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- Which private universities in Germany are the best ones?
- The 5 largest private universities
- 5 popular private universities in Germany
- 5 exclusive private universities in Germany
- Universities of applied sciences, universities, art colleges, business schools: What are the differences?
- Private universities vs. state universities: Pros and cons
There are currently just under 400 universities in Germany. 240 of these universities are under public law, 39 are church-run. 113 universities are private, namely private universities (20), private universities of applied sciences (87), private colleges of art and music (3) or universities of their own type. At a total of 15 private unis in Germany there is even the possibility of a doctorate.
Here we list all private universities in Germany and their entire range of courses at a glance.
All private universities at a glance
We have a total of 117 private universities listed in our database. The first 30 top universities are shown. Use the filter function or our search to discover more private universities.
- Idstein, Hesse
- 18000 Students
- Natural Sciences, Industrial Engineering, Media Informatics, Media Management, Legal Sciences, Psychology, Human Resources, Business Administration, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Nutritional Science, To…
- Master of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science, Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence, Master of B…
- 121 Degree programs in the directory
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of Germany's largest private universities with campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich and Wiesbaden. It offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's degree programs in the fields of chemistry & biology, business & media, health & social affairs and design, as well as training and continuing education. Studies are possible on a full-time, part-time and distance learning basis.
- Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg
- 5532 Students
Over 60,000 successful graduates since 1959: AKAD University offers part-time distance learning courses leading to Bachelor's, Master's and MBA degrees, as well as university certificates in the fields of business and management, technology and information technology, and communication and culture.
- Darmstadt, Hesse
- 6100 Students
- Industrial Engineering, Media Informatics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, IT Management, Business Informatics, Civil Engine…
- Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Engineering
- 32 Degree programs in the directory
Wilhelm Büchner Hochschue specializes in technical degree programs that integrate business management, leadership and communication. The course content is structured in a methodically unique and practical way. The focus of the teaching is on guiding adults through their studies: People who are pursuing their higher education studies while working, who do not want to sacrifice work experience or a career, and who want to continue earning money while studying.
- Idstein, Hesse
- 100 Students
- Medicine, Health Education, Nursing Science, General Management
- Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts
- 9 Degree programs in the directory
The goal of the Carl Remigius Medical School is to secure and further develop the high level of healthcare in Germany. To this end, the school trains the specialists and managers who are urgently needed in the industry in a targeted and future-oriented manner. The study programs of Carl Remigius Medical School have an interdisciplinary and holistic orientation; thus they fulfill essential requirements that are placed on health professionals.
- Bremen, Germany
- 3251 Students
- Health Management, Social Management, Social Work, Nursing Science, Psychology, Nutritional Science, Pedagogy
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Health Management, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration
- 21 Degree programs in the directory
The multiple award-winning APOLLON University specializes in distance learning courses for the healthcare sector and has so far seen off more than 500 successful bachelor's and master's graduates, with an upward trend.
- Hamburg, Germany
- 7523 Students
- Marketing, Logistics, Business Psychology, Political Science, IT Management, Psychology, Business Administration, Legal Sciences, Pedagogy, MBA, Finance, International Management, Childhood Education,…
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Engineering
- 66 Degree programs in the directory
The European University of Applied Sciences Hamburg is Germany's best-known private distance learning university and offers distance learning courses, especially in the field of economics. If you want to study directly in Hamburg, you can also enroll in the evening study program "Business Administration and Business Psychology" or the evening study program "Business Administration" at the Euro-FH. All study programs are FIBAA accredited.
- Idstein, Hesse
- Psychotherapy
- Master of Science, Bachelor of Science
- 2 Degree programs in the directory
The Charlotte Fresenius Hochschule is a private, state-recognized university of equal standing with a university. The sponsoring company of CFH is Hochschule Fresenius gemeinnützige GmbH, one of the largest private presence universities in Germany. With its foundation in 2021, the university offers an NC-free Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which takes into account all the requirements of the Law on the Reform of Psychotherapist Training and the Approbation Regulations for Psychotherapists.
- Erfurt, Thuringia
- 100000 Students
- Industrial Engineering, Media Informatics, Media Design, Psychology, International Management, IT Management, Architecture, Health Management, Tourism and Event, Fashion, Physiotherapy, Legal Sciences…
- Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, Bachelor of Laws
- 203 Degree programs in the directory
Practical relevance, international orientation or maximum flexibility: IU International University (IU) prepares over 100,000 students for the global job market. It brings together under its umbrella more than 100 study programs offered in three independent university areas: the IU Dual Study Program, the IU Distance Learning Program and the flexible IU myStudium. IU offers students a network of renowned practical partners in the business world: more than 15,000 companies have already successfully cooperated with IU, including ZURICH Versicherungen or Motel One. IU, which was founded in 2000, is now represented in over 40 cities in Germany.
- Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg
- 508 Students
- International Management, Business Administration, Media Management, Social Work, Business Psychology, Sustainable Management, Tourism and Event, Real Estate Management, Sports, Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science
- 11 Degree programs in the directory
The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg is a state-recognized university by the state of Baden-Württemberg, located in Heidelberg and sponsored by the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences for International Management GmbH. The university grew out of a vocational school that was founded in Heidelberg as early as 1946 and has a long tradition in the field of practice-oriented vocational education.
- Stuttgart, Baden-Wuerttemberg
- 3833 Students
- Computer Science, Film, Journalism, Media Management, Architecture, Media Design, General Management, Fashion, Psychology
- Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts
- 12 Degree programs in the directory
Managing digital change, shaping the future - at five locations across Germany, Macromedia University offers state-recognized BA and MA degree programs in the context of management, media, journalism, film and design. Around 80 professors with industry experience stand for labor market-oriented teaching and an academic self-image as a university for shaping digital change.
- Idstein, Hesse
- 2200 Students
- Fashion, Architecture, Communication Sciences, Media Design
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts
- 13 Degree programs in the directory
Fashion, design, communication and management - for over 28 years, the AMD Akademie Mode & Design, Department of Design at Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, has been training students for creative and business-oriented professions in the creative industries. More than 2200 students are enrolled at the four locations Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Munich, they are taught by more than 30 professors and lecturers with industry experience.
PFH Private University of Applied Sciences
UAS · Private
- Göttingen, Lower Saxony
- 4077 Students
- Legal Sciences, Business Psychology, Psychology, General Management, Business Administration, MBA, Human Resources, Business Informatics
- Master of Laws, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Laws
- 22 Degree programs in the directory
RFH – University of Applied Science
UAS · Private
- Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 6203 Students
- Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Logistics, Health Management, Legal Sciences, Medicine, Business Psychology, Business Administration, Media Management, Entrepreneurship, International …
- Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Engineering
- 26 Degree programs in the directory
FOM University of Applied Sciences
UAS · Private
- Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 56270 Students
- Communication Sciences, IT Management, Finance, Business Psychology, Social Work, Business Administration, Human Resources, International Management, Marketing, MBA, Health Education, Electrical Engin…
- Master of Science, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Laws
- 28 Degree programs in the directory
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management
University · Private
- Frankfurt am Main, Hesse
- 2701 Students
- Business Administration, MBA, Health Management, Data Science & AI, General Management, Finance
- Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science
- 11 Degree programs in the directory
SRH University Heidelberg
UAS · Private
- Heidelberg, Baden-Wuerttemberg
- 3494 Students
- Art Therapy, Industrial Engineering, Architecture, Entrepreneurship, Legal Sciences, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Real Estate Management, Engineering Management, Social Work, Electrical E…
- Master of Arts, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Laws, Master of Accountancy, Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science
- 30 Degree programs in the directory
German Sport University of Health Sciences
UAS · Private
- Berlin, Germany
- 1280 Students
- Sports, Psychology, Social Work, Physiotherapy
- Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science
- 9 Degree programs in the directory
Munich Business School (MBS)
UAS · Private
- Munich, Bavaria
- 567 Students
- International Management, Communication Sciences, Entrepreneurship, MBA
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration
- 6 Degree programs in the directory
University of Applied Management (FHAM)
UAS · Private
- Ismaning, Bavaria
- 3287 Students
- Political Science, Sports, Civil Engineering, Marketing, General Management, Art, Business Administration, International Management, Business Psychology, Entrepreneurship, Human Resources, Health Mana…
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science
- 40 Degree programs in the directory
CBS International Business School
UAS · Private
- Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia
- Marketing, General Management, Business Psychology, Finance, Human Resources, International Management, MBA, IT Management, Business Administration
- Master of Arts, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Business Administration
- 19 Degree programs in the directory
University of Europe for Applied Sciences
UAS · Private
- Potsdam, Brandenburg
- 2830 Students
- Media Informatics, Media Design, Film, Psychology, Business Psychology, General Management, Data Science & AI, Art, Business Administration, Marketing, MBA, Sports, Journalism, Business Informatics
- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration
- 20 Degree programs in the directory
Steinbeis University (SHB)
UAS · Private
- Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt
- 7651 Students
- Engineering Management, General Management, Human Resources, International Management, MBA, Industrial Engineering, Health Management, Medicine, Social Work, IT Management, Business Informatics
- Master of Business and Engineering, Master of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science
- 17 Degree programs in the directory
FHM University of Applied Sciences
UAS · Private
- Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 5548 Students
- Nutritional Science, Social Management, Entrepreneurship, Medicine, Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Sports, Pedagogy, Psychology, Real Estate Management, Sustainable Management, Social Work, Special E…
- Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Education
- 39 Degree programs in the directory
Witten/Herdecke University
University · Private
- Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 2617 Students
- Humanities, Nursing Science, General Management, Medicine, Psychology, Data Science & AI
- Master of Arts, Master of Science, Staatsexamen, Bachelor of Science
- 7 Degree programs in the directory
BSP Business and Law School
UAS · Private
- Berlin, Germany
- 1324 Students
- Entrepreneurship, Business Psychology, Communication Sciences, International Management, Business Administration, General Management, Fashion, Sports, Humanities, IT Management, Legal Sciences
- Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Staatsexamen
- 21 Degree programs in the directory
EBZ Business School (EBZ)
UAS · Private
- Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 1184 Students
- Architecture, Real Estate Management, Civil Engineering
- Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts
- 5 Degree programs in the directory
Bucerius Law School
University · Private
- Hamburg, Germany
- 861 Students
- Legal Sciences
- Staatsexamen, Master of Laws, Bachelor of Laws
- 3 Degree programs in the directory
International School of Management
UAS · Private
- Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
- 2781 Students
- Fashion, Business Administration, Sports, Logistics, Real Estate Management, Finance, Business Psychology, Sustainable Management, General Management, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, International Manage…
- Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Business Administration
- 36 Degree programs in the directory
DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences
UAS · Private
- Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Hesse
- 8300 Students
- Physiotherapy, Social Management, Health Management, IT Management, Legal Sciences, Social Work, Medicine, General Management, Media Design, Business Administration, Business Psychology, MBA, Tourism …
- Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Engineering, Master of Laws
- 47 Degree programs in the directory
Constructor University
University · Private
- Bremen, Germany
- 1466 Students
- Natural Sciences, International Management, Data Science & AI, Psychology, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Logistics, Political Science
- Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Arts
- 19 Degree programs in the directory
Which private universities in Germany are the best ones?
Don't be fooled by university rankings or user reviews. There is no such thing as the best private university or the best state university. Each university has its own characteristics, and factors such as the city's quality of life should also be included in the selection process.
Here are some tips for choosing the best private university:
- Location: Find out about the location or locations of the school. A city like Berlin is not always the best choice.
- Cost: Find out about tuition and fees. Include cost of living in the city as well. But be careful: cheaper universities are not necessarily worse, expensive universities are not necessarily better.
- Type of university: Pay attention to the type of university. Universities have a strong focus on research and may allow students to earn a doctorate, while programs at universities of applied sciences are usually much more practice-oriented.
- Political direction: Find out whether the university of your choice represents a certain political direction. This is not always easy to find out, but you can find out, for example, about the biographies of the rectors, about the composition of the university management and about ownership structures.
- Size: Even among private universities, there are universities with student numbers in the 5-digit range, such as FOM. Compared to state universities, these large private universities have many advantages despite their size. But perhaps you would prefer to study at a very small university with fewer than 1000 fellow students.
Below are 3 top lists that will list you the biggest, 5 popular as well as the most exclusive private universities.
The 5 largest private universities
The largest private university in Germany and at the same time the largest university in Germany since the summer semester 2021 is the IU International University (formerly IUBH International University). With the summer semester, about 70000 students are enrolled in over 100 study programs at IU.
Here is an overview of the 5 largest private universities in Germany:
| University | Students | Locations | Study offers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | IU International University of Applied Sciences | 100000 | Berlin, Bremen, Erfurt, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt a.M., Leipzig, Cologne, Bad Honnef and many more | Campus degree programs, dual degree programs, part-time degree programs, distance learning programs in all disciplines |
 | FOM University of Applied Sciences | 56270 | Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt a.M., Leipzig, Kassel, Stuttgart and many more, 33 university centers in total in Germany | part-time study programs in almost all disciplines |
 | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 18000 | Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/a.M., Hamburg, Heidelberg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich, Wiesbaden | Campus programs, part-time programs, distance learning programs, almost all disciplines |
 | HFH Hamburger Fern-Hochschule | 8136 | Hamburg | Distance learning programs especially in business administration, social work, psychology, mechanical engineering |
 | Steinbeis University | 7651 | Berlin | Campus studies especially in business & management, psychology, health sciences |
5 popular private universities in Germany
| University | Students | Locations | Degree programs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IU International University of Applied Sciences | 100000 | Berlin, Bremen, Erfurt, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt a.M., Leipzig, Cologne, Bad Honnef and many more. | Campus degree programs, dual degree programs, distance learning programs in all disciplines |
| Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | 18000 | Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/a.M., Hamburg, Heidelberg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich, Wiesbaden | Campus programs, part-time programs, distance learning programs, almost all disciplines |
 | PFH Private University of Applied Sciences | 4077 | Göttingen, Lower Saxony | Campus studies as well as distance learning in business administration & management, psychology, business psychology, business law |
 | Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences | 5429 | Darmstadt, Hesse | Distance learning in engineering, computer science, industrial engineering and technology management as well as energy, environmental and process engineering |
 | RFH – University of Applied Science | 6226 | Cologne | Campus studies in engineering, media, medical economics & health, business & law, and logistics management, marketing and communications management; Full-time, dual and part-time |
5 exclusive private universities in Germany
| University | Students | Locations | Studienangebot | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Zeppelin University | 903 | Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg | Sociology, management, communication sciences, politics |
 | WHU Otto Beisheim School of Management | 1371 | Vallendar, Dusseldorf | Business administration/management, especially MBA programs |
 | Jacobs University | 1466 | Bremen | Engineering sciences, health sciences, natural sciences, economics, political sciences |
 | Bucerius Law School | 858 | Hamburg | Legal Studies |
 | Universität Witten/Herdecke | 2617 | Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia | Medicine, Management, Philosophy, Politics, Psychology |
Universities of applied sciences, universities, art colleges, business schools: What are the differences?
Where do you want to study: At a german university of applied sciences or at a university? Or even at an art college? Here are the main differences between the types of private universities.
- Universities focus on research and science and usually have the right to award doctorates. The range of courses offered at universities is usually much more general than at UASs and also includes, for example, humanities subjects. There are about 21 private universities in Germany.
- Universities of Applied Sciences impart more application-oriented and job-related knowledge, always at the highest scientific level. There are just under 100 private UAS in Germany.
- Distance learning universities are actually quite normal universities of applied sciences, but they mainly offer distance learning courses, i.e. they are suitable for all those who want to study while working and independent of location. We list just under 10 distance learning colleges here.
- Art and music colleges train future artists, art teachers and art scholars. There are currently 3 private art colleges in Germany.
- Business school is a term for business schools, i.e. universities whose focus is in the field of economics. In addition to bachelor's degree programs, business schools often offer advanced degree programs leading to a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Important for the choice of your future private university is also the form of study in which you want to study. If you want to study full-time and do not want to do without the classic campus life, choose a presence university. If you want to study part-time and perhaps even from home and alongside your job, find out about private distance learning universities in Germany.
Private universities vs. state universities: Pros and cons
The decision for or against a private university or studying at a private university of applied sciences or university is, in a way, also a decision for life: After all, the university, the degree and the contacts made at the university strongly determine the course of life after graduation. What are the pros and cons of studying at a private university?
Cons:
- Tuition fees: Studying at private universities usually costs much more than studying at public universities. The boundaries are blurred when it comes to master's degree programs, because public universities also charge a lot for their postgraduate programs. Many private universities also support their students with student loans or even scholarships.
- Research focus: At universities of applied sciences in particular, the focus is much less on research than at universities, for example. Most private universities are geared more to the needs of industry. So if you want to do scientific research later on, you either study at one of the few private universities, at a state university or look for a job with a research focus.
Pros:
- Group sizes: Fighting for seminar seats? Squatting on the stairs in the lecture hall? Seminars with 50 participants? You won't find that at private universities. The learning groups are usually much smaller, and the support provided by the teaching staff is much more personal and intensive.
- Study duration: Smaller group sizes and better supervision usually ensure that students can learn with much more focus, and thus have a better chance of completing their studies in the standard study period or even faster.
- Admission: At most private universities, there are no admission restrictions due to an unfair NC. This does not mean that admission is not also restricted, but as a rule interested prospective students have significantly better chances of convincing in personal selection interviews and assessments and of gaining a place at a private university.
- Networking: Private business schools in particular also "sell" access to exclusive networks with their MBA programs, for example, to which students at state universities generally have less access.
- Online study and online campuses. In contrast to many state universities, the online offerings at private universities are generally much better developed. Im Gegensatz zu vielen staatlichen Hochschulen sind die Onlineangebote an privaten Hochschulen in der Regel deutlich besser ausgebaut.
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