Choose between Comfort Start and Classic Start
When applying online, you can pick between two starting options: Comfort Start and Classic Start. Simply open our online application form, select your study programme, and choose your preferred starting date:
Comfort Start
If you want to get started right away, choose Comfort Start: This allows you to begin today—or on your preferred date—as an Auditor (Gasthörer:in), while submitting your documents in parallel, making the process easy and flexible for you.
Classic Start
If you want to start later—as a fully enrolled student, and no sooner than in 10 days—choose Classic Start. You’ll begin as soon as your documents have been submitted and successfully reviewed.
Your admission to the Bachelor's programme
At IU, you can start your Bachelor's study programme with or without a university entrance qualification.
Your checklist for starting your bachelor’s studies
To complete enrolment for your distance learning, we need the following documents:
Copy of your university entrance qualification: Simply upload a copy of your university entrance qualification to our IU document portal (e.g., (subject-specific) Abitur, advanced training certificate, vocational diploma, bachelor's certificate/transcript or diploma certificate). A simple scan is perfectly sufficient. For foreign certificates that are not issued in English or German, we additionally require a German translation (by an official institution or sworn translators). In most cases, a simple copy is sufficient here as well. In individual cases, for example in cases of doubt or as part of random checks, the university reserves the right to request originals or certified copies.
Registration of your studies with your health insurance company: Inform your health insurance provider about the start of your studies as soon as possible so they can register you with us. You can, for example, use your provider’s customer app for this.
Copy of your official photo ID
Important: For data protection reasons, please blacken all information and the photograph, except your given name, surname, date of birth, expiry date, and nationality.
If applicable, employment references for admission based on vocational training and work experience.
if applicable, a tabular CV including details of your education, studies, and work experience: this may be required depending on your university entrance qualification (a CV is not mandatory for applicants with A-levels and no prior university studies in Germany) and your desired recognition of prior achievements.
If applicable, a certificate of de-enrolment from all German universities previously attended: each certificate must include the degree programme, period of study, and reason for de-enrolment.
If applicable, proof of your language proficiency (not older than five years) for non-native speakers.
Tips for choosing a course of study
Do you need help choosing the right study programme? Here you will find decision-making tools that will really help you.
With Comfort Start, you have the option to start today – or on your preferred starting date – as an Auditor (Gasthörer:in). You can easily submit your documents in parallel to become an enrolled student.
Your admission to the Master's and MBA programme
To start your Master's study programme with us, you need to have completed an undergraduate degree – for example, a Bachelor's degree or "Diplom". For foreign documents, we also require a translation into German or English. Special admission requirements also apply to some Master's programmes.
Please note that some study programmes have separate admission requirements (e.g. first degree with a degree-specific focus, required work experience, proof of English, previous knowledge in certain subject areas). You can find the latest information on our website under the tab "Admission" for the degree programme of your choice.
Your checklist to get started on your Master’s programme
To complete enrolment for your distance learning, we need the following documents:
Copy of your certificate of your first degree: Simply upload a copy of your certificate of your first degree with proof of the number of ECTS credits to our IU document portal (e.g., bachelor’s certificate or diploma certificate). A simple scan is completely sufficient. For foreign certificates that are not issued in English or German, we additionally require a German translation (provided by an official authority or sworn translators). In most cases, a simple copy is also sufficient here. In individual cases, such as in cases of doubt or as part of spot checks, the university reserves the right to request originals or certified copies.
Certificate of de-enrolment: Only required if you have previously studied in Germany. If you are currently enrolled at another university, please submit your current enrolment certificate.
Registration of your studies with your health insurance company: Inform your health insurance provider about the start of your studies as soon as possible so they can register you with us. You can, for example, use your provider’s customer app for this.
Copy of your official photo ID
Important: For data protection reasons, please blacken all information and the photograph, except your given name, surname, date of birth, expiry date, and nationality.
if applicable, a tabular CV including details of your education, studies, and work experience: this may be required depending on your university entrance qualification (a CV is not mandatory for applicants with A-levels and no prior university studies in Germany) and your desired recognition of prior achievements.
If applicable, proof of your language proficiency (not older than five years) for non-native speakers.
Master's programmes with entrance examination
For a number of 120 ECTS Master's programmes*, you need a Bachelor's degree with a specific focus. If you do not have this qualification, you still have the possibility of gaining admission via a Master's entrance examination.
*You can find out which Master's programmes this regulation applies to on the page of your degree programme under "Admission".
Your Master’s entrance examination: a 3-step guide
1. Enrol online
2. Complete application
During your online application, you will receive your study contract. You can complete it directly within your online application, or upload it either digitally signed or signed by hand—in the IU document portal. In this section, you also submi all the documents needed to start your studies. Once your documents have been reviewed, you will be enrolled by us and receive an email with your login details for the Online Campus, where you will find all the information about your master's entrance examination.
3. Take the Master's entrance examination
You can take your master's entrance exam by successfully completing two specific modules from your curriculum within a maximum of 12 months from the start date. The completed modules will be fully credited to you. Let's get started!
You can take a Master's entrance examination in these subject areas.
You have questions about the admission?
Get your studies off to a good start: Our student advisors will be happy to provide you with answers and all the information you need for your application.
What you get for free
Information on study content & electives
Information on career prospects
Information on financing options