University of Applied Sciences Leipzig
HfTL was a private University of Applied Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, offering accredited Bachelor's and Master's programs in telecommunications and informatics. Owned by Deutsche Telekom AG, it operated from 1953 until its 2022 closure, graduating approximately 19,546 students.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1953
- HeadquartersLeipzig, Germany
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What University of Applied Sciences Leipzig does
Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig (HfTL), branded in English as the University of Applied Sciences Leipzig, was a private Fachhochschule that operated in Leipzig, Germany from September 11, 1953 until December 31, 2022. Originally established as a training school for postal workers in the GDR, it transitioned into a telecommunications-focused university of applied sciences after German reunification. Its distinguishing structural feature was sole sponsorship by Deutsche Telekom AG (since 1995), making it the only university in Germany owned by a DAX40-listed company; ownership was later transferred to HfTL Trägergesellschaft mbH, a wholly-owned Deutsche Telekom subsidiary, in autumn 2014.
The institution delivered accredited Bachelor's and Master's programs in Communications and Media Informatics, Applied Computer Science, Business Informatics, and Information and Communication Technology through three study formats — direct study (Vollzeitstudium), dual study (duales Studium) integrated with Deutsche Telekom practical placements, and part-time continuing education (berufsbegleitendes Studium). Teaching was practice-oriented, supported by modern laboratory equipment at the Gustav-Freytag-Straße and Brandenburger Straße campuses (~8,000 sqm of teaching space by 1998), with research collaborations involving Deutsche Telekom T-Labs, Testzentrum Nürnberg, IHK Leipzig, TU Cottbus, TU Ilmenau, and international partners in Dublin and Bratislava.
HfTL graduated approximately 19,546 students over its lifetime (9,791 direct-study and 9,755 distance-learning), with the final cohort enrolled in 2017 and operations formally wound down on December 31, 2022. In 2018, Deutsche Telekom endowed the Faculty of Digital Transformation at the state-owned HTWK Leipzig — offering two Bachelor's and one Master's program in ICT Engineering and Telecommunications Informatics — as the strategic successor arrangement, resolving conflicts between corporate governance and academic freedom that had characterized the single-sponsor model.
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- University of Applied Sciences Leipzig
- Legal name
- HfTL Trägergesellschaft mbH
- Website
- https://hft-leipzig.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1953
- Operating status
- Closed
- Short description
- HfTL was a private University of Applied Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, offering accredited Bachelor's and Master's programs in telecommunications and informatics. Owned by Deutsche Telekom AG, it operated from 1953 until its 2022 closure, graduating approximately 19,546 students.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Higher Education
- NAICS
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (61151)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)
Keywords
Where University of Applied Sciences Leipzig is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leipzig
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig (HfTL) was a private university offering accredited Bachelor and Master degree programs in communications and media informatics, applied computer science, business informatics, information and communication technology, and telecommunications informatics. Programs were delivered in three formats: direct study (on-campus full-time), dual study (integrated classroom and industry practice at Deutsche Telekom), and part-time/continuing education study. The university was uniquely sponsored by Deutsche Telekom AG, providing students with industry-integrated practical training, modern laboratory equipment, and direct research access to T-Labs.
Product overview
Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig (HfTL) was a private university in telecommunications and informatics, operated by Deutsche Telekom AG and closed on December 31, 2022. The institution offered accredited study programs across three study forms: direct study (Vollzeitstudium), dual study (Duales Studium), and part-time/continuing education study (Berufsbegleitendes Studium). Programs included Communications and Media Informatics, Applied Computer Science, Business Informatics, Information and Communication Technology, and Telecommunications Informatics at Bachelor and Master levels. The institution conducted practice-oriented research in collaboration with Deutsche Telekom subsidiaries and partner universities. Following closure, the Deutsche Telekom-funded Faculty of Digital Transformation at HTWK Leipzig continues offering ICT and telecommunications engineering programs, maintaining the educational legacy through Kooperation with the Saxon state.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kommunikations- und Medieninformatik (Communications and Media Informatics)
Quantifiable outcome
- 19,546 total graduates (9,791 direct studies + 9,755 distance learning) before transformation
Companies that use University of Applied Sciences Leipzig
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HTWK Leipzig (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig)coreFollowing HfTL's closure on December 31, 2022, the Deutsche Telekom AG endowed the 'Faculty of Digital Transformation' at HTWK Leipzig to continue offering Bachelor and Master programs in ICT Engineering and Telecommunications Informatics. This represents a strategic continuation of teaching and research activities.
- Deutsche Telekom AGcoreDeutsche Telekom AG was the founding and sole trustee of HfTL since 1995, providing industry expertise, practical training opportunities, modern technology, and research collaborations through T-Labs and Testzentrum Nürnberg. The company endowed the Faculty of Digital Transformation at HTWK Leipzig to continue the educational mission.
- IHK Leipzig (Industrie- und Handelskammer Leipzig)minorRegional cooperation for research projects in computer science and electromagnetic compatibility. IHK Leipzig collaborated on research projects that provided practical experience for students.
- TU CottbusminorOver-regional research partnership for Next Generation Networks research collaboration.
- TU IlmenauminorOver-regional research partnership for telecommunications and informatics research.
- Partnerhochschule DublinminorInternational research collaboration on Radio over Fiber technology with the Dublin partner university.
- Partnerhochschule BratislavaminorInternational research collaboration on Next Generation Networks with the Bratislava partner university and Slovak Telecom, a subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG.
- Slovak TelecomminorResearch collaboration on Next Generation Networks with Slovak Telecom, a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary, conducted with students and the Bratislava partner university.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights3 records
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- HTWK Leipzig (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig): State university of applied sciences in Leipzig that absorbed HfTL's teaching mission via the Deutsche Telekom-endowed Faculty of Digital Transformation from 2018. Most direct comparator as successor institution offering equivalent ICT and telecommunications programs.
- Hochschule Darmstadt (h_da): Large German university of applied sciences with strong programs in electrical engineering, computer science, and telecommunications informatics. Closely comparable Fachhochschule model and subject mix.
- TU Ilmenau: Public technical university specializing in telecommunications, information technology, and media. Listed as HfTL's direct research partner and a competitor for telecommunications-focused students in central Germany.
- SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private, industry-oriented German university of applied sciences with practice-oriented programs including computer science and business informatics. Similar private, practice-oriented German Fachhochschule positioning.
- Berufsakademie Sachsen (BA Sachsen): State-recognized dual study institution in Saxony offering cooperative education programs combining theory and practice. Closely comparable dual-study model in the same geographic region as HfTL.
- FOM Hochschule: Large private German university of applied sciences with significant dual study and part-time programs in business informatics and ICT. Closely comparable business model for working professionals and dual study formats.
- Technische Hochschule Wildau (TH Wildau): German university of applied sciences near Berlin with strong focus on ICT, telecommunications, and business informatics; comparable Fachhochschule structure and technical program portfolio.
Emerging players
- Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA): Industry-sponsored technical university in Germany originally founded by the German mining industry; structurally analogous to HfTL as a corporate-sponsored Fachhochschule with practice-oriented technical education.
Broad incumbents
- TU Dresden: Major public technical university in Saxony offering electrical engineering, computer science, and telecommunications programs with substantially broader scope. Regional incumbent competitor for technical talent in Saxony during HfTL's operating years.
- Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin): Large Berlin-based university of applied sciences with a business informatics and engineering portfolio. Broader than HfTL but overlapping in dual-study business informatics offerings.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig social profiles
Digital presenceUniversity of Applied Sciences Leipzig financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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University of Applied Sciences Leipzig M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about University of Applied Sciences Leipzig
What does University of Applied Sciences Leipzig do?
Hochschule für Telekommunikation Leipzig (HfTL) was a private university offering accredited Bachelor and Master degree programs in communications and media informatics, applied computer science, business informatics, information and communication technology, and telecommunications informatics. Programs were delivered in three formats: direct study (on-campus full-time), dual study (integrated classroom and industry practice at Deutsche Telekom), and part-time/continuing education study. The university was uniquely sponsored by Deutsche Telekom AG, providing students with industry-integrated practical training, modern laboratory equipment, and direct research access to T-Labs.
Is University of Applied Sciences Leipzig a public or private company?
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently closed.
When was University of Applied Sciences Leipzig founded?
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig was founded in 1953.
Where is University of Applied Sciences Leipzig based?
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig is headquartered in Leipzig, Germany, in the Europe region.
Who are University of Applied Sciences Leipzig's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are HTWK Leipzig (Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig), Hochschule Darmstadt (h_da), TU Ilmenau, SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Berufsakademie Sachsen (BA Sachsen), FOM Hochschule and Technische Hochschule Wildau (TH Wildau). Technische Hochschule Georg Agricola (THGA) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are TU Dresden and Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin).
Does University of Applied Sciences Leipzig have an API?
No public API is recorded for University of Applied Sciences Leipzig.
What industry is University of Applied Sciences Leipzig in?
University of Applied Sciences Leipzig's product category is Higher Education. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAEAA, Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive), with a secondary code of EDAHAEAF, Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities. Its NAICS code is 611310 and its SIC code is 8200.