Hochschule Geisenheim University

Who We Are

Hochschule Geisenheim University was founded in 2013 as the result of a merger between the Geisenheim Research Institute and the Geisenheim faculty of the Hochschule RheinMain. Our university combines comprehensive research with application-oriented, practical teaching across a unique range of subjects, from wine and beverages to food, horticulture, and landscape architecture. The overarching topic of climate protection and sustainability is also an integral part of all of our degree programs and is at the center of our research.

Our Approach

We are Germany’s first Hochschule neuen Typs – a ‘new type’ of university – and are proud to have over 150 years of history behind us. Our origins date back to October 1872, with the founding of the Royal Prussian College for Fruit Growing and Viticulture in Geisenheim.

At the center of our approach is the holistic consideration of the entire value chain of specialty crops, including grapevines, fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. We are committed to studying the diverse production and processing methods of these crops, as well as food safety, food logistics, and the economics and marketing of wine and other beverages. Other focus areas at the university include cultural landscape development, urban open space design, landscape architecture, and conservation.

Our Mission

Research, education, praxis: this triad is at the beating heart of Hochschule Geisenheim University. Our goal is to find new and unique ways to make use of the interplay between these three areas; we conduct both applied and basic research, go far beyond fundamental teaching approaches with a range of practice-oriented study programs, and promote the transfer of knowledge into real-world application.

We currently offer a total of eight practice-oriented bachelor’s degree programs, five of which are available as integrated work-study programs and all of which lead to a professional qualification. Additionally, we offer ten research-based master’s degree programs and also have the right to award doctoral certificates.

With around 50 professors and numerous scientific staff members, our students are provided with extensive support and an excellent learning environment. Our students and researchers also benefit from our global network of renowned partner universities, institutions, and companies. Our degree programs, including two programs that are taught entirely in English, bring together students from over 50 different nations; approximately 14% of our current 1,600 students are from countries outside of Germany.

With more than 550 employees, Hochschule Geisenheim University is also a major regional employer. Our campus is nestled in the unique cultural landscape of the Rheingau region and has excellent connections to the broader Rhine-Main metropolitan area.