Brand University of Applied Sciences

About Brand University of Applied Sciences

Brand University of Applied Sciences is a state-recognised private Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) located in the heart of Hamburg, Germany. Founded in 2010 as Brand Academy — Hochschule für Design und Kommunikation, it rebranded to its current name in 2019. The university is the first in the world to focus exclusively on the topic of brands, offering programmes in brand management, brand design, and brand innovation.

As of Summer Semester 2025, the university enrols approximately 930 students across its on-campus bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programmes, as well as distance-learning courses. Seminar groups are intentionally kept small to allow intensive personal mentoring and project-based learning with industry partners such as Beiersdorf, Lufthansa, and Montblanc.

All degree programmes are accredited by FIBAA and the German Akkreditierungsrat, and the institution holds a German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) state recognition. The university is financed exclusively through tuition fees — there is no public funding.

Key facts

Founded: 2010
Students: 930
International: Approx. 36.5% international students (Winter Semester 2024/25, Statistisches Bundesamt preliminary figures)

Germany's only university entirely focused on brands — programmes in Brand Management, Brand Design, Brand Innovation, and Brand doctoral tracks

FIBAA-accredited and state-recognised private Fachhochschule with Wissenschaftsrat recognition

Approx. 36.5% international students; partnerships with Chinese universities (Beijing Normal University, China Academy of Art) and University of Southern Denmark

Small seminar groups with live industry projects for partners including Beiersdorf, Lufthansa, and Montblanc

24/7 co-working studio access included in tuition fees; central Hamburg location minutes from Hauptbahnhof

Partial scholarships available for non-EU master's applicants

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

Brand University is a private institution and charges tuition fees for all students — there is no tuition-free option. Fees differ by nationality: Bachelor (3 years) — EU/Germany: €495/month + €890 matriculation + €200 examination = approx. €18,910 total. Non-EU: €890/month + €2,300 matriculation + €200 examination = approx. €34,540 total. Master (1.5 years) — EU/Germany: €745/month + €890 + €200 one-time fees = approx. €14,500 total. Non-EU: €1,140/month + €1,150 one-time fees = approx. €21,670 total. Payment discounts: 2% for per-semester payment, 4% for full upfront payment. BAföG, KfW student loans, and partial scholarships for non-EU master's applicants are available.

Admission requirements

Bachelor applicants need a German Abitur or Fachabitur (or equivalent foreign upper-secondary qualification), German language proficiency at B2 level, and a motivation letter; design-track applicants must submit a portfolio. Master applicants need a bachelor's degree of at least 180 ECTS (applicants with exactly 180 ECTS must complete 30 additional credits through BU coursework), English proficiency at B2 level minimum (IELTS ≥5.5 or TOEFL iBT ≥72), and a motivation letter plus CV. An admission interview with the programme director is part of the process for all applicants. International students requiring a German student visa must apply by 30 June (winter semester starting October) or 15 December (summer semester starting April). Students not requiring a visa apply by 15 September or 15 March respectively. Visa applicants must demonstrate €11,208 per year in a blocked account (Sperrkonto). APS certificate: Brand University is a private institution; the official APS website for Indian/Chinese/Vietnamese applicants should be consulted, but no APS requirement is explicitly stated on the university's own admission pages. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam are advised to check current APS India/APS China requirements independently before applying.

Application deadlines

Winter Semester (October start): 30 June for visa-required applicants; 15 September for non-visa applicants. Summer Semester (April start): 15 December for visa-required applicants; 15 March for non-visa applicants.

Languages of instruction

Bachelor programmes taught in German; Master of Arts (Brand Innovation) and MBA programmes taught in English. Distance-learning programmes available in both languages.

Campuses & locations

Hamburg City Campus

Lilienstraße 5-9, 20095 Hamburg — relocated to this central city-centre building in January 2024; minutes from Hamburg Hauptbahnhof and U2 metro line

Living in Hamburg

Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and a major port and media hub, home to over 115,000 students across all its universities. The city combines maritime character with a strong creative and advertising industry — making it particularly relevant for Brand University's brand-focused programmes. Students benefit from excellent public transport (HVV semester ticket), extensive green spaces, a vibrant cultural scene (Elbphilharmonie, Kunsthalle, numerous festivals), and diverse neighbourhoods ranging from the Art Nouveau streets of Eppendorf to the modern HafenCity waterfront.

Student life & support

Brand University students have access to Hamburg's broader student infrastructure: Studierendenwerk Hamburg cafeterias and affordable dormitory rooms, the University of Hamburg State Library, and Hochschulsport Hamburg sports programmes. On campus, a 24/7 co-working studio is included in tuition fees. Industry networking is facilitated through the Marketing Club Hamburg and MTP (Marketing zwischen Theorie und Praxis) organisation. The small campus size fosters a close-knit community; students regularly collaborate on live projects for major brands. Hamburg's housing market is competitive — students are advised to start searching early via WG-Gesucht or Studierendenwerk waiting lists.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master