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Private universities in Germany offer occupational therapy programmes as distance, dual or on-campus bachelor’s degrees – all NC-free and starting from €147 per month. Occupational therapy is a recognised shortage profession in Germany: open positions take an average of over 150 days to fill. A degree complements the traditional vocational training with scientific competence and opens doors to leadership roles, research and the sought-after direct patient access without a physician’s referral.
- Overview of all Courses
- How much does it cost to study occupational therapy at a private university?
- Are there English-taught occupational therapy programmes?
- Studying with or without prior OT training
- How to get in: admission without NC
- Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
- What do occupational therapists earn in Germany?
- Frequently asked questions
- Related programmes at private universities
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 7 courses in the field of Occupational Therapy.
Occupational Therapy
- IU International University of Applied Sciences
- 3 Semester
- online
- from 259 € monthly
- German
Applied Therapeutic Sciences
- Döpfer University of Applied Sciences
- 5 Semester
- Cologne, Regensburg and Potsdam
- from 99 € monthly
- German
Applied therapy science: occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy
- IB University of Health and Social Sciences
- 8 Semester
- Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart
- from 245 € monthly
- German
Therapy Sciences - Occupational Therapy
- SRH Fernhochschule - The Mobile University
- 3 Semester
- online
- from 201 € monthly
- German
Occupational Therapy
- DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
- 5 Semester
- online
- from 147 € monthly
- German
Occupational Therapy
- FHM University of Applied Sciences
- 42 Months
- Augsburg, Bad Elster, Bad Säckingen, Balingen, Bautzen, Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Dortmund, Duisburg, Erlangen, Essen, Fulda, Hamm, Heidelberg, Höxter, Kaiserslautern, Kiel, Kiel-Centre, Konstanz, Krefeld, Lippstadt, Ludwigsburg, Mönchengladbach, Oberhausen, Paderborn, Plauen, Recklinghausen, Rosenheim, Simmern, Trier, Tübingen, Willich, Worms, Bamberg, Waldshut
- German
Occupational Therapy
- SRH University
- 7 Semester
- Heidelberg
- from 490 € monthly
- German
How much does it cost to study occupational therapy at a private university?
Tuition fees for occupational therapy at private universities in Germany range from €99 to €490 per month, depending on the study format:
| Format | Monthly | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning | €147–259 | €6,542–9,481 |
| On-campus (full-time) | €99–490 | €7,056–21,580 |
| Dual (training + degree) | on request | on request |
By international comparison, studying occupational therapy at a German private university is considerably cheaper than in the UK (£9,250/year), the US ($30,000–60,000/year for OT programmes) or Australia (AUD 25,000–40,000/year). German private tuition typically ranges from €1,764 to €5,880 per year – with no additional application fees.
| Course | University | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Therapy Sciences - Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | SRH Fernhochschule - The Mobile University | 3 Semester | from 6542 € total from 201 € monthly | |
| Applied Therapeutic Sciences, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Döpfer University of Applied Sciences | 5 Semester | from 7056 € total from 99 € monthly | |
| Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences | 5 Semester | from 8705 € total from 147 € monthly | |
| Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Science Distance learning program | IU International University of Applied Sciences | 3 Semester | from 9481 € total from 259 € monthly |
Are there English-taught occupational therapy programmes?
No. All occupational therapy programmes at private universities in Germany are taught entirely in German. You will need German language skills at B2 to C1 level (CEFR) to follow lectures, complete assignments and participate in clinical placements.
If you are considering studying in Germany, we recommend starting German language courses early. Many universities accept language certificates from the Goethe-Institut, TestDaF or DSH. The on-campus programmes listed below accept international students, though all instruction is in German:
| Course | University | Study site | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applied therapy science: occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | IB University of Health and Social Sciences | Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart | 8 Semester | from 13560 € total from 245 € monthly | |
| Occupational Therapy, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | SRH University | Heidelberg | 7 Semester | from 21580 € total from 490 € monthly |
Studying with or without prior OT training
Whether you need prior vocational training (Ausbildung) depends on the programme format:
- Direct entry (primärqualifizierend): On-campus programmes at Döpfer University, IB University and SRH University lead directly to a B.Sc. – including professional qualification as an occupational therapist. No prior training required.
- Dual (training + degree): FHM University offers a dual bachelor combining vocational training at a partner school with university studies, completed in about 3.5 years. Available at over 30 locations across Germany.
- Top-up for qualified OTs: Distance programmes at DIPLOMA, SRH Fernhochschule and IU are designed for already-qualified occupational therapists seeking an academic degree while continuing to work.
Compared to vocational training alone, the degree adds evidence-based practice, research methods, clinical reasoning and scientific writing – skills that qualify you for leadership roles, research and, in future, direct patient access without a physician’s referral.
How to get in: admission without NC
Private universities in Germany do not apply a Numerus Clausus (NC) for occupational therapy. You typically need:
- A secondary school qualification equivalent to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife
- For international credentials: recognition via anabin or application through uni-assist
- For distance programmes: prior OT training (Ausbildung) is usually required
- Some universities require a motivational interview or health certificate
Student visa, health insurance and working in Germany
Non-EU students need a student visa and a blocked account (Sperrkonto) with at least €11,904 per year as proof of financial means. Health insurance is mandatory and costs around €120 per month for students under 30.
As a student, you may work up to 140 full days or 280 half days per year without a separate work permit. The Deutschlandticket (€63/month) provides unlimited access to local and regional public transport across Germany.
After graduation, you can apply for an 18-month job-seeking visa to find employment in Germany. Given the shortage of occupational therapists, your chances of finding a position are excellent.
What do occupational therapists earn in Germany?
With a degree, you can work in rehabilitation clinics, outpatient OT practices, psychiatric facilities, paediatric and early intervention centres, nursing homes or corporate health management. A bachelor’s degree also qualifies you for team leadership, research positions or running your own practice.
| Career level | Monthly gross salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (training only) | €2,400–2,700 |
| Entry level (with degree) | €3,200–3,790 |
| TVöD EG6 level 1 | €3,205 |
| TVöD EG6 level 6 (max.) | €3,935 |
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn approximately €500–1,000 more per month at career entry than those with vocational training alone. In western Germany, the average salary is around €3,400/month; in eastern Germany around €3,120/month.
Sources: German Federal Employment Agency (Entgeltatlas), StepStone Salary Report 2025, TVöD 2025. All figures gross, before tax.
Frequently asked questions
Not necessarily. On-campus programmes at Döpfer University, IB University and SRH University are directly qualifying (primärqualifizierend) – no prior training needed. Distance programmes at DIPLOMA, SRH Fernhochschule and IU typically require prior OT training.
Occupational therapy focuses on restoring everyday functioning – fine motor skills, cognition and self-care. Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement – strength, mobility and pain reduction. Both professions complement each other but use different methods and goals.
Yes. DIPLOMA, SRH Fernhochschule and IU offer distance learning programmes, typically designed for students who already have OT vocational training. Prices range from €147 to €259 per month.
Related programmes at private universities
About the Author Marcus Schütz
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