Quality is a top priority at IU

All study programmes at IU are accredited and bear the seal of the Accreditation Council. The process of accreditation documents that the study programmes meet all quality requirements concerning formal and content-related aspects of a study programme. Their fulfilment confirms the required level of study and the comparability of the study programmes on a national and international level.

Statement of the Science Council: https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/download/2021/8813-21.pdf

IU is licensed as a provider under the law on employment promotion. The Hanseatic Certification Agency (HZA) confirms in its multi-stage audit procedure that the IU's quality assurance system meets the requirements laid down in the German Social Code (SGB III) and the Accreditation and Licensing Ordinance – Employment Promotion (AZAV). This certification entitles IU to offer further training to interested parties with an activation and placement voucher. The prerequisite for this is that all admission requirements for further education are fulfilled by the interested party.

In the current CHE ranking, IU ranks in the top group in almost all categories in the subjects of business administration, business informatics and social work. In particular, IU scored better than all other dual universities in the subject of business informatics in the dual model with an almost perfect overall rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars. In the subjects of business administration (dual) and social work (dual), IU achieved an overall score of 4.4 and 4.0 out of 5 stars respectively, putting it above the university average in all three rankings.

IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is currently the fourth most popular university of applied sciences on FernstudiumCheck.de. This site compares and rates institutions that offer distance learning programmes. You can find information on more than 5.300 distance learning programmes at more than 390 institutions. Thanks to differentiated rating criteria, you can choose the most fitting option for you. 

AACSB International is a non-profit organisation with a global network that connects educators, students and diverse businesses to achieve a common goal: to produce the next generation of outstanding leaders.

Since 1916, AACSB has stood for the highest standards of performance, providing quality assurance and learning, development and business intelligence services to more than 1,700 organisations and over 840 accredited business schools worldwide. As a member of the AACSB, we are part of a movement that champions the education and skills development of tomorrow's professionals and leaders.

As the largest private university, it is important for us to do more for climate change. That is why we have been teaching and working in a completely climate-neutral way since 2020 – as the first online study university worldwide. Together with TÜV Süd, we have drawn up our personal carbon footprint – because every lecture room, every journey to campus and every e-mail causes CO2 emissions. To compensate for these, we support recognised climate protection projects such as the 1005 MW Wind Project India or the Kariba Forest Protection Project. There is also an action plan to reduce the intensity of emissions, including switching to sustainable green energy. In addition, the topic of sustainability flows directly into teaching – be it through individual modules, seminar projects or entire research projects.

In its internationally recognised university ranking, the QS Stars Institute awards a full five stars for the quality of our digital studies. Since the beginning of 2021, IU has been listed in the QS Stars Ratings on the Top Universities website. With 99 out of 100 points in all categories, IU is the first (and to date) only German university to carry this award.

In the ranking of this site, IU is rated as an excellent institution with 4,5 of 5 stars. Fernstudium Direkt compares and rates distance learning programmes, online study programmes or part-time further training (on- or offline). If you are looking for the perfect study programme or further training programme, Fernstudium Direkt can help you select the right one by providing you with numerous options and testimonials. 

Erfurt, 8 March 2021 – High levels of satisfaction despite pandemic: Online study students in Germany are doing well. With their studies in general – and with the study conditions during the pandemic, in particular. This is confirmed by the Trend Study on Online Studying published today: "Bildung 2021" of IU International University of Applied Sciences. For the fifth edition of Germany's largest survey of the living and studying conditions of students in online study, 6,400 people were interviewed: current and former students at German online universities as well as those interested in pursuing an online study programme.

Over 96 per cent of students are satisfied with their online study programme. This is even one percentage point more than in the last Trend Study conducted in 2019. One important point for the high level of satisfaction: that the online study programme is allowed to run almost without interruption. Around 70 per cent of enrolled online study participants report that their studies were not affected by the pandemic. And over 95 per cent are satisfied with the measures their university has taken to compensate for the – few – restrictions caused by the crisis.

Learning apps, video conferences, podcasts – this is how digital education works
"Corona has catapulted our society two to three years into the digital future. This is a big challenge for many education providers. For online study participants, on the other hand, learning platforms, learning apps, video conferences, podcasts and digital tutorials have long been part of everyday life," says Prof. Dr. Holger Sommerfeldt, Prorector of Distance Learning at IU. "Modern online study programmes show how digital education works. Online study is the model of success for e-learning."

For almost 93 per cent of students, individual support is also important when pursuing distance learning. However, the relationship between teacher and learner differs from that in face-to-face teaching: In e-learning, the teacher takes on more of a support role, reports Prof. Dr. André Hollstein, Head of Media Didactics & Innovation "In distance learning, it is much more important than in traditional face-to-face teaching to meet the different learning needs of individual students through innovative digital offerings."

Further increase in student numbers expected
Even before Corona, the number of students studying online in Germany had already increased sharply. The crisis has once again accelerated growth, according to Dr Carmen Thoma. Through Corona, 25 per cent of the interested parties surveyed realised the importance of continuing education in the first place. And over 97 per cent of all respondents believe that online learning will become much more important as a result of the pandemic.

Currently, around 190,000 students pursuing distance learning are enrolled in Germany, a good 35 per cent more than two years ago. Thoma predicts a further increase in the number of students in distance learning. "A digital degree is a perfect fit for today's lifestyles and the diverse demands that people have to and want to meet today," is her rationale.

Increased prestige and financial rewards
The study also shows that pursuing distance learning is now seen as equally (or even more) valuable than traditional study formats. Three quarters think that their employer sees it the same way. This is matched by the fact that 48 per cent were given more attractive tasks after graduation – and 55 per cent a higher salary.

In 2019, IU was recognised in the category "Germany's most desirable employers". A total of 10,000 employers were surveyed. The F.A.Z.-Institut is a company of the renowned publishing group Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. As a service provider for communication and marketing decision-makers, it stands for relevant, credible and high-quality information.

We have been awarded the "Open Company" and "Top Company" seals by the employer rating platform Kununu. Only 1% (Open Company) and 4.1% (Top Company) of all companies rated on Kununu receive these quality marks. This shows our employees and applicants that they appreciate our authenticity and openness as well as communication on an equal footing.