What FHDW Hannover does

FHDW Hannover (legal name: Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover) is a private, non-profit university of applied sciences founded in 1996 and headquartered in Hannover, Lower Saxony, Germany. It delivers state-recognized bachelor, master, certificate, and doctoral (DBA) programs in business administration (BWL), computer science (Informatik), and business informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik), taught via in-person lectures, hybrid formats, and digital learning management systems rather than a proprietary technology platform. Programs run from undergraduate bachelor tracks (6-7 semesters, 180-210 ECTS) through accelerated 18-month master degrees (90-120 ECTS, 740-825 EUR/month plus exam fees) and a part-time DBA, with a certificate portfolio (190-390 EUR/month) covering Controlling, Data Science, Risk Management, Insurance Management, International Marketing, and Sales Management.

The institution generates revenue primarily through tuition fees and corporate sponsorships, having no state funding. Roughly 75% of students are sponsored by a network of over 200 corporate partners — including Hannover Re, Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge, WERTGARANTIE, ROSSMANN, TÜV NORD, and HannIT — which pay tuition and provide training salaries in exchange for access to a curated talent pipeline. The remaining ~25% self-finance via part-time work, loans, scholarships, or family support. Distribution is hybrid: direct enrollment through an online application portal (B2C), corporate sponsorship through a dedicated partnership team (B2B), and co-developed programs with Hochschule Hannover (joint MBA), Lehrgangswerk Haas (integrated tax advisor exam prep), and Hogeschool van Amsterdam (International Marketing certificate).

FHDW Hannover operates from a single newly built/renovated campus at Freundallee 15 in Hannover, has fewer than 5,000 enrolled students, and is led by President Prof. Dr. Stefan Bieler. The university is accredited by ZEvA, has ERASMUS status for international exchange, and has been named StudyCheck's 'Beliebteste Hochschule Deutschlands' for five consecutive years (2021-2025) in the under-5,000-students category, with its Informatics program placed in the CHE national top group for 2024/2025.

Name

FHDW Hannover

Legal name

Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover

Website

https://fhdw-hannover.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FHDW Hannover is a private, non-profit university of applied sciences in Hannover, Germany, founded 1996, offering state-recognized bachelor, master, certificate, and DBA programs in business administration, computer science, and business informatics, with ~75% of students sponsored by 200+ corporate partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Online Graduate Schools (Master’s & Doctoral Programs) (EDAHALAD), Management Research Institutes & Doctoral (PhD/DBA) Programs (EDAHAHAO)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Business administration degrees
• Practice-integrated study programs
• Professional certificate programs
• Private university of applied sciences

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees from students: As a private nonprofit university without state funding, FHDW Hannover charges tuition fees for its degree programs. Most students (approximately 75%) are sponsored by partner companies which pay tuition and provide an apprenticeship/training salary. About 25% of students self-finance through internship stipends, part-time work, loans, scholarships, or family support.
2. Corporate partnership sponsorship: Companies pay for student sponsorships in practice-integrated programs and gain access to a talent pipeline of FHDW graduates. This B2B revenue stream supports the majority of students' tuition costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FHDW Hannover is a private, non-profit university of applied sciences delivering state-recognized Bachelor, Master, and doctoral (DBA) degree programs in Business Administration, Computer Science, Business Informatics, Taxation, Insurance Management, and Business Data Analytics. Teaching combines in-person and hybrid online lectures with practice phases at over 200 corporate partners, and is supplemented by a portfolio of professional certificate programs (e.g., Controlling, Risk Management, International Marketing, Sales Management). Approximately 75% of students are sponsored by partner companies, with the remaining ~25% self-financing tuition through stipends, loans, scholarships, or family support.

Product overview

FHDW Hannover is a private, non-profit university of applied sciences offering a comprehensive portfolio of state-recognized academic degree programs and professional certificate courses. The portfolio consists of: (1) Bachelor programs in Business Administration (BWL), Computer Science (Informatik), and Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik) delivered full-time or part-time for Fachwirte; (2) Master programs in Controlling/Finanzen/Risikomanagement, Business Data Analytics, Taxation, Versicherungsmanagement, and Marketing- und Vertriebsmanagement at the graduate level; (3) Six professional certificate programs (Controlling, Data Science, Risk Management, Management von Versicherungsunternehmen, International Marketing, Vertriebsmanagement) building on Master-level content with 9-20 ECTS credits; and (4) a doctoral program (DBA) for part-time research. The programs integrate practical industry partnerships with over 200 companies and emphasize digital transformation topics across business and technology disciplines.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FHDW Zertifikate: Certificate programs in areas such as Controlling, Data Science, Risk Management, Management of Insurance Companies, International Marketing, and Sales Management offered at master level.

Products and services

• Bachelor-Studiengänge Betriebswirtschaftslehre (BWL) Full-time Bachelor degree programs in Business Administration (BWL) with specializations including Versicherungswirtschaft, Consulting & Business Transformation, International Management, Steuern und Revisionswesen, and Unternehmertum und Mittelstandsmanagement. Programs run 6 semesters (180 ECTS) or 7 semesters (210 ECTS). State-recognized university degree aimed at school graduates and career changers.
• Bachelor-Studiengänge Informatik / Wirtschaftsinformatik Full-time Bachelor degree programs in Computer Science (Informatik) and Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik) with focus on digital transformation. Wirtschaftsinformatik awards 210 ECTS over 7 semesters. State-recognized university degree aimed at prospective IT students.
• Bachelor für Fachwirte Part-time Bachelor program for certified professionals (Fachwirte) to earn a full academic degree. Awards 180 ECTS over 5 semesters. Start: January. Aimed at working professionals who already hold Fachwirt certifications.
• Master of Science: Controlling, Finanzen und Risikomanagement Full-time Master program (90 ECTS) in Controlling, Finance, and Risk Management, completed in 18 months. Prepares for leadership positions in corporate finance and risk management. Tuition: 740 EUR per month plus 1,665 EUR examination fee. Aimed at graduates seeking finance and risk management leadership roles.
• Master of Science: Business Data Analytics Full-time Master program (120 ECTS) in Business Data Analytics combining Data Science, Business Analytics, and Management. Completed in 18 months. Covers Machine Learning, Data Science Programming, and Business Intelligence. Tuition: 780 EUR per month plus 1,800 EUR examination fee (from Jan 2027: 15,840 EUR total). Aimed at graduates pursuing data analytics careers.
• Master of Arts: Taxation Full-time Master program (90 ECTS) in Taxation completed in 18 months. Includes preparation course for the German Tax Advisor exam (Steuerberaterprüfung) in cooperation with Lehrgangswerk Haas. Tuition: 825 EUR per month plus 2,070 EUR examination fee. Reduces practical experience requirement to 2 years for tax advisor licensing. Aimed at graduates pursuing German tax advisor careers.
• Master of Science: Versicherungsmanagement Full-time Master program (120 ECTS) in Insurance Management completed in 18 months. Focuses on digital transformation, regulation, and demography in the insurance industry. Offers specializations in Controlling, Finanzen und Risiko; Business Analytics; or Vertrieb und Marketing. Aimed at graduates entering the insurance sector.
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) Part-time doctoral program leading to the internationally recognized Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree. Completed in 3 years with intensive supervision. Designed for working professionals seeking career advancement or an academic career.
• Zertifikat Controlling Certificate program in Controlling covering analytical and design aspects of operational, strategic, process-oriented, and value-oriented controlling. Awards credit points applicable to Master programs. Aimed at working professionals seeking targeted upskilling in controlling.
• Zertifikat Data Science Certificate program in Data Science based on a Machine Learning module, supplemented by Data Science Programming and a Data Science Research Seminar. Awards credit points applicable to Master programs. Aimed at professionals building applied data science skills.
• Zertifikat Risk Management Certificate program (10 ECTS) in Risk Management covering operative and strategic risk management at Master level. Modules include risk management processes, Three-Lines-of-Defence, COSO, and ISO 31000 standards. Duration: 6 months. Aimed at risk professionals.
• Zertifikat Management von Versicherungsunternehmen Certificate program (20 ECTS) in Insurance Company Management covering insurance supervision, insurance economics, financial management, and actuarial methods. Duration: 9 months. Start: April. Tuition: 390 EUR per month. Aimed at insurance industry professionals.
• Zertifikat International Marketing English-taught certificate program (9 ECTS) in International Marketing covering international business and export marketing, with a joint export project partnership with Hogeschool van Amsterdam including reciprocal student visits. Duration: 6 months. Tuition: 290 EUR per month. Aimed at professionals seeking international marketing expertise.
• Zertifikat Vertriebsmanagement Certificate program (14 ECTS) in Sales Management covering sales strategy, sales processes, sales planning, behavioral psychology, and consumer behavior. Duration: 15 months. Start: January. Tuition: 190 EUR per month. Maximum 25 students per year. Aimed at sales professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% recommendation rate on StudyCheck in 2025 (111 reviews, 4.48/5 stars)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• hannoverimpulscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 September 2025FHDW Hannover and hannoverimpuls (Hannover's economic development agency) jointly promote entrepreneurship and startup culture. The partnership supports student and graduate founders through startup programs, connecting academic talent with the local startup ecosystem.
• Lehrgangswerk HaascoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022The Taxation master program is co-developed with Lehrgangswerk Haas, which delivers the integrated tax advisor exam preparation course (12-week intensive course). This partnership enables FHDW students to complete both the master's degree and tax advisor exam preparation through a single program, with the course fee included in tuition.
• VGSG (Volkswagen Gebrauchtfahrzeughandels und Service GmbH)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 February 2022VGSG handles remarketing of used Volkswagen commercial vehicles. The company is a corporate partner of FHDW Hannover and sponsors students in practice-integrated study programs.
• WERTGARANTIE GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022Major insurance and guarantee services provider headquartered in Hannover. With over 780 employees (approx. 490 in Hannover), four specialty insurers under one roof, and over 6 million customers across 7 countries, WERTGARANTIE is a key corporate partner sponsoring FHDW students and recruiting graduates.
• Volkswagen NutzfahrzeugecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022Major corporate partner and employer. Volkswagen Nutzfahrzeuge sponsors students and provides practical training opportunities for FHDW students.
• Hannover RecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022One of the world's largest reinsurance companies, headquartered in Hannover. Corporate partner that sponsors students and recruits FHDW graduates.
• TÜV NORDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022Corporate partner and major technical inspection and certification services company. Recruits and sponsors FHDW students.
• ROSSMANNminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022Major drugstore retail chain headquartered in Burgwedel near Hannover. Corporate partner that sponsors students and recruits FHDW graduates.
• HannITminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 February 2022IT services company and corporate partner of FHDW Hannover, sponsoring students in IT-related programs.
• Gehrke Econ GruppeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 14 February 2022Corporate partner in tax consulting, auditing, legal consulting, and business consulting. With over 200 employees, they offer practice-integrated study opportunities for FHDW students.
• ASWO International Service GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 11 February 2022ASWO is a corporate partner of FHDW Hannover. The company supplies spare parts and repair know-how for consumer electronics and household appliances across 28 European locations, serving 80,000 customers with over 450 employees.
• creative NETWORK GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 February 2022Corporate partner providing software development services. Supports FHDW students with practical training opportunities.
• Genossenschaftsverband (Genoverband)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 3 February 2022Genoverband is a corporate partner serving approx. 2,600 cooperatives in 14 German states with over 2,000 employees. They provide auditing, support, and consulting services and recruit FHDW students.
• Hochschule HannovercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 February 2022FHDW Hannover and Hochschule Hannover jointly offer the MBA program 'Mittelständische Unternehmensführung' (MUMBA). The program targets engineers, scientists, and IT professionals seeking to qualify for company leadership or succession in medium-sized enterprises.
• Hogeschool van AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022International academic partnership for the International Marketing certificate program. Students complete a joint export project with Dutch students, including reciprocal visits (FHDW Hannover and Amsterdam). The Hogeschool van Amsterdam provides international project coaching and hosts the final presentation week.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with distance-learning and dual-study formats across business, IT, and adjacent fields. Directly comparable in BWL/Informatik portfolio, tuition-based revenue model, and target of self-financed plus corporate-sponsored students.
• accadis Hochschule Bad Homburg: Small private business school with dual-study model and corporate partnerships focused on BWL programs. Closely comparable in scale (under 5,000 students), private Fachhochschule structure, and corporate-sponsorship revenue mix.
• FOM Hochschule: Largest private university in Germany for working professionals, with dual-study and corporate-sponsorship model across business and IT. Closest direct comparable to FHDW Hannover in target segment, revenue model, and Fachhochschule positioning, though at significantly larger scale.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private university of applied sciences with practice-oriented business, digital, and media programs across German campuses. Comparable in private Fachhochschule positioning, tuition-based revenue, and corporate-partner employer base.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private university of applied sciences with practice-integrated study model and strong employer partnerships across business and engineering. Comparable in Fachhochschule status, tuition model, and corporate-sponsorship channel.
• EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht: Private university focused on business and law with strong corporate partnerships and practice-integrated programs. Comparable in BWL-centric portfolio, private tuition model, and employer-sponsored student channel.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private university of applied sciences with multiple German locations, offering business, psychology, and technology programs. Comparable Fachhochschule model with similar tuition-based funding and practice-integrated degree structure.
• ISM International School of Management: Private business school with multiple German locations, English-taught programs, and corporate partnership network. Directly comparable on BWL focus, Fachhochschule credentials, and dual-study employer relationships.
• PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen: Private university with similar size and focus on business administration and technology, including dual-study programs with corporate partners. Comparable niche private-Hochschule positioning and Lower Saxony regional footprint.

Regional players

• Hochschule Hannover: Public university of applied sciences in Hannover, which co-delivers the MBA program "Mittelständische Unternehmensführung" (MUMBA) with FHDW. Regional competitor for Hannover-based students but public funding model and broader program mix differ materially.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FHDW_Hannover
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnnBkKwT0xH9lrOIWAqIHXQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/FHDW.HANNOVER
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fhdw-hannover
• Instagraminstagram.com/fhdw_hannover

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 FHDW Hannover