Private University in Germany

The Private University System in Germany – Your Guide to Higher Education in All 16 States

Germany is not only known for its public universities but also for its private universities.

A private university in Germany is an institution that is not funded by the government but instead by private organizations, companies, or individuals. Private universities in Germany offer high-quality education focusing on practical skills, modern facilities, and smaller class sizes, giving students more personal attention from professors.

While tuition fees are generally higher at a private university than at a public one, students often benefit from more specialized programs, international opportunities, and strong industry connections.

Private universities are excellent for students who prefer a career-focused approach and want to stand out in the job market. Below, we will explore the different private universities in Germany’s 16 federal states.

Baden-Württemberg

Baden-Württemberg is known for its strong educational standards and is home to several renowned private universities.

SRH University Heidelberg – Known for health sciences, business, and engineering.
GISMA Business School – Focuses on international business and management studies.
Hochschule der Medien (Stuttgart Media University) – Specializes in media, communication, and digital studies.

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Bavaria (Bayern)

Bavaria has several private universities focusing on business, technology, and health.

Munich Business School – Known for international business programs.
University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE) – Offers business, sports, and design programs.
FOM University of Applied Sciences – With its main campus in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, FOM has a study center in Munich, Focuses on business, finance, and management.

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Berlin

The capital city of Berlin hosts several private universities that are highly regarded for their modern approach to education.

ESCP Business School – Focuses on international business with campuses across Europe.
Hertie School – Known for public policy, governance, and international affairs.
SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences – Offers management, technology, and the arts courses.

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Steinbeis University Berlin – Specializes in business and project-based learning.

MSB Medical School Berlin- Specializing in the medicine areas

University of Europe for Applied Sciences(UE)- Focussing on Arts & Design, Business & Management, Sports Management and Psychology.

Berlin International University of Applied Sciences- Specialising in areas like Business administration, Visual Design, Architecture etc.

Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences- Specialising in Design, media and management

CODE-University of Applied Sciences- Specializes in software engineering, interaction design, and product management

Steinbeis University- Well known for its focus on applied research and Industry oriented education

BSP Business and Law School- Specialising in Business and Management, creative business as well as courses in Law.

BBW university of applied Sciences- Courses offered in the field of business administration and engineering sciences.

Bard College- Specializes in humanities and the social sciences

Akkon University of Human Sciences- Offers practice-integrating and occupation-integrating degree programs

GISMA Business School – Offers business and management programs with an emphasis on practical skills and international perspectives.

International Psychoanalytic University Berlin (IPU Berlin): Specializes in psychology and psychoanalysis programs.

Quadriga University of Applied Sciences: Focuses on communication, public relations, and management studies.

Touro College Berlin: Offers programs in business, psychology, and Holocaust studies.

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI): Provides courses in business, finance, and marketing.

Macromedia University of Applied Sciences: Offers programs in media, design, and management.

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management: Provides part-time programs in economics and management, tailored for working professionals.

HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management: Specialized in media, communication, and management studies.

DEKRA Hochschule für Medien: Focuses on media, journalism, and communication programs.

Hochschule für Wirtschaft, Technik und Kultur (HWTK): Offers programs in business, technology, and culture.

International University of Applied Sciences (IU): Provides a wide range of online and on-campus programs in business, technology, and health, emphasizing flexibility and international orientation.

Brandenburg

Brandenburg's private universities focus on practical skills and career-oriented education.

Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences – Known for engineering, technology, and management programs.
University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE), Potsdam – While its main campus is in North Rhine-Westphalia, UE has a campus in Potsdam, Specializes in design, art and media.
Döpfer University of Applied Sciences- Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia and has a campus in Potsdam, Specialising in Health care, therapy,psychology and social work

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Bremen

Bremen has a few private universities focusing on management, logistics, and health sciences.

Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences – Known for engineering, technology, and management programs.
University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE), Potsdam – While its main campus is in North Rhine-Westphalia, UE has a campus in Potsdam, Specializes in design, art and media.
Döpfer University of Applied Sciences- Headquartered in North Rhine-Westphalia and has a campus in Potsdam, Specialising in Health care, therapy,psychology and social work

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Hamburg

Hamburg's private universities focus on business, management, and health sciences.

Kühne Logistics University (KLU) – Specializes in logistics, supply chain management, and global trade.
HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration – Offers business courses with hands-on learning and corporate partnerships.
Medical School Hamburg (MSH) – Known for health sciences, psychology, and medical studies.
Hamburger Fern Hochschule – A distance-learning university offering various applied sciences programs
Bucerius Law School – Germany’s first private law school, focusing on law and business.

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Hesse (Hessen)

Hesse is home to private universities known for business, finance, and psychology.

Frankfurt School of Finance & Management – A top finance, management, and economics institution.
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences – Offers health sciences, engineering, and social sciences programs.
European Business School (EBS) – Focuses on business and law with an international orientation.
Free Theological University Gießen (FTH) – Focuses on evangelical theology and pastoral training.

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Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen)

Lower Saxony has private universities focusing on health sciences, psychology, and business.

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences – Known for business, management, and engineering.
Hochschule für Angewandte Management (HAM) – With its main campus in Bavaria, HAM has a study center in Lower Saxony, Focuses on management, psychology, and media.
hochschule 21 – Offers dual degree programs in construction, health, and technology.

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Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern)

This state has private universities focused on innovative education and practical skills.

Hochschule der Wirtschaft für Management – Specializes in business, management, and logistics.
FOM University of Applied Sciences – Offers programs in business and health management.
Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) – Campus in Rostock, Offers programs in psychology, social work, and management.

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North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen)

North Rhine-Westphalia is Germany's most populous state and has various private universities.

Cologne Business School (CBS) – headquartered in Stuttgart, with NRW campuses in Cologne, Aachen and Brühl, Focuses on business, management and international relations.
FOM University of Applied Sciences – Known for business administration and management.
University of Applied Sciences Europe (UE) – Offers business, media and design programs.

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BiTS Business and Information Technology School – Specializes in digital media, business and entrepreneurship.

IU International University of Applied Sciences – Headquartered in Bad Honnef, with additional campuses in Düsseldorf and Cologne, Offers a wide range of online and on-campus programs in business, technology and health, emphasizing flexibility and international orientation.

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management – Headquartered in Essen, with numerous study centers in NRW, including Düsseldorf, Dortmund and Cologne, Providing part-time programs in economics and management, tailored for working professionals.

International School of Management (ISM) – Offers business and management programs with campuses in several German cities, emphasizing practical experience and international exposure.

Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft (FHDW) – Specializes in dual study programs in business and IT, combining academic learning with practical training.

IST-Hochschule – Focuses on distance learning programs in sports, fitness, health, tourism and event management.

Alanus Hochschule für Kunst und Gesellschaft – Combines programs in arts and social sciences, promoting interdisciplinary studies.

Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola – Offers engineering and natural sciences programs with a focus on practical application.

EBZ Business School GmbH – Specializes in real estate and business studies, offering bachelor's and master's programs.

Fliedner Fachhochschule Düsseldorf – Provides programs in health, nursing, education and social work, emphasizing applied sciences.

SRH University – headquartered in Heidelberg, with campuses in Hamm, Münster and Cologne, Offers programs in logistics, management, and social sciences, focusing on practical skills.

Rheinische Hochschule Cologne – Specializes in engineering and technology programs, emphasizing applied research.

Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule SVD St. Augustin – Offers programs in philosophy and theology, with a focus on intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

European University of Applied Sciences – Provides programs in business, health and social sciences, emphasizing practical experience and international orientation.

Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) – Headquartered in Bielefeld, with additional campuses in Cologne and Pulheim, Offers programs in business, media, health, and social sciences, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises.

Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln – Provides programs in engineering, media and business, emphasizing practical application.

University of Applied Sciences for Finance – Specializes in finance and public administration programs, preparing students for careers in financial management.

Protestant University of Applied Sciences Rhineland-Westphalia-Lippe – Offers programs in social work, education, and health, grounded in Protestant values.

Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Münster – Provides programs in philosophy and theology, focusing on academic research and ecclesiastical studies.

Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz)

This region offers private universities focused on international business and applied sciences.

WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management – Known for business and management programs.
FOM University of Applied Sciences – Has a campus in Mainz, Offers business, management and finance courses.
Catholic University of Applied Sciences Mainz – Focuses on social work, health and practical education grounded in Catholic values.

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Saarland

Saarland's private universities offer focused programs in management and applied sciences.

FOM University of Applied Sciences – While headquartered in Essen, FOM operates a study center in Saarbrücken, Known for business and management programs.
German University of Prevention and Health Management – Specializes in health management, offering programs in fitness training, health promotion, and prevention strategies.
AKAD Bildungsgesellschaft – Offers distance learning programs in business, technology, and computer science, emphasizing flexibility for adult learners.

Saxony (Sachsen)

Saxony's private universities emphasize hands-on education and specialize in business, engineering, and design.

University of Applied Sciences Dresden – Known for engineering and design.
AKAD University – Specializes in distance learning programs in business and engineering.
HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management – Offering programs in management and entrepreneurship.

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Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt's private universities focus on applied sciences and offer degrees in business and technology.

SRH Hochschule für Gesundheit Gera – Specialized in health sciences and management.
Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht – Focuses on business administration and law.
Protestant University of Sacred Music (Evangelische Hochschule für Kirchenmusik) – Offers programs in church music, focusing on organ performance, choral conducting, and liturgical studies.

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Schleswig-Holstein

Schleswig-Holstein's private universities are known for interdisciplinary studies and practical education.

Nordakademie Hochschule der Wirtschaft – Offers dual-study programs in business and engineering.
FOM University of Applied Sciences – Based in Kiel, Known for business and social work programs.
Fachhochschule Wedel – Offers programs in informatics, technology, and business.

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Thuringia (Thüringen)

Thuringia has a few private universities focused on career-oriented education and business studies.

SRH University of Health Gera – Specializes in health sciences and management programs.
IU International University of Applied Sciences – While its main campus is in Bad Honnef, IU has a significant presence in Erfurt, Thuringia, offering a variety of programs in business, health and social sciences.
Health and Medical University (HMU) – Offers programs in medicine, psychology, and psychotherapy.

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Why Choose a Private University in Germany?

Career-Focused Programs: Private universities often design programs that meet industry needs, preparing students for specific careers. Smaller Class Sizes: With fewer students, private universities provide more personalized instruction and closer relationships with professors. Flexible Learning Options: Many private universities offer part-time, dual-study, and online programs to fit different lifestyles. International Connections: Private universities frequently have global partnerships, offering exchange programs and internships abroad. Modern Facilities: Private universities invest in cutting-edge facilities to support practical learning and research.

How to Apply to Study at a Private University in Germany

Choose a Program: With the help of KCR’s qualified and experienced counselors, identify a program that aligns with your career goals and interests.

Check Requirements: Each private university has admission criteria, often requiring higher qualifications.

Submit an Application: Your counselor at KCR is experienced enough to help you submit an application and follow up with the chosen private university, including building a resume, personal statement, and sometimes an interview.

Scholarships: Private universities offer scholarships or financial aid for eligible students. Your counselor at KCR will keep this in mind and work with you and the university.

Get a Student Visa: International students must need a student visa to study in Germany; KCR has more than two decades of experience helping with visa applications.

Studying at a private university in Germany is an excellent choice for students looking for specialized programs, smaller class sizes, and a career-driven education. With a strong network of industry partners, German private universities provide a competitive edge in the job market, making them an attractive option for students worldwide.