Did you know that the Hochschule München is Bavaria’s largest university of applied sciences? It is also one of Germany’s largest. The Hochschule München has a rich history. It began with the Staatsbauschule München. This school traces back to 1821. Hermann Mitterer taught building trade classes at the Feiertagsschule. In 1823, it became the first training center for construction workers in German-speaking areas. Gustav Vorherr led this new institution.
The school focused on local building needs. This differed from the École polytechnique in Paris and the Berlin Bauakademie. It considered rural areas that were often overlooked. In 1918, the name changed to Staatliche Bauschule München. Later, it became Staatsbauschule. The National Socialists heavily criticized the school’s leadership. Max Stiehle, a victim of NS persecution, became director in 1946.
The Hӧhere Technische Lehranstalt der Stadt München dates back to 1924. Gebhard Himmler, a National Socialist, took over its leadership in 1935. Some lecturers were dismissed or forced out. There were even arrests. Many buildings were destroyed by the end of the war. During the Nazi era, it was called the “Engineering School of the Capital of the Movement”. In 1946, it was renamed Oskar-von-Miller-Polytechnikum.
In 1956, the Bavarian school authorities approved a private technical school. Horst-Dietrich Bohne led this school. By 1958, it was a Hӧhere Technische Lehranstalt. It already included electronic computing in its curriculum. It covered aircraft construction, automotive engineering, and industrial engineering. In 1967, it was renamed Ingenieurschule Bohne.
Other institutions also preceded the Hochschule München. These included the Hӧhere Fachschule für Jugend- und Sozialarbeit founded in 1919. There was also the Department for Applied Graphics of the Akademie für das Graphische Gewerbe founded in 1907 and 1927. The Hӧhere Fachschule für Jugendleiterinnen founded in 1936. And the Hӧhere Wirtschaftsfachschule München founded in 1962.
The Fachhochschule München was founded on August 1 1971. It replaced these engineering schools and other higher vocational schools. The existing educational institutions were merged into one FH. These included the Oskar-von-Miller-Polytechnikum and the Staatsbauschule München. Also included were the Hӧhere Wirtschaftsfachschule München and the Ingenieurschule Bohne. And the Hӧhere Fachschule für Jugend- und Sozialarbeit and the Abteilung für Gebrauchsgraphik.
In 2003, the photography training was integrated into the Department of Design. In October 2007, the Fachhochschule München was renamed “Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften – FH München”. It was shortened to “Hochschule München” or “HM”. In 2011, the term “Fachhochschule” was dropped. The official name became “Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften München”.
Today, Martin Leitner is the president of the Hochschule München. He was re-elected for a second term in 2020. The university has 14 faculties. These include architecture, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering. Also, electrical engineering and computer science. As well as business administration, social sciences, design, and tourism.
The Hochschule München has three campuses. These are located at Lothstraße, Pasing, and Karlstraße. The Lothstraße campus is the main location. It houses the university management and administration. It is a vibrant hub of learning and innovation in the heart of Munich. Each year, the Hochschule München hosts the HOKO career fair. Around 300 companies and 15,000 visitors attend. The fair is organized by 26 students. It is one of Germany’s most successful career fairs.