Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell (IHL)

About Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell (IHL)

Internationale Hochschule Liebenzell (IHL) is a small, state-recognised private university of applied sciences in Bad Liebenzell, Baden-Württemberg, operated by the Liebenzeller Mission non-profit GmbH. Officially founded as a Hochschule in 2011 following institutional accreditation by Germany's Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat), it builds on over 120 years of missionary and theological training that began in 1899.

IHL specialises exclusively in theology and related intercultural disciplines. Its programmes combine Protestant theology with practice areas such as social work, pedagogy, development studies, and German teacher education. All bachelor's degrees include an intercultural competence strand, and the English-taught B.A. Theology/Development Studies is designed for an international student body. A September School intensive and exchange partnerships with global universities support cross-cultural learning.

The university operates as a close-knit residential academic community — described internally as a Glaubens-, Lebens- und Lerngemeinschaft (community of faith, life, and learning). On-campus housing is available for the first two years of study. With approximately 200 students, IHL is one of the smaller state-recognised universities in Germany, reflecting its specialist and faith-based identity.

Key facts

Founded: 2011
Students: 200

State-recognised private university founded 2011, backed by 120+ years of Liebenzeller Mission training tradition

Specialist focus: all programmes combine Protestant theology with intercultural or professional practice disciplines

English-taught B.A. Theology/Development Studies — one of the few English-language theology bachelor's in Germany

Small cohort size (~200 students) enabling close faculty-student mentoring and community living

Baden-Württemberg Scholarship available for academically strong international students

VPH Innovation Award 2026 winner for the new Christian teacher education programme

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

IHL is a private institution and charges tuition fees. Bachelor's programmes: €2,430 per semester (effective 1 September 2026) plus a €120 administrative fee per semester. Master's programmes are priced per ECTS credit point (€110 per regular module credit; €65 per thesis credit; €20 per externally recognised credit) plus €120 administrative fee per semester. On-campus double-room housing is available at subsidised rates for the first two years. Note: the standard Baden-Württemberg non-EU surcharge of €1,500/semester applies to public universities but IHL is private and uses its own fee schedule as listed above.

Admission requirements

Applicants require a higher education entrance qualification (Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, or recognised equivalent). An alternative admission route exists for qualified professionals (e.g. master craftspeople) without Abitur. All applicants are expected to demonstrate at least one year of voluntary community or church involvement and personal alignment with IHL's Protestant Christian mission — a distinctive requirement given the institution's faith-based character. For international students from India, China, or Vietnam, the APS certificate is required before applying to any German state-recognised university including IHL. Language: German B2+ for German-taught programmes; English proficiency for the B.A. Theology/Development Studies track. Applications are submitted online via application.ihl.eu.

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start): 15 June. Extended deadline advertised for WS 2026/2027 was also 15 June 2026. No summer semester intake confirmed on the official site.

Languages of instruction

Primarily German. One English-taught bachelor's programme (B.A. Theology/Development Studies). Several modules across other programmes are conducted in English. AI-assisted real-time translation available for German-taught courses taken by international exchange students.

Campuses & locations

Bad Liebenzell Campus

Main and only campus; Heinrich-Coerper-Weg 11, 75378 Bad Liebenzell, Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg

Living in Baden-Württemberg

Bad Liebenzell is a small spa town of roughly 10,000 inhabitants in the Northern Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg, approximately 35 km south-west of Stuttgart. Known for its thermal baths (Liebenau baths) and forested hiking trails, the town offers a quiet residential environment suited to IHL's community-focused study model. Stuttgart Airport and central Stuttgart are reachable by regional train in under an hour.

Student life & support

IHL emphasises a residential community model: on-campus housing is offered for first- and second-year students, and student-organised shared flats in Bad Liebenzell are available thereafter. The university holds regular spiritual events including lecture series and community gatherings rooted in its Protestant identity. A social-diaconal career fair introduced in 2026 connects students with employers in church, social work, and development sectors. Mentoring, coaching, and disability-support services are available. A September School intensive each autumn brings international professors to campus for English-taught sessions. Alumni networks meet regionally across Germany.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master