Berufsakademie Wilhelmshaven

About Berufsakademie Wilhelmshaven

Berufsakademie Wilhelmshaven is a small, specialised dual-study academy (Berufsakademie) in Lower Saxony, operated as a non-profit limited company (Gemeinnützige Gesellschaft zur Förderung des dualen Studiums und lebensbegleitender Bildung mbH). It is registered at the Amtsgericht Oldenburg (HRB 212713) and focuses exclusively on social science disciplines.

The academy offers four dual Bachelor of Arts programmes: Social Work (Soziale Arbeit), Inclusive Special Education (Inklusive Heilpädagogik), Early Childhood Education (Kindheitspädagogik, launched WS 2025/26), and Management in Social Work (Management in der Sozialen Arbeit). Each programme runs over six semesters, combining two theory days per week at the academy with three practice days at a partner organisation.

Because it is a Berufsakademie — not a state university — admission requires a signed training contract with a recognised practice partner before applying. The institution draws students primarily from the region between Verden, Oldenburg, East Frisia, and the Dutch border.

Key facts

Dual-study model: theory and paid practice placement combined from semester one

Exclusively social science focus — Social Work, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Management in Social Work

Small cohorts (59 new students enrolled in WS 2023/24) — close supervision and direct faculty access

Admission via practice partner contract, not competitive numerus clausus

North Sea coastal city with affordable student housing and strong regional employer network

New B.A. Kindheitspädagogik programme launched WS 2025/26 addressing childcare workforce shortages

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees are published on the official website. As a Berufsakademie in Lower Saxony (not a public university under NHG), the institution does not follow the standard university semester contribution model. Students are employed or in training contracts with practice partners during their studies, which typically includes a training allowance. Contact the academy directly for any applicable administrative fees.

Admission requirements

Admission requires: (1) a signed training contract with an accredited practice partner — applications go through practice partners, not directly to the academy; (2) a general or subject-specific university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung), or completed vocational training as an educator or equivalent under §18 NHG. The 3+3 rule (three-year vocational training plus three years relevant work experience) may also grant access. International applicants should note that all instruction is in German; no international-specific pathway or APS requirement details are published on the official site. Prior coursework from other institutions may be credited via individual case review (Einzelfallprüfung).

Languages of instruction

German (all programmes taught in German)

Campuses & locations

Wilhelmshaven

Single campus at Albrechtstraße 1, 26388 Wilhelmshaven

Living in Niedersachsen

Wilhelmshaven is a coastal city of approximately 76,000 residents on the Jade Bight in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is Germany's primary deep-water naval and commercial port and the main hub of the Jade Busen region (population ~330,000). The city is known for its North Sea waterfront, Germany's only south-facing beach (Südstrand), maritime museums, and an aquarium. Student accommodation is relatively affordable, with the Wiesenhof student residence and other dormitories offering rooms from around €305/month. Jade University of Applied Sciences (Jade Hochschule) is also located here, making Wilhelmshaven a genuine student city.

Student life & support

The academy is a small, practice-oriented institution; formal student union or campus social infrastructure is limited compared to a full university. Students spend three days per week at their practice partner organisation, giving the programme a strong professional rhythm from day one. The city of Wilhelmshaven offers a vibrant maritime lifestyle, particularly in summer along the Maritime Mile and Südstrand. Career fairs such as JadeFuture connect students with regional employers. The proximity to the Jade Hochschule campus means some shared city-level student amenities.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus