AKAD University of Applied Sciences

What Makes AKAD University Stand Out

Most distance learning providers offer flexibility as a feature. At AKAD, flexibility is the founding principle. The university was built from day one around the needs of working adults — people who cannot restructure their professional or family lives around a fixed academic calendar.

Three things define the AKAD model:

• No fixed start dates. You enrol when you are ready — not when the semester begins. This matters if you are mid-project at work, planning a career change, or simply not ready to commit to a September intake.
• Self-directed learning pace. Study materials are digital, structured, and available around the clock. You set the rhythm — whether that is early mornings, evenings, or weekends.
• Optional seminars. AKAD offers on-site seminars in Stuttgart. Attendance is voluntary. If you live abroad or cannot travel, you miss nothing mandatory.

This combination makes AKAD particularly relevant for international students already based in Germany — or planning to relocate — who need a recognised German degree without sacrificing their income or career trajectory.

Programmes Taught in German — What International Students Need to Know

This is not a disqualifier — it is a filter. For international students who are either native German speakers, have completed German-language schooling, or have reached advanced proficiency through work or prior study in Germany, AKAD's programmes are fully accessible. Many international students at German companies — particularly in engineering, IT, and finance — use AKAD to formalise qualifications they have built on the job.

If you are looking for fully English-taught distance learning programmes in Germany, consider comparing AKAD with providers such as IU International University, which offers a large portfolio of English-language online degrees. Our university comparison lists all providers with English-taught programmes filtered by field and degree level.

Accreditation and Legal Recognition

For international students, the legal status of a German degree matters — both for the German job market and for recognition in your home country or a third country.

AKAD University holds two layers of accreditation:

• Institutional accreditation by the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) — the highest-level quality body for German higher education. This confirms AKAD as a legitimate university, not a private certification provider.
• System accreditation — AKAD's internal quality assurance processes are accredited, meaning individual programmes do not require separate external approval. Additional programme-level accreditations exist through ACQUIN and ZEvA.

All programmes are also approved by the ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht), the German state authority for distance learning providers. ZFU approval is a legal requirement in Germany and signals that study materials and programme structures meet defined consumer protection and quality standards.

In practical terms: an AKAD Bachelor's or Master's degree carries the same legal standing as a degree from a state university in Germany. For recognition abroad, the relevant authority in your country will typically assess the degree based on the German accreditation status — which, in AKAD's case, is fully in order.

Degree Programmes and Fields of Study

AKAD's portfolio covers four broad subject areas, each with multiple specialisations at Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA level:

• Business & Management — including Business Administration (BWL), Controlling, Digital Business, Finance, Marketing, and MBA programmes
• Engineering & Computer Science — including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Digital Engineering, and Applied Computer Science
• Communication & Culture — including Media Management, Communication Management, and Journalism
• Health & Social Sciences — including Health Management and Social Work

Beyond degree programmes, AKAD offers university certificates (Hochschulzertifikate) for professionals who want to upskill in a specific area without committing to a full degree — a useful option if your employer funds targeted continuing education.

Tuition Fees and Financing Options

AKAD's fee structure is transparent and published per programme. Costs vary by degree level, programme duration, and specialisation. As a private university, AKAD charges tuition fees — there is no fee-free option as at German state universities.

The programmes listed above include current fee data. For a full cost comparison across distance learning providers in Germany, use the table above or browse our course comparison.

Several financing routes are worth knowing as an international student:

• BAföG (Federal Training Assistance Act): EU citizens and certain non-EU nationals with long-term residence status in Germany may be eligible for BAföG — the German student loan and grant system. Eligibility depends on residency status, income, and programme type. AKAD's programmes qualify in principle; individual eligibility must be checked with the relevant BAföG office.
• Employer funding: Many students at AKAD are sponsored in full or in part by their employer. If you are already working in Germany, this is worth negotiating before enrolment — particularly for MBA and Master's programmes that directly benefit your employer.
• Instalment plans: AKAD offers monthly payment options, which reduces the upfront financial commitment. This is standard across their programme portfolio.
• KfW Student Loan: Available to students enrolled at a German state-recognised university — which AKAD qualifies as. EU citizens and certain third-country nationals with German residence may apply. Check current eligibility criteria with KfW directly.

How the AKAD Distance Learning Model Works

Understanding the mechanics of AKAD's model helps you assess whether it fits your situation — especially if you are coming from a different higher education system.

Study materials: All content is delivered digitally through AKAD's online campus. This includes structured learning modules, practice tests, exam coaching tools, and web-based training units. There are no physical textbooks you need to source separately.

Seminars: Optional attendance seminars take place in Stuttgart. These are not lectures in the traditional sense — they are consolidation sessions for complex topics. Most students who attend are based in Germany. If you are abroad or cannot travel, the seminars are not required for degree completion.

Exams: Written exams take place at 33 examination centres across Germany. If you are based outside Germany, this is a logistical factor to plan for. Exams are not taken online — physical presence at an examination centre is required. Check the current list of centres when planning your study timeline.

Support: AKAD provides tutoring support and a dedicated student service team. Given the self-directed nature of distance learning, the quality of support infrastructure matters — and AKAD's 65+ years of experience in this model shows in the structure of their support systems.

Admission Requirements

Entry requirements at AKAD follow German higher education standards:

• Bachelor's programmes: German Abitur (or equivalent university entrance qualification). International qualifications are assessed individually. The German university entrance qualification equivalence database (anabin) is the standard reference — check whether your school-leaving certificate is listed as equivalent.
• Master's programmes: A completed first degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in a relevant field. Some programmes require a minimum grade or professional experience.
• MBA programmes: A first degree plus relevant professional experience. Specific requirements vary by programme.
• Language requirement: Proof of German language proficiency (typically C1 or equivalent). If German is not your first language, a recognised language certificate (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe C1/C2, or equivalent) is required.

AKAD's admissions team assesses international qualifications individually. If your qualification is from outside Germany, contact AKAD directly before applying — they can confirm equivalence and advise on any bridging requirements.

Living and Studying in Germany — What to Plan For

Because AKAD is a distance learning university, you do not need to relocate to Stuttgart to study. However, if you are moving to Germany for work and plan to study alongside your job, a few practical considerations apply:

Visa and residence: If you are a non-EU citizen, your right to study in Germany depends on your residence permit type. Most work permits allow parallel enrolment in part-time study. A student visa is typically not required for part-time distance learning alongside employment — but confirm this with the relevant immigration authority (Ausländerbehörde) for your specific situation.

Health insurance: Students enrolled at a German university are generally required to have health insurance. If you are employed in Germany, you are likely already covered through your employer's statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). If not, student health insurance rates apply up to age 30.

Cost of living: Stuttgart, where AKAD is headquartered, is one of Germany's more expensive cities. If you attend optional seminars in person, factor in travel and accommodation costs. For the majority of your studies, however, location is irrelevant — you study from wherever you are.

Recognition of your degree abroad: German university degrees are recognised in most countries, particularly within the EU and in countries with bilateral agreements with Germany. For recognition in your home country or a third country, contact the relevant recognition authority. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) and anabin provide guidance on international recognition frameworks.

For Whom AKAD University Is the Right Choice

AKAD is not the right fit for everyone — and being clear about that saves time.

AKAD works well for you if:

• You are already working in Germany (or planning to) and want a state-recognised German degree alongside your job
• Your German is at C1 level or above — you can read complex academic texts, write structured essays, and sit exams in German
• You value flexibility over campus life — you do not need a traditional university experience with fixed schedules and on-site presence
• You want a degree from a university with a long track record and verifiable accreditation
• Your employer may co-fund your studies — AKAD's professional focus makes the case for employer sponsorship easier to make

AKAD is probably not the right choice if:

• You are looking for English-taught programmes — AKAD does not offer them
• You want a full-time on-campus experience — AKAD is designed for part-time, self-directed study
• Your German is below C1 — the academic demands of the programmes require solid language proficiency
• You need a degree that can be completed entirely remotely without any travel to Germany — the exam requirement at physical centres is a constraint

Frequently Asked Questions