Private Universities in Bremen: An English-Language Campus and a Health Sciences Distance University

Constructor University offers fully English-taught STEM and social science degrees on a residential campus – APOLLON specialises in German-language distance learning for health professionals
 · Last updated 16.03.2026

Bremen is one of the few places in Germany where you can study an entire degree in English at a private university – on a residential campus with students from over 100 countries. That university is Constructor University, and for international students it’s the main reason to consider Bremen. Its programmes cover computer science, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and business – all taught in English, with tuition from €0 (scholarship-funded) to €85,950.

The other private institution in Bremen, APOLLON University, serves a completely different audience: working professionals in the health sector who want a flexible distance learning degree in German. If you don’t speak German, APOLLON is not an option. Beyond these two, IU International University operates a study centre in Bremen with around 25 programmes (some in English), and FOM offers 8 part-time programmes (German only).

All private universities at a glance

We have a total of 2 private universities listed in our database.

APOLLON University of Health Care Management

UAS · Private

  • Bremen, Germany
  • 5161 Students
  • Health Management, Nursing Science, Psychology, Social Management, Social Work, Nutritional Sciences, 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
More Info  

University · Private

  • Bremen, Germany
  • 1516 Students
  • Data Science & AI, Logistics, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, International Management, Industrial Engineering, Political Science, Psychology
  • Master of Science, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts
  • 18 Degree programs in the directory
More Info  

Why is Constructor University relevant for international students?

Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University) is one of the very few private universities in Germany where every programme is taught entirely in English. The campus in Bremen-Grohn operates on a residential model: you live on campus in shared housing, eat in the campus dining hall and study alongside around 1,500 students from over 100 countries. The academic calendar, teaching style and campus culture are closer to a small American liberal arts college than to a typical German university.

The academic focus is on STEM and social sciences. Bachelor’s programmes run for three years (six semesters), master’s programmes for two years. All degrees follow the Bologna system and are fully accredited in Germany and across the EU. Admission is based on academic records, a motivation letter and English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS) – no German language skills are required.

STEM programmes at Constructor University

The strongest area at Constructor is natural sciences and engineering: Computer Science, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chemistry and Biotechnology, Physics and Data Science, and Earth and Environmental Sciences. Two programmes – Earth and Environmental Sciences and Mathematics – are tuition-free. At master’s level, Data Engineering and Data Science for Society and Business are available.

STEM programmes at Constructor University (selection, sorted by total cost)
CourseUniversityFees

On-campus program

On-campus program		from 28650 € total
from 796 € monthly

On-campus program		from 40000 € total

On-campus program		from 60000 € total

On-campus program		from 83712 € total

Social sciences, business and politics

Constructor also offers programmes outside STEM: Integrated Social and Cognitive Psychology, International Relations: Politics and History, Society, Media and Politics, Global Economics and Management, and International Business Administration. Supply Chain Management is available as a distance learning master’s. These programmes attract students interested in an international, interdisciplinary environment – though at a higher price point than comparable programmes elsewhere in Germany.

Social sciences and business at Constructor University (selection, sorted by total cost)
CourseUniversityFees

On-campus program		from 60000 € total

On-campus program		from 60000 € total
from 1667 € monthly

On-campus program		from 60000 € total

On-campus program		from 68000 € total
from 1667 € monthly

On-campus program		from 85950 € total
from 2388 € monthly
Constructor University combines teaching and research on a self-contained campus in Bremen-Grohn – with its own laboratories, student housing and an international community of over 100 nationalities.

What does APOLLON University offer – and do you need German?

APOLLON University is a distance learning institution specialising in health sciences, health management and social work. All 21 programmes are taught in German – you need at least B2-level German to enrol. There is no English-taught option at APOLLON.

If you do speak German and work in healthcare, APOLLON is worth considering: programmes include Prevention and Health Management, Applied Psychology, Care Management, Health Economics and Nursing. Tuition ranges from €8,370 to €16,740 total, with monthly instalments of €268–481. The study format is fully remote with flexible scheduling – no campus attendance required.

Health science programmes at APOLLON University (selection, sorted by total cost)
CourseUniversityFees

Distance learning program		from 8370 € total
from 367 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 11448 € total
from 268 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 11448 € total
from 268 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 12780 € total
from 288 € monthly

Distance learning program		from 14328 € total
from 468 € monthly

Which national universities have a study centre in Bremen?

Two large German private universities maintain physical locations in Bremen, broadening the range of available subjects considerably.

  • IU International University: Around 25 programmes in Bremen, including business, social work, media design and IT. IU offers some programmes in English, making it relevant for international students. The format combines online study with optional on-campus days.
  • FOM University: 8 part-time programmes in business and management, all in German. Designed for working professionals with evening and weekend lectures.

For students looking for subjects not covered by Constructor or APOLLON – such as general business administration in German, social work or marketing – IU and FOM are the most accessible options within Bremen.

What does it cost to study at a private university in Bremen?

Bremen has the widest tuition range of any German state: from €0 (Constructor scholarships or tuition-free programmes) to €85,950 for a Constructor bachelor’s degree. This range is unusual – it reflects two completely different institutional models rather than a continuous spectrum.

  • €0 (Constructor, scholarship-funded): Two programmes (Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mathematics) are tuition-free. For all other programmes, Constructor awards merit-based and need-based scholarships that can cover 25–100% of tuition. A significant share of students receives some form of scholarship.
  • €28,650–85,950 (Constructor, list price): Bachelor’s programmes range from €28,650 (Computer Science) to €85,950 (Society, Media and Politics). These prices include on-campus housing and meal plans – costs that would be separate at other universities. Master’s programmes cost €40,000.
  • €8,370–16,740 (APOLLON, distance learning): All APOLLON programmes fall in this range, with monthly instalments of €268–481. By German private university standards, this is affordable.

For comparison: public universities in Bremen charge only a semester fee of around €380 (roughly €2,280 over a three-year bachelor’s). If cost is your primary concern, public institutions or APOLLON’s distance learning are the most affordable paths. Constructor becomes competitive only with a substantial scholarship.

Constructor University’s residential campus in Bremen-Grohn offers housing, dining and recreational facilities – a self-contained environment that’s unusual for German universities.

What is Bremen like as a city for international students?

Bremen has around 570,000 residents and 35,000 students. It’s large enough to offer urban amenities – restaurants, nightlife, cultural venues – but significantly cheaper than Hamburg (55 minutes away by train) or Munich.

  • Rent: Rooms in shared flats cost €300–380/month, well below the German average for cities this size. Popular student neighbourhoods include Neustadt, Östliche Vorstadt and Findorff.
  • International community: The University of Bremen (public) has a large international student body, which means English-speaking social circles, international restaurants and support services exist outside of Constructor’s campus. The city is manageable without fluent German, though daily life is easier with basic skills.
  • Transport: Compact and bike-friendly. Train connections to Hamburg (55 min), Hanover (1 hr) and Cologne (3 hrs). The semester ticket covers all local public transport.
  • Constructor campus: Located in Grohn, in the north of Bremen. The campus is self-contained with housing, dining, sports facilities and labs. Most Constructor students live on campus, especially in the first year. The campus community is intense and international, but somewhat separate from the city.
  • Job market: Airbus, Mercedes-Benz, BLG Logistics and the maritime industry offer working student positions. Finding English-speaking part-time work is more limited than in Berlin or Munich but possible, especially in engineering and IT.

How can you fund your studies in Bremen?

Funding options depend heavily on which institution you attend. Constructor’s own scholarship system is the most important lever for reducing costs.

  • Constructor scholarships: Merit-based and need-based awards covering 25–100% of tuition. Awarded automatically during the admissions process – no separate application needed. Available to all nationalities.
  • BAföG (German federal student aid): Available at both private universities. EU citizens and some non-EU residents are eligible. Covers living costs (not tuition). Since the 2024 reform, more students qualify.
  • Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, merit-based and income-independent. Open to international students. Both APOLLON and Constructor participate.
  • DAAD scholarships: The German Academic Exchange Service offers various scholarship programmes for international students studying in Germany. Particularly relevant for Constructor applicants from developing countries.
  • KfW student loan: Up to €650/month at around 2% interest. Available to students enrolled at a German institution who are under 45. Repayment starts after graduation.

Frequently asked questions about private universities in Bremen

Yes – at Constructor University. All programmes are taught in English, and no German is required for admission or daily campus life (the campus operates in English). Outside of campus, basic German helps with errands and socialising, but it’s not essential. APOLLON University requires B2-level German for all programmes. IU offers some English-taught programmes at its Bremen location.

At list price, yes – it is among the most expensive private universities in Germany. However, two factors make direct comparisons misleading. First, tuition includes on-campus housing and a meal plan, which typically cost €400–600/month elsewhere. Second, Constructor awards substantial scholarships: many students pay significantly less than the list price. Without a scholarship, a bachelor’s degree costs €28,650–85,950. With a full scholarship, it costs €0.

Yes. Both Constructor University and APOLLON University are state-accredited (staatlich anerkannt), and their programmes are accredited by German accreditation agencies. Degrees follow the Bologna system (bachelor’s/master’s) and are recognised across the EU and by most international employers. Constructor’s degrees are particularly well-regarded in STEM fields, with graduates placing at leading companies and graduate schools worldwide.

Bremen’s private universities cover health sciences, STEM, social sciences and some business – but not architecture, law, medicine, education or dual study formats. If these are what you’re looking for, consider nearby Lower Saxony (dual engineering and business, distance learning) or Hamburg (media, design, broader business options). Both are under an hour from Bremen by train.

If you speak German and want to study alongside your career in healthcare, APOLLON is one of the best-regarded distance learning options in Germany for this field. Programmes cover health management, nursing, prevention, psychology and nutrition – all designed for professionals with 15–25 hours per week of study time. Tuition is €8,370–16,740 total, payable in monthly instalments. The trade-off: no English-taught options and no campus experience.

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APOLLON-Hochschule
APOLLON-Hochschule
All information about the offers of the APOLLON University of Health Care Management
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IU Internationale Hochschule
IU Internationale Hochschule
All information on the distance learning programmes of the IU International University of Applied Sciences
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