History of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences

Esslingen University of Applied Sciences has existed in its present form since 1st October, 2006. On this date, the two Esslingen universities - the Technical University of Applied Sciences and the University of Applied Sciences for Social Work - were merged. From then on, all the taught Diploma courses were transformed into Bachelor's degree programs; later, consecutive Master's degree programs were added. 

The origins of the Technical University of Applied Sciences

In 1868 a new department for training mechanical engineers was added to the then Königlich-Württembergischen Baugewerkeschule (Royal School of Construction) in Stuttgart. However, the great interest in the subject soon meant that the Stuttgart site was filled to capacity. The industrial development in the neighbouring town of Esslingen was already well under way, especially in the area of mechanical engineering.

In 1914, the Königlich-Württembergische Maschinenbauschule  was moved from Stuttgart to Esslingen. About 600 young people studied there. In the following years, the spectrum of training courses was extended to include electrical engineering, micro-engineering, communications engineering and heating and  air-conditioning systems. In 1938 the School of Mechanical Engineering was renamed the Staatliche Ingenieurschule Esslingen  (State School of Engineering). In 1971 the Schools of Engineering developed into Universities of Applied Sciences. At this time, the range of subjects taught at Esslingen was extended to include computer sciences and engineering management. In 1988 the campus at Goeppingen, 33 km from Esslingen, was inaugurated; here the Faculty of Mechatronics is located.

In 1998, Esslingen University of Applied Sciences started the first Master's degree program in International Industrial Management (MBA) at a German University of Applied Sciences. In the following year, the Faculty of the Graduate School was founded, where three English-speaking Master's degree programs are administered.

The origins of the University of Applied Sciences for Social Work

The former University of Applied Sciences for Social Work also has its origins in Stuttgart. In 1917, the Soziale Frauenschule des Schwäbischen Frauenvereinswurde (Social Women's School of the Swabian Women's Association) was started in Stuttgart by a foundation established by  Queen Charlotte of Wuerttemberg. A second project which benefitted from the foundation was the Jugendleiterinnen-Seminar (Women's Youth Leadership Program), founded in 1930. These organisations were merged into the State University of Applied Sciences in 1972. The move from Stuttgart to Esslingen came in 1974. In 1999/2000 the subjects were extended to include degree programs in the nursing sciences.  

The documents detailing the history of Esslingen University of Applied Sciences and its former schools and seminars up to the year 1868 have been archived in the Staatsarchiv Ludwigsburg. To find out more, click here.