If you’re considering studying in Germany, one of the first choices you’ll face is between a Universität and a Hochschule (Fachhochschule / University of Applied Sciences). Both award a Bachelor of Science (BSc), but they serve different types of students and career goals.
Universitäten focus on theoretical knowledge and research. Professors are evaluated mainly on publications, grants, and PhD supervision, so teaching ability is less emphasized. Class sizes can reach into the hundreds, leaving students with little chance of direct contact with professors. Students dive deep into mathematics, algorithms, and computer science theory, and are largely expected to learn on their own — which can add extra stress for foreign students. This is the ideal path if you want to pursue an academic career, or if you enjoy fundamental research.
Hochschulen specialize in applied sciences. Professors are hired for their industry experience and teaching ability rather than publications. Programs include a mandatory internship semester (Praxissemester) and project-based courses. Class sizes are smaller (often just a couple dozen students), giving students much easier access to professors and helping them graduate with strong connections to employers. This path is perfect if your goal is to enter industry as a job-ready engineer.
By institution type, the dropout rate is around 33% at Universitäten, compared to about 23% at Fachhochschulen, indicating that studying at a Fachhochschule is generally easier.
Türkiye does not have a direct equivalent of the German Hochschule. The closest would be Meslek Yüksekokulu (2-year vocational schools), but those don’t lead to a BSc. All proper engineering BSc programs are run by universities which follow a more research-oriented academic culture and place little emphasis on teaching quality or industry needs. Due to incentives tied to publishing papers, teaching is often viewed as a burden rather than a priority.
Turkish graduates may lack structured internship/practical semesters. To be hired in the tech industry, students must take initiative, actively develop practical skills beyond coursework and demonstrate hands-on experience through internships, freelance work, or GitHub contributions.