WelfenAkademie e.V.

About WelfenAkademie e.V.

WelfenAkademie e.V. is a state-recognised cooperative education academy (Berufsakademie) in private sponsorship, located in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. Founded in June 1993 and originally based in Vienenburg before relocating to its current premises in December 2005, it offers accredited dual-study bachelor's programmes that alternate theory phases at the academy with structured practice phases at partner companies.

The academy offers two bachelor's programmes — Business Administration (Betriebswirtschaftslehre, Bachelor of Arts) and Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik, Bachelor of Science) — each running over three years and six semesters, totalling approximately 5,400 hours of combined workload. It also offers a part-time master's programme in partnership with Hochschule Harz. As of Summer Semester 2024, around 212 students were enrolled, and the institution has produced approximately 1,900 graduates since its founding.

The dual-study model requires students to secure a contract with one of roughly 66 industry and commerce partner companies before enrolment. Bachelor degrees awarded are accredited and carry state and international recognition equivalent to university degrees, per the 2004 resolution of the German Conference of Ministers of Culture (KMK).

Key facts

Founded: 1993
Students: 212

State-recognised Berufsakademie offering KMK-accredited dual bachelor's degrees since 2004

Dual-study model: theory at the academy alternates with paid practice at ~66 partner companies

Two bachelor's programmes: Business Administration (BA) and Business Informatics (BSc)

Approximately 1,900 graduates since founding in 1993

Small cohort size (~212 students) enabling close industry and faculty contact

Part-time master's programme available in partnership with Hochschule Harz

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

Study fees are €570 per month for 36 months (total ~€20,520 over three years). In the dual-study model, fees are typically negotiated between the student and their partner company, with the company often covering part or all of the cost. Students also receive a trainee compensation (Praktikantenvergütung) from their partner company aligned with apprenticeship rates. Financing options are available via partner banks.

Admission requirements

Applicants must hold the Allgemeine Hochschulreife or Fachhochschulreife (German secondary school leaving certificate or equivalent). Crucially, admission to WelfenAkademie's dual-study programmes requires students to independently secure a training and study contract with one of the academy's partner companies prior to enrolment — the partner company co-funds the programme. No dedicated international-student admission pathway or international office is mentioned on the official website. International applicants would need to verify German language proficiency (all instruction is in German) and equivalence of their school-leaving qualification with German authorities. APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam at the time of visa application.

Languages of instruction

German (all programmes taught in German)

Campuses & locations

Braunschweig

Salzdahlumer Straße 160, 38126 Braunschweig — main and only campus since December 2005

Living in Niedersachsen

Braunschweig (Brunswick) is a city of around 250,000 inhabitants in south-east Lower Saxony, home to Technische Universität Braunschweig and several research institutions. It has strong automotive and engineering industry ties (Volkswagen Group is nearby) and a relatively affordable cost of living compared to Hamburg or Munich. The city is well connected by rail, roughly one hour from Hanover.

Student life & support

Given the dual-study format, students split their time between the academy and their partner company workplace. The academy's community platform (community.welfenakademie.de) supports alumni and student networking. No dedicated student union, sports facilities, or international student clubs are mentioned on the official site.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus