UniDistance Suisse vs IU
Two distance-learning universities side by side, by the same criteria and with the same primary sources, so you can see where they really differ.
UniDistance Suisse or IU: which one suits whom?
UniDistance Suisse is a federally accredited university-level institution with fixed semesters and module exams at study centres. IU is a private university from Germany with a start at any time and online exams. Both offer psychology and computer science, law and history only UniDistance, social work and marketing only IU.
Subject information refers to the focus areas recorded in this portal, not to the complete programme catalogue. Which university suits your situation depends on prior education, available time and goal.
UniDistance Suisse and IU in detail
The same criteria for both, every entry sourced. The information provided by the university is binding.
| Criterion | UniDistance Suisse | IU |
|---|---|---|
| Country | CH | DE |
| Operator | federally accredited university-level institution (HFKG) | private |
| Location | Brig | Erfurt |
| Founded | 1992 | 1998 |
| Format | Blended Learning, online | online, Blended Learning |
| Start of studies | fixed dates | any time |
| Without Abitur | Yes | Yes |
| Recognition | Federally recognised university institution (Switzerland), accredited under the HFKG; regular admission with the Matura, without the Matura via a separate admission route (sur dossier) | State-recognised (since 1999), Bologna-compliant |
| Price level | ||
| Price example | approx. CHF 1,300 per semester (example: Bachelor in Mathematics) | from approx. EUR 259/month (Bachelor) |
What the table does not show
Exams. At UniDistance Suisse: Blended learning combining supervised online teaching and self-study; fixed semester start on 1 February and 1 August; module exams at study centres. At IU: Flexible online exams around the clock with proctoring; on-site exams at locations possible.
Accreditation. UniDistance Suisse is institutionally accredited via Swiss Accreditation Council, 2020 (first university institution for distance learning under the HFKG), with programme accreditation via No separate programme accreditation required, covered by the institutional accreditation. IU is institutionally accredited via German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (2009, re-accredited 2021), with programme accreditation via System-accredited by FIBAA (since 2018).
Subjects. Both offer Psychology, Computer Science. Only UniDistance Suisse additionally offers Law, Business, History, Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence. Only IU additionally offers Business Administration, Health, Social Work, Technology, Management, Marketing, Business Informatics.