Schmalkalden University
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1902
- HeadquartersSchmalkalden, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Schmalkalden University does
Hochschule Schmalkalden (Schmalkalden University) is a public German university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) founded in 1902, governed and primarily funded by the Free State of Thuringia. Located in Schmalkalden, southern Thuringia, the university operates across five faculties — Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Law, and Economics — delivering 20 bachelor's programs and 18 master's programs (including dual, part-time, and distance-learning formats) to approximately 3,000 students. Its core technology stack consists of standard higher-education infrastructure (Stud.IP learning platform, HISinOne campus and research information systems, MACH ERP, Microsoft 365, MATLAB, LabView, Autodesk, Esri ArcGIS, and an in-house Nextcloud-based HSM-Cloud), with no proprietary software product of commercial significance.
The university's revenue model is dominated by public funding under target and performance agreements (Ziel- und Leistungsvereinbarung) with the Free State of Thuringia, supplemented by semester fees (including the Semesterticket for public transportation), long-term study fees, third-party research funding from BMBF, the EU, the Carl Zeiss Foundation and industry partners, and revenue from continuing education through the Zentrum für Weiterbildung and its hsm-fernstudium.de distance-learning platform. Its primary customers are prospective and current students (the main persona), alongside regional and national companies that act as dual-study practice partners and collaborative research sponsors, with secondary segments including schools, alumni, and press. Go-to-market is largely direct-to-consumer via a multi-channel digital and events strategy (monthly online information events, chatbot, virtual campus tours, podcasts, study fairs, and school outreach), supported by event-driven engagement such as E-Science Days, Engineering Week, Research Days, and career fairs.
Schmalkalden University firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Schmalkalden University
- Legal name
- Hochschule Schmalkalden
- Website
- https://hs-schmalkalden.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1902
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Schmalkalden University industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)
Keywords
Where Schmalkalden University is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Schmalkalden
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Schmalkalden University business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- State Funding (Öffentliche Finanzierung): As a German public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), the primary revenue stream is state funding from the Free State of Thuringia, based on target and performance agreements (Ziel- und Leistungsvereinbarung).
- Tuition and Fees: Semester fees including the Semesterticket for public transportation. Long-term study fees may apply for students exceeding standard program duration.
- Third-Party Research Funding (Drittmittel): Research funding from external sources including federal ministries (BMBF), European funds, industry partnerships, and foundations. Managed through the Dezernat 2 (Research and Transfer).
- Continuing Education and Distance Learning: Revenue from the Zentrum für Weiterbildung offering continuing education programs, distance learning bachelor's and master's degrees, and professional certification programs.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Semester Fee |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Long-term Study Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Schmalkalden University product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hochschule Schmalkalden is a public University of Applied Sciences in Thuringia, Germany, delivering practice-oriented higher education and applied research. Its core offering comprises 16 full-time and 4 part-time bachelor programs, 9 full-time and 9 part-time master programs, dual study programs integrated with regional companies, distance learning degrees, continuing education, and third-party funded research across five faculties (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Law, and Economics).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Zentrum für Weiterbildung: Center for Continuing Education offering part-time and distance learning programs
- Hereingeforscht.de
- Cellarius-Bibliothek
Products and services
- Bachelor Degree Programs 16 full-time and 4 part-time bachelor degree programs offered on-campus across five faculties (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Law, and Economics), targeting school graduates, career changers, and professionally qualified applicants.
- Master Degree Programs Nine full-time and nine part-time master degree programs offered across the five faculties, including dual study, practice-integrated, and distance learning formats for graduates seeking advanced specialisation.
- Dual Study Programs (Duales Studium / BISS / Studium Praxis+) Dual study programs that integrate theoretical university study with practical training at practice-partner companies, accelerating transition to employment through higher practical content and company exposure.
- Distance Learning Programs (Fernstudium) Part-time and distance learning bachelor and master programs as well as continuing education programs offered through the Zentrum für Weiterbildung via hsm-fernstudium.de for working professionals seeking flexible study formats.
- Continuing Education (Zentrum für Weiterbildung) Continuing education programs, distance learning bachelor and master degrees, and professional certification programs offered by the Zentrum für Weiterbildung (Center for Continuing Education) for professionals and companies.
- Applied Research and Third-Party Funded Projects Third-party funded applied research projects (Drittmittel) conducted via Dezernat 2 (Research and Transfer) with funding from federal ministries such as BMBF, European funds, industry partnerships, and foundations including the Carl Zeiss Foundation.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 3,000 students enrolled across 38 study programs
Companies that use Schmalkalden University
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Schmalkalden University technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
Schmalkalden University partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and moderate.
- GFE (Gesellschaft für Fertigungstechnik und Entwicklung Schmalkalden)coreGFE and the university jointly conduct research projects, organize events (such as the Schmalkalden Tool Conference/Werkzeugtagung), and share a tandem professorship (Tandemprofessur). This is a key partnership for applied research and regional economic development.
- Fraunhofer GesellschaftmoderateThe university cooperates with Fraunhofer research institutions on various research projects and technology transfer initiatives.
- Partner Universities Worldwide (ERASMUS+, MAGELLAN, Bilateral Exchange)moderateInternational partner universities enable student and staff exchanges, double degree programs, and collaborative teaching. The university maintains active ERASMUS+ agreements and bilateral exchange partnerships with universities internationally.
- FH Kufstein Tirol (Austria)moderateDouble Degree program with FH Kufstein in Electrical Engineering, allowing students to earn degrees from both institutions.
- Practice Partner Companies (Duales Studium)coreCompanies serve as practice partners for dual study programs, providing practical training components. Partners are categorized into technology, media & IT, and business & law sectors.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Schmalkalden University competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hochschule Wismar: Eastern German Fachhochschule of similar size (~3,000 students) with engineering, business, and design faculties. Closely comparable as a public, regionally anchored university of applied sciences in former eastern Germany.
- HTW Berlin: Berlin-based University of Applied Sciences with engineering, business, and computer science faculties of similar scale. Comparable as a public Fachhochschule delivering practice-oriented programs, though located in a major metropolitan area.
- Hochschule Darmstadt: German University of Applied Sciences with strong engineering, computer science, and business faculties serving a similar mid-sized student body. Directly comparable as a public Fachhochschule offering applied, practice-integrated degree programs funded primarily by state subsidies.
- Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt: Public University of Applied Sciences focused on engineering, business, and IT, with strong industry partnerships in automotive and technology sectors. Directly comparable to Schmalkalden in scale, technical orientation, and dual-study model.
- Hochschule Schmalkalden partner: FH Kufstein Tirol: Austrian University of Applied Sciences that runs a Double Degree program with Schmalkalden in Electrical Engineering. Directly comparable in size, applied-science orientation, and international exchange model.
- Hochschule Karlsruhe: Public University of Applied Sciences with engineering, computer science, business, and information science faculties. Directly comparable in institutional model, technical orientation, and state-funding structure.
- FH Aachen: Large Fachhochschule with engineering, business, and design faculties. Comparable as a public German university of applied sciences emphasizing practice-oriented teaching and industry collaboration, though larger in scale.
Broad incumbents
- Hochschule München: One of the largest German Universities of Applied Sciences, offering broad engineering, business, design, and social sciences programs. Comparable as a state-funded Fachhochschule, but materially larger and broader in scope than Schmalkalden.
Emerging players
- IU International University of Applied Sciences: Largest private university in Germany, with strong online/fernstudium offerings competing with state Fachhochschulen for working professionals. Comparable in continuing-education and distance-learning segments where Schmalkalden's Zentrum für Weiterbildung operates.
- FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university focused on part-time and dual study programs for working professionals. Competes with Schmalkalden's dual and continuing-education offerings in the same talent-development niche.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Schmalkalden University social profiles
Digital presenceSchmalkalden University financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Schmalkalden University leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Schmalkalden University funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Schmalkalden University M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Schmalkalden University
What does Schmalkalden University do?
Hochschule Schmalkalden is a public University of Applied Sciences in Thuringia, Germany, delivering practice-oriented higher education and applied research. Its core offering comprises 16 full-time and 4 part-time bachelor programs, 9 full-time and 9 part-time master programs, dual study programs integrated with regional companies, distance learning degrees, continuing education, and third-party funded research across five faculties (Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business Law, and Economics).
Is Schmalkalden University a public or private company?
Schmalkalden University is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Schmalkalden University founded?
Schmalkalden University was founded in 1902. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Schmalkalden University based?
Schmalkalden University is headquartered in Schmalkalden, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Schmalkalden University make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. State Funding (Öffentliche Finanzierung) is the primary driver. The others are tuition and Fees, third-Party Research Funding (Drittmittel) and continuing Education and Distance Learning.
Who are Schmalkalden University's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hochschule Wismar, HTW Berlin, Hochschule Darmstadt, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt, Hochschule Schmalkalden partner: FH Kufstein Tirol, Hochschule Karlsruhe and FH Aachen. Hochschule München is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are IU International University of Applied Sciences and FOM Hochschule.
Does Schmalkalden University have an API?
No public API is recorded for Schmalkalden University.
What industry is Schmalkalden University in?
Schmalkalden University's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAA, Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.