Gisma University of Applied Sciences: Degrees, Fees and Admission

Gisma University of Applied Sciences is a private university of applied sciences in Potsdam with a branch campus in Berlin, formerly known as GISMA Business School. The state of Brandenburg has recognised it since 2020 as a university with its own degree-awarding powers, but the current recognition is time-limited to 15 November 2026, and its first institutional accreditation by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat) is still in progress. Most programmes lead to a Gisma degree; the International Business Management bachelor's and master's are double degrees with Kingston University London in the UK. A bachelor's costs $15,620 (€13,825) a year and a master's starts at $18,360 (€16,250) for a 60-ECTS programme, with four intakes a year.

Name and history

GISMA was founded in Hanover in 1999 as an executive business school. Since 2013 it has belonged to the Global University Systems (GUS) group, which in Germany also owns the University of Europe for Applied Sciences. In 2020 Gisma became a recognised university of applied sciences in Brandenburg and moved its main campus to Potsdam.

That is why older reviews list programmes that no longer exist in the catalogue, such as master's degrees with Grenoble Ecole de Management, The University of Law or Arden University. In 2026 Gisma's website names a single co-awarding institution for double degrees: Kingston University London.

Recognition and accreditation: what to check before paying

Brandenburg's Ministry of Science (MWFK) publishes the recognition decision: Gisma is recognised as a university of applied sciences, "initially limited" to 15 November 2026. The recognition covers the listed programmes, the right to award the stated degrees, and the Berlin branch:

• bachelor's in Business Management (Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Entrepreneurship, Logistics), Computer Science, Data Science, AI and Digital Business, International Business Management, International Relations (all BSc) and Software Engineering (BEng);
• master's in Business Management, Data Science, AI and Digital Business, Digital Transformation Leadership, International Business Management, Project Management, Creative Entrepreneurship, Social Media and Influencer Marketing (all MSc), Computer Science (MEng) and the Global MBA.

The second pillar is the Wissenschaftsrat review. Its work programme for July 2026 to January 2027 lists Gisma under "accreditation" (a first accreditation) and expects it to go before the Council in October 2026; that is a plan, not a decision. Whether the recognition is extended beyond 15 November 2026 is decided by the Brandenburg ministry; on 2 October 2026 its page still showed that date. Several Gisma programmes already carry the Accreditation Council seal through FIBAA; some newer ones are marked "subject to accreditation" on the website, meaning the process is not complete.

For a 2027 start, check the MWFK page before you sign a contract: has the recognition been extended beyond 15 November 2026, and is your programme listed? It takes five minutes and costs nothing.

Who awards your degree

The double bachelor's combines Kingston's BSc (Hons) International Business Management with a Gisma BSc in one specialisation: finance, logistics, marketing, entrepreneurship, HR or data science. It is taught in Berlin and includes a work-placement module. If Kingston's entry rules for your school certificate require a foundation year, the programme takes four years.

Who Gisma suits

For comparison, see our profiles of IU International University, SRH University and Constructor University; tuition-free options are in our guide to English-taught degrees in Germany.

How teaching works and why it matters for a visa

Gisma describes its model as a "systematic hybrid learning scheme": part of the teaching takes place in class in Berlin or Potsdam, the rest in online sessions and self-study. Its FAQ even allows students to start online while the visa is pending and continue on campus later.

For a visa applicant this is a risk area. A German study visa under Section 16b of the Residence Act (AufenthG) is issued for full-time study. The Berlin Senate's answer of 29 January 2026 states that online programmes without compulsory attendance usually do not qualify; among the institutions whose formats the Berlin immigration office reviewed, it mentions branch campuses of private universities from other states. It names no institutions and does not mention Gisma. Still, ask Gisma in writing how many days of compulsory on-campus teaching your programme has and whether it is suitable for a study visa. The German embassy and the local immigration office decide on the visa.

Fees

Gisma publishes fees for its 2026 intakes; at the time of checking, the 2027 table had not yet been released.

• Fees include application, enrolment, examination and thesis charges.
• After acceptance you pay a deposit that is credited to your fees: usually $1,690 (€1,500), or $3,390 (€3,000) for some master's programmes and some countries. Bachelor's students from certain countries pay the first year in full instead of a deposit.
• The balance can be split into up to ten instalments, paid by bank transfer, Transfermate or Flywire. Refund rules are in a separate Gisma document and in your contract.

Three years of bachelor's tuition without discounts come to $46,860 (€41,475). On top of that, the visa requires $13,450 (€11,904) a year in a blocked account. National averages are in our overview of the cost of studying in Germany.

Discounts and scholarships

• Siblings and spouse discount: 35% on any programme if a relative is already enrolled at a group institution; the annual fee must be paid before orientation and it cannot be combined with other offers.
• Women in Tech: four 100% and twelve 50% scholarships a year for women on the MSc Data Science, AI and Digital Business and the MEng Computer Science.
• Think Digital: $1,130 (€1,000) off the first year of digital master's programmes in Potsdam.

Gisma decides who receives a scholarship or discount. Regional discounts quoted by agents are not published on the official fees page, so ask a Gisma consultant and make sure any discount is written into your contract.

Entry requirements

Bachelor's. You need a school-leaving certificate that gives access to German higher education, English at B2 (IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or equivalent TOEFL iBT, PTE or Duolingo scores) and an entrance test for international students. Gisma's free in-house English test is also accepted. You can apply before you graduate using current grades. Many non-EU certificates, including the Russian attestat, give only indirect access in Germany, so school leavers are usually offered the Foundation. Our Studienkolleg guide explains how preparatory routes work.

Foundation. Six months in Berlin for $7,820 (€6,920), IELTS 5.5 to enter. There are business and computer science tracks; after passing all modules and reaching B2 English you progress to a Gisma bachelor's. It is Gisma's own programme, not a state Studienkolleg.

Kingston double degree. Minimum age 17, IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5) and good school grades under Kingston University's admission rules for your country.

Master's. A bachelor's in a related area, such as business or economics, computer science, engineering, law, psychology or another social science, plus B2 English. The length of your programme, 60, 90 or 120 ECTS, depends on your degree and work experience. The Global MBA (Potsdam, 12 months) is designed for experienced professionals. Gisma decides on admission and on which track you can take. The general process is in our guide to a master's in Germany in English.

Russian and Kazakh citizens

• Visa. Russian residents apply at the German Embassy in Moscow; the Consulate General in St Petersburg closed on 18 September 2026. Gisma says a visa takes 2–3 months depending on the country; the embassy checklist gives a usual processing time of 6–8 weeks and never less than four.
• Passport. A biometric passport has been required since 1 January 2026.
• Living funds. $1,120 (€992) per month, $13,450 (€11,904) for the first year. The embassy says no Russian bank offers a suitable blocked account, and Russian bank statements are not accepted. Gisma's visa team explains how to open an account, but you complete the steps yourself. See our blocked account guide.
• Documents. Acceptance letter, motivation letter and CV in German or with a German translation; translations made in Russia must be notarised; under-18s need notarised parental consent.
• Payments. Pay the deposit and tuition through legal routes only; see how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
• Kazakhstan. Kazakh citizens apply at the German mission in Kazakhstan responsible for their place of residence.

The step-by-step process is in our German student visa guide, and other country-specific points are in studying in Germany for Russian citizens.

Housing

Gisma has no residences of its own but offers a free accommodation advisory service. Berlin-campus students get access to Edge Student Hub in Zossen, with rooms from $450 (€399) a month for a six-month stay, about 45 minutes from Berlin by train. Airport pick-up costs $130 (€118) within Berlin and $190 (€166) to Potsdam. If you prefer to live in Berlin or Potsdam itself, start looking for a shared flat early; see our guides to student housing in Germany and universities in Berlin.

Common mistakes

• Relying on old reviews. Programmes with Grenoble, The University of Law and Arden are not part of today's catalogue.
• Not checking the recognition date. Brandenburg's current recognition runs to 15 November 2026; check the MWFK page for an extension before signing for 2027.
• Picking a programme "subject to accreditation" without asking about timing. Ask when accreditation is expected and what your certificate will say.
• Starting online and delaying the visa. A study visa requires on-campus study; an online start does not replace attendance.
• Assuming the double degree always takes three years. With Kingston's foundation year it takes four.

Timeline for an October 2027 start

1. October–December 2026. Check whether Gisma's recognition has been extended, choose a programme, take IELTS or the in-house test.
2. January–March 2027. Apply online, sit the entrance test, receive an offer.
3. March–April 2027. Pay the deposit or first year, receive the acceptance letter.
4. April–May 2027. Open a blocked account and book the embassy appointment in Moscow.
5. July–September 2027. Collect the visa, arrange housing, arrive for orientation week.

FAQ

Is a Gisma degree recognised in Germany?

Yes, as long as Brandenburg's state recognition is in force: Gisma awards BSc, MSc, MEng and MBA degrees for the approved programmes. The current recognition is limited to 15 November 2026, and the first Wissenschaftsrat accreditation is under way. Recognition abroad is decided by the receiving country or employer.

Who awards the degree, Gisma or a British university?

For most programmes Gisma awards the degree itself. The exception is the International Business Management double degrees, where graduates receive both a Kingston University London degree and a Gisma degree. Older joint programmes with Grenoble, The University of Law and Arden are not in the current catalogue.

How much does Gisma cost?

For 2026 intakes a bachelor's costs $15,620 (€13,825) a year; a master's costs $18,360 (€16,250) for 60 ECTS and $28,360 (€25,100) for 120 ECTS; the Global MBA costs $25,420 (€22,500). You also need $13,450 (€11,904) in a blocked account for the visa.

Can I apply to Gisma straight after secondary school?

You can apply, but many non-EU school certificates, including the Russian attestat, give only indirect access in Germany, so you will usually need Gisma's six-month Foundation ($7,820) or a first year at university at home. Kingston may also set a foundation year for the double degree. Gisma makes the admission decision, applying Kingston's rules for the double degree.

Will I get a visa if part of the teaching is online?

A study visa is issued for full-time study with compulsory attendance on campus. Purely online formats do not qualify, and hybrid programmes are judged by their real share of in-person teaching. The German embassy and the immigration office decide on the visa, so get written confirmation of the format from Gisma.

How is Gisma different from the University of Europe for Applied Sciences?

Both are private, recognised in Brandenburg and owned by the GUS group, but they are separate universities. Gisma focuses on business, data and technology in Potsdam and Berlin; the University of Europe is broader, covering design, media, sport and psychology, and also teaches in Hamburg and Iserlohn.

Sources

• MWFK Brandenburg: Gisma state recognition, programmes and term
• Wissenschaftsrat: work programme July 2026–January 2027 (PDF)
• Gisma: accreditations and recognition, about us, fees and funding, how to apply and FAQ, accommodation, Potsdam campus
• Gisma programmes: undergraduate, postgraduate, BSc Business Management, Kingston double degree, Foundation, MSc Data Science, AI and Digital Business, Global MBA
• GUS Germany: Gisma history
• Berlin House of Representatives: Senate answer to written question 19/24 882, 29 January 2026 (PDF)
• German Embassy Moscow: study visa checklist (PDF, Russian), national visa, embassy news
• Federal Foreign Office: blocked accounts

Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 1 October 2026 (€1 = $1.1298), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 1–2 October 2026. Other German universities are listed on our study in Germany page.

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