The SZ Institute’s ranking compared 84 higher education institutions. The university achieved top rankings in several categories.

The Süddeutsche Zeitung Institute has recognised the University of Oldenburg in several categories in its ‘Best Universities for Further Education 2026’ ranking. It took top spot in the ‘Further Education: Personal Development & Soft Skills’ category. The University of Oldenburg also achieved a ‘top’ ranking in four further categories: Digital, Leadership & Management, Health & Medicine, and Teaching Staff

The SZ Institute ranking is based on a study by the market research institute SWI (Sozialwissenschaftliches Institut Schad). It is primarily based on customer reviews, supplemented by an analysis of course offerings and general conditions. A total of 84 higher education institutions were included in the comparison. Their continuing education programmes, such as certificate courses and part-time programmes, were examined. The Süddeutsche Zeitung published the results of the ranking under the title‘Opening new doors with university-level continuing education’.