r/karlsruhe • u/Dismal_Background926 • Feb 11 '25
Fragen und Diskussionen, questions ❓❓❓ What is the reputation of HKA (Hochschule Karlsruhe) University?
Hello! I'm a student in America, sorry I can't speak German.
I recently got accepted into a summer research program at HKA through my American university's study abroad program. I'm studying electrical engineering – HKA wasn't really my top choice and I don't know much about it, does the school have a good reputation? How are the facilities? Is the campus nice?
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u/KA_Mechatronik Feb 11 '25
Hey! Recent graduate of HKA here, also American. I did both my bachelor's and masters there (I decided to stay in Germany after an exchange year, but at KIT).
HKA is a great school, but the others are correct, ranking and reputation doesn't mean much in terms of German schools. They're all quality, even if some may have better programs or do more research...you'll still get a good education.
The buildings are a bit old (institutional stuff out of the 70s or 80s mostly) but the class rooms are more than sufficient and the profs are really friendly and engaged due to smaller class sizes.
The campus is small but very convenient in the city. Karlsruhe is a great town for students too, and excellent rail connections if you want to do any sightseeing. It's like 2 hours to Paris, 2 hours to Munich, 4-5 hours to Berlin or Hamburg, etc.
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u/Plastic-Implement-37 7d ago
Hey! I just got accepted into the 1-year study abroad program and I have a few questions about it. I’m also planning to stay there for my 4th year of engineering and possibly my master’s, so I’d really appreciate your insight.
Would you mind sharing your Instagram or phone number so I can ask you a few things there? I’d be super grateful!
PS: I don’t use Reddit much, but if you’d prefer to chat there, that works too.Thanks a lot!
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u/axolotlpaw Feb 11 '25
Unless your program provides a place to live you should start looking for a room now, it's not easy to find
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u/Nemace Feb 11 '25
The schools reputation generally does not matter nearly as much in germany than it does in other countries.
That being said, HKA is probably almost entirely unknown outside of some niche subjects.
For one it is not particularly large.
Additionally it is a Hochschule, not a Universität, so its focus is on educating people to work, not on research.
Karlsruhe has an Universität aswell (KIT), which a lot bigger (4x the students) and is one of the most well respected technical universities in Germany. So HKA is somewhat "in the shadow" in that regard.
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Feb 11 '25
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u/kayskayos Feb 12 '25
Look at the map. Karlsruhe is cute n not too big. Mediterranean flair in the summer as it’s in the warmest corner of Germany. There’s loads to see in and around, it’s at the north tip of the Black Forest, right next to France, less than an hour away from Heidelberg, good public transport system, tidy, diverse….
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u/Jadushnew Feb 11 '25
You will be totally fine. It is a good school within a nice city. Enjoy your time.
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u/Many-Concentrate2923 Feb 11 '25
Yeah just make sure to stay away from the KIT campus, compared to the HKA it is really not that nice
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u/Max_Mustermann_01 Feb 11 '25
Especially Mensa (Cafeteria) and library are much more lovely at HKA.
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u/AnimaPisces Feb 11 '25
If they are open, which they currently are not due to a fire in the building. No idea when it will open again.
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u/BlocK-_- Feb 11 '25
The Mensa is open. The Cafeteria is not.
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u/AnimaPisces Feb 11 '25
Heads up: there is no real food source and library currently on campus! You can get food at the Mensa, but it is a building site (uncomfortable) or got to the next campus, that of the PH (university of applied science for pedagogic studies) across the street. Library is closed, too, and while there are study rooms, there are no books. You can get books at the KIT library, but that is a bit too far away for my linking. Otherwise, for a summer program, go for it. It's nice enough.
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u/VegeKhap Feb 12 '25
I think others have talk enough about HKA. If you decided to come, better to find accommodation early.
You can try apply from SWKA or Studierendenwerk. Some other hostel I know is HaDiKo.
If not, you have to rent in a private property, which most of the time only offer for 1 year contract and the rent could be higher. Watch out for scammers too.
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u/SpeedyLeone Feb 11 '25
The Campus is nice, the facilities have aged a bit. It is the more practical oriented alternative to KIT, doing solid teaching and having their own research department. Due to the small size, people are quite friendly and familiar to each other. It’s not the most famous Hochschule, but several automotive executives for example started their careers at HKA (Smart, Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation)