AKAD University

What AKAD University does

AKAD University, operating as AKAD Bildungsgesellschaft mbH, is Germany's first state-recognized private distance learning university, headquartered in Stuttgart and founded in 1959. It delivers fully online Bachelor, Master, MBA, and continuing education programs through its proprietary AKAD Campus learning platform, which serves as a combined virtual lecture hall, library, examination room, and student networking hub. The academic portfolio spans more than 65 Bologna-compliant degree programs and over 120 academic continuing education offerings across four faculties: Technik & Informatik, Gesundheit & Soziales, Kommunikation & Kultur, and Wirtschaft & Management, with notable recent additions including B.Sc. and M.Sc. programs in Künstliche Intelligenz and AI-themed Hochschulzertifikate.

The business model is primarily a recurring monthly subscription tuition structure (€97-166 per month depending on program, plus a €960 examination fee) targeting working professionals who study while employed, complemented by a B2B corporate training motion serving 200+ enterprise partners including Allianz, BASF, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Bahn, Siemens, Telekom, and Lufthansa. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer online enrollment, inside sales consultation, AWIN affiliate partnerships, and corporate field sales. All programs carry official ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht) approval plus ACQUIN and ZEvA accreditations, and AKAD is part of the Galileo Global Education Germany network alongside Macromedia University, PFH Göttingen, and Cours Florent.

The institution differentiates through regulatory incumbency (pioneer state recognition since 1959), a 96% examination success rate among admitted students, daily flexible study start dates, AI-supported learning models (KI-gestützte Lernmodelle) integrated into the campus platform, and a Goethe-Institut partnership pathway for international students. Additional monetization includes the AKAD Plus premium support add-on. Operational oversight is provided by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Arts and the ZFU in Köln.

Name

AKAD University

Legal name

AKAD Bildungsgesellschaft mbH

Website

https://www.akad.de/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Short description

AKAD University is Germany's first state-recognized distance learning university, headquartered in Stuttgart, delivering fully online Bachelor, Master, MBA, and continuing education programs via its AKAD Campus platform to working professionals and 200+ corporate partners across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Distance Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Online Graduate Schools (Master’s & Doctoral Programs) (EDAHALAD)

Keywords

• Distance learning university
• Online degree programs
• Continuing education certificates
• Corporate training programs
• Higher education

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Distance Learning Tuition (Subscription): Monthly subscription-based tuition fees for Bachelor, Master, MBA programs and continuing education courses. Students pay recurring monthly fees throughout their study period. Prices range from €97-166/month depending on program. One-time examination fees of €960 also apply.
2. Program-Specific Fees: Individual program enrollment with specific fee structures for certificates, nanodegrees, and specialized continuing education. Each program has its own pricing tier (e.g., Expert:in Business Intelligence €124/month, IT-Manager:in €104/month).
3. Corporate Training (B2B): Enterprise partnerships with 200+ companies including Allianz, BASF, BMW, Bosch for employee education and corporate training programs. Companies sponsor or subsidize employee tuition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AKAD University is Germany's first state-recognized distance learning university, delivering 100% online Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, and academic continuing-education programs through the proprietary AKAD Campus learning platform. Programs span Engineering, Computer Science, Health & Social Sciences, Communication & Culture, and Economics & Management, with monthly-subscription tuition, daily start dates, online examinations, and dedicated student coaching for working adults.

Product overview

AKAD University operates as a comprehensive digital distance learning platform offering over 65 state-certified Bologna-compatible study programs and more than 120 academic professional development certifications. The core product is the AKAD Campus online learning platform, which serves as a unified digital hub combining virtual lecture hall, library, examination room, and student networking features. The portfolio is organized into four academic faculties: Technik & Informatik (Engineering & Computer Science), Gesundheit & Sozialwissenschaften (Health & Social Sciences), Internationale Kommunikation & Kultur (International Communication & Culture), and Wirtschaft & Management (Economics & Management). Program types include Bachelor degrees (B.Eng., B.A., B.Sc.), Master degrees (M.Eng., M.A., M.Sc.), MBA programs, and Hochschulzertifikat professional certifications. The platform includes AI-supported learning models (KI-gestützte Lernmodelle) and the premium AKAD Plus support add-on. Technology-focused programs include specialized AI tracks such as the Künstliche Intelligenz (M.Sc.), Expert:in Business Intelligence, and Spezialist:in Industrial Data Science certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor-Studiengänge (Bachelor's Degree Programs) State-certified online Bachelor's degree programs (B.Eng., B.Sc., B.A.) for working adults and career changers, structured per the Bologna framework and offered across Engineering & Computer Science, Health & Social Sciences, Communication & Culture, and Economics & Management. Enrollees pay a monthly subscription tuition and study at their own pace via AKAD Campus with daily start dates and on-demand online exams.
• Master & MBA Programs State-certified online Master's degree programs (M.Sc., M.Eng., M.A.) and MBA programs for professionals seeking advanced qualifications, including specialized tracks in Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Digital Health, IT Management, Digital Management & Leadership, Medical Leadership, and General Management. Delivered via AKAD Campus with monthly subscription tuition; select programs include a Sprint accelerated-completion variant and a bundled free Master with Bachelor completion.
• Akademische Weiterbildungen (Academic Continuing Education & Certificates) Over 120 ZFU-approved academic continuing-education programs (Hochschulzertifikate, Nanodegrees, and Fach-Techniker qualifications) for working professionals and career changers seeking targeted upskilling. Categories span technician certificates (Elektrotechnik, Maschinenbau, Mechatronik), IT specializations (Business Intelligence Expert, IT-Manager, Big Data, Industrial Data Science, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Mathematik, Datenbanken), health-care credentials (Pflegemanagement, Psychologische:r Ersthelfer:in), translations (Staatlich geprüfte:r Übersetzer:in, Fachübersetzen, business language), and business qualifications (Usability/UX, Bilanzbuchhalter IHK, Betriebswirt). Delivered online with monthly subscription pricing and ZFU approval numbers (e.g., 180618c, 138009c, 135407c).
• AKAD Campus (Online-Campus Platform) The proprietary AKAD Campus online learning platform combines a virtual lecture hall, digital library, online examination room, and student-networking space in one always-accessible digital environment. It provides structured study organization, 24/7 access, interactive digital modules, examination capability, and personalized learning resources for all enrolled students of AKAD University.
• Expert:in Business Intelligence (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification program covering Big Data management, Business Intelligence systems, data visualization, and data analysis with 25 ECTS credits. Designed for IT and data professionals seeking formal BI credentials via a fully online continuing-education track.
• IT-Manager:in (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification in IT management covering process analysis, IT strategy, IT architecture, and IT security management with 15 ECTS credits. Targets professionals moving into IT-management or IT-project-leadership roles.
• Spezialist:in Industrial Data Science (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification covering Smart Factory concepts, Business Intelligence, learning algorithms, neural networks, and non-standard databases for industrial applications. Targets data- and Industry-4.0-focused technical professionals.
• Spezialist:in Wirtschaftsinformatik (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification covering business informatics fundamentals, software development, database systems, and usability/user experience. Suited for IT generalists and professionals working at the interface of business and IT.
• Manager:in für IT-Projekte (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification in IT project management covering classical and agile methodologies with 20 ECTS credits. Designed for IT professionals moving into project- or program-management roles.
• Spezialist:in Big Data (Hochschulzertifikat) Professional certification covering database systems, statistics for data analysis, and Business Intelligence with 20 ECTS credits. Targets data-engineering and analytics professionals seeking formal Big Data credentials.
• Mathematik Nanodegree (Hochschulzertifikat) Compact certification covering mathematical foundations including sets, linear equation systems, functions, and applications for business and technical contexts. Positioned as an entry-level Nanodegree with no admission requirements.
• Künstliche Intelligenz (M.Sc.) Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence covering advanced topics including generative AI, foundation models, deep learning, and the ethical dimensions of AI deployment. Targets professionals transitioning into or advancing within AI engineering and research roles.
• Data Science (M.Sc.) Master of Science in Data Science focusing on statistical analysis, machine learning, and big data analytics. Designed for professionals moving into senior data-science or analytics roles.
• Digital Management und Leadership (MBA) MBA program focusing on digital leadership, transformation management, and strategic digital business skills. Targets senior managers and executives leading digital-transformation initiatives.
• Medical Leadership (MBA) Specialized MBA program combining healthcare management with leadership competencies for medical professionals. Designed for physicians and clinical leaders moving into senior management roles.
• Corporate Training / B2B-Studium für Unternehmen Enterprise education offering under which AKAD delivers customized distance-learning and continuing-education programs to corporate partners (e.g., Allianz, BASF, BMW, Bosch, Deutsche Bahn, Deutsche Telekom, Lufthansa School of Business, Merck, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, TUI) for employee upskilling, reskilling, and retention. Companies sponsor or subsidize employee tuition and benefit from AKAD's accredited portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% success rate in final examinations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Goethe-InstitutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLanguage education partnership offering German courses for international students. AKAD provides 10% discount on Goethe-Institut courses and up to €350 reimbursement upon enrollment. Students can complete C1 level German certification required for AKAD admission.
• Galileo Global Education GermanycoreOthersParent company/network. AKAD is part of Galileo Global Education Germany network which also includes PFH Göttingen (private university), Macromedia University, and Cours Florent. Network provides shared recruitment portal and cross-institution opportunities.
• AWIN (Affiliate Partner Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAffiliate marketing partnership for promoting AKAD study programs. Publishers earn commissions for referring students who enroll.
• Mittelstand Café (Online Magazine)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partnership providing business tips and practical content for AKAD students and participants. Free access for AKAD community.
• European Association for Distance Learning (EADL)minorOthersProfessional association membership for distance learning institutions. Provides networking and industry standards participation.
• Forum DistancE-LearningminorOthersGerman industry association for distance learning providers. Membership in professional network.
• Verband der Privaten Hochschulen (VPH)minorOthersAssociation membership representing private higher education institutions in Germany.
• bwcon (Baden-Württemberg: connected)minorOthersInnovation network partnership for Baden-Württemberg. Provides access to regional business and innovation ecosystem.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IU International University of Applied Sciences: Germany's largest private Fernhochschule with state recognition, offering a broad catalog of Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs online and on-campus. Directly comparable in target market, delivery model, and program breadth to AKAD.
• PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen: Sister institution within the Galileo Global Education Germany network offering state-recognized Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs with distance learning options. Comparable in target audience, delivery model, and regulatory standing.
• HFH Hamburger Fern-Hochschule: State-recognized private distance learning university in Germany offering Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs online. Directly comparable in delivery format, regulatory position, and target segment of working professionals.
• FernUniversität in Hagen: Germany's largest public distance learning university, offering Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs primarily through Fernstudium. Directly comparable to AKAD as a Fernhochschule serving working professionals, though publicly funded and not-for-profit.
• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with a strong dual-study and distance learning offering, including evening and weekend formats for working professionals. Comparable in serving employed adult learners seeking accredited degrees.
• Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg: Private state-recognized Fernhochschule in Hamburg with online Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs. Directly comparable as a German distance learning university competing for the same working professional audience.
• SRH Fernhochschule – The Mobile University: Private state-recognized distance learning university part of SRH, offering Bachelor, Master, and continuing education programs online. Directly comparable in business model, regulatory status, and target audience of working professionals.
• Macromedia University: Sister institution within Galileo Global Education Germany, offering Bachelor, Master, and MBA programs with online/distance learning options. Directly comparable as a private German higher education provider serving similar professional audiences.

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule Fresenius: Large private German university group offering both on-campus and online/distance learning Bachelor and Master programs. Comparable overlap with AKAD in online Bachelor/Master programs, but operates a broader portfolio including campus-based vocational programs.

Regional players

• Universität Koblenz-Landau (ZFU-registered Fernstudium): Public German university with ZFU-registered distance learning continuing education offerings. Comparable as a German-language distance learning provider but more limited in degree program breadth and primarily a public institution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/AKADuniversity
• Facebookfacebook.com/akaduniversity
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/school/akad-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/akaduniversity
• TikToktiktok.com/@akad.university
• Xx.com/AKAD_GmbH

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AKAD University