IU vs AKAD
Two distance-learning universities side by side, by the same criteria and with the same primary sources, so you can see where they really differ.
IU and AKAD in detail
The same criteria for both, every entry sourced. The information provided by the university is binding.
| Criterion | IU | AKAD |
|---|---|---|
| Country | DE | DE |
| Operator | privat | privat |
| Location | Erfurt | Stuttgart |
| Founded | 1998 | 1959 |
| Format | online, Blended Learning | online |
| Start of studies | any time | any time |
| Without Abitur | Yes | Yes |
| Recognition | State-recognised (since 1999), Bologna-compliant | State-recognised (Baden-Württemberg), ZFU-approved, Bologna-compliant |
| Price level | ||
| Price example | from approx. EUR 259/month (Bachelor) | from approx. EUR 219/month (Bachelor in Business Administration) |
What the table does not show
Exams. At IU: Flexible Online-Klausuren rund um die Uhr per Proctoring; Präsenzprüfungen an Standorten möglich. At AKAD: Online-Klausuren per Proctoring oder Präsenzklausuren an Prüfungszentren.
Accreditation. IU is institutionally accredited via German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (2009, re-accredited 2021), with programme accreditation via System-accredited by FIBAA (since 2018). AKAD is institutionally accredited via German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (2006, re-accredited 2023), with programme accreditation via Programmes accredited by ACQUIN and ZEvA; ZFU-approved.
Subjects. Both offer Business Administration, Computer Science, Health, Technology, Management. Only IU additionally offers Psychology, Social Work, Marketing. Only AKAD additionally offers Industrial Engineering, Communication.