Accreditations and Rankings
Proven excellence – recognized with distinction.
Practice-Oriented Studies with Outstanding Accreditations
CBS University of Applied Sciences sets new standards in quality and innovation. As a state-recognised private university with around 4,000 students across ten locations in Germany, it combines academic excellence with a strong practical focus.
Our system accreditation confirms our high standards in teaching and research. In 2018, we became the first German university to receive international accreditation from the IACBE – a clear sign of our global orientation and practically integrated degree programmes.
According to WirtschaftsWoche, the CBS International Business School at our Cologne campus has been ranked among the top universities of applied sciences for business administration in Germany for several years – recognition that opens excellent career opportunities for our students.
With over 1,300 corporate partnerships and personalised career coaching, we guide ambitious talents on a targeted path to success. We stand for a university experience that opens doors and makes a real impact.
Our Accreditations
German “Wissenschaftsrat” – Institutional Accreditaion
CBS University of Applied Sciences is institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat). The Council is the most important advisory body on science policy in Germany and advises the federal and state governments. It is also responsible for the institutional accreditation of non-state higher education institutions. This process primarily evaluates whether a university is capable of delivering teaching and research according to recognised academic standards. In addition, the university’s resources (in terms of facilities and personnel) and its financial stability are also assessed.
IACBE – Programmakkreditierungen
The CBS International Business School has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.
The latest disclosure of students achievements can be found here.
FIBAA – Programme Accreditations
As part of the internationalisation of the German higher education system and the introduction of the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree structure, it was agreed that, in addition to state supervision and approval, each degree programme should be accredited individually. CBS commissions FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) to accredit new programmes and re-accredit existing ones. This means that a programme only begins once it has been individually reviewed for quality and academic feasibility and has been awarded a quality seal.
Ministry of Science of North Rhine-Westphalia – State Recognition
CBS University of Applied Sciences is officially recognised by the Ministry of Science of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). This state recognition ensures that all degrees and ECTS credits earned at CBS are equivalent to those awarded by public universities and are recognised worldwide. This enables you to apply for postgraduate studies with your undergraduate degree or have your previously earned credits recognised if you move to a different location.
German Accreditation Council – System Accreditation
Since 2023, CBS has held system accreditation. This certification by the German Accreditation Council confirms that the university has an internal quality management system in place, which ensures the academic standards of its degree programmes and is equivalent to an external review. As a result, new degree programmes can be developed more efficiently and implemented according to the university’s highest internal quality standards. The Accreditation Council is a joint institution of the federal states, responsible for quality assurance in teaching and learning at German universities.
Awards and Recognitions of CBS International Business School
In 2023, CBS International Business School (part of CBS University of Applied Sciences) was named the best private university of applied sciences for business administration in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate by WirtschaftsWoche.
This prestigious ranking is based on a nationwide survey of HR professionals conducted by the consultancy Universum. What makes it unique: the evaluation is not from an academic perspective, but rather from the viewpoint of employers – in other words, which universities best prepare their graduates for real-world practice and the demands of the business world.
But CBS impresses not only in traditional business education – it is also among the frontrunners in digital teaching. For the fourth year in a row, CBS has been recognised as a top digital education provider in Germany. As a digital presence university, it combines personal support in small groups with innovative digital learning formats. From live webcast lectures to flexible e-learning options – students benefit from a modern learning environment tailored to their needs.
The success of this hybrid teaching concept is also confirmed by the WirtschaftsWoche ranking in cooperation with the market research institute ServiceValue. More than 100 providers of digital education were evaluated from the perspective of their users – and once again, CBS secured a top position in 2024.
Any questions? We're here to help
Do you have any questions about our bachelor's or master's degree programs? Our Student Advisory team is here to support you! Schedule your personal consultation—online or in person—for tailored, non-binding guidance on finding the right study program for you.
