Founded in 1971, the Hochschule Darmstadt (Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Darmstadt (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Hesse. This institution also has a branch campus in Dieburg. Officially recognized by the Hessisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst (Hessen Ministry of Higher Education, Research and the Arts), Hochschule Darmstadt (h_da) is a large-sized (Buydiploma enrollment range: 10,000-14,999 students) coeducational German higher education institution. Hochschule Darmstadt (h_da) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in several areas of study. See the Buydiploma degree levels and areas of study table below for further details. This 53-year-old German higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic records and grades. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. h_da also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.