Karlshochschule International University

What Karlshochschule International University does

Karlshochschule International University (operating brand "die Karls") is a state-recognized, privately operated university of applied sciences in Germany, founded in 2008 and operated by the non-profit foundation Karlshochschulgesellschaft gGmbH (HRB 110891, Amtsgericht Mannheim). It delivers bachelor's, master's, and certificate degree programs across three campuses in Karlsruhe (headquarters, Karlstraße 36–38), Potsdam/Babelsberg, and Chemnitz, with teaching in English, German, and bilingual formats and a student body drawn from 60+ countries. The academic portfolio comprises eight bachelor programs (B.A./B.Sc.) spanning business, social sciences, technology, and humanities — including Business Psychology, Creativity and Management, Computer Science, International Business, International Relations, Mechatronics, Politics, and Politics, Philosophy and Economics — together with two master programs (Management, M.A.; Social Transformation, M.A.) and certificate offerings such as the IZLA "Latin America" program. The educational model ("Future Capabilities") emphasizes small cohorts, integrated semesters abroad, and practice-oriented projects.

The business model is direct-to-consumer tuition revenue on a recurring monthly subscription basis. As of Winter semester 2025/26, EU students pay €550/month and Non-EU students pay €750/month, with no application fee and a multi-year commitment tied to program length (6-semester bachelor, 4-semester master). The institution is funded entirely by tuition and foundation resources; there is no evidence of venture, private equity, or external institutional investment. Distribution relies on the three physical campuses plus a multi-channel digital presence (YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Spotify podcast, blog) layered with info days, sneak-peek lectures, and a student advisory service. The university is a member of ERASMUS+ (institutional code D KARLSRU08), PRME, Businet, ATLAS, NAFSA, and EAIE, and maintains a network of 100+ partner universities, and holds system accreditation from the German Accreditation Council plus a top position in the CHE Ranking for applied sciences universities in management and social sciences.

The technology footprint is conventional for a private university: a hybrid learning model combining in-person lectures, seminars, and exercises with digital components, delivered via a WordPress-based site on IONOS with AWS cloud infrastructure including Amazon CloudFront CDN; no proprietary platform, mobile app, or external API is documented. In 2026 the university established the Karlshochschule Management Institut, a new affiliated institute (An-Institut) focused on digitalization and AI continuing education, representing the most material product extension in the company's recent history. Governance is led by sole Managing Director (Geschäftsführer) Elmar Süß, with Kerstin Brandes serving as authorized signatory (Prokuristin); faculty leadership includes Prof. Dr. Stephan A. Jansen, who holds the Chair for Management, Innovation & Finance and directs the Center of Philanthropy & Civil Society (PhiCS).

Name

Karlshochschule International University

Legal name

Karlshochschule International University

Website

https://karlshochschule.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Karlshochschule International University is a state-recognized, non-profit private university in Germany operating campuses in Karlsruhe, Potsdam, and Chemnitz, delivering 8 bachelor and 2 master degree programs in business, social sciences, technology, and humanities to an international student body via monthly tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Doctoral Research Universities (Multi-Disciplinary) (EDAHABAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Bachelor's degree programs
• Master's degree programs
• International university programs
• Private university education

Headquarters

HQ city

Karlsruhe

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Monthly tuition fees charged to students. Starting Winter semester 2025/26: 550€ per month for EU students and 750€ per month for Non-EU students. This is the primary revenue stream for this privately-run university.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Karlshochschule International University is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Germany offering bachelor's (B.A./B.Sc.), master's (M.A.), and certificate degree programs in business, social sciences, technology, and humanities. Programs are delivered across three campuses (Karlsruhe, Potsdam, Chemnitz) in English, German, and bilingual formats, with integrated semester abroad, internships, and a proprietary Future Capabilities educational model focused on personality development and adaptability.

Product overview

Karlshochschule International University is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften) in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with campuses in Karlsruhe (main), Potsdam, and Chemnitz. The institution offers a portfolio of 8 Bachelor of Arts/Science programs and 2 Master of Arts programs spanning business, technology, social sciences, and humanities disciplines. The educational offering emphasizes international orientation with teaching in English, German, and bilingual formats, integrated semester abroad requirements, practical internships, and personality development. Programs include Business Psychology, Creativity and Management, Computer Science, International Business, International Relations, Mechatronics, Politics, and Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the Bachelor level, with Management and Social Transformation at the Master level. The university also offers certificate programs such as the International Certificate 'Latin America'. The institution operates under the 'Future Capabilities' educational concept, focusing on preparing students to actively shape societal transformation rather than merely reacting to change.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Psychology (B.A.)

Quantifiable outcome

• Very good employment chances (sehr gute Übernahmechancen) after graduation

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• BusinetminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university network providing exchange opportunities and collaborative programs with member institutions worldwide.
• ATLAS networkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of universities focused on international education and cultural exchange programs.
• NAFSA: Association of International EducatorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading association for international education professionals, providing resources and networking for internationalization.
• EAIE: European Association for International EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean network supporting internationalization of higher education through professional development and exchange.
• ERASMUS+ (D KARLSRU08)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Union student exchange program enabling mobility and collaboration with universities across Europe. Code D KARLSRU08 identifies the institution.
• 100+ Partner Universities WorldwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExtensive network of international partner universities for student exchanges, joint programs, and academic collaboration spanning multiple continents.
• PRME (Principles for Responsible Management Education)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN-supported initiative integrating sustainability and social responsibility into management education curricula.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• GISMA Business School: Private German business school offering Bachelor's, Master's, and MBA programs with strong international student intake. Comparable as a tuition-funded private provider targeting international management students in Germany.

Direct peers

• Universität Witten/Herdecke: One of Germany's oldest private universities, state-recognized, offering reform-oriented and practice-integrated Bachelor's, Master's, and doctoral programs. Comparable as a private alternative to public universities with emphasis on personality development.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university, state-recognized, offering Bachelor's, Master's, and dual study programs with a strong online/hybrid delivery model. Directly comparable as a private Hochschule competing for the same tuition-paying, career-oriented student base in Germany.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private German university of applied sciences with multiple campuses, offering Bachelor's and Master's programs in business, psychology, and health. Comparable in campus network, program breadth, and private Hochschule model.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private state-recognized German university of applied sciences with multiple campuses offering practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programs in business, media, and creative industries. Comparable in multi-campus private Hochschule positioning and creative-industry focus areas.
• FOM Hochschule: One of Germany's largest private universities with a focus on working professionals, offering dual and part-time Bachelor's and Master's programs. Comparable as a private Hochschule targeting career-oriented learners with practice-oriented education.
• Constructor University (formerly Jacobs University Bremen): Private, state-recognized English-language university in Germany offering Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs with a heavily international student body. Directly comparable as a small, international, private German university.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: State-recognized private university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg offering practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programs with an international focus. Comparable in size, program mix, and private Hochschule positioning.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private German university specializing in business and law with Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs. Comparable as a private, practice-oriented university competing for tuition-paying students in management-related fields.

Emerging players

• CODE University of Applied Sciences: Berlin-based private university offering project-based Bachelor's programs in software engineering, interaction design, and product management. Comparable as a small, modern, private German university with an international, practice-oriented ethos.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/karlshochschule
• Facebookfacebook.com/karlshochschule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/karlshochschule-international-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/karlshochschule
• TikToktiktok.com/@karlshochschule
• Xx.com/karlshochschule

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Karlshochschule International University