Privathochschule: Anerkennung

Universities under private law may, provided they are recognized by the state, use a corresponding designation, conduct university examinations and award university degrees.

If you want to operate a private-law (non-state) higher education institution as an independent provider, you require state recognition from the ministry responsible for higher education. Only state-recognized higher education institutions may use a corresponding designation (university, college, university of applied sciences), take higher education examinations and award higher education degrees.

The operation of a branch of a foreign higher education institution (with the exception of foreign higher education institutions located within the scope of application of European Union Community law) also requires state recognition by the ministry responsible for higher education.

In the course of the recognition procedure, it is important that the requirements for state recognition are proven by means of suitable documents and concepts.

The documents do not need to be available at the time of the initial application; the responsible department will then provide detailed information. An application from the higher education institution can only be approved if it conclusively demonstrates how the legal requirements are to be met.

There are no fees for the temporary initial recognition.

However, fees of around EUR 15,000 (per degree programme) are incurred for the accreditation of the degree programmes by recognized accreditation agencies in accordance with Section 76 (2) No. 5 of the Higher Education Act (HSG). As part of the subsequent recognition, costs for the institutional accreditation then to be carried out by the Science Council must also be reimbursed to the latter (between EUR 15,000 and 20,000).

None

Key points in the recognition procedures and in accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities are

• A majority of coexisting degree programs according to the tiered study system (Bachelor, Master), § 76 para. 2 no. 4 HSG,
• Equivalence of the degree programs with those in the state system, which must be proven before the start of study operations through so-called program accreditations of the respective degree program, § 76 para. 2 no. 5 HSG,
• The majority of teaching at state universities is carried out by full-time teaching staff who meet the requirements for appointment as professors at state universities, § 76 para. 2 no. 7 HSG,
• Opportunities for university members (including teaching staff and students) to participate in the organization of studies; democratic internal structure of the university; extensive independence of the university from its sponsor in academic matters (in particular teaching, examinations, research), § 76 para. 2 no. 8 HSG,
• the financial circumstances of the institution's sponsor must indicate that the necessary funds to operate the university will be made available on a permanent basis.

Further information can be found on the website of the German Council of Science and Humanities.

To the Ministry of Social Affairs, Health, Science and Equality of the State of Schleswig-Holstein (MSGWG).