CBS University of Applied Sciences

About CBS University of Applied Sciences

CBS University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised and system-accredited university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften) headquartered in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia. Founded in 1993 as Cologne Business School, it has grown into a multi-campus institution and has been part of the Stuttgart-based Klett Group since 2016. Around 4,000 students are enrolled across its ten campuses in Germany.

The university offers bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes organised around four academic areas: Business, Social Sciences, Health and Education. Its teaching is strongly practice-oriented, combining academic theory with applied projects and a large corporate network of around 1,300 partner companies, and it offers full-time, part-time and dual study formats.

CBS has a distinctly international profile, with many English-taught programmes delivered through its CBS International Business School sub-brand. It is state-recognised and holds several accreditations, including FIBAA and IACBE (it states it was the first German university to receive IACBE international accreditation, in 2018), with programmes also reviewed in line with the German Council of Science and Humanities.

Key facts

Founded: 1993
Students: 4,000
International: ~20% of the student body, from over 75 nations

Private, state-recognised and system-accredited university of applied sciences, part of the Klett Group since 2016

Founded 1993 as Cologne Business School; around 4,000 students across ten German campuses

Wide range of English-taught bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes

Holds FIBAA and IACBE accreditation (states it was the first German university with IACBE accreditation, 2018)

Strong industry orientation with around 1,300 corporate partners and dual/part-time study options

International student body of around 20% from over 75 nations, with dedicated International Office support

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

As a private university of applied sciences, CBS charges tuition fees that vary by programme and campus; exact amounts are published per programme and in the official 'Tuition Fees for EU & Non-EU Students' flyer rather than as a single figure. There is a one-time enrolment fee of €600 and a semester contribution of approximately €300 (covering the semester ticket, student services, college sports and student representation). Fees can be paid monthly, per semester, per year or as a lump sum, and up to 50% funding support may be available. (Standard public-university tuition-free status does not apply here because CBS is a private institution.)

Admission requirements

Bachelor's applicants need a general higher education entrance qualification (A-levels or an internationally recognised equivalent such as Matura, GCE, IB Diploma); alternative pathways exist for applicants with a completed apprenticeship plus relevant work experience or a master craftsman certificate. Master's applicants need a recognised first degree (typically 180 ECTS) in a related field, with business programmes requiring a minimum final grade of 'good'. CBS states it has no fixed GPA cut-off and uses a personal admissions interview. English-language proficiency: bachelor's English-taught programmes require around IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 83 (Cambridge B2-C1); master's English-taught programmes require around IELTS 7.0 / TOEFL iBT 92. International applicants are generally expected to show German at CEFR B2 where relevant. The International Office supports visa applications and residence permits. Note for applicants from India, China and Vietnam: an APS certificate is generally required for the German student visa regardless of the university; this is a German Embassy requirement and is not detailed on the CBS site, so confirm directly with CBS and the APS office.

Application deadlines

For incoming exchange students, the application deadlines are 1 June for the Fall (winter) semester and 1 November for the Spring (summer) semester. Degree-programme deadlines vary by programme and intake; confirm on the relevant programme page.

Languages of instruction

Programmes are taught in English and German. CBS offers a wide range of English-taught bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes (via its CBS International Business School sub-brand), and states that English is an integral part of daily campus life.

Campuses & locations

Cologne

Main campus in the Rodenkirchen district on the banks of the Rhine (Bahnstraße 6-8, 50996 Cologne).

Mainz

Campus in Mainz, Germany.

Other German locations

CBS operates ten campuses in total across Germany; published lists vary and include locations such as Aachen, Neuss, Solingen, Rheine, Mainz, Berlin, Hamburg, Potsdam and Rostock. Verify the current campus list for a specific programme on the official locations pages.

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

The main campus is in Cologne, one of Germany's largest and most vibrant cities, located on the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Cologne campus sits in the green, riverside Rodenkirchen district with good transport links to the city centre. Cologne is known for its cathedral, Carnival and an open, international student community.

Student life & support

CBS offers a limited number of housing options reserved for new international students, allocated via a lottery system due to high demand (named options include Felixx Student Homes and We18 in Cologne). The International Office acts as a one-stop shop, assisting with visa and residence-permit matters, accommodation, health insurance and study planning, and runs a Welcome Week, a Study Buddy Programme pairing international students with local peers, plus cultural evenings, country nights and excursions. The official pages do not detail CBS-run German language courses, so confirm language-course availability with the International Office.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus