On January 1, 2026, seven strong, newly bundled departments will be established. The goals of the structural reform are to improve the quality of studies, make the range of courses more flexible, and promote interdisciplinarity. For example, landscape architecture students will be able to network with architecture or urban planning students in Detmold and use the modern laboratories there.
The aim is to attract more students, establish more efficient structures, and allow for greater creative freedom. The structural reform will be implemented in stages—not everything will be completed by the deadline.
The university management and founding deans, together with their founding teams, have now explained to students what this means for them on the Sustainable Campus. In the future, TH OWL will no longer offer courses in Höxter. It is not yet clear when the courses currently based in Höxter will be relocated to Detmold or Lemgo – the schedule will be drawn up in the course of the year. What is certain is that no one will have to move at short notice and that any changes will be announced as early as possible.
At Monday's event, the university management explained which new departments the existing degree programs will be assigned to in the future. All degree programs from Höxter will continue.
The timetable will vary depending on the degree program. The highest priority is given to ensuring that the courses are studyable, which means that the university provides a framework that enables all students to successfully complete their studies.
“The structural reform will give students more opportunities to attend courses in other disciplines and get to know other academic cultures. With a view to their future careers, such perspectives are practical and particularly valuable,” says TH-OWL President Professor Dr. Jürgen Krahl.
"It is understandable that our students are very concerned about the future of their studies. Issues such as mobility, student housing, and campus life play a role here. On Monday, there was therefore an opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the founding teams of the respective departments. One thing is certain: no one will have to move at short notice," emphasizes Professor Dr. Yvonne-Christin-Knepper-Bartel, TH OWL Vice President for Education and Sustainability.
Prospective students can also enroll for the 2025/2026 winter semester in the bachelor's degree programs in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Green Space Management, Landscape Architecture, Computer Science, and Precision Farming, as well as in various master's degree programs in Höxter. Digital open space management is offered as a specialization in the Landscape Architecture and Green Space Management program.
The exact schedule for the relocation of courses will be developed in the course of this year. The university will inform students in good time and with sufficient advance notice so that they can make further plans.
