The South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences, officially known as Fachhochschule Südwestfalen, is a prominent public university founded in 2002. With more than 14,000 students, it is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The university has its headquarters and one of its four campuses located in Iserlohn, along with three other campuses in Hagen, Meschede, and Soest, as well as a subsidiary in Lüdenscheid.

The University's campuses offer a blend of modern facilities and a student-friendly environment. The Iserlohn campus, for example, is renowned for its outstanding quality of study, excellent future prospects and a pleasant atmosphere that fosters close cooperation with local industry. The Meschede campus boasts modern buildings and extensive facilities, reflecting the university's commitment to providing excellent conditions for learning and research.

South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences offers a wide range of academic programmes, including engineering, natural sciences, information technology, business management and agriculture. It offers around 52 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes for both full-time and part-time students. The university is particularly renowned for its specialised programmes and research areas, such as Aluminium Technology, Applied Digital Image Processing, Automation of Metalworking Processes in the Automotive Industry, and Computational Intelligence and Cognitive Systems.

The university has a strong focus on practical applications and industry collaboration, ensuring that its students receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for successful careers. It has strong links with local and international companies, providing students with opportunities for internships, projects and networking.

One of the unique aspects of South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences is its commitment to small class sizes and personal attention. The university strongly believes in fostering a student-friendly environment where individual attention and close interaction with faculty members are prioritised.