Quality is a top priority at IU

Top-level education

As Germany's largest private online university, we have more than 20 years of experience in guiding you through your studies. And because the quality of your chosen study programme is close to our hearts, all our programmes are state-recognised and system-accredited.

State-recognised university

IU is a state-recognised and accredited university. The recognition confirms the high quality of both the study programmes and the teaching. In addition, we make sure that content is always adapted to the latest standards. With success, as our awards, accreditations and certifications show.

Institutionally accredited

IU has been re-accredited by the German Academic Council for five years. The German Academic Council has been advising the federal and state governments on issues of higher education development, academia and research since 1957. In doing so, it also has the task of ensuring the quality of teaching and research at non-state universities.

System accredited university

IU is system-accredited. The higher education institution can thus – in accordance with the legally defined quality standards – independently accredit new study programmes and react to the demands of the market without any loss of quality.
FREE TRIAL? LET’S GO!

You can try out your study programme for one month – no commitment. The fees for this period only apply if you decide to continue your studies with us.

What counts for us is you.

Your satisfaction is our top priority! That's why we make sure that you are optimally looked after right from the start – a claim that has proven itself. Our quality goals are derived from our mission statement and the development goals of the university:

  • The development of high-quality, innovative study programmes that enable the desired growth to be achieved.

  • Continuous further development of teaching quality, taking into account the latest technologies and innovative teaching formats to increase student satisfaction.

  • Ensure high-quality transparency with regard to teaching, administrative and technical support for students.

  • Involving relevant stakeholders in the quality assurance process through regular evaluations and active involvement in the quality assurance process.

Our quality management approach

The quality of your studies is our top priority! That is why we have developed our own quality management system that methodically checks and ensures all service areas of IU

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Our students – their stories

Family, job, handicap or being different – no barriers whatsoever to writing success stories. Our students prove this day after day: To show you that motivation can move mountains, they want to tell you their story!

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We believe in IU. Others do, too.

We have the service and quality of our programmes tested regularly. This way, we can be sure to consistently provide you with top-level education. And we are proud to share the results of external rankings, studies and awards with you here. 

Free Trial? Let's Go!

We give you time to check at your leisure whether the IU online study programme is right for you: That's why we offer you the chance to try out our entire range of courses for four weeks, free of charge and without obligation.

Simply register online for your desired study programme.

Trend study – distance learning

Recent developments in the German online study and distance learning market

A total of 6,400 people took part in the Trend Study Distance Learning: Education 2021. Around 50 per cent of participants are currently enrolled in an online study or distance learning programme at a German university, and around 40 per cent are planning to start such a programme in the near future. Three per cent have dropped out of an online study or distance learning programme. About five per cent have already successfully completed their chosen programme. It is the largest study of the living and studying conditions for online study and distance learning students and took place for the fifth time in 2020/21.

You can find the study results here

Background to the trend study

Why do students choose the online study / distance learning model? And how does this pay off in terms of salary and career? A lot has also changed in the field of digital learning.


Financial Check – Online study and distance learning: This is why the model pays off
Those who enrol in an online study or distance learning programme primarily want to further their personal development, which is what around 61 per cent of those surveyed said they wanted. The study results of the graduate group show that these set expectations are largely fulfilled: More than half of the graduates surveyed stated that they had undergone positive changes in their careers as a result of their distance learning or distance learning qualification. For example, they took on more attractive tasks, received a higher salary and improved their chances of promotion. 77 per cent of the respondents were of the opinion that studying online had been financially worthwhile, with 51 per cent even reporting a salary increase of at least 20 per cent.


Learning 3.0 – How digital is distance learning? 
The decision to study online also means being open to new teaching and learning methods. As the use of technical tools and gadgets in everyday life continues to grow in the course of rapid digitalisation, the online offer at universities is being accepted without any problems, according to the study. Therefore, the "online campus" learning environment with online lectures available for download and online tests is very important to the participants of the Trend Study. However, additional technical gadgets, such as voice-controlled tools or augmented reality or virtual reality tools, play more of a subordinate role for the respondents. Study scripts in printed or digital form are about equally important to the respondents. Interactive study scripts, on the other hand, are only important for about 30 per cent of respondents. As their preferred learning medium, they would primarily use their laptop, a tablet computer, their smartphone or a desktop computer.


About the Distance Learning Trend Study 
How much time do you have to spend on studying online / distance learning? Which learning formats work particularly well for distance learning? Is it worth the time and financial effort? These and many other questions about distance learning and distance learning have been regularly addressed by IU International University since 2011. Its Trend Study on Distance Learning is a nationwide, cross-university survey of current and former distance learning students and those interested in distance learning. Around 5,000 people took part in the 2018 survey in October and November 2018. Cooperation partners were the provider-independent platform Fernstudium-Infos.de, as well as oncampus, provider of distance learning and online continuing education courses.


The previous online surveys were conducted in 2011, 2014 and 2016 and provide comparative values on developments in the distance learning market.

IU as an employer

Our international team has a common goal: Your academic success to help you develop professionally and personally. For this, we live and breathe quality, innovation, cohesion and trust. Diversity is a priority in the IU International University team and we offer plenty of room for courageous characters who want to be challenged and encouraged.

We are here for you

Do you need help with your decision? Your personal study advisor is happy to help you!

We will support you

Our student advisory service will help you if you have questions about your choice of degree program, the right time model or your financing options, for example.

Just give us a call*Available Monday–Friday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. CET, Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CET

+49 30 311 988 00

REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

You'll find all of the important information about your study programme and IU International University of Applied Sciences in your personal brochure.

What you get for free

Information material

  • Information on study content & electives

  • Career prospects

  • Information on financing options

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