We are a university for social sciences and health with a personal atmosphere characterized by high quality in teaching, research and continuing education. We combine a personal atmosphere and individual support with high quality in teaching and research. Around 1,900 students from Germany and neighboring countries are currently studying at the Catholic University of Freiburg.
This makes studying more personal and collaborative, and opens up diverse opportunities for participation.
The Catholic University of Freiburg (KH Freiburg) is a state-recognized university under church sponsorship.
It is guided by a Christian understanding of humanity and stands for cosmopolitanism, tolerance, and solidarity.
We offer attractive study and learning conditions to foster personal development and prepare optimally for your
| Acronym | KH Freibu |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Location | Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany |
| Address | Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg Karlstraße 63 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau |
Our mission is: enable students to take responsibility for their own professional practice in various fields within social work, health care, and pastoral care; offer continuing education for various qualification goals; and conduct application-oriented research. We aim to fulfill this mission through excellent teaching, research and continuing education.
As a Catholic university, we are aware of the importance of those value orientations which all religions point to and which for us, are nurtured by Christian sources.
At Katholische Hochschule Freiburg, diversity is valued in all its forms. The university promotes openness, democratic values, participation, and interculturality. It is committed to becoming more inclusive by removing barriers for students with disabilities or chronic illnesses and providing support systems to protect against discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Our university makes a scientific and value-oriented contribution to shaping the social future in a pluralistic community and to the further development of independent and, in particular, church welfare work. We can only make this contribution with the support of our sponsors. The KH Freiburg is run by the Katholische Hochschule Freiburg gGmbH.
At the Catholic University of Applied Science Freiburg, you will find plenty of international activities within its course offerings and extracurricular programs. Students can take part in seminars with an international focus, and some of these include brief stays abroad. The student group, “Studis International,” has activities that bring local and international students together.
Entry requirements vary by program and degree. View the requirements on the program page.
International Students:
Information for applicants with a foreign citizenship applying for an undergraduate or graduate degree at the Catholic University of Freiburg
Applicants with German qualifications (German: Bildungsinländer)
If you have foreign citizenship, but have attended a German school abroad or have acquired your university entrance qualification in Germany, you are a so-called "Bildungsinländer". You can apply under the same conditions as German applicants.
Applicants with other qualifications German language requirements
Our courses are mainly held in German; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the German language. Applicants must provide evidence of equivalent competence in German language through a recognized language test, as outlined below.
EU applicants
If you are a European Union citizen, you can apply directly using the online application.
Non-EU applicants
Applicants from non-EU countries need
Entry requirements vary by program and degree. View the requirements on the program page.
We are delighted that you are interested in studying at the Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg (KH Freiburg). You can apply online directly to us for all degree programs. Simply register via our online application portal and you will be guided through the application process step by step.
Please note that all degree programs are subject to fees and contributions, as outlined in the study contract and general terms and conditions.
We accept applications with an interim certificate. Your religious affiliation will not affect your application.
On the "Study Programs" page you will find an overview of all Bachelor's and Master's degree programs at our university. On the "Studying" page you will find all the important information about studying at KH Freiburg.
By clicking on "Apply online," you can register in the online portal and, when the application period is open, apply directly for your desired degree program. You can apply via the online portal for our Bachelor's degree programs for the winter semester 2026/27 starting March 15, 2026 , and for Master's degree programs for the summer semester 2027 starting June 1, 2026.
Email: [email protected]
Phone : +49 761 200-1400
Accreditations are cross-state and cross-university procedures for assessing various University areas and structures and their performance in terms of teaching and research. Institutional accreditation examines whether the University, as a state-recognized institution of higher education, carries out teaching and research in accordance with scientific standards. The system accreditation certifies that the University has a quality management system that guarantees the achievement of qualification goals and the fulfillment of quality standards of the study programs. As a system-accredited university, the KH Freiburg is entitled to self (re-)accredit study programs internally (internal program accreditation).
Appointment: Theolo... read more
The Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg was founded in 1971. It was created by merging several predecessor institutions.
The oldest predecessor of today's university is the Social Women's School in Heidelberg, which was initiated by Countess Maria von Graimberg and founded in 1911. It existed until 1971 as a higher technical school for social work under the auspices of the German Caritas Association and was integrated into the KH Freiburg as the Heidelberg department from... read more
In 1929, another predecessor institution of the KH Freiburg was founded: the Youth Leaders' Seminar at the German Caritas Association. In 1971, this institution was also integrated into the university as the Department of Social Pedagogy.
The range of courses offered by the new Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg, which was established in 1971, was completed by the integration of the curative education seminar at the German Caritas Association. This seminar had been founded in 1965 and was integrated into the university as the Department of Curative Education. The Department of Religious Education was added in 1973, the Department of Nursing in 1992, which was the first in Germany to be established with innovative courses of study, and the Department of Management in 2003. In 2003, the previously separate degree courses in Social Work and Social Pedagogy were reformed in accordance with the requirements of the state of Baden-Württemberg and merged into one degree course in Social Work.
A new constitution and structure of the KH Freiburg came into effect on September 1, 2015. The current university structure combines organizational principles of hierarchy and self-organization with special consideration of the academic freedom of universities and the guidelines of the HRK.