Prospective Students
As one of Europe’s largest university regions, the Ruhr area is a dynamic talent factory and a powerful driver of integration. Our universities excel in opening doors to higher education for individuals without an academic family background, while at the same time cultivating high-performing specialists for industry and society. This unique blend of accessibility and performance orientation makes the Ruhr region a place where educational advancement is not just a promise, but a reality. At the Ruhr Innovation Lab, we offer a range of programs that build bridges from school to academia—because here, talent in all its diverse forms is not only welcome but nurtured and celebrated.
Talent Scouting: Promoting Educational Equity
Since 2015, the Talent Scouting program at Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University supports talented youth from backgrounds with limited access to higher education. It bridges the gap between schools and universities by offering open-ended counseling on study and career choices, guiding students through university life, and advising on scholarships. With 47% of students at both universities being first-generation students, the program plays a vital role in enhancing educational equity and equal opportunities.
TalentTage Ruhr: Collaborating for Talent Development
The TalentTage Ruhr is an annual program that supports teenagers in the Ruhr region with career orientation. By connecting young people with universities, employers, and scholarship providers, it helps them explore their strengths and interests. TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum actively contribute to this initiative, fostering youth development and securing skilled professionals for the region. The foundation TalentMetropole Ruhr coordinates 600 events per year, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Ruhr area.
DLR_School_Lab: Inspiring the Next Generation of Researchers
The DLR_School_Lab on the Dortmund campus empowers schoolchildren to explore exciting research topics through hands-on experiments. Founded in 2008 as a collaboration between the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and TU Dortmund University, the lab offers school classes unique opportunities to engage with innovative research topics. By sparking curiosity and enthusiasm, it prepares young talents for tomorrow’s scientific challenges in fields like energy, space exploration, materials science, and robotics.
Alfried-Krupp School Lab: Immersing Oneself in Science
Igniting a passion for research and science from a young age—that is the mission of the Alfried-Krupp school lab. It offers pupils the opportunity to experiment, analyze, and grasp the potential of scientific methods to better understand our world. Here, students truly immerse themselves in the realm of science. The lab provides projects from the STEM fields as well as from the humanities. And what’s more: Teacher training students support the work in the school lab, thus gathering their first practical experience in teaching—a win-win situation!
Voluntary Scientific Year: Firsthand Experiences in Science
The voluntary scientific year helps young people to find their own path to their dream job. After graduating from high school, they can try out research and studying at Ruhr University Bochum. The volunteers can attend lectures, choosing from a wide range of subjects, and experience science firsthand in real research projects. The voluntary internship for study and career orientation is aimed primarily at young people who are interested in technical and scientific topics. Experiences in the lecture hall, on campus, and within the departments show how exciting and diverse life at university is.
DoBuS Trial Course: Breaking Down Barriers in Higher Education
With a three-day trial course the Division of Disability and Studies DoBuS introduces students with special needs to essential support services, legal rights, and assistance options available at TU Dortmund University. The initiative also fosters community among students with disabilities and chronic illnesses. For already five decades DoBuS has been playing a pivotal role in promoting inclusivity on campus and beyond. For its commitment to remove barriers in higher education, DoBuS was honored by the Zero Project.