Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen) is a state-funded German university of applied sciences delivering 41 Bachelor and Master programs across six faculties to roughly 6,200 students in the Stuttgart industrial region, with applied research and Steinbeis-mediated technology transfer to the regional Mittelstand.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1868
- HeadquartersEsslingen, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Esslingen University of Applied Sciences does
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen) is a public university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften) in Esslingen am Neckar, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, funded primarily by the state of Baden-Württemberg. It operates across four physical campuses — Stadtmitte, Flandernstraße, Göppingen, and the Weststadt campus under construction — delivering 27 Bachelor and 14 Master degree programs to roughly 6,200 students taught by 224 professors across six faculties: Applied Natural Sciences / Energy and Building Technology; Computer Science and Information Technology; Mechanical and Systems Engineering; Mobility and Technology; Social Work, Education and Nursing; and Business and Technology.
The institution's functional stack consists of three integrated layers. First, degree-program delivery, supported by a HEonline campus management system for direct enrollment, a Studiengangfinder program finder on the institutional website, and modern laboratories (ANSYS, MATLAB/Simulink, TIA Portal, CNC, additive manufacturing). Second, applied research, conducted through faculty research areas, the DFG-funded Smart Factory Grids Forschungsimpuls, hydrogen and renewable-energy programs, and an expanding AI advising capability (KI@Campus chatbot series; AI-for-Mittelstand lectures). Third, technology transfer to industry, operationalized via Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren, the GründES! startup-transfer program, the Transfer-Plattform Industrie 4.0 (tpbw-i40.de), and a dedicated employer recruiting portal. The university is a member of HAWtech, HfSW, and the Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsregion Stuttgart alliance, and operates an extensive international partner-university network for student exchange and double-degree programs.
The revenue model is dominated by public state funding (Grundfinanzierung) for teaching, infrastructure, and base research, supplemented by third-party research funding from DFG, BMBF, EU programs, foundations, and industry contracts, plus fee-based continuing education (Lebenslanges Lernen) and international tuition-bearing programs. Domestic and EU students pay only a nominal semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) covering student services and a public-transport pass. The primary customer segments are prospective and current students (domestic, EU, international), the Stuttgart-region Mittelstand and global automotive employers consuming the talent pipeline and contracted R&D, lifelong learners in continuing-education programs, and secondary-school students targeted through outreach (Girls'Day, Schüler-Ingenieur-Akademie, Kinderuni).
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
- Legal name
- Hochschule Esslingen
- Website
- https://hs-esslingen.de
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1868
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen) is a state-funded German university of applied sciences delivering 41 Bachelor and Master programs across six faculties to roughly 6,200 students in the Stuttgart industrial region, with applied research and Steinbeis-mediated technology transfer to the regional Mittelstand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)
Keywords
Where Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Esslingen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Public State Funding (Grundfinanzierung): As a public university of applied sciences (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften) in Baden-Württemberg, the university is primarily funded by state government subsidies. Funding covers teaching operations, research activities, and institutional infrastructure.
- Student Tuition and Fees (Semesterbeitrag): Students pay a semester fee (Semesterbeitrag) which covers administrative services, student union (AStA), student services (Studierendenwerk), and public transportation. The tuition itself is generally free for domestic and EU students under German public higher education policy. The fee structure supports student services rather than generating institutional revenue.
- Third-Party Research Funding (Drittmittelfinanzierung): Research projects funded by external bodies including DFG (German Research Foundation), EU research programs, federal ministry grants (BMBF), industry contracts, and foundations. Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren and HAWtech alliance facilitate research collaboration and technology transfer funding.
- Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning: Fee-based continuing education programs, professional development courses, and specialized training for lifelong learners (Lebenslanges Lernen) generating supplementary revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Tuition-free degree programs for domestic/EU students |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels10 records
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences delivers higher education services through 27 Bachelor and 14 Master degree programs across six faculties covering technology, business, and social sciences. The institution supplements degree programs with applied research and technology transfer services (via Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren and Transfer-Plattform Industrie 4.0), continuing education / lifelong learning programs, and international exchange and double-degree offerings. Operations span four campus locations serving approximately 6,200 students under 224 professors.
Product overview
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Esslingen) is a German university of applied sciences offering a portfolio of 27 Bachelor and 14 Master degree programs across six faculties in the areas of technology, business, and social sciences. The institution operates four campuses (Stadtmitte, Flandernstraße, Göppingen, and Weststadt under development) and serves approximately 6,200 students under 224 professors. The degree programs include Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau B.Eng.), Vehicle Systems (Fahrzeugsysteme B.Eng.), Computer Science, Mobility and Technology, Social Work, and Business and Technology. The university does not offer a commercial software product but provides academic education services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bachelor Degree Programs (27 programs)
- Master Degree Programs (14 programs)
- Continuing Education / Lebenslanges Lernen
- International Exchange and Double Degree Programs
- Applied Research and Technology Transfer Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Ranked in top group nationally across 8 categories in CHE-Ranking 2025 for Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Steinbeis-Transfer-ZentrencoreSteinbeis-Transfer-Zentren are externally operated technology transfer centers established at or affiliated with the university, facilitating the transfer of applied research findings into commercial and industrial applications. They provide companies with direct access to university expertise and technology.
- HAWtech (Hochschulallianz für Angewandte Wissenschaften)flagshipHAWtech is an alliance of leading German universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen/HAW) that collaborate on joint research initiatives, student exchange, and shared academic standards. The alliance promotes the profile and visibility of applied sciences in Germany.
- HfSW (Hochschulföderation SüdWest)coreHfSW is a regional higher education federation of universities in southwestern Germany, coordinating joint activities in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer across member institutions in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
- Transfer-Plattform Industrie 4.0 (tpbw-i40.de)coreTransfer-Plattform Industrie 4.0 (Technology Platform Baden-Württemberg for Industry 4.0) connects universities, research institutions, and companies to promote digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies in the Baden-Württemberg economy. Esslingen participates as a knowledge transfer partner for regional SMEs.
- Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsregion StuttgartcoreThe university is a member of the Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsregion Stuttgart, a regional alliance of higher education institutions and research organizations in the Stuttgart metropolitan area, coordinating joint activities to strengthen the region's knowledge economy.
- International Partner Universities NetworkcoreExtensive network of international partner universities for student exchange, double degree programs, Freemover and short-term programs, and collaborative teaching/research. Students can spend a study semester abroad at partner institutions or pursue a Doppelabschluss (double degree).
- Studierendenwerk StuttgartminorStudierendenwerk Stuttgart is a student services organization providing affordable dining (Mensa), housing (Wohnheime), financial advisory services, and child care support to students at Esslingen and other regional universities.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights2 records
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart (HfT): Stuttgart-based sister HAW focused on architecture, civil engineering, surveying, and computer science; shares the same Stuttgart regional employer pool, faculty swap, and applied-research mission with overlapping STEM programs.
- Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart (HdM): Stuttgart-based HAW specializing in media, print, and information science; part of the same regional Hochschul- und Wissenschaftsregion Stuttgart ecosystem and competes for similar prospective students from Baden-Württemberg.
- Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW): Largest state-run HAW in Baden-Württemberg; operates the dual-study cooperative education model across multiple locations including Stuttgart, with significant overlap in applied business, engineering, and technology programs targeting similar regional employers and student cohorts.
- Hochschule München (HM): One of Germany's largest HAWs; comparable applied engineering, business, and computer science programs and a similar applied-research orientation. Serves as benchmark for scale within the German HAW sector.
- Hochschule Reutlingen (Hochschule Reutlingen): Nearby Baden-Württemberg HAW with comparable applied programs in engineering, business, and design; similar mid-size scale, applied-research mission, and international exchange footprint through a strong Americas focus.
- Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA): Baden-Württemberg HAW focused on engineering, computer science, business and information management; very similar size and program breadth, often grouped with Esslingen in state-level HAW rankings.
- Hochschule Pforzheim (Hochschule Pforzheim - Gestaltung, Technik, Wirtschaft und Recht): Baden-Württemberg HAW with strong Design, Engineering and Business programs; comparable program count and applied focus, recruiting from the same domestic pool and competing on industry partnerships in the Baden-Württemberg Mittelstand.
Others
- Steinbeis Foundation / Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren Network: The technology transfer network Esslingen uses to commercialize applied research outputs; sits at the center of the same HAW-industry technology transfer model and is the structural backbone the university's Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren operate within.
- Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (IPA / IAO institutes): Germany's largest applied research organization with major Stuttgart-area institutes (IPA, IAO) conducting applied manufacturing and digitalization research; a key ecosystem partner and competitor for industry R&D contracts in the same Mittelstand market.
Broad incumbents
- Universität Stuttgart: Full traditional university in the same Stuttgart metropolitan region with overlapping mechanical, automotive, and industrial engineering programs; not a HAW, but competing for industry research funding and STEM talent from the same regional pool.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences social profiles
Digital presenceEsslingen University of Applied Sciences financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences 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 Esslingen University of Applied Sciences
What does Esslingen University of Applied Sciences do?
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences delivers higher education services through 27 Bachelor and 14 Master degree programs across six faculties covering technology, business, and social sciences. The institution supplements degree programs with applied research and technology transfer services (via Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren and Transfer-Plattform Industrie 4.0), continuing education / lifelong learning programs, and international exchange and double-degree offerings. Operations span four campus locations serving approximately 6,200 students under 224 professors.
Is Esslingen University of Applied Sciences a public or private company?
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Esslingen University of Applied Sciences founded?
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences was founded in 1868. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Esslingen University of Applied Sciences based?
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences is headquartered in Esslingen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Esslingen University of Applied Sciences make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Public State Funding (Grundfinanzierung) is the primary driver. The others are student Tuition and Fees (Semesterbeitrag), third-Party Research Funding (Drittmittelfinanzierung) and continuing Education and Lifelong Learning.
Who are Esslingen University of Applied Sciences's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hochschule für Technik Stuttgart (HfT), Hochschule der Medien Stuttgart (HdM), Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW), Hochschule München (HM), Hochschule Reutlingen (Hochschule Reutlingen), Hochschule Karlsruhe (HKA) and Hochschule Pforzheim (Hochschule Pforzheim - Gestaltung, Technik, Wirtschaft und Recht). Others are Steinbeis Foundation / Steinbeis-Transfer-Zentren Network and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (IPA / IAO institutes). Universität Stuttgart is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Esslingen University of Applied Sciences have an API?
No public API is recorded for Esslingen University of Applied Sciences.
What industry is Esslingen University of Applied Sciences in?
Esslingen University of Applied Sciences's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAB, Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities, with a secondary code of EDAHAEAA, Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive). Its NAICS code is 6113 and its SIC code is 8200.