University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons

What University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons does

The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (Fachhochschule Graubünden, FHGR) is a public cantonal university of applied sciences headquartered in Chur, Switzerland, owned by the Canton of Graubünden and operating under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HFKG). Founded in 2000, it is the only university of applied sciences serving the canton and offers bachelor's, master's, EMBA, MAS, CAS, and short-course programs across architecture, engineering, health, media/IT, business, and tourism. The institution employs 251-500 staff and enrolled over 2,000 degree students in 2025, a historic high.

FH Graubünden's technology base is built around twelve research institutes and specialised laboratories, including the DAViS institute for data analysis and AI, the IPR institute for photonics and robotics, the Swiss Institute for Information Science, and an EMV/EMC testing center. Three real-world laboratories (Prättigau/Davos, San Bernardino, Surselva) anchor regional innovation in Alpine areas. Teaching and learning delivery runs on the Moodle learning management system with embedded learning analytics.

Revenue is generated through four streams: subsidised tuition for degree programs, unsubsidised continuing education fees (CAS Event Management is priced at CHF 7,950, EMBA fees are higher), grants and contract research from SNSF, Innosuisse, EU programs, and cantonal and industry partners, and fee-for-service consulting and laboratory work supplied to regional SMEs, municipalities, and cantonal government. Distribution is direct, through on-campus enrollment, multi-city continuing education delivery across seven Swiss cities, and commissioned research and consulting through the Research and Services department. Strategic alliances include joint programs with the University of Freiburg, HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich, and HFTGR. FibAA-certified for Excellence in Digital Education, the institution reported a positive financial result for fiscal year 2025.

Name

University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons

Legal name

Fachhochschule Graubünden

Website

https://fhgr.ch

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (FH Graubünden) is a public cantonal university in Chur, Switzerland, offering bachelor's, master's, and continuing education programs to over 2,000 students, plus applied research and consulting services to regional SMEs, municipalities, and the cantonal government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Strategy, Consulting & General Management Institutes (EDAHAHAI)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Applied research
• Continuing education
• Alpine development
• Photonics and robotics

Headquarters

HQ city

Chur

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Enrolment Fees: Revenue from student tuition for bachelor's and master's degree programs (subsidized by canton/state), and from continuing education programs (CAS, DAS, MAS, EMBA) which are not government-subsidized and carry higher fees.
2. Research Contracts and Grants: Contract research funded by public bodies (Swiss National Science Foundation, Innosuisse, EU programs), cantonal government, and industry partners. Research covers applied domains including Alpine development, digital transformation, energy, and tourism.
3. Consulting and Laboratory Services: Revenue from SME center, EMC testing center, prototype development lab, and other service labs providing testing, consulting, and commissioned services to regional businesses and public institutions.
4. Continuing Education Delivery: Programs delivered jointly with partner institutions (HFTGR, HWZ, University of Freiburg) generate revenue from course fees, with alumni receiving discounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons is a public cantonal university of applied sciences that delivers accredited bachelor's and master's degree programs, continuing education (CAS, DAS, MAS, EMBA), and specialized professional courses across architecture, engineering, IT, business, information science, tourism, and health. It also provides applied research, consulting, and laboratory services (including EMC testing, photonics, robotics, usability, and data science) to regional SMEs, municipalities, and the cantonal government. Teaching and research are anchored in three thematic areas: Applied Future Technologies, Alpine Area Development, and Entrepreneurial Action.

Product overview

University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons (Fachhochschule Graubünden) operates as a comprehensive public university of applied sciences offering a portfolio of educational products spanning bachelor programs, master programs, executive education (EMBA), Master of Advanced Studies (MAS), Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), and specialized professional courses (Fachkurse). The institution is organized into research institutes (DAViS for AI and data science, IPR for photonics and robotics, SII for information science) and maintains extensive research infrastructure including specialized labs (photonics, robotics, EMV testing, usability testing) and real-world laboratories in three alpine regions. Core programs focus on Applied Future Technologies (AI, data science, robotics, optoelectronics), Alpine Development (construction, tourism, spatial planning), and Entrepreneurial Action (business administration, digital transformation). The portfolio is delivered through the Moodle learning management system alongside traditional campus-based instruction.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Programs Undergraduate degree programs across Architecture, Civil Engineering, Health (Nursing), Media/Technology/IT (AI in Software Engineering, Computational and Data Science, Engineering, MedTech, Mobile Robotics, Multimedia Production, Optoelectronics/Photonics), and Business disciplines (Betriebsökonomie, Digital Business Management, Digital Supply Chain Management, Information Science, Sport Management, Tourism). Designed for prospective undergraduate students seeking practical, applied orientation in Graubünden.
• Master Programs Graduate degree programs including Engineering (MSE) with specializations in Civil Engineering, Mechatronics and Automation, and Photonics and Laser Engineering; Digital Communication and Creative Media Production (joint with University of Freiburg); and programs in Data Visualization, New Business, Sustainable Business Development, Tourism and Change, and User Experience Design. Designed for graduate students seeking applied research orientation, often part-time alongside employment.
• Executive MBA (EMBA) Executive Master of Business Administration programs with specializations in Digital Technology and Operations, Digital Transformation, Disruptive Business Development, and General Management. Designed for senior professionals seeking advanced business credentials; not government-subsidized and priced at higher continuing education rates.
• Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) Advanced postgraduate certificates in Business Administration, eHealth, Energiewirtschaft, Sustainable Construction, Business Intelligence, and Information Science. Designed for working professionals seeking advanced continuing education credentials.
• Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) Specialized certificate programs including Event Management (CAS Event Management priced at CHF 7,950), Artificial Intelligence, Big Data Analysis, Digital Business, Business Decision Intelligence, Customer and Marketing Intelligence, Urban Forestry, Sustainable Construction, and other professional development certificates. Designed for working professionals seeking targeted skill certification.
• Specialized Courses (Fachkurse) Short professional courses including the Service Design Academy (CHF 249 per participant for the 2 half-day workshop with completion certificate), Bauleitung (construction site management), Brandschutz (fire protection), Grundlagen der Baupraxis (construction practice basics), and leadership programs. Designed for professionals seeking targeted short-format training.
• Research Labs Specialized research facilities including the Photonics and Optoelectronics Laboratory, Robotics Lab, EMV Testing Center (electromagnetic compatibility certification and compliance testing), Usability Lab, 3D Surface Measurement, and Media Lab digezz 2.0. Used for applied research projects and as commercial testing services for regional businesses and public institutions.
• Real-World Laboratories (Reallabore) Three regional innovation labs in Prättigau/Davos, San Bernardino, and Surselva functioning as living laboratories for regional innovation in Alpine areas. Support applied research, knowledge transfer, and collaboration with regional SMEs and municipalities.
• DAViS Institute (Data Analysis, AI, Visualization, Simulation) Institute focusing on data analysis, artificial intelligence, visualization, simulation, and computational science for structured and unstructured data applications. Conduct applied research and serve as a research partner for regional and international projects.
• IPR Institute (Photonics and Robotics) Institute for Photonics and Robotics conducting research in photonics, optoelectronics, laser engineering, applied robotics, mobile robotics, and image processing. Conduct applied research and provide specialized services to regional industry partners.
• SII Swiss Institute for Information Science Institute specializing in information science, knowledge management, digital transformation, information retrieval, and information lifecycle management. Conduct applied research and educate professionals in big data analysis, business intelligence, and digital decision-making.
• Moodle Learning Management System Open-source Learning Management System (Moodle) used as the central learning platform for students, providing course materials, assessments, e-learning modules, performance tracking, and Learning Analytics capabilities. Supports blended and remote learning components for enrolled students across degree and continuing education programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,000 students enrolled across bachelor's and master's programs — historic peak in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability12 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Höhere Fachschule für Tourismus & Management (HFTGR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CAS Event Management is co-developed and co-delivered by FH Graubünden and HFTGR. Both institutions are affiliated with Campus Tourismus Graubünden, an initiative of the Amt für Höhere Bildung des Kantons Graubünden. The co-study leadership is shared, with Luzi Heimgartner from HFTGR serving as Co-Study Program Leader.
• HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft ZürichcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CAS Event Management is additionally offered in collaboration with HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich. Successful CAS completions can be credited toward the Diploma of Advanced Studies in Live Communication or the Master of Advanced Studies in Live Communication awarded by HWZ.
• University of Freiburg (Université de Fribourg)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint-master program: Digital Communication and Creative Media Production is a unique collaboration between FH Graubünden and the University of Freiburg. Wolfgang Schäfer serves as the joint study program leader. The program draws on academic resources from both institutions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ostschweizer Fachhochschule (OST): Eastern Switzerland UAS formed from merger of FHO and HSR. Directly comparable in scale, applied-research orientation, and regional anchoring model, with overlapping programs in engineering, business, and architecture.
• Hochschule Luzern (HSLU): Swiss UAS with comparable applied sciences portfolio across engineering, business, social work, design, and music. Overlapping continuing education delivery in German-speaking Switzerland and comparable research institute structure.
• FHNW Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz: Major multi-campus Swiss UAS offering bachelor's, master's, and continuing education programs with strong applied research focus. Directly comparable operating model with cantonal oversight and similar portfolio breadth in engineering, business, and applied sciences.
• Berner Fachhochschule (BFH): Swiss UAS with comparable applied teaching and research portfolio across engineering, business, health, and design. Comparable funding structure under cantonal oversight and similar continuing education (CAS/MAS) monetization approach.
• Kalaidos Fachhochschule: Swiss private UAS focusing on applied bachelor, master, and continuing education programs. Comparable CAS/MAS/EMBA portfolio and similar target audience of working professionals, though privately funded.
• ZHAW Zürcher Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften: Largest Swiss UAS with broad applied sciences portfolio across technology, business, and social work. Closest direct peer as a fellow Swiss UAS with comparable applied-research orientation, continuing education offerings (CAS/MAS/EMBA), and cantonal funding structure.
• HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich: Zürich-based private Hochschule focused on business, management, and continuing education. Direct partner on the CAS Event Management program and a natural peer in the Swiss continuing education market, especially for CAS/MAS/EMBA delivery.
• HES-SO Haute école spécialisée de Suisse occidentale: Western Switzerland's largest UAS network. Comparable public UAS operating model with applied research, bachelor/master programs, and continuing education across multiple cantons and disciplines.

Emerging players

• Höhere Fachschule für Tourismus & Management (HFTGR): Smaller specialized tourism school in Graubünden and direct co-delivery partner on CAS Event Management. Comparable regional positioning, focus on tourism continuing education, and shared Campus Tourismus Graubünden affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• Universität St. Gallen (HSG): Larger, more prestigious Swiss institution with a stronger business and management focus. Competes with FH Graubünden's EMBA programs and management research, particularly in executive education for the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FH_Graubuenden
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZfL4d7qXW5Z2Z1
• Facebookfacebook.com/fhgraubuenden
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/fachhochschule-graubuenden
• Instagraminstagram.com/fhgraubuenden

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons