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Over the last few years, the quantity of private universities in Germany has increased with more students preferring them as a route to obtaining qualifications for higher education. Statistics show that the number of students (local & international) increased in private universities over the past 10 years. Although public universities are still the best option for national as well as foreign students, private universities have also become a common landing ground for prospective domestic and international students.

They deliver a range of research programs, useful training sessions, employable market-oriented skills, and unique study experience in general. Private universities are a minority in Germany as opposed to public universities. Statistically, in less than 10 percent of all higher education institutions in Germany private universities participate. However, there are numerous and valid reasons for attending a private university in Germany. But this article would need to be reviewed before choosing a particular university.

The difference between public and private universities in Germany:

Private and public universities in Germany have some similarities, but at the same time, there are sections where the gap between them is so large that it is difficult for many students like you to identify these differences, which is bad because it is likely to lead you to a wrong decision and for this, we will mention all the differences. Among the German public and private universities that you should be familiar with.

• Tuition Fees: With their international tuition, most public universities in Germany do not charge any fees, only studying in private universities comes at a particular price. Private universities are dependent on private funds, and they would need to raise tuition fees to fill their budgets and support their regular operations.
• Criteria for Admission: Public universities tend to face higher admission requirements from the applicants. Whereas private universities depend heavily on fees received from foreign students. That’s why it’s easy to get admission in private universities.
• Unique Degrees: The number of international studies programs at German private universities are gradually rising. Private universities also seek to benefit from offering groundbreaking degrees in study areas.

Why choose a private German university?

It can be difficult to look for a suitable university and you may wonder why you should pick private universities in Germany, what advantages you would find:

• Private universities easily give admission to students with low grades.
• Private universities prefer to have small interactive classes because, in smaller classes, students learn more easily and advance through subjects.
• The drop out rate is very low in private universities as compared to public universities.
• Every semester you can study at any time and anywhere, move between studying online and on-campus.
• Private universities prefer to concentrate more on gaining functional skills through placements than mere learning theory.
• Many courses offer an express study choice which allows you to select additional classes in just two to complete a three-year degree.
• More chances to get admission and student visa.
• Students can get dates for exams, presentations, and final thesis quickly.
• Chances to finish the studies quickly.

How affordable are private universities in Germany?

Private institutions typically rely on tuition fees to fund them (although some are now receiving institutional support) and set their own fees, which can amount under EUR 10,000 to more than EUR 20,000 a year (around USD 24,400). Many private universities in Germany will cost tuition fees in excess of US$ 20,000 each year alone.

If you compare these tuition fees with British, American, and Australian universities then the fee structure of German private universities is reasonable. You can get high-quality education in less money.

All German private universities are not expensive. Yet some cheaper options are also available. Dresden International University, Friedensau Adventist University, FOM Private University of Applied Sciences in Economics and Management, and SRH Hochschule Berlin are Germany’s cheapest private universities.

Cost of living during the study in a private German university:

In addition to the tuition fees students bear the following costs:

• Semester ticket cost
• Health insurance cost
• Rent
• Internet and telephone cost
• Food cost
• Other minor costs such as study material cost, shopping cost, visa extension cost, etc.

Funding options to study in a German private university:

Private universities in Germany also have a close connection with a large number of state and private funding institutes such as banks, Deutschlandstipendium, and BAföG. So private universities also help students in getting a scholarship or funding from these institutes. Therefore take the personal advice from a university financing expert before choosing the self-financing option.

List of private universities in Germany:

Still, so many German private universities are not state-approved but they are attracting international students. So check their status first and then try to get admission to state-approved private universities. Here is the list of all the state-approved German private universities.

State-approved private technical universities in Germany:

• Bard College Berlin, A Liberal Arts University
• Bucerius Law School Hamburg, Hochschule für Rechtswissenschaft
• DIU – Dresden International University GmbH
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht Wiesbaden
• ESCP Europe Wirtschaftshochschule Berlin e.V.
• ESMT – European School of Management and Technology Berlin
• Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
• Freie Hochschule Stuttgart
• Hertie School Berlin
• HHL Leipzig Graduate School of Management
• Hochschule für Jüdische Studien Heidelberg
• International Psychoanalytic University Berlin
• Jacobs University Bremen
• Kühne Logistics University Hamburg – Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung
• Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane Neuruppin
• Private Universität Witten/Herdecke gGmbH
• Psychologische Hochschule Berlin (PHB)
• Steinbeis-Hochschule Berlin
• WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management Vallendar
• Zeppelin Universität Friedrichshafen – Hochschule zwischen Wirtschaft, Kultur und Politik

State-approved private universities of applied sciences in Germany: (Fachhochschule)

• XU Exponential University of Applied Sciences Potsdam
• Wilhelm Löhe Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften Fürth
• Wilhelm Büchner Hochschule Darmstadt
• VWA-Hochschule für berufsbegleitendes Studium Stuttgart
• Touro College Berlin
• Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola Bochum
• Heidelberg – SRH Hochschule
• Hamm – SRH Hochschule
• SRH Hochschule für Gesundheit Gera
• The Mobile University Riedlingen – SRH Fernhochschule
• SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences
• Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln
• Quadriga Hochschule Berlin
• Provadis School of International Management and Technology Frankfurt am Main
• Private Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Technik Vechta/Diepholz
• PFH – Private Hochschule Göttingen
• Nordakademie Elmshorn
• NBS Northern Business School Hamburg
• Munich Business School
• Merz Akademie Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien, Stuttgart
• Medical School Berlin – Hochschule für Gesundheit und Medizin (MSB)
• Mediadesign Hochschule für Design und Informatik Berlin
• media Akademie – Hochschule Stuttgart
• Leibniz-Fachhochschule
• Kommunale Hochschule für Verwaltung in Niedersachsen
• Karlshochschule International University
• IUBH Internationale Hochschule Erfurt
• IST-Hochschule für Management Düsseldorf
• Internationale Hochschule SDI München – Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften
• Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell (IHL)
• International School of Management Dortmund
• IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales Berlin
• HSD Hochschule Döpfer Köln
• HSBA Hamburg School of Business Administration
• Hochschule Weserbergland Hameln
• Hochschule Macromedia Stuttgart
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft, Technik und Kultur (HWTK) Berlin
• Hochschule für Künste im Sozialen, Ottersberg
• Hochschule für Kommunikation und Gestaltung Stuttgart
• Hochschule für Finanzwirtschaft & Management GmbH Bonn
• Hochschule für angewandtes Management Ismaning
• Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Europa – Iserlohn, Berlin, Hamburg
• Hochschule für angewandte Pädagogik Berlin
• Hochschule Fresenius Idstein
• Hochschule Fresenius Heidelberg
• Hochschule der Wirtschaft für Management Mannheim
• Hochschule der Deutschen Bundesbank Hachenburg
• Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (University of Applied Labour Studies of the Federal Employment Agency) Mannheim
• Hochschule der Bayerischen Wirtschaft für angewandte Wissenschaften – HDBW
• Hochschule 21 Buxtehude
• HMKW Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft Berlin
• Hamburger Fern-Hochschule, gemeinnützige GmbH
• German Graduate School of Management/Law GmbH Heilbronn
• Freie Theologische Hochschule Gießen
• FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management – University of Applied Sciences Essen
• Fliedner Fachhochschule Düsseldorf
• Fachhochschule Wedel
• Fachhochschule für Sport und Management Potsdam
• Fachhochschule für Interkulturelle Theologie Hermannsburg
• Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover
• Fachhochschule Dresden
• Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) Bielefeld
• Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft Paderborn
• Fachhochschule Clara Hoffbauer Potsdam – University of Applied Sciences
• Evangelische Hochschule Tabor
• Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg
• Europäische Fachhochschule Rhein/Erft
• University of Applied Sciences Bochum – EBZ Business School
• EBC Hochschule – University of Applied Sciences Hamburg
• Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein
• DIPLOMA Hochschule – Private Fachhochschule Nordhessen
• Digital Business University of Applied Sciences Berlin
• DHGS Deutsche Hochschule für Gesundheit und Sport Berlin
• Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement GmbH Saarbrücken
• DEKRA Hochschule für Medien Berlin
• CVJM-Hochschule Kassel
• CODE University of Applied Sciences Berlin
• CBS International Business School – University of Applied Sciences Köln
• BSP Business School Berlin – Hochschule für Management GmbH
• Brand University of Applied Sciences Hamburg
• Berlin International University of Applied Sciences
• bbw Hochschule Berlin
• APOLLON Hochschule der Gesundheitswirtschaft Bremen
• Allensbach Hochschule Konstanz
• Akkon-Hochschule Berlin
• AKAD Hochschule Stuttgart
• accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg

State-approved private colleges of art and music in Germany:

• Hochschule der bildenden Künste (HBK) Essen
• Barenboim-Said Akademie Berlin
• Alanus Hochschule Alfter

Accommodation options for private university students:

One sad thing about German private universities is that they are not associated with the Government-funded student hostels (Studentenwohnheim/Studentenwerk). So students of private universities cannot directly get a room or apartment in Student Wohnheimen.

But private university students have many other choices such as shared apartments (WG), private student hostels, and single-room apartments.

Many private universities also owned apartments and give single rooms to newly enrolled students. So must ask your university before finding any other place to live in Germany.

FAQs about German private universities: