IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales

Berlin, Germany

About IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales

IB Hochschule für Gesundheit und Soziales — now operating under the name Health Innovation University of Applied Sciences (HIU) — is a small, state-recognised private university headquartered in Berlin. Founded in 2006–2007 under the auspices of the Internationaler Bund (IB), it specialises exclusively in health and social-science disciplines, offering bachelor's and master's programmes in applied psychology, therapy professions (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology), health education, digital health, social work, and medical radiology technology.

The Berlin campus relocated in 2023 to the Gesundheitscampus at Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb) in the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district, placing students in direct proximity to one of Germany's largest trauma hospitals (~1,000 beds, ~110,000 patients/year, 96-hectare park campus). A new permanent university building on the ukb grounds was targeted for completion in early 2025. Additional study centres operate in Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Coburg.

Enrolment is small — around 482–518 students as of 2024/25 — which results in highly personalised, cohort-based teaching. The institution is accredited by the Berlin Senate Department for Science, Health and Care (Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit und Pflege). Study formats include full-time, part-time, and work-integrated (dual) options. Selected master's programmes are offered in English, making the university accessible to international students without advanced German.

Key facts

Founded: 2007
Students: 482
Faculties: 2

Specialist health and social-sciences university — all programmes focused on healthcare, therapy, psychology, and social work

Campus embedded within the Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb) hospital grounds, enabling direct clinical proximity

English-taught master's programmes available (Digital Health M.Sc., Health Care Education M.A.) for non-German-speaking international students

Small cohort sizes (~480 students university-wide) deliver personalised, interview-based admission and interactive teaching

State-recognised by the Berlin Senate; accredited under German higher-education law

Seven study locations across Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, Mannheim, Coburg)

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

Private university — tuition fees apply to all students regardless of nationality. Physiotherapy M.Sc.: approximately €5,688 per semester (€11,376/year); one-off enrolment fee ~€250 and examination fee ~€690. Applied Psychology B.A.: one-off enrolment fee ~€330 and examination fee ~€690 (per-semester tuition not publicly listed). Digital Health M.Sc.: promotional tuition rates and scholarships available for April 2026 intake. There is no tuition-free status; BAföG and educational loans are available for eligible students. Exact per-programme fees should be confirmed directly with the university as they vary by programme and intake.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold a recognised higher education entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) or an equivalent foreign school-leaving certificate. For German-taught programmes, proof of German language proficiency at C1/C2 level (TestDaF, DSH, Goethe, telc, or ÖSD) is required. English-taught programmes require proof of English proficiency. All shortlisted applicants are invited to a personal admission interview with programme coordinators. Selective admission — entrance examination results and past academic records are considered. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification is from those countries must hold an APS certificate before applying for a student visa (APS is not always required by the university itself for application, but is a German consulate visa prerequisite). No specific IELTS/TOEFL band thresholds are published by the university — contact the International Office to confirm current requirements.

Application deadlines

No fixed universal deadlines published. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis. The university invites qualified applicants to an admission interview; notification follows shortly after. Prospective international students should apply several months before the target semester start (October for winter semester, April for summer semester) to allow time for visa processing. Contact the International Office for programme-specific deadlines.

Languages of instruction

Primarily German. Select master's programmes (Digital Health M.Sc., Health Care Education and Educational Management M.A.) taught in English. German-taught programmes require TestDaF, DSH, Goethe C1/C2, telc C1, or equivalent.

Campuses & locations

Berlin (Headquarters)

Gesundheitscampus at Unfallkrankenhaus Berlin (ukb), Warener Str. 7, 12683 Berlin — Marzahn-Hellersdorf district; relocated here in 2023

Hamburg

Study centre

Cologne

Study centre

Munich

Study centre

Stuttgart

Study centre

Mannheim

Study centre

Coburg

Study centre

Living in Berlin

Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 3.7 million. It is a major hub for health-tech startups, research hospitals, and life-sciences companies, making it a practical location for health and social-science graduates. The Marzahn-Hellersdorf district where the HIU campus sits is well connected to central Berlin by S-Bahn and U-Bahn. Berlin has a relatively affordable cost of living compared to Munich or Frankfurt, with student monthly costs (including rent, food, transport) typically in the range of €900–€1,200.

Student life & support

Due to the small cohort size (under 500 students), campus social life is limited compared to large public universities. Students benefit from a highly personalised learning environment and close contact with lecturers. The Berlin campus's integration into the ukb hospital grounds provides direct access to clinical placements and healthcare professionals. The university offers orientation programmes, language courses to support German acquisition, and mentoring to help international students navigate university procedures. Student union resources and the Berlin public transport semester ticket are available.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus