Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

What Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences does

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Darmstadt, h_da) is a German public university structured as a Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts under the Hessian Higher Education Act, with primary funding from the State of Hesse via the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts. Founded in 1876 and headquartered at Schöfferstraße 3 in Darmstadt, the institution operates 12 faculties across two campuses (Darmstadt and Dieburg's Mediencampus), covering architecture, engineering, computer science, mathematics and natural sciences, media, design, social sciences, social work, and business administration. The Darmstadt Business School sub-brand delivers an MBA (General Management and TECH tracks) at €27,900 tuition in full-time (16-month) and part-time (24-month) formats, including hybrid and live-online delivery, while most degree programs are state-funded with minimal tuition beyond ~€401/semester fees.

The university runs applied research programs in cybersecurity (notably through the ATHENE National Research Center based at h_da), biometrics and internet security, computer vision, big data, embedded systems, and human-computer interaction. Recent output includes published work on facial recognition bypass detection using a proprietary 1,600+ image dataset and the Nearby Glasses Android app for detecting smart glasses via Bluetooth Low Energy. Distribution occurs through on-campus programs, dual study arrangements with industry partners, Erasmus and EUt+ alliance exchanges, and dedicated digital marketing across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Customers are prospective students (primarily German high-school graduates seeking applied-sciences degrees) and international MBA candidates; recruitment channels include the meet@h_da career fair, mach_das! info days, and online info sessions.

Strategic positioning emphasizes practice-oriented education with industry-experienced faculty, internationalization through the European University of Technology alliance (8 European partner universities), and applied research with direct industry relevance. Major employer partners for graduate recruitment include BASF, Continental, Evonik, Lufthansa, Mercedes Benz, Merck, Software AG, and Telekom Deutschland. The institution holds system accreditation from the German Accreditation Council, GDPR compliance certification, and recent recognition including the 2024 National ESD Award (German UNESCO Commission / BMBF) and 2025 Top 10 Promising B-Schools in Germany.

Name

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

Hochschule Darmstadt / European University of Technology

Website

https://h-da.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1876

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences is a German public university with 12 faculties across two campuses, offering state-funded applied-sciences degrees plus a fee-based MBA program. It serves prospective students and working professionals, anchored by EUt+ alliance membership and ATHENE cybersecurity research.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Applied Sciences)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK), Applied Research & Innovation Universities (EDAHAEAE), Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Applied sciences
• University degree programs
• MBA programs
• Engineering education

Headquarters

HQ city

Darmstadt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 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 Fees - MBA Program: The university generates revenue through tuition fees for professional programs such as the MBA. The Darmstadt MBA charges €27,900 tuition for both full-time and part-time programs, plus semester fees of approximately €401 per semester. Payment can be made in monthly or semester installments.
2. State Funding and Public Budget: As a German public university (Hochschule Darmstadt), the institution receives government funding from the state of Hesse for education and research activities, in accordance with Hessian Higher Education Act.
3. Semester Fees: All students pay semester fees covering public transport ticket, Call a Bike discount, and various student services. Approximately €401 per semester for regular programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences is a public German university offering practice-oriented degree programs (Bachelor, Master, and MBA) across 12 faculties spanning engineering, computer science, mathematics, natural sciences, media, design, social sciences, social work, architecture, and business administration. The institution also runs an applied research portfolio in cybersecurity, biometrics, computer vision, big data, embedded systems, and human-computer interaction, and provides continuing professional education through the Darmstadt Business School's MBA programs (General Management and MBA TECH).

Product overview

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) is a public university offering applied science education across 12 faculties. The institution operates as a multi-product educational services platform with distinct programs spanning the Darmstadt MBA (General Management and TECH tracks), Media programs (Animation & Game, Augmented/Virtual Reality Design, Expanded Media, International Media Cultural Work, Media Technology and Society, Motion Pictures, Online Journalism, Online Communication, Sound/Music Production, User Experience Design), Computer Science, Applied Mathematics and Data Science, Optics Technology and Image Processing, Mechanical Engineering, and Social Work. The university leverages digital learning platforms (Moodle/Learning Management System) and maintains international partnerships through the European University of Technology alliance (EUT+).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Darmstadt Business School: Business school division offering MBA programs including the Darmstadt MBA with specialization in general management and technology management.
• Mediencampus Dieburg

Products and services

• The Darmstadt MBA A Master of Business Administration program offered in full-time (16 months) and part-time (24 months) modes, available as hybrid (on-campus and online) or live-online only. Specializations include MBA General Management and MBA TECH focusing on new technology management with AI, digital business models, IT security, and SAP. Targeted at working professionals with 3+ years of experience, including international applicants.
• Nearby Glasses Android App An Android application developed by a deputy professor at h_da that detects nearby smart glasses (e.g., Ray-Ban Meta AI Glasses) by scanning Bluetooth Low Energy advertising data for manufacturer identifiers, addressing privacy concerns about recording devices.
• Computer Science Degree Programs (Bachelor and Master) Bachelor and Master programs in Computer Science offered at the Faculty of Informatics (Fachbereich Informatik), including specializations in Communication and Media in Computer Science, and dual study options. Targeted at prospective students seeking applied computer science education with cybersecurity and embedded systems focus.
• Applied Mathematics and Data Science Programs Bachelor and Master programs in Applied Mathematics and a Master program in Data Science at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Also includes Optics Technology and Image Processing programs. Targeted at prospective students seeking quantitative and data-oriented degrees.
• Mechanical Engineering and Plastics Technology Programs Bachelor and Master programs at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Plastics Technology including General Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering, Mechatronics, and Automobile Development. Targeted at prospective students seeking engineering degrees with strong industry orientation.
• Media Programs (Mediencampus Dieburg) Bachelor and Master programs at the Mediencampus Dieburg in Animation & Game, Augmented and Virtual Reality Design, Expanded Media, International Media Cultural Work, Media Technology and Society, Motion Pictures, Online Journalism, Online Communication, Sound/Music Production, and User Experience Design. Several are English-language and international. Targeted at prospective students seeking media, design, and creative industry careers.
• Social Work Programs Bachelor and Master programs in Social Work at h_da including specializations in Migration and Globalization, Psychomotorics, and Generational Relations. Programs lead to state recognition in social work. Targeted at prospective students seeking careers in social work and related fields.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 99% detection rates for faces on T-shirts achieved in facial recognition bypass research
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• European University of Technology EUt+coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlagship strategic alliance with 8 European partner universities: Università degli Studi di Cassino e del Lazio Meridionale (UNICAS, Italy), Technical University of Sofia (TUS, Bulgaria), Cyprus University of Technology (CUT), Université de Troyes (UTT, France), Technological University Dublin (TUD, Ireland), Riga Technical University (RTU, Latvia), Technical University Cluj-Napoca (UTCN, Romania), and Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena (UPCT, Spain). Joint programs in study, research, transfer, and mobility.
• HAW HessencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlliance of Universities of Applied Sciences in Hesse, Germany, promoting cooperation and shared standards in applied sciences education.
• HAWTechcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHochschulallianz HAWtech - alliance of applied sciences universities in Germany for enhanced cooperation and visibility.
• ATHENE National Research Center for Applied CybersecuritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with ATHENE, the German National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity, based at h_da. Focus on applied cybersecurity research and development.
• Dual Study Practice PartnersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVarious companies serve as practice partners for dual study programs, providing practical work experience components for students while they study.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin): Large Berlin-based public HAW with parallel faculties in engineering, computer science, business, and design. Comparable in size, governance structure (public corporation under state law), and applied research mandate to h_da.
• Hochschule RheinMain: Another public HAW in Hesse, located near Darmstadt, offering engineering, design, and business programs under the same Hessian Higher Education Act and state-funding structure. Direct regional peer competing for the same in-state applicants and dual study partners.
• Technische Hochschule Köln (TH Köln): One of Germany's largest public universities of applied sciences, with comparable breadth across engineering, media, computer science, and business faculties. TH Köln competes with h_da for international applicants, dual study partnerships, and applied research funding under the same national HAW framework.
• Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA): Baden-Württemberg public HAW with engineering, computer science, business, and media programs. HKA shares the HAWTech alliance with h_da and competes in the same federal applied-research funding pools, making it a structurally close peer.
• Riga Technical University: Core EUt+ alliance partner alongside h_da, with parallel engineering, computer science, and applied research profile. Direct peer for joint programs, student mobility, and EU-funded research collaboration within the European University of Technology alliance.
• Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences: Frankfurt UAS is a public German Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften in Hesse with a similar faculty structure spanning engineering, computer science, business, and design. It is the closest geographic and structural peer to h_da, sharing the same state-funding model and competing for the same regional applicant pool.
• Cyprus University of Technology: EUt+ alliance partner offering applied sciences, engineering, and technology programs. Comparable applied orientation and EU-funded research participation to h_da, with joint-degree and mobility cooperation under EUt+.
• Technical University of Sofia: EUt+ alliance member offering engineering, computer science, and applied technology programs. Comparable technical scope and applied orientation to h_da, with explicit collaboration on joint study, research, and mobility.

Broad incumbents

• Technische Universität Darmstadt: Adjacent full research university in Darmstadt with substantially larger federal/DFG research funding and broader technical scope. Functions as the regional incumbent against which h_da positions its practice-oriented, applied-science differentiator.

Emerging players

• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with a strong applied-science and part-time/MBA focus targeting working professionals. While privately funded rather than state-funded, FOM competes with h_da's MBA and continuing-education offerings for the same fee-paying professional segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSYGMjIiutDZ8ZfueCXFIpw
• Facebookfacebook.com/hochschuleda
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hochschule-darmstadt
• Instagraminstagram.com/hochschuledarmstadt
• TikToktiktok.com/@hochschuledarmstadt
• Xx.com/h_da

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences