All private universities in Berlin (Germany) at a glance

By Christian Wolf, Editor-in-chief

Berlin is one of the most diverse university locations in Germany. A total of 35 universities offer a wide range of study opportunities here. Among them are 11 public universities (3 universities, 4 universities of applied sciences, and 4 art schools) and 2 church universities of applied sciences.

However, the private university sector is developing particularly dynamically: 22 private universities have their headquarters in Berlin – including 7 universities, 14 universities of applied sciences, and an art school. Four of these institutions have their own right to award doctoral degrees. The offering is complemented by two recognized branches of foreign universities: the Sigmund Freud Private University from Austria and Touro College from the USA.

In addition, there are a number of private universities that have a campus in Berlin, such as IU International University, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, and FOM University. I will introduce all private universities in Berlin to you here.

Private Universities with Campuses in Berlin

Especially the larger private universities have their own campus in the capital, even if the university's headquarters are located in another federal state. This means that you can also study at one of these universities in Berlin.

Here are some universities that have a campus or a larger study centre in Berlin:

The IU International University with its headquarters in Erfurt is the largest private university in Germany with over 130,000 enrolled students (as of the winter semester 2024/2025). As a state-recognized university of applied sciences, IU offers a wide range of study programs in the formats of distance learning, dual studies, and myStudium at more than 30 locations nationwide. In Berlin, IU also operates its own campus, where prospective students can choose between dual degree programs and myStudium programs. The offered subjects include Business Administration, Digital Business, Psychology, and Social Work.

The Fresenius University is one of the most traditional and largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany. Founded in 1848, it offers a diverse range of study programs in the fields of economics, media, health, design, chemistry, and social sciences. With over 15,000 students (as of the winter semester 2024/2025), it is represented at ten locations in Germany and in New York. In Berlin, the university operates a centrally located campus for the Business & Media department at Gendarmenmarkt and another location for Fashion and Design at Prenzlauer Berg. The study program ranges from classical Business Administration to Business Psychology, Communication Management, and Fashion Design.

The FOM University for Economics and Management is one of the largest private universities of applied sciences in Germany with over 45,000 students (WS 2024/2025). Supported by the nonprofit BildungsCentrum der Wirtschaft foundation, it offers part-time Bachelor's and Master's programs in the fields of economics, law, IT, health, and engineering with a clear focus on practical content and labor market relevance. In Berlin, FOM operates a university centre. The programs offered here include Business Administration, Business Psychology, Health and Social Management, and IT Management.

The Macromedia University is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences headquartered in Stuttgart with around 5,700 students (WS 2024/2025). It is part of the international education group Galileo Global Education and offers over 15 Bachelor's and Master's programs with numerous specializations at eight campuses in Germany – in areas such as media, design, management, psychology, acting, and journalism. At the Berlin campus, the focus is on programs like Media and Communication Management, Journalism, Design, Digital Business, and Psychology.

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) is a private, state-recognized university of applied sciences with its headquarters in Potsdam and additional locations in Berlin, Hamburg, Iserlohn, and Dubai. It has around 6,250 students (WS 2024/2025) and offers interdisciplinary Bachelor's and Master's programs in business, design, psychology, technology, and sports. Since 2018, it has been part of the Global University Systems international education group. The Berlin campus of UE is located centrally at Potsdamer Platz and focuses on programs in the fields of Business, Tech, and Design.

FHM University of Applied Sciences (FHM) is a private, state-recognized university headquartered in Bielefeld with around 5,700 students (WS 2024/2025). Founded in 2000, it specializes in practice-oriented Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. programs in areas such as business, psychology, education, media, technology, and health. Its teaching concept is based on a competence model with a focus on professional competence and individual development. Various full-time and part-time programs are offered at the Berlin location of FHM, including International Business Administration, Business Psychology, Media Management, and Social Work.

The SRH University is one of the oldest and largest private universities in Germany. With its headquarters in Heidelberg and around 9,046 students (WS 2024/2025), it offers around 40 practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programs in areas such as economics, engineering, psychology, media, and social sciences. Since 2024, five on-site universities operate under the common academic brand SRH University with a total of 18 locations nationwide. SRH Group also has its own campus in Berlin, where programs such as Business Administration, Psychology, Social Work, International Management, and Communication Design are offered.

The European University of Applied Sciences (EUFH) is a private, state-recognized university headquartered in Cologne with around 1,700 students (WS 2024/2025). It focuses entirely on the fields of health, social work, and education and offers practice-oriented dual and part-time programs in these areas. EUFH is part of the CBS University of Applied Sciences and belongs to the Klett Group, one of Europe's largest educational providers. In Berlin, EUFH operates a campus where programs like Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Speech Therapy, and Physiotherapy are offered – each in a dual or part-time format.