IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences)
About
IU International University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt teaches IT, business, hospitality, and economics from €9,744/year, IELTS 6 — competitive against private peers charging €15,000-20,000. Graduates get an 18-month job-seeker visa and can work up to 240 days a year while studying.
Erfurt is a hidden gem—historic city in Thuringia with authentic medieval charm, low cost of living, and a tight-knit student community. It's far less touristy than Berlin or Munich, but the culture is real: old town squares, student bars, and genuine local life. Budget here stretches further than Western Germany.
Application deadlines
- WiSerolling
No fixed deadline — rolling admissions year-round. Visa applicants (Cologne campus only): apply 8–12 weeks before intended start. Berlin campus suspended for new international intake in 2026 — all international degree students directed to Cologne. Online/hybrid programmes are not visa-eligible
- SoSerolling
Same rolling model. Recommended submission by Jan 31 for SoSe visa buffer
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) is €9744 per year. Living costs in Erfurt are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences)?
English-taught programmes at IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) typically require IELTS 6 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Germany?
For a student residence permit in Germany you must prove €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/).
Does IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) offer scholarships?
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
Where is IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) located?
IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences) is in Erfurt, Germany. Juri-Gagarin-Ring 152, 99084 Erfurt, Germany
What can you study at IU Internationale Hochschule (IU International University of Applied Sciences)?
Fields offered include: Computer Science, Business, Hospitality, Economics.
Accommodation
No own dormitories. University directs students to partner referrals and WG-Gesucht. Cologne WGs ~€400–600/month. Berlin private student residences (The Fizz, Neon Wood etc.) €800–1,100/month — plan for Cologne if budget-sensitive
- Studierendenwerk Erfurt · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- At €9,744/year tuition is competitive among private German universities, which often charge €15,000–20,000 or more.
- IELTS 6.0 minimum makes entry accessible for CIS students without advanced English scores.
- Programmes span IT, business, economics, and hospitality — all high-demand fields in Germany's service and digital economy.
- A German degree carries EU-wide recognition, and graduates access an 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
- Students may work up to 120 full days or 240 half days per year, supporting living costs while studying.
- Erfurt, Thüringen's capital, offers a lower cost of living than Munich or Frankfurt, easing the financial pressure of private tuition.
What to check
- IU is a private university: in Germany public universities charge little or no tuition for non-EU students (except Baden-Württemberg), so €9,744/year is high by local standards.
- Before enrolment Germany requires a blocked account (Sperrkonto) of roughly €11,904 for one year — funds must be locked and inaccessible on arrival.
- Daily life in Germany and many administrative processes are conducted in German; limited German proficiency creates real practical barriers outside the classroom.
- Non-EU school leavers whose diploma is not directly recognised may need to complete a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) or preparatory year before the degree (foundation year) before bachelor admission.
- Erfurt is a mid-size city with a limited local job market; internship and graduate placement options are narrower than in Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg.
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Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
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