Labour force

: Map of universities and research institutes in Schleswig-Holstein.

The question of how well qualified a work force is plays a decisive role in a modern and increasingly knowledge-based economy. Among other things, it is a crucial locational factor for investment decisions. Germany is a country with a well-qualified working population. 58% of the 25- to 64-year-olds have got either A-levels or a vocational training qualification. 25% are university or technical college graduates (source: OECD, 2007).
In Schleswig-Holstein the Chambers of Industry and Commerce, colleges and universities make sure there is an extremely well-qualified labour force in a wide variety of vocations and professions. In this state we know full well that motivated and well-qualified employees are an important competitive advantage.

Labour supply

We provide proactive support to help you find well-qualified employees and are glad to make contact on your behalf to local job agencies and tell you about possible recruitment grants.
Just talk to us – it’s our job to promote business.

Universities and research institutes

Schleswig-Holstein has nine state and three private universities offering a broad selection of courses with internationally recognised degrees.
The research institutes in Germany’s most northerly state focus in particular on health, nutrition, renewable sources of energy, hotels, logistics, call centres, IT and communications technology and the maritime sector.

Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel

Founded in 1665 by Duke Christian Albrecht von Holstein-Gottorp, the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel is the oldest and largest university in Schleswig-Holstein and offers a wide range of courses. Its research strengths are in marine science and geo-sciences, molecular biology and medicine, health and nutrition, environmental research, economics and mathematics/informatics, surface science and surface technology as well as cultural studies. The University’s work in economics and medicine has also gained international recognition. The interdisciplinary research project Future Ocean, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the framework of the Excellence Initiative, is doing cutting-edge research of international significance. Its goal is to develop and assess options for the global management of marine resources, thus promoting a new symbiosis between mankind and the sea. Around a hundred people in five faculties and 26 institutes from Kiel University, the Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences (IfM-GEOMAR), the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IfW-Kiel) and the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts are cooperating on an interdisciplinary approach to this goal.

Kiel University of Applied Sciences

The Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Schleswig-Holstein's largest university of applied sciences, offers an attractive range of practice-oriented courses in the fields of business, engineering, social work and agriculture. Its Multimedia Master’s is also very popular. The university's activities abroad afford many opportunities for foreign study.

University of Lübeck

Founded in 1974, the University of Lübeck concentrates on medicine, informatics and the life sciences, and more particularly on their interfaces in bio-medical technology and in medical informatics, bioinformatics, media informatics, robotics and automation. The Bachelor/Master in Computational Life Science offers mathematical and computational skills applicable in the fields of biology and medicine. A great favourite with students is the cross-disciplinary Bachelor/Master in Molecular Life Sciences, which looks at the molecular biology of the fundamental processes of life and its application in medical research and clinical practice.

Lübeck University of Applied Sciences

In the field of medical technology the University cooperates closely with Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, more particularly on the innovative jointly taught Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering. The University of Applied Sciences also offers first-class training in the fields of construction, mechanical engineering and industrial engineering. A distinctive feature is the combination of different fields, for example in medical technology, information technology and design, architecture with construction engineering, environmental engineering or industrial engineering. It also runs the internationally renowned e-learning platform www.oncampus.de.

University of Flensburg

The University of Flensburg located near the border with Denmark is developing as a centre for teacher training in Schleswig-Holstein, offering a Bachelor in Teaching Sciences and a related Master's course for qualified teachers. It also offers courses in cultural studies and in economic science. The unusual feature here is that it is organised in close cooperation with the University of Southern Denmark. The Master's course in Sustainable Energy Systems and Management has gained an international reputation.

Flensburg University of Applied Sciences

Flensburg University of Applied Sciences offers courses in Business and Technology. The focus of teaching and research in technology is on energy and communications technologies, applied mathematics, computer-aided mechanical engineering, media informatics and biotechnology. In business the emphasis is on business administration, logistics and marketing, and an MA is offered in "e-health“. The course in marine engineering and nautical science leads to a certificate of competence as an engineering or navigating officer.

West Coast University of Applied Sciences

The West Coast University of Applied Sciences in Heide enjoys a very distinctive profile, offering courses in international tourist management, business and law, management and technology and also in industrial automation. It also offers business management with specializations in banking and taxation, and electrical/information engineering.

Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and the Music Academy

Schleswig-Holstein has two small but very good arts academies. The Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts in Kiel and the Music Academy in Lübeck have about 1,000 students between them. Prospective students have to sit a stiff entrance examination.

Cost of study

To cover the cost of student services, student government, travel passes, etc. a fee of around €100 per semester is levied on students. Schleswig-Holstein has 21 halls of residence with some 3,000 places in all.

Private higher education institutions

Besides state universities and colleges, Schleswig-Holstein also has several private higher education institutions, including Wedel University of Applied Sciences, Nordakademie UAA in Elmshorn and a distance-learning academy belonging to the AKAD network. There are also two privately funded specialist institutions:

International School of New Media

The International School of New Media, which is associated with the University of Lübeck, offers a fee-paying Master’s degree in Digital Media, taught entirely in English.

Baltic Sea Virtual Campus

MaAn equally trendsetting project is the Baltic Sea Virtual Campus. Established by leading higher education institutions in the Baltic Region, it will offer students from all over the world on-line teaching in the areas of industrial engineering, business informatics and health care management, while also developing their inter-cultural skills.