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Meta title: IU International University: Campus Study and Fees
Meta description: IU International University of Applied Sciences: recognition, on-campus programmes in Cologne, bachelor’s fees from $23,620, Pathway route and visa rules.
Last modified: 2026-10-02

# IU International University: On-Campus Study in Germany, Fees and Visa

IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU, formerly IUBH) is a private university of applied sciences with its legal seat in Erfurt. It is state-recognised, institutionally accredited by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat) and system-accredited under the German Accreditation Council, so its bachelor's and master's degrees are regular German degrees. International students who need a study visa are currently admitted only to English-taught on-campus programmes in Cologne; the Berlin campus takes no new intake. An on-campus bachelor's costs $28,810 (€25,500) for three years at the full rate, or $23,620 (€20,910) with the current discount, plus a one-time $1,690 (€1,500) registration fee. IU's online degrees are a legitimate way to study, but they do not lead to a German student visa or residence permit.

The IU International University of Applied Sciences building (then IUBH) on Juri-Gagarin-Ring in Erfurt, April 2020. Photo: Gmünder / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:IUBH_Erfurt,_Juri-Gagarin-Ring.JPG), [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).

IU here is not Indiana University: the US campus is covered on our [Indiana University Bloomington](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-indiana-bloomington) page. IU is also unrelated to a similarly abbreviated university in Astana, Kazakhstan.

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Type | private, state-recognised university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) |
| Legal seat | Erfurt, Thuringia (Bad Honnef until 2019) |
| Campus for visa students | Cologne city centre (Quincy and Gerling buildings); Berlin has no new intake |
| Accreditation | Wissenschaftsrat reaccreditation in 2021 for five years, renewal in progress; system accreditation until 2033 |
| Language | English |
| Intakes | April and October |
| On-campus bachelor's | $28,810 (€25,500) for 3 years at full rate; $23,620 (€20,910) with the 18% discount |
| One-time and recurring extras | $1,690 (€1,500) registration fee; $260 (€226.80) transport ticket per semester |
| English | bachelor's: IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 80; master's: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 |
| Housing | no residences; IU helps you search in the city |

## Online, hybrid and on-campus: which one gets a visa {#section-1}

IU runs three different worlds: German-language distance learning, dual programmes with employers, and English-taught on-campus degrees for international students. A German study visa under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) requires full-time study. In its answer to a parliamentary question dated 29 January 2026, the Berlin Senate stated that purely online programmes without compulsory attendance usually do not count as full-time study, and that a residence permit for part-time study is only at the immigration office's discretion.

This has real consequences. In 2025 the Berlin immigration office (LEA) tightened permit renewals for students of private institutions who studied online or in blended formats, including IU's former myStudies English format, which combined online learning with compulsory in-person sessions. According to the Senate, by 25 January 2026 there had been 665 hearings, almost 200 refusals and 173 lawsuits or urgent applications; the parliamentary question singles out IU. Online students who show academic progress receive a provisional certificate (Fiktionsbescheinigung) until a higher court settles the question. In March 2026 the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg called the legal question open, and in a separate case the Berlin Administrative Court held that actually attending the in-person classes on offer is sufficient.

IU replaced the blended format with its on-campus Campus Studies English model on 1 October 2025 and, from January 2026, introduced rules under which most courses require at least 60% attendance before you may sit the exam, with all exams held on campus.

What this means if you apply for 2027:

- choose only a programme listed under "on campus"; IU's FAQ confirms that attending in-person lectures is mandatory;
- before paying, ask IU to confirm in writing that the programme is on-campus and suitable for a Section 16b visa;
- do not switch to an online version during your studies, because that can cost you your residence permit.

The visa decision is made by the German embassy together with the local immigration office; the university has no say in it.

## State recognition and accreditation {#section-2}

A private German institution can award full degrees only if its federal state recognises it and its quality is accredited. IU meets both conditions. The Wissenschaftsrat first accredited it in 2009, when it was still the Internationale Fachhochschule Bad Honnef, and in January 2021 reaccredited it for five years with conditions on its constitution, professorial appointments and research. According to the Council's work programme for July 2026 to January 2027, the new reaccreditation is expected to go before the Council around April 2027.

IU gained system accreditation on 4 December 2018, and on 23 September 2025 the Accreditation Council renewed it for eight more years. In practice the university accredits its own programmes under audited rules and awards them the Council's seal; you can look up any programme in the Accreditation Council's public database.

## Who IU suits {#section-3}

| IU makes sense if | Look elsewhere if |
| --- | --- |
| you want business, computer science or an MBA fully in English | you want engineering, medicine, law or design |
| a clear price and two intakes a year matter to you | you need university housing; IU has none |
| you are happy to live in Cologne | you specifically want Berlin |
| you already have IELTS 6.0 or a first year at university | research reputation is your priority |

Tuition-free English-taught programmes at public universities are covered in our guide to [English-taught degrees in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-germany). For another private option, compare [Constructor University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-constructor) and read about [universities of applied sciences in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-of-applied-sciences-germany).

## Programmes on the Cologne campus {#section-4}

From 2027, new students can choose only the programmes on IU's current on-campus list; part of the older Berlin portfolio is closed to new applicants.

- Bachelor's (180 ECTS, 3 years). B.Sc. Computer Science, either general or with Applied AI or Data Science. B.A. Business Administration with a compulsory specialisation: Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship, International Management, Logistics, or Organisational Development and Change. Both include an internship.
- Master's (60 or 120 ECTS). Computer Science (AI, Business Analytics, Data Science), Cyber Security, International Management.
- MBA (60 or 90 ECTS). General MBA, One-Year MBA and specialised versions such as Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Finance & Accounting, Healthcare Management, HR Management, IT Management and Supply Chain Management.

There is no on-campus bachelor's in cyber security; IU suggests Computer Science first and the Cyber Security master's later. Cologne students can take German courses from A1.

## Fees {#section-5}

IU publishes a total programme price and three payment plans. Figures below were checked on the programme pages on 1 October 2026; the 15–18% reduction is already included in the current programme price, and IU may change it for later intakes.

| Programme | Full rate | Discounted, paid per semester | Paid yearly |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B.A. Business Administration / B.Sc. Computer Science, 3 years | $28,810 (€25,500) | $23,620 (€20,910), i.e. $3,940 (€3,485) per semester | $7,720 (€6,831) per year |
| M.A. International Management, 2 years | $22,600 (€20,000) | $18,750 (€16,600), $4,690 (€4,150) per semester | $9,190 (€8,134) per year |
| One-Year MBA, 12 months | $14,690 (€13,000) | $12,480 (€11,050), $6,240 (€5,525) per semester | $12,230 (€10,829) |

- Paying a year at a time saves another 2%; paying the whole programme upfront saves up to 10%.
- The $1,690 (€1,500) registration fee is paid once your application is approved; only then does IU send the acceptance letter you need for the visa.
- The Deutschlandsemesterticket costs $260 (€226.80) per semester. There is no application, graduation or administration fee.
- IU offers no scholarships for its on-campus English programmes; its fees page points to fee reductions instead.

For the visa, IU recommends paying at least the first academic year in advance, because embassies increasingly ask for proof, and it issues a payment confirmation. Living costs are a separate amount shown in a blocked account (see below). National averages are in our overview of the [cost of studying in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-germany).

## Bachelor's admission after secondary school {#section-6}

On paper IU accepts a school-leaving certificate and transcript translated into English or German. But a private university is bound by its state's rules on access to higher education, and many school certificates from outside the EU, including the Russian attestat, give only indirect access in Germany: via a Studienkolleg foundation college or after a successful first year at university at home. That is why IU usually offers school leavers its own preparatory year.

IU Pathway Programme:

- full-time on campus in Cologne for 12 months (two semesters), starting in April or October;
- from $7,800 (€6,900), excluding the registration fee and transport ticket;
- requires at least indirect university access, checked by IU in the anabin database, plus IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 or B2 First 169;
- with a passing TestAS result you can start in the second semester;
- it is an internal bridging course that leads only to IU's on-campus bachelor's and does not replace a Studienkolleg for other universities.

English for bachelor's programmes: IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 80 (test centre) or Cambridge B2 First 169, no older than two years. After your documents are uploaded, IU invites you to a compulsory 15-minute online interview, which can be rescheduled three times. Our [Studienkolleg guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studienkolleg-germany) explains when a foundation college is needed.

## Master's and MBA {#section-7}

- A 120-ECTS master's requires a 180-ECTS bachelor's; a 60-ECTS master's requires 240 ECTS.
- Some programmes also need a related first degree or a year of work experience.
- MBA: a degree from a public or recognised university plus at least one year of work after it. A 60-ECTS MBA requires 240 ECTS and a 90-ECTS MBA 210 ECTS; up to 30 missing credits can be offset by a year of full-time work.
- English for master's and MBA: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90 or B2 First 176.

IU makes the admission decision after reviewing your documents and interview. The general process is described in our guide to a [master's in Germany in English](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-germany-in-english).

## Application steps {#section-8}

1. Apply online and upload documents; IU says it reviews complete applications within 72 hours.
2. Take the 15-minute online interview.
3. Receive the study contract by email, with fees, start date and terms.
4. Pay the $1,690 (€1,500) registration fee and, for a visa, usually the first year of tuition.
5. Receive the Letter of Acceptance and book your embassy appointment.

IU offers free visa-file support through VFS Education Services, including document checks, motivation-letter review, appointment booking and one reapplication after a refusal. If the visa is not ready in time, IU lets you move to the next intake.

## Russian and Kazakh citizens {#section-9}

- Where to apply. Russian residents apply for the national study visa at the German Embassy in Moscow; the Consulate General in St Petersburg closed on 18 September 2026. The embassy's checklist gives a usual processing time of 6–8 weeks and never less than four.
- Passport. Since 1 January 2026 a biometric passport is required.
- Living funds. $1,120 (€992) per month, or $13,450 (€11,904) for the first year. According to the embassy, no Russian bank offers a blocked account that meets visa rules, and Russian bank statements are not accepted, so the account is opened with a provider abroad. The amount is tied to the BAföG rate, and in August 2026 the German government approved a reform that may raise it for 2027/28, so check the figure on the embassy website before you transfer the money. See our [blocked account guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-blocked-account-germany).
- Documents. Acceptance letter, motivation letter and CV in German or translated into German; translations made in Russia must be notarised. Applicants under 18 need notarised parental consent.
- Paying tuition. IU accepts Flywire card or bank payments and direct euro transfers. From Russia, use legal payment routes only; options are in our guide on [how to pay for studies abroad from Russia](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-how-to-pay-for-studies-abroad-from-russia).
- Kazakhstan. Kazakh citizens apply at the German mission in Kazakhstan responsible for their place of residence; the funding rules are the same.

More country-specific detail is in [studying in Germany for Russian citizens](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-in-germany-for-russian-citizens), and the step-by-step visa process is in our [German student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-germany).

## Housing, work and life in Cologne {#section-10}

IU has no residences in Cologne or Berlin. Its team helps with the search, but you rent privately, usually a room in a shared flat (WG). Allow one to two months and book short-term accommodation for the first weeks; see our guide to [student housing in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-germany).

Since 1 March 2024 students with a study residence permit may work 140 full days a year; student assistant jobs at a university do not count towards the limit. IU warns that working hours must not clash with compulsory in-person lectures. After graduation you can apply for an 18-month residence permit to look for work; IU notes that you must spend the last six months of your studies on campus in Germany to qualify. More in our guide to [working while studying in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-in-germany).

## Common mistakes {#section-11}

- Enrolling online and expecting a visa. IU's distance programmes are not a basis for a study visa.
- Relying on old IUBH material. Bad Honnef and Bad Reichenhall campuses, hotel and aviation management from older reviews have nothing to do with today's international intake.
- Planning on Berlin. New international students on English programmes start in Cologne.
- Confusing the Pathway with a Studienkolleg. IU's preparatory year counts only towards IU's own bachelor's.
- Paying only the registration fee. A visa file usually also needs the first year's tuition paid and, separately, a blocked account.

## Timeline for October 2027 {#section-12}

1. October–December 2026. Take IELTS or TOEFL; renew your passport if it is not biometric.
2. January–March 2027. Apply, take the interview, receive the contract.
3. March–April 2027. Pay the registration fee and first year; receive the acceptance letter.
4. April–May 2027. Open a blocked account and book the embassy appointment in Moscow.
5. July–September 2027. Collect the visa, find a room in Cologne, arrive for orientation week.

## FAQ {#section-13}

### Is an IU International University degree recognised in Germany?

Yes. IU is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences; the Wissenschaftsrat reaccredited it in 2021 for five years, the renewal is in progress, and its system accreditation runs until 2033. Recognition outside Germany is decided by the receiving country or employer.

### Can I get a German student visa for IU's online programmes?

No. A Section 16b study visa is issued for full-time study, and the authorities generally treat purely online formats as part-time distance learning. You need an on-campus programme in Cologne with compulsory attendance. The German embassy and the local immigration office decide on the visa.

### How much does an IU bachelor's cost for international students?

An English-taught on-campus bachelor's costs $28,810 (€25,500) for three years at the full rate and $23,620 (€20,910) with the current discount. Add the $1,690 (€1,500) registration fee, a $260 (€226.80) transport ticket each semester and $13,450 (€11,904) in a blocked account for the visa.

### Can I enter IU straight after secondary school?

IU accepts school certificates, but many non-EU certificates, including the Russian attestat, give only indirect access in Germany, so you will usually need the IU Pathway Programme in Cologne (12 months, from $7,800, €6,900) or a first year at university at home. IU's admissions team decides which route applies to you.

### Does IU offer housing or scholarships?

There are no residences in Cologne or Berlin; IU only helps you search. It also offers no scholarships, relying instead on fee reductions: up to 18% in the current rate, plus 2% for yearly payment or up to 10% for paying the whole programme at once.

### How is IU International University different from Indiana University?

They are separate institutions in different countries. IU International University of Applied Sciences is a private German university with on-campus programmes in Cologne. Indiana University is a US public university whose flagship campus is in Bloomington, with its own requirements, fees and the US F-1 visa.

## Sources {#section-14}

- IU: [accreditation and state recognition](https://www.iu.de/en/university/quality/accreditation/), [quality and rankings](https://www.iu.org/about/quality/)
- IU: [on-campus programmes](https://www.iu.org/on-campus/on-campus-degrees/), [Cologne campus](https://www.iu.org/on-campus/cologne/), [Berlin campus](https://www.iu.org/on-campus/berlin/), [FAQ, including the Berlin visa situation](https://www.iu.org/knowledge-base/faq/)
- IU: [tuition and payment](https://www.iu.org/start-studying/tuition-fees/), [B.A. Business Administration](https://www.iu.org/bachelors/business-administration-on-campus/), [B.Sc. Computer Science](https://www.iu.org/bachelors/computer-science-on-campus/), [M.A. International Management](https://www.iu.org/masters/international-management-on-campus/), [One-Year MBA](https://www.iu.org/mbas/one-year-mba-on-campus/)
- IU: [entry requirements](https://www.iu.org/start-studying/entry-requirements/), [how to apply](https://www.iu.org/start-studying/how-to-apply/), [IU Pathway Programme](https://www.iu.org/on-campus/preparation-programmes/), [visa assistance](https://www.iu.org/start-studying/visa-assistance-service/)
- Wissenschaftsrat: [2021 reaccreditation decision](https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/SharedDocs/Pressemitteilungen/DE/PM_2021/PM_0421), [work programme July 2026–January 2027 (PDF)](https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/2026/Arbeitsprogramm_HIA.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=5)
- Berlin House of Representatives: [Senate answer to written question 19/24 882, 29 January 2026 (PDF)](https://pardok.parlament-berlin.de/starweb/adis/citat/VT/19/SchrAnfr/S19-24882.pdf); [Forschung & Lehre on the court decisions, 9 April 2026](https://www.forschung-und-lehre.de/politik/abschiebegefahr-fuer-hunderte-studierende-aus-indien-7632)
- [Berlin Immigration Office: studying and working](https://www.berlin.de/einwanderung/en/residence/study/)
- German Embassy Moscow: [study visa checklist (PDF, Russian)](https://germania.diplo.de/resource/blob/1611632/41c7219b0e955033b4b9132f6d53927b/studium-data.pdf), [national visa and appointments](https://germania.diplo.de/ru-ru/service/05-visaeinreise/langfristigeraufenthalt/1224364-1224364), [embassy news](https://germania.diplo.de/ru-ru)
- [Federal Foreign Office: blocked accounts](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/sperrkonto/375488)

Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 1 October 2026 (€1 = $1.1298), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 1–2 October 2026. Other German universities are listed on our [study in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany) page.

If you want to work through your route, send a [request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply): document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE): Programmes, Fees and Admission](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-europe-applied-sciences)
- [Gisma University of Applied Sciences: Degrees, Fees and Admission](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-gisma)
- [Studying in Germany for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany)
- [Indiana University Bloomington: Admission for International Students](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-indiana-bloomington)
- [English-Taught Degrees in Germany: Bachelor's, Master's, Costs and Work After Graduation (2026–2027)](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-english-taught-degrees-germany)
- [Constructor University Bremen: Admission, Costs and Degree Status](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-constructor)

Updated: October 2026