- Founded
- 2014
- Students
- 1,001
- International
- 3.3%
- Programmes
- 3
About Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane
The Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane (MHB) is a state-recognised private university founded in 2014 and named after the Brandenburg-born novelist Theodor Fontane. Teaching began in summer semester 2015, making it Brandenburg state's first - and for some years only - medical university. The MHB specialises exclusively in healthcare disciplines: human medicine (Staatsexamen), dental medicine (Staatsexamen, introduced 2024), psychology/psychotherapy (Bachelor and Master), and health services research (Master).
The university operates across four locations in Brandenburg - Neuruppin (head office), Brandenburg an der Havel, Rüdersdorf, and Bernau - and runs three university hospitals together with a network of roughly 30 cooperating clinics and over 200 teaching practices. Its curriculum is structured around problem-oriented learning and early clinical exposure from the first semester; there is no Numerus Clausus: selection is based on personality, motivation, and relevant professional experience rather than on school grades.
As of winter semester 2024/25 the MHB enrolled approximately 1,001 students (preliminary figure), of whom around 3.3% hold international status. In October 2025 it became the first non-state university in Brandenburg to be granted the right to award doctorates and habilitations.
Brandenburg's first and only medical university, founded 2014
No Numerus Clausus - admission based on interview, motivation, and healthcare experience
Four clinical campuses across Brandenburg with three university hospitals
Doctoral and habilitation rights granted October 2025 (first non-state university in Brandenburg)
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2021-2027; expanding bilateral international partnerships
Dental medicine programme launched 2024 - first state-recognised dental degree in Brandenburg
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 2014
- Students
- 1,001
- International
- approx. 3.3% (WS 2024/25)
- Faculties
- 2
- Programmes
- 3
Study programmes
3 accredited degrees at Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane.
Showing 1–3 of 3 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
The MHB is a private institution and charges tuition fees. Per-semester fees as published on the Incoming page: Medicine €12,500/semester; Bachelor Psychology €4,980/semester; Master Psychology €4,110/semester. A semester contribution of €230 is charged on top (€170 public transport ticket + €60 social fee). Erasmus+ exchange students pay only their home-institution fees.
Admission requirements
All programmes are taught in German; language proficiency (C1 for full degree, B2 for exchange) is required. The MHB does not use a grade-based Numerus Clausus - applicants are selected on the basis of personal interview, motivation, and relevant healthcare experience. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries must present an APS certificate before the visa stage (APS is not administered by the MHB itself). Specific entry-qualification requirements and application documents (CV, enrolment certificates, language proof, health insurance, passport copy, vaccination records, motivation letter) must be confirmed directly with the International Office or the relevant admissions team, as the official website does not publish a consolidated requirements table.
Application deadlines
The university advises incoming/exchange applicants to submit applications at least one year before the intended semester start. No specific calendar deadlines for direct degree applicants are published on the official website; prospective students should contact the admissions or international office directly.
How international applicants apply
No uni-assist. MHB runs its own NC-free selection ('Persoenlichkeit statt NC', motivation/practice-experience based, EUR 200 fee) and applications go exclusively through MHB's own Bewerbungsportal. Foreign higher education entrance qualifications must be recognised IN ADVANCE by the Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle (Schulamt) - not via uni-assist - and international applicants additionally need certified and translated certificates plus German C1 proof. As a private university MHB also plays no part in hochschulstart, and it is not on the uni-assist member list.
Languages of instruction
German is the sole language of instruction. Degree-seeking students require German C1; exchange students minimum B2.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Hauptsitz: presidency, management, dean's office and most teaching, SkillsLab and LUK learning centre, on the Universitätsklinikum Ruppin-Brandenburg grounds.
Second study location; teaches Zahnmedizin (first dentistry programme in Brandenburg, since 2024) and hosts clinical training.
Three university hospitals in the MHB verbund complete the four-site network: Brandenburg an der Havel, Bernau and Rüdersdorf.
Living in Neuruppin
Neuruppin is a small historic town in the Ostprignitz-Ruppin district of Brandenburg, about 80 km north-west of Berlin and well-connected by regional rail. It is the birthplace of the writer Theodor Fontane - after whom the university is named - and sits on the shores of the Ruppiner See, Brandenburg's largest lake, offering cycling, sailing, and outdoor recreation. The town centre has cafes, restaurants, and cultural venues including the Museum Neuruppin; the annual Hafenfest (harbour festival) draws large crowds. The compact size and proximity to Berlin make it practical for students who want a quieter study environment without losing access to a major city.
Student life & support
Student life at the MHB is closely tied to clinical training: students rotate through university hospitals and teaching practices from early in the curriculum. The small cohort size (roughly 1,000 students total) creates an intimate academic environment. The semester contribution includes a semester ticket covering regional public transport, which facilitates travel between campuses and to Berlin. The International Office supports exchange students through Erasmus+ and PROMOS mobility programmes and is expanding bilateral partnerships on multiple continents.
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