The Saxon city of Zwickau has a long history, stretching back well over 800 years. But its golden age began in 1904 when the city's first car manufacturing plant opened. In the 1920s, Audi racing cars made in Zwickau were some of the fastest on earth, while it hosted the main Trabant factory in the old East Germany.
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Situated in Saxony, Zwickau is a city of 89,500 people, and remains a thriving manufacturing center. Museums include the birthplace of composer Robert Schumann, and the car-related August Horch Museum, while popular musical events include the Störfaktor Festival Zwickau, and summer's Mithras Garden Fest.
Educational life in Zwickau is centered around the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau, which hosts a 4,000 strong student body. The school is practically based, offering Master's and Bachelor's degrees in technology and the life sciences - feeding graduates into Zwickau's automotive research facilities, and Saxony's service sector.
The school also runs special programs around the theme of "mobility", researching accessible and sustainable transport. International students are welcomed, and around 150 foreign students study there at any one time. German language proficiency is required, and the international office can assist in connecting applicants with Goethe Institut or TestDaf classes.
Student life is vibrant, with sports clubs and musical opportunities. The university also hosts a unique WHZ Racing Team, where students build and race single seat vehicles in international contests.