Communication Studies at Private Universities: 5 fields and over 30 courses from €219

PR, communication design, communication psychology, translation or leadership communication – over 30 programmes at 17 universities, NC-free and nationally accredited.
 · Last updated 29.04.2026

Communication is a cross-cutting discipline – graduates work in PR, corporate communications, communication design, communication psychology or intercultural communication. Private universities in Germany offer over 30 programmes across five fields, starting at €219/month for distance learning.

All programmes are NC-free and nationally accredited – at public universities, the NC for communication sciences ranges from 1.4 to 2.8.

Overview of all Courses

We have a total of 35 courses in the field of Communication Sciences. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.

Communication Psychology
Distance learning program, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  •  IU International University of Applied Sciences
  •  6 Semester
  •  online
  • from 259 € monthly
  •  German
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Part-time program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  Dresden International University
  •  4 Semester
  •  Dresden
  • from 538 € monthly
  •  German
More Info  
in english
On-campus program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  Zeppelin University
  •  8 Semester
  •  Friedrichshafen
  • from 895 € monthly
  •  German or English
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Part-time program, Master of Science (M.Sc.)
  •  FOM University of Applied Sciences
  •  5 Semester
  •  Essen
  • from 350 € monthly
  •  German
More Info  
On-campus program, Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  •  BSP Business and Law School
  •  6 Semester
  •  Berlin
  • from 590 € monthly
  •  German
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Communication Design
Distance learning program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  IU International University of Applied Sciences
  •  6 Semester
  •  online
  • from 259 € monthly
  •  German
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in english
On-campus program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  SRH University
  •  7 Semester
  •  Berlin
  • from 650 € monthly
  •  German or English
More Info  
in english
On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  Munich Business School
  •  3 Semester
  •  Munich
  • from 1383 € monthly
  •  English
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On-campus program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  SRH University
  •  6 Semester
  •  Berlin
  • from 690 € monthly
  •  German
More Info  
in english
On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  SRH University
  •  4 Semester
  •  Berlin
  • from 790 € monthly
  •  English
More Info  
On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  International University SDI Munich
  •  3 Semester
  •  Munich
  • from 640 € monthly
  •  German
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On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  Quadriga University Berlin
  •  3 Semester
  •  Berlin
  • from 156 € monthly
  •  German and English
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Public Relations & Communication
Dual studies, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  IU International University of Applied Sciences
  •  7 Semester
  •  Virtual Campus
  •  German
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Public Relations and Communication
Distance learning program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  IU International University of Applied Sciences
  •  6 Semester
  •  online
  • from 259 € monthly
  •  German
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Social Media
Distance learning program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  IU International University of Applied Sciences
  •  6 Semester
  •  online
  • from 259 € monthly
  •  German
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Brand and Communication Design (with Internship)
On-campus program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  AMD Akademie Mode & Design
  •  7 Semester
  •  Düsseldorf or Munich
  • from 750 € monthly
  •  German
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On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  International University SDI Munich
  •  3 Semester
  •  Munich
  • from 640 € monthly
  •  German and English
More Info  
On-campus program, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  •  International University SDI Munich
  •  7 Semester
  •  Munich
  • from 520 € monthly
  •  German
More Info  
On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  International University SDI Munich
  •  4 Semester
  •  Munich
  • from 690 € monthly
  •  German
More Info  
in english
On-campus program, Master of Arts (M.A.)
  •  Media University of Applied Sciences
  •  4 Semester
  •  Berlin, Cologne or Frankfurt am Main
  • from 850 € monthly
  •  German or English
More Info  

Which field of communication studies is right for you?

The 30+ programmes in communication sciences span five distinct fields, each leading to different careers. Your choice depends on whether you prefer working strategically, creatively, analytically, linguistically or in leadership roles.

Communications management and PR – positioning brands

IU International University, IST University and Media University (HMKW) offer around 7 programmes in PR, social media and communications management – as distance learning, dual, part-time or on campus. Curricula cover content strategy, media planning, digital campaigns and crisis communication. Career paths: PR manager, social media manager, press officer, communications consultant. This field suits you if you want to shape public perception and place messages strategically.

Communication design – visual communication

Around 6 programmes combine design with strategic communication: brand identity, visual campaigns, corporate design. IU offers communication design as distance learning from €259/month, SRH University and HMKW provide campus programmes in Berlin. Unlike pure graphic design, the focus here is on the communication strategy behind the design. Career paths: art director, brand strategist, creative director. This field suits you if you think visually and understand design as a communication tool.

Communication psychology – understanding people

A compact field with 3 programmes that analyses how people communicate, make decisions and behave in groups. Fresenius University and IU offer distance learning programmes from €259/month; DIU Dresden provides a part-time master’s. Career paths: UX researcher, organisational consultant, change manager, mediator. This field suits you if you think analytically and want to understand why people communicate the way they do.

Intercultural communication and translation – working internationally

The largest cluster with around 10 programmes: translation, interpreting, international business communication and intercultural competence. SDI Munich is Germany’s specialised university for languages and communication (6 on-campus programmes). AKAD University and SRH Distance Learning University offer distance programmes from €215/month. Career paths: translator, conference interpreter, international communication manager, intercultural trainer. This field suits you if you have a talent for languages and want to work in international contexts.

Corporate and leadership communication – strategic steering

Around 10 programmes target students and professionals who want to manage communication at leadership level: strategic communication, leadership, change management. SRH University (Heidelberg), Quadriga University (Berlin) and Zeppelin University (Friedrichshafen) offer campus programmes; AKAD provides distance learning from €219/month. Career paths: head of corporate communications, CCO, crisis communication specialist, strategy consultant. This field suits you if you are ambitious and want to use communication as a leadership instrument.

PR, media relations, social media: communication professionals shape how messages are received – from press statements to Instagram posts.

How much does a communication degree at a private university cost?

Tuition fees range from €215 to €1,383/month depending on field, format and university. Distance learning programmes start at €215/month (SRH Distance Learning University), while on-campus programmes typically cost between €490 and €895/month. Premium programmes like Sports Business and Communication at Munich Business School reach €1,383/month.

Bachelor’s programmes: cost comparison

Most affordable bachelor’s programmes in communication (selection)
CourseUniversityFees

Part-time program		from 14112 € total
from 336 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 15063 € total
from 259 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 15063 € total
from 259 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 15063 € total
from 259 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 15084 € total
from 215 € monthly

Master’s programmes: cost comparison

Master’s programmes cost between approximately €8,500 (FHM, M.A. Strategic Communications, distance learning) and €24,900 (Munich Business School, M.A. Sports Business and Communication) total. For working professionals, IST University and the European Distance Learning University offer distance master’s programmes from €415/month.

Master’s programmes in communication (selection)
CourseUniversityFees

Distance learning program		from 8500 € total

Distance learning program		from 11880 € total
from 495 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 11880 € total
from 495 € monthly

On-campus program		from 12245 € total
from 640 € monthly

On-campus program		from 12245 € total
from 640 € monthly

Dual studies		from 12450 € total
from 415 € monthly

How do costs compare internationally?

Compared to the UK (average £9,250/year for undergraduates) or the US ($38,000+/year at private institutions), German private universities are significantly more affordable. A full bachelor’s degree in communication costs between €10,500 and €42,960 total – often less than a single year at a US private university.

Distance learning, on-campus or dual – which format suits communication studies?

Of the 30+ programmes, 19 are full-time on campus, 11 are distance learning, 3 are part-time and 2 are dual study programmes. The right format depends on your chosen field:

  • Communications management/PR: All formats available – distance learning from €259, dual with employer-funded tuition, part-time or full-time.
  • Communication design: Distance learning (IU) or campus (SRH, HMKW). Campus programmes offer collaborative projects and studio work.
  • Communication psychology: Distance learning and part-time only – no pure campus option. Ideal for working professionals.
  • Intercultural communication/translation: Campus mainly at SDI Munich; distance learning at AKAD and SRH. For interpreting, campus attendance is essential.
  • Leadership communication: Predominantly full-time on campus. One distance learning bachelor (AKAD) and part-time options (FOM) exist.

What can you earn after a communication degree?

Salaries depend heavily on specialisation. Communication graduates in Germany earn a median of approximately €50,000 gross per year (sources: gehalt.de, StepStone). For comparison: the median income of all full-time employees in Germany is around €44,000 gross. The range between fields is considerable:

  • Leadership communication offers the highest earning potential: head of corporate communications €70,000–100,000+, CCO positions in large corporations even higher.
  • Communication psychology sits in the upper mid-range at €52,000 median – UX research and organisational consulting pay above average.
  • Communications management/PR starts at €35,000–42,000 and rises to €60,000–70,000 with experience. In-house corporate communications pays better than agency work.
  • Communication design is mid-range: art direction and brand strategy earn above average; traditional graphic design tends to pay below average.
  • Intercultural communication/translation has the lowest entry salaries (~€34,000) but rises significantly with specialisation (conference interpreting, technical translation).
Strategic communication is teamwork: whether PR campaign, change process or brand relaunch – communication professionals steer the message.

Where can you study communication at a private university in Germany?

Most campus programmes are concentrated in Munich (7 programmes, mainly SDI and MBS) and Berlin (5 programmes, including SRH, HMKW, Quadriga, BSP).

  • Munich – SDI Munich (6 programmes in translation, interpreting, intercultural communication), Munich Business School
  • Berlin – SRH (communication design), HMKW (PR, design), Quadriga (Communication & Leadership), BSP
  • Düsseldorf – IST University (communications management), IU (PR & communication)
  • Cologne – IU, HMKW
  • Hamburg – IU
  • Heidelberg – SRH (Strategic Communication & Leadership)
  • Friedrichshafen – Zeppelin University (Communication, Culture & Management)

Prefer studying from anywhere? 11 distance learning programmes offer maximum flexibility. AKAD University (from €219/month), IU International University and SRH Distance Learning University are the largest providers.

Communication sciences vs. media sciences – what is the difference?

This distinction confuses many prospective students. Communication sciences examine how we communicate – strategies, psychology, language, impact. Media sciences focus on what and through which channels we communicate – media production, media management, journalism. The overlap is in PR and media management: those who want to run communication campaigns across media channels will find suitable programmes in both fields. Those interested in film, journalism or media design should look at media sciences.

Admission requirements for international students

Private universities in Germany typically require:

  • Recognised school-leaving certificate: Your secondary school diploma must be equivalent to the German Abitur. Check equivalence via the anabin database or contact the university’s admissions office.
  • Language proficiency: German-taught programmes require at least B2 German (TestDaF, DSH). English-taught programmes require IELTS 6.0+ or TOEFL 80+. Several communication management and leadership programmes are available in English.
  • No NC: All private universities admit without Numerus Clausus – at public universities, the NC for communication sciences is 1.4–2.8.

International students holding a student visa are permitted to work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year alongside their studies.

Frequently asked questions about communication studies at private universities

No. All private universities in Germany are NC-free – admission is based on the university’s own selection process. At public universities, the NC for communication sciences ranges from 1.4 to 2.8 depending on location. Private universities are therefore an alternative for students whose grades do not meet the requirements at their preferred public university.

Communication sciences is the academic umbrella term – it encompasses theory, empirical research and the study of human communication. Communications management is the applied variant: you learn to manage communication strategically in organisations – PR, social media, content strategy. At private universities, applied programmes dominate.

Yes. Several programmes are taught in English: Communication & Leadership (Quadriga University), Communication, Culture & Management (Zeppelin University), International Business Communication (AKAD) and Communication Management (Karlshochschule). SDI Munich also offers programmes with multiple foreign languages.

Yes. All programmes listed on privathochschulen.net are nationally accredited by the German Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) through agencies such as FIBAA, ACQUIN or ZEvA. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from private universities are legally equivalent to those from public universities and carry ECTS credits recognised across Europe.

Private universities offer NC-free admission (public: NC 1.4–2.8), small study groups, lecturers from industry and close corporate partnerships. They also update curricula faster – an advantage in a field being reshaped by AI and digitalisation. The trade-off: tuition fees between €215 and €1,383/month.

Communication graduates earn a median of approximately €50,000 gross per year – well above the median for all full-time employees (€44,000). With specialisation in leadership or crisis communication, €70,000–100,000 is realistic. A distance learning degree from €10,500 total pays for itself within a few years.

Related fields of study at private universities

Communication sciences overlap with several neighbouring disciplines. Those interested in media production, film or journalism should explore Media Sciences. For a business focus – marketing, management, digital business models – the Economics section is relevant. Those interested in the societal impact of communication can find related programmes in Social Sciences. For artistic and design programmes beyond communication design, see Art.

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