Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln, Germany

Name

Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln, Germany

Legal name

Rheinische Hochschule Köln gGmbH

Website

https://rfh-koeln.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: As a private university in non-profit (gemeinnütziger) Trägerschaft, RH Köln generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged to students. The institution offers a Gebührenordnung (fee schedule) document outlining tuition costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Rheinische Hochschule Köln is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences offering 20 bachelor's and 16 master's degree programmes across health, engineering, business, IT, law, design, and psychology, delivered via full-time, part-time, and dual-study formats. It supplements degree programmes with continuing education (Weiterbildung), additional qualification seminars, an online student portal, and applied research through four transfer centers. Tuition and fees are the primary revenue stream, with state-recognized accreditation and a corporate partner ecosystem supporting practice-oriented learning.

Product overview

Rheinische Hochschule Köln (RH Köln) is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften) in Cologne, Germany, operated by the non-profit Rheinische Stiftung für Bildung. The institution offers a portfolio of 20 bachelor's and 16 master's degree programs across six academic areas: Gesundheit & Biomedizin, Ingenieurwesen & Technik, Wirtschaft & Management, Marketing, Medien & Design, Psychologie, and Informatik & Digitalisierung. Programs are available in full-time, part-time (berufsbegleitend), and dual study formats. The university also provides continuing education (Weiterbildung) programs, additional qualification seminars (Zusatzqualifikationen), and a student portal for academic administration. Research is supported through four transfer centers focusing on intelligent production systems, sustainable energy, applied AI/digital transformation, and entrepreneurship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelorstudiengänge (Bachelor Degree Programmes) Undergraduate degree programmes across health, engineering, business, IT, law, design, and psychology disciplines, offered in full-time, part-time (berufsbegleitend), and dual study formats for prospective students with Abitur, Fachabitur, or equivalent eligibility.
• Masterstudiengänge (Master Degree Programmes) Graduate degree programmes including specialised master's degrees in health economics, technical management, sustainable engineering, digital business, AI, IT security, UX design, compliance, and psychology, plus an MBA International Business, offered to bachelor's graduates and working professionals.
• Weiterbildung (Continuing Education) Professional development and continuing education programmes offered alongside or after full-time or part-time studies, designed for career advancement and lifelong learning.
• Zusatzqualifikationen (Additional Qualifications) Seminars and certification programmes that complement degree studies, providing specialised skills and certificates such as MS Excel and word processing to enhance future job applications.
• Duales Studium (Dual Study Programme) Dual study arrangement combining academic study at Rheinische Hochschule Köln with practical phases at corporate partners such as AXA, Bechtle, Deutz, Gothaer, Sopra Steria, WDR, Zurich, and the City of Cologne.
• Startup@RFH Startup support programme and entrepreneurship initiatives providing resources and mentorship to RH Köln students and graduates who are founding new ventures.
• Transferzentren (Research Transfer Centers) Applied research and knowledge transfer centers covering Intelligent Production Systems (TIP), Sustainable Energy Systems (LNES), Applied AI & Digital & Sustainable Transformation, and Founding, Leadership & Culture.
• International Exchange Programme (Outgoings & Incomings) International mobility programme enabling RH Köln students to study abroad (Outgoings) and admitting international students to study at RH Köln (Incomings) through partnerships with international institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Small class sizes of max 30-40 students per lecture
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• AXAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAXA is listed as one of the corporate partners in RH Köln's partner network. The partnership enables practice-oriented study opportunities and career entry points for students in insurance, health, and business-related programmes.
• BechtleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBechtle AG, an IT services and consulting company, is listed as a corporate partner. The partnership supports IT, Wirtschaftsinformatik, and digital transformation programmes with practical project opportunities.
• BG ETEM (Berufsgenossenschaft Energie Textil Elektro Medienerzeugnisse)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBG ETEM is listed as a partner, potentially supporting programmes related to occupational safety, engineering, and media sectors.
• Deutz AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutz AG, a manufacturer of drive systems and engines, is a listed partner. The partnership likely supports Maschinenbau (Mechanical Engineering), Mechatronik, and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen programmes with practical industrial projects.
• Gothaer VersicherungenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGothaer Versicherungen is listed as a corporate partner, supporting insurance, risk management, and business-related programmes with practical training opportunities.
• Stadt KölnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe City of Cologne (Stadt Köln) is listed as a partner, potentially supporting public administration, urban management, and civic engagement programmes.
• Sopra SteriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSopra Steria, a European consulting firm, is listed as a corporate partner. The partnership likely supports IT, digital transformation, and business consulting programmes.
• WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWDR, the West German Broadcasting Corporation, is listed as a partner. The partnership supports Mediendesign, Medienmanagement, and journalism-related programmes with practical projects in media production.
• Zurich VersicherungenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZurich Versicherungen (Zurich Insurance) is listed as a partner, supporting insurance, risk, and business programmes with practical industry exposure.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Universität Witten/Herdecke: Germany's first private university, non-profit foundation-owned, offering programmes across medicine, business, and humanities. Comparable in non-profit foundation ownership and broad disciplinary scope, but a broader portfolio than RH Köln.

Direct peers

• HMKW Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft: Private, state-recognised HAW in media, communication, and business, with practice-oriented teaching and a Berlin/Cologne footprint. Direct competitor for RH Köln's media and business programmes in the Cologne market.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university, offering state-recognised Bachelor's, Master's, and dual study programmes with strong online and on-campus delivery. Competes with RH Köln for the same tuition-paying students across overlapping subjects (business, IT, design, health).
• Hochschule Macromedia: State-recognised private HAW focused on media, management, journalism, and design programmes with multiple German campuses. Competes head-on with RH Köln's marketing/medien/design portfolio and small-group teaching model.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private, state-recognised German HAW group with practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's programmes in business, health, design, and engineering across multiple cities. Closely comparable scope and teaching philosophy to RH Köln.
• DIPLOMA Hochschule: Private, state-recognised German HAW offering Bachelor's, Master's, and continuing education programmes primarily in distance-learning and hybrid formats — competing with RH Köln for the same tuition-paying, working-professional segments.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private, state-recognised German HAW offering Bachelor's, Master's, and dual study programmes with a small-group teaching model and international focus — directly comparable to RH Köln's pedagogical and programme approach.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private, state-recognised German university with strong business, law, and MBA programmes. Comparable to RH Köln's business and law faculties and to its corporate partner network approach.
• ISM International School of Management: Private, state-recognised German business school offering Bachelor's and Master's programmes with international focus and small cohorts. Comparable to RH Köln in business, marketing, and international programme positioning.
• FOM Hochschule: One of Germany's largest private universities of applied sciences, with a practice-oriented, employer-adjacent model, large berufsbegleitend programme portfolio, and dual study options across many cities — directly comparable to RH Köln's positioning and target audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClYzKxJNJA8LGsLD60PioTQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rheinische-fachhochschule-neuss
• Instagraminstagram.com/rheinischehochschulekoeln
• TikToktiktok.com/@rheinischehochschule
• Xx.com/rfhkoeln
• Facebookfacebook.com/rfhkoeln

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Rheinische Fachhochschule Köln, Germany