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Deutsch Germany has over 110 private universities – and they offer something public German universities often cannot: NC-free admission to medicine and psychology, €0 dual study (employer pays tuition), over 1,600 English-taught programmes, and close ties to German industry. All private universities are state-recognised, and their degrees are fully equivalent to those from public institutions under the Bologna system. Tuition ranges from €0 (dual study) to €105,000 (Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA) – but even the most expensive German programmes cost a fraction of comparable UK or US tuition.
But here’s what makes Germany unique: public universities are tuition-free (only a semester fee of €150–370). So why consider private? Three reasons: English-taught programmes (most public universities teach in German), NC-free access to competitive fields like medicine and psychology, and flexible formats (distance learning, dual study, part-time) that public universities rarely offer. This page helps you find the right programme – by subject, city and budget.
- All Private Universities in Germany at a Glance
- Find English-taught programmes at German private universities
- Where to study privately in Germany – the best cities for international students
- How much does it cost – and how does it compare internationally?
- What you need to know before applying
- Frequently asked questions about private universities in Germany
All Private Universities in Germany at a Glance
We have a total of 113 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.
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Find English-taught programmes at German private universities
Over 1,600 English-taught programmes across Germany’s private universities. Choose your subject – we’ll show you which German states have the strongest English-taught offerings.
University Matcher: Find the right private university in Germany
What are you looking for?
What specifically?
School leaver? → Consider dual study (€0, employer pays) or a campus programme with scholarship. Working professional? → Distance learning (IU: 200+ English programmes from anywhere) or part-time evening study (FOM). Parent researching options? → Jump to costs and recognition below.
Where to study privately in Germany – the best cities for international students
Private universities cluster in major cities. For international students, the key factors are: English-friendliness, international community, job market for English speakers, rent and transport connections.
- Berlin: Germany’s most international city. Over 20 private universities – medicine (MSB), law (BSP), elite management (ESMT, ESCP), psychology (PHB, IPU), IT (CODE). Largest English-speaking professional community in Germany. Strong startup ecosystem. Rent: €500–700/month. Direct flights to 190+ destinations.
- Cologne/Düsseldorf/Dortmund: NRW trio – CBS, ISM, FOM, Witten/Herdecke (medicine + dentistry). Cologne: media hub. Düsseldorf: fashion and finance. Ruhr area: cheapest rents in western Germany (€300–450). NRW semester ticket covers the entire state.
- Frankfurt: Financial capital – Frankfurt School and EBS (elite business schools). ECB headquarters, major consulting firms. Highest share of foreign residents in Germany (30%). Gateway airport. Rent: €550–750/month.
- Hamburg: Distance-learning capital (Euro-FH, HFH) + elite law (Bucerius) + medicine (MSH) + world-class logistics (KLU). Port city with strong international trade community. Rent: €450–650/month.
- Munich/Stuttgart: Southern economic powerhouses – automotive (BMW, Porsche, Daimler, Bosch), SAP, tech. SRH Heidelberg (largest private campus), AKAD Stuttgart (STEM distance learning), Zeppelin University (elite, Lake Constance). Munich is expensive (€600–800), Stuttgart/Heidelberg more moderate.
- Leipzig/Dresden: Germany’s most affordable major cities (€280–400). HHL Leipzig (elite MBA, AACSB-accredited), DIU Dresden (TU Dresden subsidiary, health sciences). Growing startup scene in Leipzig. Up to 50% cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt.
All 16 German states at a glance
- Berlin – 20+ universities, medicine, law, IT, elite management. Germany’s largest private offering.
- North Rhine-Westphalia – 16 universities across 9 cities. Witten/Herdecke (medicine, dentistry). Near-free engineering (TH Georg Agricola, under €2,300).
- Baden-Württemberg – SRH Heidelberg (largest campus), AKAD (STEM distance), Zeppelin (elite). 200+ English programmes.
- Hesse – Fresenius cluster (4 institutions), Frankfurt School, EBS, DIPLOMA, Wilhelm Büchner. 290+ English programmes.
- Hamburg – Distance-learning capital (Euro-FH, HFH), Bucerius Law School, MSH (medicine), KLU (logistics).
- Thuringia – IU Erfurt (Germany’s largest private university, 130,000 students, 200+ English programmes), HMU (new medical school).
- Bavaria – 4 universities near Munich. Strong in business and health.
- Brandenburg – Potsdam: HMU (medicine), Gisma, XU. 7 universities near Berlin.
- Lower Saxony – PFH Göttingen, Leibniz-FH Hannover.
- Bremen – APOLLON (health distance learning), Jacobs University (international campus).
- Rhineland-Palatinate – WHU Vallendar (Masters in Management #1 Germany, FT 2025). All programmes English-taught.
- Schleswig-Holstein – IT-focused: FH Wedel, NORDAKADEMIE. Dual study near Hamburg.
- Saxony – HHL Leipzig (elite MBA, AACSB), DIU Dresden. Cheapest major cities.
- Saxony-Anhalt – Steinbeis (work-integrated Project Competence Study).
- Saarland – DHfPG (Germany’s only fitness and health prevention university).
- Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania – No private HQ university. Campus providers (FHM, IU) and distance learning.
How much does it cost – and how does it compare internationally?
Why consider private if public German universities are tuition-free? Public universities in Germany charge only €150–370 per semester – no tuition. But most public programmes are taught in German (B2/C1 required), admission to popular fields (medicine, psychology) is extremely competitive (NC), and flexible formats (distance learning, dual study) are rare. Private universities fill these gaps: English-taught programmes, NC-free admission, small classes, career services and industry connections.
Tuition at German private universities
- €0 (dual study): NORDAKADEMIE, IU dual, HSBA, Provadis, Fliedner and many more – the employer covers all tuition and pays a salary.
- Under €2,300: TH Georg Agricola Bochum – engineering nearly tuition-free (RAG Foundation funded).
- €7,000–15,000 (distance learning): DIPLOMA (from €7,205), SRH Fernhochschule (psychology from €7,164), AKAD (STEM from €9,520), Euro-FH (from €8,800), IU (from €13,975).
- €14,000–35,000 (campus): Fresenius, SRH Heidelberg, CBS, ISM, AMD, Macromedia and most regional providers.
- From €30,000 (elite): WHU (from €30,300), Frankfurt School (from €30,800), EBS (from €23,980). Witten/Herdecke medicine (€62,880), dentistry (€101,280).
International cost comparison
German private tuition is dramatically cheaper than comparable institutions abroad. A complete bachelor’s degree at most German private universities (€10,000–35,000 total) costs less than a single year at many UK or US universities.
- Germany private: €10,000–35,000 total (3–4 years). Elite programmes: €30,000–65,000 total.
- UK: £25,000–50,000 per year (£75,000–150,000 total for a bachelor’s).
- US: $30,000–70,000 per year ($120,000–280,000 total for a bachelor’s).
- Australia: A$25,000–45,000 per year (A$75,000–135,000 total).
Funding options
- Dual study (€0): Employer pays tuition and a salary. IU alone offers 25 dual programmes.
- BAföG: German student aid – available to EU citizens and some non-EU residents. Up to €992/month.
- Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, merit-based, open to international students.
- University scholarships: WHU, Frankfurt School, EBS, HHL, Zeppelin, Bucerius and others offer merit- and need-based scholarships – some up to 100% tuition waiver.
- DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service offers scholarships specifically for international students.
- KfW student loan: Up to €650/month at around 2% interest. Available to students at state-recognised institutions.
What you need to know before applying
Visa and entry requirements
- EU/EEA citizens: No visa needed. Enrol freely at any German university.
- Non-EU students: Student visa required – apply at the German embassy in your home country before arrival. Processing takes 6–12 weeks.
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto): Non-EU students must prove financial means – at least €11,904/year (2024/25) deposited in a blocked account.
- Health insurance: Mandatory for all students in Germany. Public student insurance: ~€110/month.
- Distance learning from abroad: For fully online programmes (e.g. IU distance learning), no German student visa is needed. You can study from your home country.
- Safety and quality of life: Germany is one of Europe’s safest countries for students. Health insurance is mandatory and comprehensive (~€110/month covers virtually everything). Every university city has a Studierendenwerk (student services organisation) that assists with housing, counselling and financial support. Public transport is reliable and affordable (semester ticket included at most universities).
What is a Fachhochschule?
Most German private institutions are Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences). Despite the different name, their Bachelor and Master degrees are fully equivalent to university degrees under the Bologna system. A few private institutions hold full university status (Witten/Herdecke, EBS, WHU, Zeppelin, HHL) – these can award Staatsexamen (state examinations in medicine and law) and doctoral degrees. For international students, the distinction rarely matters: both FH and university degrees are recognised globally.
German vs. English – language requirements
- English-taught programmes: Many private universities offer programmes in English, especially in business, IT and health. IU alone has 200+ English programmes. SRH Heidelberg offers ~100. Fully English institutions include Karlshochschule, CODE University, Hertie School, Bard College Berlin.
- German-taught programmes: Require German at B2/C1 level (TestDaF, DSH or equivalent). This applies to most medicine, law and many bachelor programmes.
- Mixed: Some universities teach in both languages. Check individual programme pages for language details.
Are degrees recognised internationally?
Yes. All private universities in Germany are state-recognised (staatlich anerkannt) and accredited by national agencies (FIBAA, ACQUIN, AQAS) under the Bologna framework. A bachelor’s or master’s from a German private university is recognised across the EU and widely accepted globally. Several institutions hold additional international accreditations: AACSB (HHL Leipzig – first private German institution), EQUIS, AMBA.
Frequently asked questions about private universities in Germany
Yes – at private universities. Over 1,600 English-taught programmes are available, especially in business, IT, health and social sciences. IU International University alone offers 200+ English programmes (mostly distance learning). SRH Heidelberg has ~100 English programmes. Fully English institutions include Karlshochschule, CODE University and Hertie School. However, medicine and law programmes are mostly taught in German. At public universities, nearly all programmes require German at B2/C1 level.
Yes. All private universities in Germany are state-recognised and accredited under the Bologna framework. Their degrees are legally identical to those from public German universities (like TU Munich, Heidelberg University or RWTH Aachen). German degrees are recognised across the EU and widely accepted globally. Several private institutions hold prestigious international accreditations: HHL Leipzig (AACSB), WHU, Frankfurt School, EBS.
For dual study: many programmes cost €0 – the employer pays tuition. NORDAKADEMIE, IU dual, HSBA and others offer employer-funded programmes. For non-dual study: TH Georg Agricola in Bochum offers engineering for under €2,300 total. For distance learning: SRH Fernhochschule starts at €7,164 (psychology) and DIPLOMA at €7,205.
It depends on the field. Management/MBA: WHU (#1 MiM Germany, FT 2025), Frankfurt School, EBS, HHL Leipzig. Medicine: Witten/Herdecke (only one with dentistry), MSH Hamburg, HMU Erfurt/Potsdam. Law: Bucerius Law School, BSP Berlin, EBS. Computer Science: FH Wedel, CODE University Berlin. Distance Learning: IU (largest offering, 200+ English), AKAD (STEM).
Yes. International students on a student visa can work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year without a work permit. Working student positions (Werkstudent) are common, paying €13–20/hour. Dual study students work at their partner company throughout their studies and receive a salary. Distance-learning students can work full-time since there are no attendance requirements. Germany’s strong economy – especially in Berlin (startups), Frankfurt (finance), Munich (tech) and Hamburg (logistics) – offers plentiful student job opportunities, many in English.
Most private universities accept direct applications through their website – no centralised application system like UCAS (UK). Typical requirements: (1) School-leaving certificate equivalent to German Abitur (check with each university). (2) Language proof – IELTS/TOEFL for English programmes, TestDaF/DSH for German programmes. (3) Motivation letter and CV. (4) Some universities have their own selection process (assessment day, interview, GMAT/GRE). Apply 3–6 months before semester start. Most programmes start in October (winter semester) or April (summer semester).
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