Study Social Sciences: All degree programmes at private universities in Germany - dual, online and on-campus

Which university is the best?

In particular in the fields of social work and psychology, there are numerous private universities with Bachelor's and Master's programmes on offer. But other subjects are also represented, up to and including Sociology, which can be studied at the private Zeppelin University.

But which university is the best in the field of social sciences? I can't give you a definite answer to that. Every private university has its own special features. When looking for a university, you should be guided by factors such as the location(s), tuition fees, course content and specialisation options.

Here is a brief portrait of the most important private universities with degree programmes in the social sciences:

Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany. In winter semester 2020/2021, a total of 14,910 students were enrolled at the university. The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is located in Idstein, Hesse, and also has campuses in Cologne, Hamburg, Munich, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Berlin and New York. The university mainly offers degree programmes in the fields of economics and natural sciences, but also in the social sciences. Special feature: Many courses are not only offered as attendance courses, but also as distance learning or evening study courses. Particularly popular, for example, are the Bachelor's distance learning programmes in Social Work and Psychology.

IU International University of Applied Sciences: With over 100,000 enrolled students (WS 2022/2023), IU is the largest university in Germany. The university is based in Erfurt, but IU offers its campus study programmes in numerous cities in Germany. In addition to the campus programmes in the fields of health and social work, among others, the university offers over 100 distance learning programmes as well as a large number of dual study programmes. Particularly popular: the Bachelor's degree programmes in Social Work and Psychology.

FHM University of Applied Sciences: The FHM is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Bielefeld/North-rhine-Westphalia with further campuses in Bamberg, Berlin, Hanover, Cologne, Pulheim, Rostock and Schwerin. In the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 4,721 students were enrolled at FHM. Among other things, FHM offers bachelor's degree programmes in Social Management, Psychology and Social Pedagogy.

Medical School Berlin: The Medical School Berlin - Hochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin (MSB) is a private, state-recognised university. The university was founded in 2012 and is located in Berlin-Wilmersdorf on Rüdesheimer Straße. In WS 2019/2020, a total of 1,650 students were enrolled at the university. The MSB consists of 2 faculties: the Faculty of Natural Sciences is a university faculty, the Faculty of Health Sciences is a university of applied sciences faculty. The Psychology programmes are organised by the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Since WS 2020, the university also offers a Master's programme in Psychotherapy.

SRH University of Applied Health Sciences: The SRH University of Applied Health Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences located in Gera/Thuringia. The university was founded in 2007 and a total of 1,241 students were enrolled at SRH Gera in the winter semester 2019/2020. In addition to Bachelor's programmes in Ergotherapy and Speech Therapy, the university offers a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy. Special feature: the Bachelor's degree is offered both as a training-integrated and training-accompanying degree programme, as well as full-time.

Zeppelin University: Zeppelin University is a state-recognised, private university located in Friedrichshafen, Baden-Wuerttemberg. The university was founded in 2003, and in the winter semester 2020/2021 a total of 871 students were enrolled at the university. The university sees itself as a university between business, culture and politics; accordingly, the degree programmes are also interdisciplinary. Of particular interest: the B.A. Sociology, Politics & Economics.

Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Dusseldorf: The Fliedner University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Dusseldorf. The FH was founded in 2011, and a total of 1,720 students were enrolled in the winter semester 2020/2021. According to its own statement, the courses offered by the university are rooted in the educational tradition of the Kaiserswerther Diakonie for professions in the health, social and educational sectors. Among other things, the university offers degree programmes in the fields of education and social work.

University of Applied Pedagogy: The University of Applied Education is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Berlin. The university was founded in 2013, and in the winter semester 2020/2021 a total of 337 students were enrolled at the UAS. The university offers a dual and a part-time degree programme in Social Work as well as a dual degree programme in Childhood Education.

Studying Sociology privately at Zeppelin University

Sociology is a classic university study programme that is offered almost exclusively at state universities in Germany. Sociologists study the preconditions, processes and consequences of people living together and accordingly deal with the empirical and theoretical study of social behaviour during their studies.

There is currently only one private university offering a degree programme in Sociology, Zeppelin University in Friedrichshafen (Baden-Wuerttemberg). The B.A. Sociology, Politics & Economics takes a total of 8 semesters of full-time study.

A university entrance qualification is required for admission. The application procedure at ZU comprises three steps: Prospective students start with an internet-based kick-off, which is followed by a comprehensive written application. Two professors decide whether the applicant is invited to the third stage, the selection day, the "Pioneers Wanted!". During this selection day, applicants will have interviews with professors, students and friends of the university. A real case study is completed in a group with other applicants, as well as various tests.

The study content is taught in 3 areas:

• Multidisciplinary basic competence: business and economics, law, public administration, state & politics, communication & culture
• Generalist management competence: strategic management, human resources & leadership, organisation & network theory, cognition & decision
• Elective seminars: Theories of State and Democracy, Risk Analyses, Dynamics of Urban Development, European Governance, Political & Economic Aspects of Regulation, Political Communication, Public & Public Opinion, Sustainability, Migration Dynamics &Migration Forms, System Rationality, Actors & Logic of Political Communication, Philosophy and Socioligy of Science

The study fees amount to 4,700.- per semester, whereby the studies can be fully financed by a loan from the Sparkasse Bodensee.

Distance learning in social sciences

In the social sciences, a particularly large number of distance learning and also part-time degree programmes are offered, especially in the field of social work. The IU International University of Applied Sciences has a particularly large number of courses on offer, offering Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work, Social Management, Education, Psychology and many other subjects.

Here are the most interesting distance learning courses in social sciences at private universities in Germany at a glance:

Dual studies in social sciences

In the field of social work in particular, there is a good range of dual degree programmes offered by private universities in Germany. In some cases, students do not even have to pay tuition fees because these are covered by the practice partner. In addition to the usual double degree of Bachelor & State-certified social worker, dual students thus already gain intensive professional experience during their studies.

Here are the most interesting dual courses of study at private universities in Germany at a glance: