SZ Institute of the Süddeutsche Zeitung
The ranking, conducted by the SZ Institute in cooperation with the independent market research institute SWI, evaluates higher education institutions from across Germany in 19 categories—including leading international business schools, comprehensive universities, and private educational providers. In this demanding competition, NGU holds its own in all three categories relevant to it, scoring between 83 and 85 points, and demonstrates that public funding and excellence in continuing education are not mutually exclusive.
Triple “Top” Award: unique among public universities of applied sciences (HAW) in Baden-Württemberg
This triple “top” distinction is unique among state universities of applied sciences (HAW) in Baden-Württemberg. The SZ Institute awards the “top” distinction exclusively to institutions that exceed a threshold of at least 80 points on the standardized rating scale of 0 to 100 points. Of the 84 universities surveyed, only a minority reaches this threshold in more than one category. The fact that NGU achieves this in all three categories—and in those that are most significant today for the continuing education of professionals and executives—clearly sets it apart from the field. In addition to public universities, the ranking includes renowned international business schools as well as specialized private digital providers, and NGU is able to compete with and hold its own against their continuing education programs in all three categories.
Rating Methodology: Based on real participant experiences
The ranking’s rating methodology places particular emphasis on the actual experiences of continuing education participants. 80 percent of the overall evaluation is based on real customer feedback: 70 percent of this comes from a representative online survey conducted via a quota-based access panel using sociodemographic criteria, and 30 percent from systematic social listening across more than 100 million public sources such as social media, forums, and review sites—classified and validated using artificial intelligence. The remaining 20 percent comes from a structured self-audit that evaluates eleven criteria: program formats, range of offerings, regularity of delivery, organization, strategic integration, quality assurance, certifications and ECTS recognition, part-time components, learning formats, participant numbers, and partnerships. For each category, a minimum of 80 evaluable votes per university was required to be included in the ranking.
Digital Continuing Education (AI, Digitalization): Top 3 among state universities of applied sciences nationwide
With 84 points, NGU also receives the top award in the “Continuing Education in Leadership & Management” category. In this category, which focuses on management competence, leadership, and strategic leadership skills, NGU competes directly with internationally renowned business schools and business faculties at major universities—and, with 84 points, confidently holds its own among the top institutions. Among state universities of applied sciences, NGU ranks 4th nationwide and is also the only state university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg to receive the top award in this category. The result confirms that NGU has achieved a level of excellence in management continuing education that was previously attributed primarily to large private business schools and research universities—all within a state-regulated quality framework and at significantly more affordable rates for participants.
Continuing Education in Finance & Economics: Strongest Individual Result, Top 2 among state universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg
NGU achieved its highest individual score in the “Finance & Economics Continuing Education” category with 85 points—its best score in the entire ranking. In this category, which evaluates continuing education in economics, financial competencies, and business management expertise, NGU competes directly with leading private business schools and economics departments at major universities.
NGU achieved its highest individual score in the “Continuing Education in Finance & Economics” category with 85 points—its best score in the entire ranking. In this category, which evaluates continuing education in economics, financial competencies, and business management expertise, NGU competes directly with leading private business schools and economics departments at major universities. With 85 points, it is one of the few state universities of applied sciences nationwide to earn the top distinction in this highly competitive field—ranking third among state universities of applied sciences nationwide. Among state universities of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg, NGU ranks second, making it one of the two best state universities of applied sciences in the state in this area—a result that impressively demonstrates the breadth and quality of NGU’s continuing education offerings in economics.
Further information on NGU’s continuing education programs is available at www.hfwu.de/weiterbildung/.