aptitude for working with students, the ability to work as part of a team, and active involvement in subject-specific networks. An interest in helping to develop your department and the HM.
What does a Professor at a University of Applied Sciences do
Over 18 hours per week per semester, you will impart specialist knowledge, skills and your own professional experience. The focus is on the practical application of the course content. You will supervise your students in seminars, tutorials, projects and on their final assignments.
Typical of a University of Applied Sciences: the often smaller courses allow for direct, in-depth interaction with students. You can personally support early career researchers – and make a real difference together.
They develop and explore their own research topics, carry out research in collaboration with companies or research institutions, and mentor early career researchers.
Typical of a University of Applied Sciences: you apply your research findings in practice. You promote innovation in industry or, for example, in the service or care sectors.
Academic self-governance means that a higher education institution organises itself and its members. They serve on bodies such as the Examinations Board or the Academic Affairs Committee, oversee academic disciplines or take on the role of Head of Degree Programme.
Typical of a University of Applied Sciences: unlike in the business world, committee members and senior staff are elected.
- There are almost 500 universities of applied sciences in Germany.
- Her research is 100 per cent application-oriented.
- Around 4 in 10 students have enrolment at a university of applied sciences.
Hochschule München (HM) is one of Germany’s leading universities of applied sciences: it has 14 departments, over 100 degree programmes (bachelor's degree programmes, master's degree programmes), over 18,000 students and more than 500 professors.
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How much do professors earn?
Professors at a University of Applied Sciences are paid at the W2 grade. (W2 is one of three pay grades; the ‘W’ stands for ‘science’.) Bavaria is one of the federal states with the highest basic salary.
Your salary (as at 1 February 2025) will increase in three stages, from 6,824.23 euros to 7,094.18 euros (after 5 years) and then to 7,499.05 euros (after a further 7 years).
In addition, there are further payments and allowances. You can find all the information and calculation examples here:
Professorship at a University of Applied Sciences
- Making a difference: training and supporting young people, passing on knowledge, making the world a better place – in very practical ways.
- Make the most of your freedom; work on your own terms.
- Explore your own projects in depth during research and practical semesters.
- Striking a good balance between family and work.
- Enjoy job security: as a civil servant appointed for life.