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Private universities in Germany offer over 300 bachelor's and master's programmes in health sciences – spread across 10 fields that differ significantly in target audience, career prospects and study format. The range extends from health management (over 70 programmes) to speech therapy (a handful of top-up degrees). What they all have in common: no numerus clausus, flexible study models and multiple start dates per year. This page helps you find the right field.
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 302 courses in the field of Health Sciences. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
Human Medicine
- Witten/Herdecke University
- 12 Semester
- Witten
- 11 Comments & Questions
- German
Medical Education
- SRH University
- 6 Semester
- Gera, Leverkusen, Stuttgart
- from 450 € monthly
- 2 Comments & Questions
- German
International Healthcare Management
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 2 Semester
- online
- from 449 € monthly
- English
Medical Economics & Digital Management
- RH Cologne – University of Applied Science
- 6 Semester
- Cologne
- from 399 € monthly
- German
International Healthcare Management
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- English
Physical Therapy
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 7 Semester
- Cologne
- from 625 € monthly
- German
Fitness Economics
- German University of Prevention and Health Management
- 7 Semester
- Saarbrücken
- from 390 € monthly
- German
Dentistry, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine
- Witten/Herdecke University
- 10 Semester
- Witten
- German
Nutritional Counseling
- German University of Prevention and Health Management
- 7 Semester
- Saarbrücken
- German
Medical Professions
- DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
- 5 Semester
- from 137 € monthly
- German
Physician Assistance
- Carl Remigius Medical School
- 8 Semester
- Cologne, Dusseldorf, Braunschweig, Heidelberg, Frankfurt am Main or Hamburg
- from 625 € monthly
- German
Care Management
- Hamburger Fern-Hochschule
- 7 Semester
- online
- from 309 € monthly
- German
Sports Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 6 Semester
- Wiesbaden, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Heidelberg
- from 750 € monthly
- German
Health Management
- APOLLON University of Health Care Management
- 3 Semester
- online
- from 481 € monthly
- German
Fitness Training
- German University of Prevention and Health Management
- 7 Semester
- Saarbrücken
- from 390 € monthly
- German
Health Economics
- APOLLON University of Health Care Management
- 6 Semester
- online
- from 268 € monthly
- German
Osteopathy
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 8 Semester
- Idstein, Munich, Frankfurt or Cologne
- from 595 € monthly
- German
Molecular Biomedicine
- RH Cologne – University of Applied Science
- 6 Semester
- Cologne
- from 599 € monthly
- German
Healthcare Management
- Fresenius University of Applied Sciences
- 4 Semester
- online
- from 329 € monthly
- German
10 fields at a glance – which one fits you?
Health sciences at private universities can be roughly divided into four areas: direct patient care (therapy, nursing, medicine), management (hospitals, insurers, companies), teaching & counselling (education, nutrition) and sports & prevention. The following table provides a first orientation:
| Field | Typical careers | Duration | Formats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Management | Hospital manager, insurance analyst, digital health consultant | 6–7 sem. | Distance, dual, campus, part-time |
| Medicine & Physician Assistance | Physician assistant, clinical research associate | 6–8 sem. | Campus, part-time |
| Sports Science | Personal trainer, prevention consultant, sports manager | 6–7 sem. | Distance, dual, campus |
| Nursing Science | Nursing director, quality manager, nursing educator | 6–8 sem. (top-up from 3) | Distance, part-time, dual |
| Health Education | Health school teacher, clinical instructor, health counsellor | 6 sem. (M.A. 4 sem.) | Distance, campus, part-time |
| Physiotherapy | Physiotherapist (clinic, rehab, sports) | 6–8 sem. (top-up from 3) | Campus, dual, distance |
| Nutrition Science | Nutrition counsellor (DGE), product developer, researcher | 6–7 sem. | Distance, dual, campus |
| Art Therapy | Art therapist (psychiatry, rehab, social work) | 7–8 sem. | Campus, part-time |
| Occupational Therapy | Occupational therapist (clinic, paediatrics) | 6–8 sem. (top-up from 3) | Campus, dual |
| Speech Therapy | Speech therapist (clinic, early intervention) | 6–8 sem. (top-up from 3) | Distance, campus, dual |
Not sure yet? Our study navigator further down helps you find the right field in 2 clicks. All programmes are NC-free – you can also enrol without Abitur through completed vocational training with work experience or an advanced professional qualification.
Direct patient care
If you want to work therapeutically or in nursing, consider Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and Nursing Science. Most therapy professions require state accreditation – either from prior vocational training or through a primary qualifying degree programme that integrates the state examination. Medicine & Physician Assistance offers the highest level of patient contact at academic level.
For qualified professionals: If you already hold a therapy or nursing qualification, you do not need a full first degree. Top-up programmes credit your existing training and shorten study time to 3–5 semesters (instead of 6–8). You can earn your bachelor's part-time in 1.5–2.5 years – at IU from just 3 semesters, at DIPLOMA from €147/month.
Organising and managing
Health Management is by far the largest field – with over 70 programmes in all formats. It targets anyone who wants to work in the organisational, business or strategic side of healthcare: in hospitals, insurance companies, health policy or digital health companies. No health background required.
Teaching, researching and counselling
Health Education qualifies you to teach at nursing and health schools – a field with strong demand due to the workforce shortage. Nutrition Science opens paths into counselling, the food industry or research – with DGE certification, you can also bill statutory health insurers.
Sports, prevention and creative therapy
Sports Science is one of the largest fields with over 50 programmes – from sports management to fitness training and prevention. Art Therapy combines creative-expressive methods with therapeutic work in psychiatry, psychosomatics and rehabilitation.
Study formats: distance, dual, campus or part-time?
Private universities offer health sciences in four formats. The choice depends primarily on whether you are already working in healthcare:
| Format | For whom? | Typical costs | Available in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance learning | Working professionals who need flexibility | €195–450/mo. | Health mgmt., sports, nutrition, nursing, health ed. |
| Dual study | School leavers combining theory and practice | Often employer-funded | Health mgmt., sports, physiotherapy, nursing |
| Campus | Full-time students wanting lab work and networking | €300–625/mo. | All fields, especially medicine and therapy |
| Part-time | Professionals qualifying academically alongside work | €250–500/mo. | Health mgmt., medicine, health ed., art therapy |
For healthcare professionals in particular, part-time and distance formats are attractive: you keep your salary and gain an academic qualification simultaneously – without a career break.
For international students
Most bachelor's programmes in health sciences are taught in German (B2/C1 level required). However, several universities offer English-taught master's programmes, particularly in health management. Distance-learning programmes allow you to start studying from your home country – but note that a German student visa typically requires campus-based or hybrid study.
Key facts for non-EU applicants:
- Language: Most programmes require German B2/C1. Some master's programmes are available in English.
- Visa: For campus/dual programmes, you apply for a student visa. Fully distance-based programmes generally do not qualify for a student visa.
- Credential recognition: If you hold a healthcare qualification from outside Germany, contact the university's admissions office for an individual credit assessment. Therapy professions require a separate Anerkennungsverfahren (recognition procedure) to practise in Germany.
- Tuition: Private universities charge the same fees for international and domestic students. Total costs (€12,000–€30,000 for a bachelor's) are a fraction of comparable programmes in the US or UK.
Health Sciences Navigator – which field fits you?
Where do you stand right now?
What is your career goal?
Tuition fees and funding
Monthly tuition ranges from €0 (employer-funded dual programmes) to over €600 (campus-based medical degrees). Distance-learning programmes start at around €195/month.
Funding options
- Dual study: At many universities (IU, DHfPG, FHM), the practice partner covers tuition entirely – and you earn a training salary.
- Aufstiegs-BAföG: Particularly relevant for health professionals with completed training – covers up to 75% of tuition (50% grant + 50% low-interest loan with 50% forgiveness upon completion).
- Tax deduction: A part-time degree as a second qualification is fully deductible as a business expense in Germany – including tuition, travel and study materials.
- Scholarships: Many private universities offer their own scholarships, such as IU (up to 100% fee waiver) or SRH (merit and needs-based scholarships).
Academicisation of health professions – why a degree is becoming essential
In most EU countries, a bachelor's degree is already standard for nursing, therapy and midwifery professions. Germany is catching up – but slowly. The key developments:
- Nursing: Since 2020, a primary qualifying bachelor's exists alongside vocational training (Pflegeberufegesetz). From 2029, a master's will be legally required for nursing school teachers.
- Therapy professions: Physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy are already offered as academic qualifications at private universities. Full academicisation (degree replacing vocational training as the standard pathway) is under political discussion.
- Midwifery: Since 2020, a bachelor's degree is mandatory – vocational training has been abolished.
Protected vs. unprotected professional titles
Not all job titles in German healthcare are legally protected. This is crucial for your study decision:
| Title | Protected? | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Physiotherapist, occupational therapist, speech therapist | Yes (state exam) | Degree or training with state examination required |
| Nurse (Pflegefachkraft) | Yes (state exam) | Training or primary qualifying degree required |
| Health manager | No | Not a protected title – but employers expect a degree |
| Nutritionist (Ernährungsberater/in) | No | Anyone may use the title – but health-insurance billing requires a degree + DGE certification |
Those who gain academic qualifications now are prepared for potential full academicisation – and already benefit from better pay: in the German public sector, a bachelor's degree means one to two pay grades higher (e.g. E 9b instead of E 6). Over 20 years, this adds up to over €100,000 gross difference.
Honest comparison: Public universities in Germany offer comparable programmes tuition-free – but with an NC requirement (often 1.6–2.0), less flexible study formats and only one start date per year. Private universities offer NC-free admission, distance/evening study and multiple start dates – but cost from ~€195/month.
Career prospects and salary by field
Entry-level salaries range from €28,000 to €55,000 gross per year depending on the field. The largest salary ranges are found in medicine and health management:
| Field | Entry level (gross/year) | Experienced (10+ years) |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine & Physician Assistance | €40,000–55,000 | €60,000–80,000 |
| Health Management | €35,000–45,000 | €50,000–70,000 |
| Nursing Science (leadership roles) | €35,000–42,000 | €45,000–60,000 |
| Nutrition Science | €30,000–42,000 | €45,000–62,000 |
| Sports Science | €30,000–38,000 | €40,000–55,000 |
| Health Education (teaching) | €35,000–42,000 | €45,000–55,000 |
| Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy / Speech Therapy | €28,000–35,000 | €35,000–48,000 |
| Art Therapy | €28,000–35,000 | €35,000–45,000 |
Sources: TVöD/TV-L 2025, gehalt.de 2025, StepStone 2025. All figures gross. Self-employed therapists can earn significantly more depending on specialisation and insurance accreditation.
In the therapy and nursing professions, the salary differences between professionals with and without a degree are substantial – see the academicisation section above for details. Compared to the US ($40,000–$70,000 entry for health managers) or the UK (£25,000–£40,000), German salaries are moderate – but factor in the lower cost of living, universal healthcare and tuition that is a fraction of Anglophone countries.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions
Yes. Nearly all private universities accept applicants without Abitur – with completed vocational training plus work experience, a Meister qualification or an advanced professional certificate. Some universities also offer trial semesters or aptitude tests. Access through professional qualifications is particularly common in the healthcare sector.
Health management and sports science require no prior health experience and offer the widest range of formats. For direct patient care, you need a primary qualifying programme in physiotherapy, occupational therapy or speech therapy – these integrate the state examination. Use the study navigator above to find your best match.
Legally, yes – an accredited bachelor's or master's earned through distance learning is equivalent to a campus degree in Germany. Employers in healthcare evaluate the qualification, not the format. The only caveat: for lab-intensive fields (e.g. nutrition science with food analysis) or high-practice fields (therapy professions), a campus or hybrid format may be advantageous.
IU International University and Fresenius University offer the broadest range with over 20 health programmes each. Specialised providers include APOLLON University (health sector), MSH Medical School Hamburg (medicine and therapy) and DHfPG (sports and prevention).
It depends on the field. In health education, a master's will be legally required from 2029 for teaching at nursing schools. In medicine and health management, a master's opens doors to leadership and research – with a noticeable salary increase. In the therapy professions, a bachelor's suffices for clinical practice, but a master's qualifies for teaching and leadership roles. In short: a master's makes sense if you want to teach, research or lead.
About the Author Christian Wolf
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