Differences between private and public universities in Germany

Germany is home to a large number of universities with most of them being state-funded. However, the number of private universities has increased in recent years, and so has the number of students attending these universities. While public and private universities share some similarities, there are also some notable dissimilarities between them. Today we break down the differences between private and public universities in Germany.
 

Programs offered

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) estimates that there are 422 higher education institutions in Germany. And 90% of the study programs in the country are offered at public universities.

To put things into perspective, the Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin, a public university) offers more than 150 academic programs across 12 departments and 3 Central Institutes. Private universities, on the other hand, usually offer between 10 and 20 study programs.

The above-mentioned figures indicate that study programs at public universities are more varied than those in the private education sector. This is not to argue, however, that the range of programs offered by private universities is adequate. Simply put, German public universities tend to be substantially bigger.

Berlin International offers students a more personalized study experience!

However, the opportunities and advantages of studying at a private university should not be overlooked. One such opportunity is students having direct contact with the professors by learning in smaller and more interactive classes, as opposed to the big auditoriums at public universities. This approach helps prepare students for the business world and get more out of their education, overall.

Another advantage to studying at a private university like Berlin International is the experience and expertise of the professors and lecturers in their respective academic fields. Private universities tend to have a heavier emphasis on industry experience rather than just learning theory. Thanks to our on-campus workshops, BI students get to work on various projects and gain industry-specific insights while also working on getting their degrees.

Accreditation

When it comes to quality of education, Germany has very strict regulations in place. It is safe to assume that an institution has been accredited by the regional government and upholds high standards of education if it is able to refer to itself as a “university” (Universität) or “university of applied sciences” (Fachhochschule/Hochschule) and grants bachelor’s or master’s degrees. In the case that they are not accredited themselves, they typically collaborate with other academic institutions to award the degrees.

Normally, you can find information on their website regarding which federal state government is responsible or the names and recognitions of partner institutions. In the latter instance, it is reasonable to presume that the quality of education is high if those institutions are also located in the EU or UK.

At Berlin International all the programs are accredited!

Berlin International was institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) in 2019 and meets all the requirements for state recognition. In addition to the university, all study programs at BI are accredited in cooperation with the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN e.V.).

Admission requirements

Public universities in Germany tend to face students with higher admission criteria. This is primarily due to the fact that public universities continue to enjoy greater popularity than private ones, even though the latter have been improving recently. The fact that they are accessible to anyone, including international students, also plays a role. In addition, public universities employ a “numerus clausus” (NC), which implies that only a portion of highly qualified applicants is accepted.

Nevertheless, one should not take admission to a private university in Germany for granted. If you wish to enroll in a course, you will still need to demonstrate excellent knowledge, and finishing your degree will require a lot of work.
 

Application deadlines

The deadline for applications is set independently by universities. Therefore, the deadline for submitting your application will vary depending on the university you want to enroll in. While some may accept applications at any time of the year, others may have set application deadlines.

Applications at Berlin International are now open! Apply from December 1st, 2023 until August 31st, 2024.

To a certain extent, though, application deadlines for the majority of public universities typically fall around the same time. This is mostly because they all use the same online application system, UniAssist, and are therefore subject to the same application deadlines.

• Mid-July for the upcoming Winter Semester
• Mid-January for the upcoming Summer Semester

Tuition costs

The area where private and public universities differ most is in the tuition costs. In 2014, Germany’s 16 states abolished tuition fees for undergraduate students, including international students, at all public universities. Private universities, on the other hand, rely on private funding and must charge tuition fees in order to cover their operating costs and maintain their budget. That being said, this is not something to be overly concerned about. If you are looking to study at a private university, the tuition fees are still low enough to be able to afford it.
 

Scholarships

And that brings us to another point - scholarships. There are various ways you can financially support yourself as a student in Germany. Certain scholarships are awarded based only on your academic standing, while others have national restrictions or alternative eligibility requirements.

There is a slight difference in the number of scholarships offered by public and private universities. At public universities, the number of scholarships is higher, but there is also a wider range of selection criteria for granting them. For private universities, it may be the case that only top students are awarded scholarships.
 

Employability

German universities are well-known throughout the world and employers value their graduates. While they may place a slightly higher value on candidates from public universities, private universities are gaining a stronger reputation by the day. In certain specific study areas, private universities rank higher for graduates' employability. Nonetheless, employers these days are more interested in graduates who can fulfill their assigned responsibilities than in those with advanced degrees.

The Berlin International Career Center helps students and alumni to fulfil their career goals!

When talking about employability, it is important to note that another advantage to studying at a private university like Berlin International is our Career Center. In cooperation with JobTeaser, we offer our students exclusive career services and support students' career choices during their entire student lives. This includes access to networking events, employer profiles, job opportunities and general advice and guidance.

Thank you for taking the time to read our article on the differences between private and public universities in Germany. If you are interested in studying at Berlin International and have amazing opportunities that will shape your future to be one of the best, we encourage you to check all the study programs we offer.

Feel free to reach out to our Admissions & Student Affairs team at any time via application@berlin-international.de.