About the university
IU International University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised university based in Erfurt. It started in 1998 as the International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef–Bonn and, with more than 130,000 students, it is now Germany's largest university. Most of those students study online in German; its international brand, iu.org, offers English-taught degrees online and on campus.
On campus, IU teaches a small set of English-taught bachelor's and master's in business administration, computer science, cyber security and international management, with specialisations in AI, data science and business analytics. Course pages list Cologne as the campus, and IU says programmes for new students will be offered in Cologne from April 2027.
Indian students look at IU for its two intakes a year, English-only teaching, a one-year master's option and visa support. Before you sign, confirm the study format (on campus or online), the campus city and the full fee, and check how the degree fits your career plans. IU recommends paying a year's tuition upfront because German missions increasingly ask for proof of it.
Cologne is a large city on the Rhine, with Bonn about 20 minutes away by train. Rents are high, so IU advises starting your housing search three to six months ahead.
- Founded
- 1998 as the International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef–Bonn; first students in 2000/01
- Type
- Private, state-recognised university of applied sciences, headquartered in Erfurt
- Students
- 130,000+ across all study formats, most of them online (IU)
- On-campus study
- Berlin and Cologne; programmes for new students move to Cologne from April 2027
- Intakes
- April and October
- Accreditation
- Institutionally accredited by the German Science and Humanities Council; FIBAA Premium status
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €8,134
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants. Without a specialisation, an internship is compulsory.
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €8,134
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Postgraduate
MSc Computer Science with Data Science
- Fee / year
- €8,134
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €8,134
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €8,134
- Duration
- 2 years (120 ECTS), including an internship
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Postgraduate
MA International Management (60 ECTS)
- Fee / year
- €9,879
- Duration
- 1 year (60 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,831
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
- Undergraduate
- Fee / year
- €6,831
- Duration
- 3 years (180 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October; April
- English
- Taught in English. IU checks English skills in its admission process; the score rules were not shown on the course page, so ask IU. APS needed for Indian applicants.
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Computer Science | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €8,134 | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €8,134 | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh |
| MSc Computer Science with Data Science | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €8,134 | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh |
| MSc Cyber Security | 2 years (120 ECTS) | €8,134 | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh |
| MA International Management | 2 years (120 ECTS), including an internship | €8,134 | ≈ ₹8.6 lakh |
| MA International Management (60 ECTS) | 1 year (60 ECTS) | €9,879 | ≈ ₹10.5 lakh |
| BSc Computer Science | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €6,831 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
| BA Business Administration | 3 years (180 ECTS) | €6,831 | ≈ ₹7.2 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at IU International University of Applied Sciences with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- On-campus bachelor's and master's
IU early application discount
Value: Up to 20% off tuition
Eligibility: Promotion for applications submitted by 5 November, as advertised on IU course pages.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - All programmes
IU payment discounts
Value: 2% for yearly payment; up to 10% for paying in full
Eligibility: Depends on the programme; can be combined with other discounts where IU allows.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- Admission looks at your school qualification, an admission interview and your English skills.
- Documents must be in English or German, or translated.
- Ask IU whether your Class 12 certificate gives direct entry or whether you need a foundation route first.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate; you can apply for it once you hold IU's official acceptance letter.
Postgraduate
- A completed bachelor's degree. Some programmes need a related degree, subject knowledge or work experience; the 60 ECTS master's is stricter.
- An admission interview and English skills are part of the process.
- APS certificate required for Indian applicants. From summer semester 2027, some Indian master's applicants may have to take the Digital Admission Test (dMAT) in the APS process.
- There is no application fee, but a €1,500 campus registration fee is due once you accept the offer.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts (for master's)
- Proof of English
- CV
- APS certificate (after IU's acceptance letter)
- Proof of tuition payment for the visa (IU issues a payment confirmation)
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| Teaching language | 100% English for iu.org on-campus programmes |
| Test scores | IU assesses English during admission; the course pages we read did not show the score rules, so confirm with IU |
| German | Not required for admission |
Accommodation and living costs
IU does not run its own halls. Its city guides point to Studierendenwerk halls, church and non-profit residences, private residences and shared flats, and advise starting three to six months ahead, budgeting two to three months' rent as a deposit and never paying before signing a contract. Cologne figures are below; IU's Berlin guide gives similar ranges.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Average one-bedroom flat, CologneIU's Cologne guide, citing an external source | €750per month | ≈ ₹79,500 |
| Furnished one-bedroom, Cologne districtsFrom Porz (cheapest) to the city centre | €750–1,450per month | ≈ ₹79,500 – ₹1.5 lakh |
| Public student dormitory, BerlinIU's Berlin guide; waiting lists can exceed a year | €250–400per month | ≈ ₹26,500 – ₹42,400 |
| Shared flat (WG), BerlinIU's Berlin guide | €400–800per month | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹84,800 |
| Semester ticket | €227per semester | ≈ ₹24,041 |
Campus and location
IU's on-campus programmes run in Cologne and Berlin, and IU says new students will study in Cologne from April 2027. Its headquarters is in Erfurt.
- Programmes are taught 100% in English by professors with at least five years of industry experience (IU).
- Students come from more than 190 countries.
- Two intakes a year, in April and October.
- Free visa support from IU.
Careers and graduate outcomes
IU's programmes are career-oriented and several include internships. German widens your job options a lot. The figures below are IU's own published survey results, not independent data and not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average time for graduates to find a suitable job | 2.6 months | IU website (IU's own figure) |
| Students and alumni who say their degree was a worthwhile investment | 89% | IU website (IU's own figure) |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT
Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
How much does IU cost for an on-campus master's?
For the two-year MSc Computer Science, MSc Cyber Security or MA International Management, €8,134 a year if you pay yearly (€16,268 total), plus a €1,500 registration fee and the semester ticket.
Where will I study?
Course pages list Cologne, and IU says new students will study in Cologne from April 2027. Confirm the campus in your offer letter.
Is IU an online or a campus university?
Both. Most of IU's 130,000+ students study online. Make sure you enrol in the on-campus version, which is what the student visa needs.
Do I need to pay tuition before the visa?
IU recommends paying a year upfront, because German missions increasingly ask for proof of one year's tuition. IU issues a payment confirmation.
Is there a one-year master's?
Yes, the 60 ECTS MA International Management, for applicants with specialist knowledge and relevant work experience.
Sources
- IU: home page (opens in a new tab)
- IU: tuition fees (opens in a new tab)
- IU: entry requirements (opens in a new tab)
- IU: on-campus study (opens in a new tab)
- IU: MSc Computer Science (on campus) (opens in a new tab)
- IU: MA International Management 60 ECTS (opens in a new tab)
- IU: BSc Computer Science (on campus) (opens in a new tab)
- IU: finding accommodation in Cologne (opens in a new tab)
- IU: finding accommodation in Berlin (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: IU International University of Applied Sciences (history) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.iu.org (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details