Private Universities in Saxony-Anhalt: Steinbeis and the Project Competence Study

All private universities at a glance

We have a total of 1 private universities listed in our database.

Which private universities are based in Saxony-Anhalt?

One private university has its headquarters in Saxony-Anhalt – Steinbeis University in Magdeburg. It operates fundamentally differently from most private universities.

• Steinbeis University (Magdeburg): Around 4,047 students, 12 programmes. Part of the Steinbeis network (over 1,000 Steinbeis enterprises across Germany). Headquarters moved from Berlin to Magdeburg in 2022. Study model: Project Competence Study (PKS) – students work full-time at a company and develop a scientifically supervised transfer project. No traditional campus, no lecture halls. Programmes: Business Management (€9,490), International Management (€8,400), Digital Leadership (€8,400), Business Informatics (dual €0 or part-time €16,900), IT-Systems Engineering (dual €0), Social Work (dual €13,140), Industrial Engineering (€0), Executive MBA (€23,900), Oral Implantology (€28,800). Costs: €0–28,800.

What is the Project Competence Study (PKS)?

The PKS is Steinbeis' defining feature: students are employed at a company throughout their studies – not as student workers, but as full employees with a concrete project. The transfer project is scientifically supervised and forms the backbone of the degree. Theory and practice are fully integrated.

• Ideal for: Working professionals seeking academic qualifications alongside their job. Company employees who want to work on a specific project with scientific rigour. Career changers who can be matched with a partner company through the Fellowship model.
• Not suitable for: School leavers seeking a traditional campus experience with lectures, student life and a campus community. Applicants without an employer or corporate contact (unless using the Fellowship model).
• Fellowship model: For applicants without an existing employer, Steinbeis can match them with a partner company through its network – enabling entry even without a prior corporate connection.

What can you study at Steinbeis University?

Steinbeis offers 12 programmes across business, IT, social work and engineering – all in the PKS format (work-integrated, individualised, company-based).

• Business and management: Business Management (€9,490), International Management (€8,400), Digital Leadership (€8,400), Executive MBA (€23,900).
• IT and digital: Business Informatics (dual €0 or part-time €16,900), IT-Systems Engineering (dual €0).
• Social work: Social Work – Social Pedagogy (dual €13,140).
• Engineering: Industrial Engineering (part-time €0), Business Engineering (€23,900).
• Medical niche: Oral Implantology (€28,800) – a dental specialisation for practising dentists.
• Not available: Psychology, computer science, medicine, law, design, health sciences. For these, consider Saxony (Leipzig 1h, Dresden 2.5h by train), Berlin (1.5h) or distance-learning providers.

How much does it cost to study at Steinbeis University?

Tuition ranges from €0 (dual/work-integrated programmes where the employer pays) to €28,800 (oral implantology). Most programmes cost between €8,400 and €23,900.

• €0 (employer-funded): Business Informatics (dual), IT-Systems Engineering (dual), Industrial Engineering (part-time). The employer covers tuition.
• €8,400–13,140: International Management, Digital Leadership, Business Management, Social Work.
• €16,900–28,800: Business Informatics part-time, Executive MBA, Business Engineering, Oral Implantology.

Steinbeis University is state-recognised. For comparison: public universities in Saxony-Anhalt are tuition-free (semester fee ~€220). Since the PKS requires company employment, employers frequently cover tuition – or costs are tax-deductible as professional development.

International cost comparison: Steinbeis' Executive MBA at €23,900 total costs a fraction of comparable programmes in the UK or US.

Saxony-Anhalt for international students

Saxony-Anhalt's private higher education offering is very limited for international students. The Steinbeis PKS model requires company employment in Germany – which is difficult for international applicants without existing employer contacts.

• English-taught options: Steinbeis has 15 English-language programme descriptions, but most programmes are taught in German. Selected programmes (International Management, Business Management, IT-Systems Engineering) may have English components. Full English-taught study at Steinbeis is not guaranteed – confirm with the specific Steinbeis institute.
• Living costs: Magdeburg: WG rooms €250–350/month – one of Germany's cheapest cities. However, most Steinbeis students do not live in Magdeburg.
• Alternatives for internationals: For campus-based English-taught study, consider Saxony (HHL Leipzig – fully English MBA/MiM) or Berlin (20+ private universities, extensive English offerings). Thuringia (IU International University – Germany's largest private university) is also nearby.
• Visa: EU/EEA citizens enrol freely. Non-EU students need a student visa. Blocked account: €11,904/year. Health insurance mandatory (~€110/month).

Frequently asked questions about private universities in Saxony-Anhalt