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IU International University of Applied Sciences
One of Germany's largest private higher education institutions for dual studium and distance learning.
Highlights
- Germany's largest university by student enrollment
- 24+ campuses plus strong distance-learning options
- A wide partner-company network for dual studium
- Rapid, continuous growth since its founding in 1998
Pros
- Flexible study formats across dual studium, distance learning, and on-campus study
- A wide network of locations across Germany
- A modern digital learning infrastructure
Things to Consider
- As a young, fast-growing private institution, it carries less traditional academic prestige than public universities
- Tuition fees apply, unlike most public universities
- Rapid growth has drawn some scrutiny over teaching quality consistency
History
Founded in 1998 in Bad Honnef and Bonn as the Internationale Fachhochschule with just 23 students in its first year, the institution entered a period of rapid growth. It merged with the Adam-Ries-Fachhochschule in 2013, was renamed IUBH Internationale Hochschule in 2017, and took its current name, IU International University of Applied Sciences, in 2021.
Through this rapid expansion, IU has become Germany's largest university by student enrollment, surpassing 130,000 students as of 2025.
IU is known for its dual studium and distance-learning programs, offering in-person study at more than 24 campuses across Germany while also serving students who need flexible schedules through a strong digital learning infrastructure.
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