Top Private Universities in Germany for 2026 [Detailed Admission Guide]

Private universities in Germany offer flexible admissions, multiple yearly intakes, and smaller class sizes for better student support. Many international students choose them due to easier entry requirements and faster processing times.

Public universities in Germany receive heavy competition and higher cut-offs, making private universities a practical alternative for MS or MBA applicants.

Below are the key reasons why students can choose private universities in Germany:

• High availability of English-taught programs: Private universities in Germany follow English-first curricula. It offers popular programs like business, management, IT, logistics, and many others in English, be it for master’s or bachelor's. 
• Smaller class sizes: German private universities usually have around 5000 students, like CODE university, which only has 450 students, while Karlshochschule has 500. 
• Flexible intakes and rolling admissions: Private universities in Germany offer multiple intakes throughout the year. For example, IU International University, SRH Berlin, and Munich Business School accept applications continuously and have several start dates per year.
• Cost-effective if compared with the UK or the US: The private universities in Germany ask for around €8,000 to €20,000 (₹8.4L to 21L) per year, whereas universities in the UK or the USA charge a minimum of ₹25 Lacs per year. 

The main difference between public and private universities in Germany is that public universities offer low tuition fees with competitive admissions, while private universities provide flexible intakes and smaller class sizes at higher fees.

The table below breaks down these differences in detail to help you decide what fits your goals best:

(Note: All INR values are approximate and converted using €1 = ₹105.)

Irrespective of whether you get admitted to a public or private university, studying in Germany is the best option because of its low cost of studying, good career opportunities, and a lot of high-paying jobs in Germany. 

Here is a list of the top 10 private universities in Germany:

• Berlin School of Business and Innovation
• GISMA Business School
• Bard College of Berlin
• Hertie School of Governance
• Munich Business School
• SRH Hochschule Berlin
• Witten/Herdecke University
• WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management
• Jacobs University Bremen
• CODE University of Applied Sciences

Now, let’s discuss each of these universities in detail:

Berlin School of Business and Innovation

Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) was founded in 2017 and is part of the Global University Systems network. It has over 7,000 students and offers programs like business and management with a lot of focus on industry and innovation.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €9,000 per year (₹9.4 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.Sc. (Hons) Business and Management, B.Sc. (Hons) Digital Marketing and Social Media, Global MBA, M.Sc. Finance & Investment, M.Sc. in International Health Management

GISMA Business School

GISMA Business School is one of the best private universities in Germany because it teaches business globally with strong industry links. It has around 2,000+ students from 95+ nations. Top courses like International Business and Global MBA are taught in English with a practical learning focus.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €30,000 for a program (₹31.5 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.Sc. International Business Management, B.Sc. Data Science, AI & Digital Businesses, Global MBA, M.Sc. International Marketing, M.Sc. Strategic Business Management

Bard College of Berlin

Bard College of Berlin has an average class size of about 11 students per class with a 5:1 student-faculty ratio. Around 79% of students receive financial aid, with tuition waivers ranging from 20% to 100% available.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €31,000 (₹32.5 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.A. Economics, Politics and Social Thought, B.A Humanities, the Arts and Social Thought

Hertie School of Governance

Hertie School of Governance is a leading public policy university founded in 2003. It has around 836 students from over 70 countries. Just under 5% of students receive major scholarships from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation. 

• Avg Tuition Fee: Approx €34,500 to €39,500 (₹36 to 41.5 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: Master of International Affairs (MIA), Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Data Science for Public Policy (MDS)

Munich Business School

Munich Business School is one of Germany’s top private business universities, AACSB-accredited, and ranked highly for entrepreneurship and MBA quality internationally. It has about 1,000 students and offers small-group teaching.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €40,000 (₹42 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.A. International Business, M.A. International Business, MBA General Management, M.A. Innovation and Entrepreneurship, M.A International Marketing and Brand Management

SRH Hochschule Berlin

SRH Hochschule Berlin was founded in 2002 and has around 2,200 students studying business, technology, and arts in Berlin. The school’s modern Berlin campus won the German Design Award 2026 for innovative learning spaces.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €7,200 per semester (₹7.5 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.A. International Business Administration, B.A. Marketing, M.Sc Software Engineering, M.A International Management, MBA

Witten/Herdecke University

Witten/Herdecke University is one of Germany’s oldest private universities. It has about 2,500+ students and many of them receive Deutschlandstipendium scholarships. It was voted one of the most popular universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. 

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €17,000 per year (₹17L)
• Mode of Instruction: English and German 
• Popular Programs: B.Sc. in Psychology, M.A in Management, M.Sc. in Nursing, M.Sc in Psychology

WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management

WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management consistently ranks #1 in Germany for MBA and Master's in Management (Financial Times). It has around 2,000 students, 33% international, and an alumni network that has founded 2,400+ companies worldwide.

• Avg Tuition Fee: Up to €40,500 for a program (₹42.5 L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.Sc. in International Business Administration, Bachelor's in Business Psychology, MBA, M.Sc in Management, M.Sc. in Finance

Jacobs University Bremen

Jacobs University Bremen is now also known as Constructor University and has approximately 1,600 to 1,800 students from over 110 countries. Around 70% of bachelor students receive merit-based scholarships.

• Avg Tuition Fee: €10,000 to €20,000 per year (₹10.5L to 21L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.A. in International Business Administration, B.Sc. in Computer Science, M.Sc. Data Engineering, MA International Relations, MSc Supply Chain Management

CODE University of Applied Sciences

CODE University of Applied Sciences has around 450 to 500 students. It follows a project-based curriculum and offers scholarships plus a ‘pay later model’ to support students financially. 

• Avg Tuition Fee: €10,000 to €11,000 per year (₹10.5L to 11.5L)
• Mode of Instruction: English
• Popular Programs: B.Sc. in Software Engineering, B.A in Interaction Design, B.A in Product Management

To get admission in a private university in Germany, you must meet academic eligibility with relevant subject background, prove English or German language proficiency, and submit complete documents demonstrating readiness for the program.

Let’s understand each of these in detail below:

Academic Requirements

German Private universities assess your academic performance to check if you meet the minimum eligibility for the chosen program.

• Minimum GPA or Percentage: Most private universities in Germany accept students with an average GPA of 2.5–3.0 on the German scale, which roughly translates to 55%–65% in Indian grading systems.
• Bachelor’s Degree (for Master’s programs): Applicants must hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution.
• Subject knowledge: Some programs may require prior knowledge in specific subjects for business, engineering, or technology courses.
• Work Experience (for PG programs): Some master’s or MBA programs prefer 1 to 3 years of work experience, which can give a boost to your profile.

Language Proficiency

Since many private universities in Germany offer English-taught programs, proof of language proficiency is mandatory.

• English Language Requirements: For IELTS, you are expected to meet a 6.0 to 6.5 overall range, for TOEFL, it is 80 to 90, and for PTE, it’s 55 to 60. 
• German Language Requirements (if applicable): For German-taught or bilingual programs, universities may ask for A2 to B2 level German, depending on the course.
• Medium of Instruction Waiver: Some universities waive English tests if your previous education was fully taught in English.

Entrance Exam

Entrance exams are not really mandatory for most of the private universities in Germany, but it is always a plus point if you have appeared for them.

• GMAT: 500 to 600, mainly for MBA or management programs
• GRE: Scores between 300 and 325 are highly appreciated. 
• University-Specific Assessments: Many universities conduct online interviews, case study tests, and even aptitude tests. 

Documents Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete set of academic and personal documents to support their application.

• Academic Transcripts and Certificates: Marksheets and degree certificates from previous studies are required for evaluation.
• SOP: A motivation letter explaining your academic goals, career plans, and why you chose the university.
• CV: A detailed CV highlighting education, internships, work experience, and skills.

• English Language Proficiency Tests

• Blocked Account Proof: International students usually need to show proof of funds through a blocked account of around €11,208 (₹11.76 lakh approx) for one year to meet visa requirements.
• Passport and such identity verification documents: A valid passport and passport-sized photographs are required during the application and visa process.

It is very important to first finalise your top picks for application to private universities in Germany, keeping your goals in mind. 

Below are the major steps for the application process of private universities in Germany:

• Step 1 - Shortlist Universities and Programs: Check key factors like language of instruction, tuition fees, intake months, and eligibility criteria before finalising your shortlist.
• Step 2 - Check Entry Requirements: Always review the requirements for scores, language, documents, and any additional entrance exams.
• Step 3 - Prepare Application Documents: Gather all required documents, such as academic transcripts, SOP, CV, and language test scores.
• Step 4 - Submit the Application Online: Private universities in Germany have their own application portal on their official website. Submit your complete application there and complete any small assessment or online interview, if applicable.
• Step 5 - Accept the Offer Letter if you Receive it: If you get selected, you will get a conditional or unconditional offer letter. You will have to pay a deposit to confirm your seat. 
• Step 6 - Apply for a Student Visa: Once you accept the offer, arrange proof of funds and apply for a German student visa. After visa approval, you can proceed with accommodation booking and travel planning.

Choosing the right private university in Germany can feel overwhelming with so many options, tuition ranges, and admission requirements. Students often struggle to compare programs, understand application deadlines, and meet eligibility criteria. Planning ahead, researching universities, and knowing your priorities early can save time and stress.

Yocket Premium helps you simplify this process by offering personalised shortlists, detailed university profiles, and application tracking. You can get access to scholarship updates, visa guidance, and expert counselling tailored for German private universities.