Berufsakademie Nord

About Berufsakademie Nord

Berufsakademie Nord (BA Nord) is a state-recognised University of Cooperative Education (staatlich anerkannte Berufsakademie) located in Hamburg, Germany. Established in 2017, it specialises in practice-integrated dual-study programmes that combine professional training or existing work experience with an accredited Bachelor's degree.

The academy offers programmes in Applied Therapy and Nursing Science (B.Sc.), Social and Health Pedagogy (B.A.), Communication Design (B.A.), and Vocational Pedagogy in Healthcare (B.A.). Programmes are delivered in two models: Ausbildung + Studium (training alongside study) and Beruf + Studium (employment alongside study), with classes available in-person, hybrid, or live online.

BA Nord is characterised by small cohorts with close personal mentoring. Its degrees are awarded in credit points in line with the European Higher Education Area framework and have been accredited by ACQUIN. An entry pathway without the full Abitur (Hochschulreife) exists for applicants who hold a completed vocational qualification and relevant work experience.

Key facts

Founded: 2017

State-recognised University of Cooperative Education founded in 2017 in Hamburg

Dual-study model: combines professional training or employment with a Bachelor's degree

Entry pathway available without full Abitur for qualified vocational graduates

Programmes accredited by ACQUIN under the German Accreditation Council framework

Flexible delivery: in-person, hybrid, and live-online formats

Small cohorts with individual academic mentoring

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

BA Nord is a private state-recognised institution; tuition fees apply. The official website does not publish a fee schedule; third-party sources indicate fees from approximately €395 per month. Students may receive vocational training compensation from their employer partner, are eligible for BAföG if standard eligibility criteria are met, and may apply for the Deutschlandstipendium or other scholarships. Semester fees/social contribution amounts are not published on the official site.

Admission requirements

Standard entry requires Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. An alternative pathway is available for applicants with a completed vocational qualification (Berufsabschluss) plus relevant work experience, or a Meisterbrief / Fachwirt / Techniker diploma. All dual-study places require a partnership contract with an approved employer before enrolment. Dedicated international student admission requirements are not published on the official site; prospective international applicants should contact the Studienbüro directly ([email protected]). APS certificate requirements (applicable to Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese nationals) would apply as for any state-recognised German higher education institution.

Application deadlines

All enrolment documents must be submitted by 15 August for the trimester starting 1 September. The institution operates a trimester calendar. Prospective students are encouraged to apply as early as possible to secure an employer partnership in time.

Languages of instruction

German. All programmes are taught in German; no English-taught degree programmes are listed on the official site.

Campuses & locations

Hamburg – Eilbek

Main teaching campus at Hammer Steindamm 40-44, 22089 Hamburg

Living in Hamburg

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and its principal port, with around 1.9 million inhabitants. It is a major media, logistics, and creative-industry hub and hosts several universities and Hochschulen. The city offers an extensive public transport network (HVV), a vibrant cultural scene, and relatively competitive student living costs compared to Munich or Frankfurt.

Student life & support

BA Nord emphasises close-knit cohorts and personal mentoring ('100% betreut'). Because all students are simultaneously working or in vocational training, campus life is structured around a trimester schedule rather than a traditional semester calendar. Study options include on-site, hybrid, and live-online formats, giving working students scheduling flexibility. No dedicated student union or on-campus housing is mentioned on the official site.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus