FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management

What FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management does

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management (FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mbH) is a private, non-profit university headquartered in Essen, Germany, founded in 1993 as an initiative of the Gemeinnützige Stiftung für Internationale Bildung und Wissenschaft. It targets working professionals, dual students (Auszubildende), and Abiturienten through more than 60 accredited bachelor's and master's degree programs across six academic departments: Wirtschaft & Management, Gesundheit & Soziales, Ingenieurwesen, IT Management, Wirtschaft & Psychologie, and Wirtschaft & Recht. With approximately 45,000 active students, over 100,000 alumni, 1,500 practitioner-teaching staff, and 30+ physical university centers, FOM describes itself as Germany's largest university for working professionals.

The platform is built on two primary delivery formats: Campus-Studium+ (in-person lectures at the 30+ centers) and Digitales Live-Studium (interactive live-streamed lectures from FOM's broadcast studios, with recordings available in a media library), supplemented by the FOM Online-Campus LMS, the GROW didactic concept that integrates practitioner experience into teaching, and dual-study / full-time / international / doctoral programs. Tuition is structured as monthly subscription installments (for example, Management B.A. totals €8,760 across 24 monthly payments of €365 plus a €500 one-time exam fee), and FOM also operates a B2B channel through more than 10,000 corporate, municipal, and association partnerships that channel dual-study positions and sponsored continuing education into the institution.

FOM's revenue model is tuition-funded subscription recurring revenue, with the B2B corporate partnership channel acting as both demand-generation and a professional-services revenue layer. The institution was the first private university in Germany to receive FIBAA system accreditation in 2012, holds renewed Wissenschaftsrat state recognition through 2030, and received the FIBAA Excellence in Digital Education Premium Seal and the 2026 StudyCheck Award first-place ranking.

Name

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management

Legal name

FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management gemeinnützige Gesellschaft mbH

Website

https://fom.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FOM University of Applied Sciences is Germany's largest private non-profit university for working professionals, delivering 60+ accredited bachelor's and master's programs to ~45,000 students across 30+ German campus centers and a Digital Live-Studium streaming platform, funded by tuition and supported by 10,000+ corporate partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Higher Education / Applied Sciences University

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA), Online International & Cross-Border Universities (Global/Transnational Providers) (EDAHALAL), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Business school programs
• Dual study programs
• Distance learning degrees
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices34 records

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: The FOM is a non-profit institution. Tuition fees are charged for bachelor's and master's programs. Revenue is fully reinvested in teaching, research, modern university centers, and digital learning formats. Flexible payment plans available.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with over 10,000 companies, associations, and municipalities to support employees' and trainees' continuing education through part-time and dual study programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

FOM is a private non-profit university of applied sciences delivering 60+ state-accredited Bachelor, Master, and doctoral programs for working professionals and high school graduates. Programs are delivered via Campus-Studium+ (in-person at 30+ German centers), Digitales Live-Studium (live-streamed interactive online lectures), dual study formats (combined with vocational training), and full-time study at the Düsseldorf campus. All programs are tuition-funded and recognized by the German state and internationally.

Product overview

FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management is a higher education institution offering a portfolio of study formats and academic programs. The core offering consists of Campus-Studium+ (in-person lectures at 30+ German locations) and Digitales Live-Studium (live-streamed interactive online lectures from FOM studios). Students can choose from over 60 Bachelor and Master degree programs across six academic departments: Wirtschaft & Management, Gesundheit & Soziales, Ingenieurwesen, IT Management, Wirtschaft & Psychologie, and Wirtschaft & Recht. Programs are available in part-time (berufsbegleitend), dual (combining studies with vocational training), or full-time formats. The institution also provides international programs, the Study into the Job program for those without employment, trial lectures, an online campus platform, doctoral programs, and student advisory services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FOM International School: International programs and study abroad opportunities for FOM students
• FOM German-Sino School

Products and services

• Campus-Studium+ (Campus Study) In-person lecture format at one of FOM's 30+ university centers across Germany, supplemented with digital learning materials (videos, podcasts, simulations). Designed for working professionals and high school graduates pursuing Bachelor or Master degrees.
• Digitales Live-Studium (Digital Live Study) Location-independent interactive online lectures streamed live from FOM's high-tech studios, with live chat and small-group interaction. Lectures are recorded and stored in a media library for on-demand review via the FOM Online-Campus.
• Duales Studium (Dual Study Program) Bachelor study program combined with vocational training, traineeship, internship, or Volontariat. Practice phases at the partner company alternate with academic lectures, delivered through Campus-Studium+ or Digital Live-Studium formats.
• Bachelor-Studium (Bachelor Programs) Over 60 accredited Bachelor degree programs covering Wirtschaft & Management, Gesundheit & Soziales, Ingenieurwesen, IT Management, Wirtschaft & Psychologie, and Wirtschaft & Recht. Designed for working professionals and Abiturienten, with no Numerus Clausus restrictions.
• Master-Studium (Master Programs) Graduate degree programs including MBA, Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Laws for career advancement into leadership positions. Available in part-time formats for working professionals.
• FOM Auslandsprogramme (FOM International Programs) Compact study abroad programs at renowned partner universities in Europe, USA, Australia, Africa, and Asia, ranging from one week to three months. Available as short programs, summer schools, and semester exchanges.
• Vollzeitstudium (Full-Time Study) Full-time Bachelor program at the FOM Campus Düsseldorf, designed for Abiturienten and including an internship or semester abroad.
• FOM Promotionsprogramme (Doctoral Programs) Doctoral programs offered in collaboration with universities in Murcia (Spain) and Sopron (Hungary) for advanced academic research.
• Study into the Job Special program allowing students to begin studies without a current job, Ausbildungsplatz, traineeship, internship, or Volontariat. FOM supports participants in finding a suitable position during the first three semesters via its corporate partner network. Recognized with the Hochschulperle award by Stifterverband.
• Management (B.A.) Bachelor program specifically designed for experienced professionals with recognized advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsfortbildung), allowing direct entry into the 4th semester and completion in 4 semesters instead of 7. Total tuition 8,760 Euro paid in 24 monthly installments of 365 Euro, plus a one-time 500 Euro examination fee; tax-deductible as continuing education.

Quantifiable outcome

• >80% of bachelor's students successfully complete their studies
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor technology and engineering corporation partnering with FOM for employee development through part-time and dual study programs. Siemens is part of the network of over 10,000 cooperation partners supporting FOM's mission to provide work-relevant higher education.
• Deutsche Telekom AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelecommunications giant collaborating with FOM to support employee education. Deutsche Telekom sponsors dual study positions enabling trainees to combine vocational training with university studies.
• Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational media, services, and education company partnering with FOM for employee development and talent development programs.
• IBM Deutschland GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company collaborating with FOM on employee education. IBM has specifically highlighted FOM's part-time study programs for developing engaged junior talent with high motivation and focus.
• ALDI SÜDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRetail company partnering with FOM to support employee career development through part-time study programs.
• Landeshauptstadt MünchencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Munich partnering with FOM as a municipal cooperation partner to support employee continuing education and development.
• Deloitte GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional services firm collaborating with FOM on employee education and development programs for staff advancement.
• thyssenkrupp AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial conglomerate partnering with FOM for employee development through part-time and dual study programs.
• Deutsche Post AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLogistics company collaborating with FOM for dual study programs. HR leadership has highlighted that dual students can build careers within the organization.
• Klinikum DarmstadtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital supporting employees in continuing education through FOM's part-time study programs, particularly in nursing academization initiatives.
• opta data GruppeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare services company using FOM partnerships to show career perspectives to applicants and support employee development.
• Vibe Group Deutschland GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStaffing company organizing 'Bachelor Dual Day' events with FOM for authentic recruitment connecting talents with companies.
• International Partner UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of partner universities enabling students to gain international experience through study abroad programs, summer schools, and exchanges in Europe, USA, Australia, Africa, and Asia.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule Macromedia: Private German university with multiple campuses focused on business, media, and management programs; targets similar career-oriented learners and competes with FOM in dual and part-time study programs.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private German university with multiple campuses offering bachelor's and master's programs in business, health, and design; competes with FOM for working professionals and dual-study applicants, including through digital and hybrid formats.
• BSP Business and Law School: Berlin-based private university offering business, law, and psychology programs in full-time, part-time, and dual formats; comparable private German Fachhochschule competing for working professionals and dual-study applicants.
• AKAD University: Germany's largest distance-learning university, offering part-time bachelor and master programs primarily online to working professionals; overlaps with FOM's Digital Live-Studium and continuing-education positioning.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with a primarily online model serving working professionals; directly competes with FOM on part-time bachelor's and master's programs in business, IT, and health, with a heavier emphasis on digital delivery and lower price points.
• Hochschule Wismar (Distance Learning): Public German university with a substantial distance-learning portfolio (WINGS) targeting working professionals; competes with FOM's Digital Live-Studium offerings in business and engineering at typically lower tuition.
• FHDW Fachhochschule der Wirtschaft: Private German university of applied sciences with dual and part-time bachelor/master programs in business and technology; mirrors FOM's dual-study, corporate-partnership-driven model at smaller scale.
• SRH Hochschule: Private German university group operating multiple campuses with part-time and dual study programs aimed at working professionals; closely comparable target audience, program mix, and corporate partnership model to FOM.

Broad incumbents

• The Open University (UK): UK-based public distance-learning university offering flexible undergraduate and postgraduate programs to working professionals; long-established global benchmark for the digital, lifelong-learning model FOM is pursuing in Germany.
• Western Governors University: US online-first, competency-based nonprofit university serving working adults; provides a relevant international benchmark for FOM's digital, self-paced model scaled to tens of thousands of students.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@FomDe
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fom-hochschule
• Instagraminstagram.com/fom.hochschule
• Xx.com/fomhochschule
• Facebookfacebook.com/fom

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management