Private Universities in Schleswig-Holstein: IT and Dual Study in the Hamburg Metropolitan Area

All private universities at a glance

We have a total of 3 private universities listed in our database.

Which private universities are based in Schleswig-Holstein?

Three non-profit private universities have their headquarters in Schleswig-Holstein – a small but clearly profiled field focused on IT and dual study.

• Wedel University of Applied Sciences (FH Wedel) (Wedel near Hamburg): Around 805 students, 20 programmes. One of Germany's oldest private universities (founded 1969). Focus: computer science, IT security, smart technology, data science & AI, computer games technology, media informatics, e-commerce. Full-time and dual. Costs: €0–21,840.
• NORDAKADEMIE – University of Applied Sciences (Elmshorn): Around 2,211 students, 11 programmes. Founded by 43 companies and the employer association NORDMETALL. Dual bachelor programmes (business, business informatics, industrial engineering, applied computer science, IT engineering – all €0, employer-funded). Part-time master programmes at the Hamburg campus (Dockland). Costs: €0–22,400.
• Dual University of Applied Sciences Schleswig-Holstein (DHSH) (Kiel, Lübeck, Flensburg): Around 570 students, 4 programmes. Founded 2018. Dual only: business administration (€0), social work (€0), business informatics (€17,604), digital business & innovation (€11,736). Three Baltic coast locations. Costs: €0–17,604.

What can you study privately in Schleswig-Holstein?

The offering is concentrated on two areas: IT/computer science (around two-thirds) and business/management (one-third). DHSH recently added social work as its first non-technical programme.

• Computer science and IT: FH Wedel offers computer science (from €6,750), IT security (€13,500), smart technology (€10,920), data science & AI (from €7,110), computer games technology (€12,390) and media informatics. NORDAKADEMIE adds applied computer science and IT engineering as dual bachelor programmes (€0). DHSH offers business informatics and digital business.
• Business and management: NORDAKADEMIE dual business administration (€0, employer-funded), plus part-time masters in general management, financial management and industrial engineering (from €11,952). FH Wedel has business administration (from €6,750) and industrial engineering. DHSH offers dual business administration (€0).
• Social work: DHSH recently launched social work as a dual programme (€0) in Kiel, Lübeck and Flensburg – the only non-technical, non-business programme in the state.
• Not available: No medicine, law, psychology, design, health sciences or classical engineering at Schleswig-Holstein's private universities. Hamburg is 20–30 minutes away and offers all of these.

How much does it cost to study at a private university in Schleswig-Holstein?

Tuition ranges from €0 (dual programmes at NORDAKADEMIE and DHSH) to €22,400 (NORDAKADEMIE IT engineering). Schleswig-Holstein is one of Germany's cheapest states for private higher education.

• €0 (dual, employer-funded): NORDAKADEMIE (business, informatics, industrial engineering). DHSH (business, social work). FH Wedel (e-commerce, IT engineering – dual variants).
• €6,390–13,500 (FH Wedel full-time): Industrial engineering (€6,390). Business/informatics bachelor (€6,750). Data science (€7,110). Master programmes (€10,290–13,500).
• €11,736–22,400 (specialist programmes): DHSH digital business (€11,736). NORDAKADEMIE part-time masters (from €11,952). NORDAKADEMIE dual bachelor business (€20,300) and IT engineering (€22,400).

All three universities are state-recognised and non-profit. For comparison: public universities in Schleswig-Holstein charge ~€160/semester. At dual programmes, the employer covers tuition and typically pays a training salary – making the effective cost €0.

International cost comparison: FH Wedel's computer science bachelor at €6,750 total costs less than a single semester at most UK or US universities.

Schleswig-Holstein for international students

Schleswig-Holstein's private universities are small, specialised and close to Hamburg. The international profile is more modest than Berlin, Frankfurt or Munich.

• Language of instruction: Nearly all programmes are taught in German (C1 required). Programme descriptions and some course materials are available in English, but do not confuse this with English-taught study. For international students who speak German, the low tuition (€0–22,400) and Hamburg proximity make SH attractive. For English-only study, consider Hamburg or Berlin instead.
• Living costs: Wedel/Elmshorn: WG rooms €300–420/month – 30–40% cheaper than Hamburg. Kiel: €280–380. Lübeck: €280–370. Flensburg: €260–350. All significantly below the German average.
• Hamburg proximity: Wedel is 20 minutes from Hamburg by S-Bahn, Elmshorn 30 minutes. Hamburg's international job market (logistics, media, IT, trade) is directly accessible for internships and part-time jobs.
• Visa and entry requirements: EU/EEA citizens enrol freely. Non-EU students need a student visa. Blocked account (Sperrkonto): at least €11,904/year. Health insurance mandatory (~€110/month).
• What is a Fachhochschule? All three institutions are Fachhochschulen (universities of applied sciences). Their degrees are fully equivalent to university degrees under the Bologna system and recognised across the EU.

Funding and scholarships in Schleswig-Holstein

• BAföG: Available at all three universities. Maximum: €992/month (2024/25).
• Deutschlandstipendium: €300/month, merit-based, income-independent.
• NORDAKADEMIE (dual, €0): All dual bachelor programmes are fully employer-funded. Students also receive a training salary. NORDAKADEMIE connects applicants with over 700 partner companies.
• DHSH (dual, €0): Business administration and social work are employer-funded.
• FH Wedel scholarships: Scholarships through the FH Wedel Foundation.
• KfW student loan: Up to €650/month at around 2% interest.

Frequently asked questions about private universities in Schleswig-Holstein