Public university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg. Small, sharply profiled, closely connected to construction, energy, pharma and construction-business administration.
HBC is not a mass university. Four faculties, around 2,200 students, sharp profile. That is exactly what makes it interesting for a particular kind of student.
Biberach University was founded in 1964 as an engineering school for construction and elevated to a university of applied sciences in 1971. Instead of breadth, it goes for depth: construction and timber engineering, energy and building systems, pharmaceutical and medical biotechnology, construction and real-estate business administration. The dedicated business programme for construction and real estate was first offered here in Germany in 1978.
The region is part of the profile. Biberach sits in the industrial belt of Upper Swabia, with Boehringer Ingelheim, the region's largest pharmaceutical employer, on its doorstep. For biotech students this means internships, working-student positions and career prospects are not theoretical. In construction, HBC benefits from a dense industry and trade landscape across southern Baden-Württemberg.
Since 2022, HBC has held the independent right to award doctorates in selected fields, placing it among the still small group of German universities of applied sciences that can confer the Dr. degree on their own.
Four profiles where I often recommend HBC.
For students who want to enter research, development or production at pharma and medical-tech companies. Proximity to Boehringer Ingelheim and the Upper Swabian pharma cluster is a concrete advantage, not a marketing line.
Timber construction is one of the few clearly profiled study tracks in Germany. If you want a career in sustainable building, you get Bachelor and Master from one source here.
Energy engineering, building systems, energy management: three programmes that target the skills gap of the energy transition, technically and economically.
HBC pioneered business administration with a construction and real-estate focus in Germany. Continuing education with MBA options via the HBC Academy is also available.
Selection of currently offered programmes.
Spec sheet for research and applications.
What you should know before applying.
Yes. HBC is a public university of the State of Baden-Württemberg. All degrees are state-issued, accredited and recognised across the EU.
Yes, since 2022. HBC may award doctorates independently in selected fields. That is the exception rather than the rule for an HAW.
Yes. Through the HBC Academy, the university offers several part-time programmes, primarily MBA degrees (construction, real estate, transformation management), business law and building automation. Regular Bachelor degrees are typically full-time and on-site.
Possible, with conditions. Vocationally qualified candidates with a Master craftsman, Fachwirt or comparable qualification can study in Baden-Württemberg without a high-school diploma. With several years of relevant work experience and an aptitude test there are further routes. In a first call I check what is realistic for your specific profile.
Some programmes are restricted (local NC procedure), particularly in biotechnology and architecture. Others are open admission. The current situation depends on the semester. I check it for you in the first call.
Regular undergraduate programmes have no tuition fees, only the semester contribution (administration, student services). Non-EU students have paid 1,500 € per semester since 2017. Continuing education programmes at the academy are paid separately.
No. Counselling is free for you. In the first call I clarify whether HBC or another programme from my partner network is the better fit.
Yes. I support you with choosing the programme, recognising prior learning, application and study start. Details on the process are on the consultation process page.
In 30 minutes I clarify with you whether studying at Biberach University makes sense for you, or whether another programme from my partner network is a better fit.
Clarify your options