Authority for Science, Research and Equality

State recognition of a private university

Prerequisites

• The financing of the educational institution is secured in the long term through its own financial resources.
• The educational institution has sufficient qualified teachers, rooms and equipment and conducts lessons and examinations according to the applicable rules.
• The course of study is geared towards the goal of a recognized academic degree.
• Several degree programs are offered.
• The study programs meet recognized quality standards.
• Students there meet the same requirements as at state universities.

Please note that a universally applicable list of requirements is not possible. Further details regarding the requirements can be found in the linked guide on the state recognition of private educational institutions as universities.

Documents required

• Self-documentation (goals, concept, implementation, quality management)
• Basic order
• Appeals procedure
• Business plan for the first 5 years of operation including all investment and operating costs
• Auditor's certificate (The business plan must be correctly and understandably structured and realistically planned)
• Declaration of Patronage
• Sample contract for a guarantee, if applicable.
• Extract from the commercial register
• Articles of Association
• List of shareholders
• Sample Cooperation Agreement
• List of partner companies
• Study program-specific documents, for each study program individually:
  • Accreditation certificate
  • Accreditation letter, if applicable, conditions
  • Accreditation report
  • Study and examination regulations
  • Admission regulations
  • Module handbook

We may request further documents from you, such as:

• Market analysis
• Company profile
• Description of premises
• Sample employment contract

Please note

Deadlines

No

Procedure

• You arrange a meeting with the relevant authority. In advance, you should send them a brief and informative description of your project. This should briefly outline the technical objectives and the economic parameters.
• After the interview, you submit an application to the relevant authority and send all required documents.
• You will receive initial feedback from the responsible authority after a review period of approximately 3 months. You may be required to submit further documents.
• If the decision is positive, you will receive a notification of recognition.

For further details, in particular regarding the mandatory concept review procedure, please refer to the linked guide on the state recognition of private educational institutions as universities.

Processing time

The processing time varies depending on the individual case.

Fees

The fees vary depending on the individual case and can range from 5,600 to 20,400 euros.


Additional fees of approximately 35,000 euros will be incurred for the concept review procedure.

Legal remedies

contradiction

Legal basis

Sections 114 - 116 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act (HmHG)


https://www.landesrecht-hamburg.de/bsha/document/jlr-HSchulGHAV47P114