In Germany the difference that matters most is not “public versus private”. It is whether the institution is state-approved, because that decides whether the degree counts.
Three kinds of funding body
DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, describes three groups of higher education institutions:
- State-funded: about 60 per cent of institutions are funded by the federal government and the federal states. Most students enrol at this type, and they mostly do not pay tuition fees.
- Private: about 30 per cent are state-approved but privately operated. DAAD says most of these are universities of applied sciences with close ties to industry and an international orientation, and some charge high tuition fees.
- Church-run: about 10 per cent are run by a church, are state-approved and are often open to students of other denominations. They tend to focus on one field such as theology, social work or education.
The Hochschulkompass, the Higher Education Compass, agrees that most private institutions are universities of applied sciences. The percentages are DAAD’s approximations, so treat them as a rough picture, not an exact count.
The fee picture
At a state institution, tuition is mostly free. DAAD makes one exception: the state of Baden-Württemberg requires tuition fees from students from non-EU countries. Tuition is only part of the budget, so check the university’s own page for any other charges and for living costs.
At a private institution, fees are set by the institution and can be high, as DAAD notes. Ask for the full cost of the programme, not the first-year figure.
State approval is the check that matters
DAAD states that a degree from a private or church-run institution is only valid on the international labour market if the institution is state-approved. The German Rectors’ Conference keeps a current list of state-run and state-approved institutions. Look the institution up there before paying a deposit.
How to compare two options
- Confirm the institution is on the official list.
- Compare the specific programme, not the institution name: language of instruction, admission requirements and length.
- Ask each institution for total tuition and the semester contribution.
- Check whether the programme includes practical phases. DAAD says these are typical at universities of applied sciences.
- Read how the institution supports international students on visas and housing.
A private institution can be a sound choice if it is approved and the programme fits. Either way, admission depends on your qualifications and the institution’s own requirements.
The next question is whether to aim for a university, a technical university or a university of applied sciences. That is covered in TU, TH and FH/HAW: what the differences mean. For the visa side, see the student visa guide.
SGC can help you organise the questions to ask and your application documents. Universities decide admission, and no institution type promises an outcome.