Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein - staatlich anerkannte Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften in Trägerschaft der Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein

About Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein - staatlich anerkannte H

The Duale Hochschule Schleswig-Holstein (DHSH) is a state-recognised university of applied sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) operating under the auspices of the Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein. Founded in 2018 as a fully accredited university — building on over 45 years of dual-study tradition from the predecessor Berufsakademie — DHSH offers dual bachelor's programmes and a part-time master's programme across three campuses in Kiel, Lübeck, and Flensburg. Institutional accreditation has been granted by the Wissenschaftsrat; individual programmes carry ZEVA and Akkreditierungsrat Foundation accreditation.

The dual study model at DHSH is its defining characteristic: students alternate between ten-week theory phases at the university and practical phases at one of more than 300 partner companies. Study fees are typically covered by the partner company, and students receive a monthly salary throughout their studies. Programmes offered include Business Administration (B.A., eight specialisation tracks), Business Informatics (B.Sc.), Software Engineering (B.Sc.), Social Work (B.A.), and Digital Business & Innovation (M.A., part-time).

The university emphasises application-oriented research, small group sizes, close faculty contact, and regional economic ties. It holds membership in the Diversity Charter and the "Schleswig-Holstein. Der echte Norden" regional partnership programme.

Key facts

Founded: 2018
Students: 570

Dual study model: theory at DHSH alternates with paid practical phases at 300+ partner companies

Study fees typically covered by the partner company; students earn a monthly salary

State-recognised university under Wirtschaftsakademie Schleswig-Holstein, with over 45 years of dual-study tradition

Three campuses: Kiel (main), Lübeck, and Flensburg — all in northern Germany near the Baltic Sea

Institutionally accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat; programmes accredited by ZEVA and the Akkreditierungsrat

CHE Ranking certification 2026; international partnerships including Syddansk Universitet (Denmark) and UCSB (USA)

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

In the dual model, study fees are typically paid by the partner company, not the student. Students also receive a monthly salary (trainee remuneration) from their company partner throughout the programme. There is no standard semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) published on the official site for non-dual-track fees. The master's programme (Digital Business & Innovation) may carry separate fee arrangements — contact the university directly for current figures.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold the Abitur, Fachhochschulreife (with practical component), or an equivalent qualification recognised in Germany. A binding training or work contract with one of DHSH's cooperating companies is a prerequisite — students apply first to a partner company, not directly to the university. Business Administration and Business Informatics applicants must demonstrate solid mathematics competence. International applicants need their foreign school-leaving certificate assessed for equivalence; Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants additionally require an APS certificate from the relevant German embassy before a student visa can be issued. Language of instruction is German, so a formally recognised German B2 certificate (e.g. Goethe, TestDaF, telc) is required for admission. The university does not publish a separate NC (numerus clausus); selection is primarily via the company recruitment process.

Application deadlines

Bachelor's programmes commence on 1 October each year. Applicants are advised to approach partner companies well in advance (typically spring of the enrolment year). No formal university-level application deadline is published; the process is driven by the company recruitment timeline.

Languages of instruction

All bachelor's programmes are taught in German. The Master's in Digital Business & Innovation (Kiel) includes international and English-language components. German B2/C1 is effectively required for admission to German-taught programmes.

Campuses & locations

Kiel

Main campus; Hans-Detlev-Prien-Straße 10, 24106 Kiel. International Office located here.

Lübeck

Guerickestraße 6–8, 23566 Lübeck.

Flensburg

Heinrichstr. 16, 24937 Flensburg. Near the Danish border.

Living in Schleswig-Holstein

Kiel is the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, a Baltic Sea port city of approximately 250,000 residents. It has a strong maritime identity and hosts Kieler Woche, one of the world's largest sailing events, every June. The city is compact, student-friendly, and offers easy rail connections to Hamburg (approximately 75 minutes) and Lübeck. Flensburg, the third DHSH campus city, sits on the Danish border and has a distinctive Scandinavian character.

Student life & support

DHSH students split their time between campus theory phases and paid practical work at partner companies, which shapes a more structured and professionally integrated experience than at conventional universities. Campus facilities include student advisory services and residence halls. The Kiel campus location provides access to the broader Kiel student scene — cafés, Baltic beaches, sailing culture, and the wider cultural offerings of a university city.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus