Constructor University Bremen: Admission, Costs and Degree Status

Constructor University is a private, English-medium university in Bremen, formerly Jacobs University Bremen and founded in 1999 as International University Bremen. It is state-recognised by the City State of Bremen (without time limit since 2021), institutionally accredited by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat) and system-accredited since 1 February 2026. The university itself awards its bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees. Tuition for the 2027/28 intake is $13,540 (€11,925) per semester plus fees, and every admitted student is automatically assessed for a merit scholarship of up to $11,360 (€10,000) based on school grades. No German is required, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and decisions arrive within 2–4 weeks.

Private vs public: what the status means

In Germany a private institution can award state-recognised degrees only after the state recognises it and the Wissenschaftsrat accredits it. Constructor University meets both: first accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat in 2001, fully recognised in 2004, renewed in 2010 and 2018, and recognised without time limit since 2021. System accreditation by the Accreditation Council allows it to accredit its own programmes with external experts, with reports published in the council's database.

In practice, a Constructor bachelor's or master's is a German academic degree like one from a public university, and PhD students pay no tuition. The differences are cost, English across all programmes and residential campus life: first-year students live in one of four colleges on campus.

For tuition-free English options, see our guides to English-taught degrees in Germany and free university education in Germany.

Programmes

Programmes are grouped into schools. On the business and social science side you will find International Relations: Politics and History, Integrated Social and Cognitive Psychology, International Business Administration, Global Economics and Management, Industrial Engineering & Management, and Management, Decisions and Data Analytics. The computing and engineering school offers Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science (including a Cyber Security specialisation), Software, Data and Technology, Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Computer and Information Technology. Science programmes include Mathematics, Modeling and Data Analytics, Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology, and Earth Sciences and Sustainable Management of Environmental Resources.

Master's programmes include Data Science for Society and Business, Computer Science and Software Engineering and Advanced Software Technology, plus an MBA that requires post-bachelor work experience. For students not yet ready for the first year, the university runs an International Foundation Year, an English Foundation Year and a Pre-Bachelor Semester; students continuing into a bachelor's do not pay the enrolment fee again.

Costs

Room and board prices for 2027/28 are not yet published. Using 2027/28 tuition and fees plus 2026/27 room and board, a first bachelor's year costs about $38,910 (€34,270) before scholarships. The 2026/27 cost sheet also lists the broadcasting fee that German residents pay, $32 (€28) per semester. The student visa additionally requires proof of $13,520 (€11,904) for living costs.

Scholarships and tuition deferral

All applicants are automatically considered for an academic achievement scholarship of up to $11,360 (€10,000) based on school GPA; there is no separate application, and the amount is communicated with the admission decision. Named scholarships exist for specific programmes, such as the BSc Software, Data and Technology and the MSc Advanced Software Technology.

The Tuition Deferral Program lets you defer part of the tuition regardless of family income. Repayment starts only once you earn above a defined minimum and is a percentage of income for a limited period. Read the contract carefully, as it is a multi-year obligation after graduation.

Bachelor's admission

Constructor uses rolling admission with decisions in 2–4 weeks. For fall 2027 there are two windows: Early Action from 1 October 2026 to 1 February 2027, then rolling admission from 2 February to 15 July 2027 for both visa and non-visa applicants.

Upload:

1. a passport (or national ID for EU/EEA citizens);
2. transcripts for grades 9–11 (and grade 12, first semester, if available) or your final diploma and any national entrance exam results, with sworn translations if not in English or German;
3. a CV including extracurricular activities;
4. English proof: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90 (4.5 on the new scale), Duolingo 110, PTE Academic 58, Michigan English Test 58 or Cambridge exams — waived for native speakers or after six years of English-medium schooling;
5. a motivation essay;
6. optionally SAT/ACT scores and a recommendation letter.

SAT/ACT is optional for the application, but if your school diploma does not give direct admission to a German university, Constructor may admit you conditionally and require SAT/ACT for enrolment. You can take it before arrival or on campus in October or December of your first semester.

Master's and MBA

Fall 2027 master's deadlines match the bachelor's windows. You need a bachelor's diploma (or an interim certificate if you are still finishing), transcripts, English proof (or a registrar's letter confirming English-medium study) and a CV; MBA applicants need post-bachelor work experience with an employer reference. Tuition in 2027/28 is the same $13,540 (€11,925) per semester, and graduate students can book off-campus housing in Bremen through the university. See our guide to English-taught master's degrees in Germany.

Visa and funding notes

• Non-EU students need a national study visa from the German mission for their place of residence; the mission decides, not the university.
• Studying at a private university does not remove the living-cost requirement: $13,520 (€11,904) per year via a blocked account or a formal declaration of commitment. See our blocked account guide.
• Residents of Russia apply at the German Embassy in Moscow (RK-Termin booking), as the St Petersburg consulate closed on 18 September 2026. You choose the blocked-account provider yourself: the German Foreign Office no longer publishes a provider list, and according to the embassy no Russian bank can open a qualifying account. Our guide on paying for studies abroad from Russia covers lawful payment routes.
• Applicants under 18 need notarised parental consent for the visa.

Full steps are in our student visa guide.

Common mistakes

• Using old Jacobs University prices or 2026/27 tuition when planning a 2027/28 start.
• Forgetting that the scholarship reduces tuition only, not housing, meals or fees.
• Assuming SAT is mandatory at application, or ignoring that it may be required for enrolment.
• Accepting tuition deferral without checking the income share and repayment period.
• Leaving the visa appointment and blocked account until summer.

FAQ

How much does Constructor University cost?

For the 2027/28 intake, tuition is $13,540 (€11,925) per semester, or $27,080 (€23,850) a year, plus fees of up to $400 (€350) per semester and a one-time $1,070 (€940) enrolment fee for non-EU students. Room and meal plan cost about $4,980 (€4,390) per semester in 2026/27.

Is a Constructor University degree recognised?

Yes. The university is state-recognised by Bremen without time limit since 2021, institutionally accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat and system-accredited until 2034. It awards its own bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees; recognition outside Germany is decided by the receiving country or employer.

Do I need German to study at Constructor University?

No. All programmes are taught in English; you need IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 90, Duolingo 110 or an equivalent. German helps in daily life and part-time work but is not an admission requirement.

Can I apply directly after high school?

Yes, you can apply in your final school year using grades 9–11. If your diploma does not grant direct admission to German universities, Constructor may admit you conditionally and require SAT/ACT, or you can start with the International Foundation Year. The university makes the admission decision.

What scholarships does Constructor offer?

An automatic academic achievement scholarship of up to $11,360 (€10,000) based on school GPA, announced with the admission decision, plus named scholarships for selected programmes and an income-based tuition deferral option.

Is Constructor University the same as Jacobs University?

Yes. It opened in 1999 as International University Bremen, became Jacobs University Bremen and now operates as Constructor University. State recognition and accreditation carried over to the university under its new name.

Sources

• Constructor University: state recognition and accreditation
• Undergraduate financing: 2027/28 costs, scholarships, deferral, 2026/27 cost of attendance (PDF)
• Graduate financing: 2027/28 costs
• Undergraduate application: deadlines, documents, English, SAT, graduate application
• THE World University Rankings 2027
• German Embassy Moscow: national visa, study visa checklist (PDF)
• Federal Foreign Office: blocked accounts

Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 30 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 1 October 2026. Public universities are listed on our study in Germany page.

If you want to work through your route to Constructor University, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

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