University of the German Federal Armed Forces

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The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) run two universities—one in Munich (University of the German Federal Armed Forces, Munich) and another in Hamburg (Helmut Schmidt University)—which focus on the scientific work and the academic study of the German armed forces' officers. Unlike other nations' military academies, both universities only offer study courses with almost no relation to the military and which correspond to courses at regular German universities.

All professors at both universities are civilians. The future officers, who must serve for at least 13 years, obtain a Bachelor or Master's degree complying with the academic degrees granted at the other universities in Germany. The students need at least four years of studies to achieve the Master's degree.

Since 2003, civilian students can also study at the Universities of the Federal Armed Forces if there exist unused capacity and if industrial companies sponsor the costs.

The study at the Universities of the Federal Armed Forces can be finished faster than at civil universities because the curriculum contains about one third more content per year (Trimesters instead of Semesters). In exchange, the officers and officer candidates are fully paid and do not have to work in their free time.