German University for Prevention and Health Management

What German University for Prevention and Health Management does

Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement (DHfPG) is a state-recognized, permanently accredited private university headquartered in Saarbrücken, Germany, specializing exclusively in dual bachelor's and master's degree programs in prevention, health management, fitness, sports economics, sports and movement therapy, fitness training, nutritional counseling, and sport/health informatics. The institution operates a portfolio of 7 bachelor's programs, 5 master's programs, a doctoral preparation program conducted in cooperation with the Medical Faculty of Universität des Saarlandes, and over 100 continuing education modules, enrolling approximately 8,400 students alongside a network of 4,300+ corporate training partners.

The core technology consists of a distance-learning (Fernstudium) model combined with compact in-person presence phases at 11 study centers across Germany (10), Austria (Vienna/Maria Enzersdorf), and Switzerland (Zürich), delivered through the ILIAS-E-Campus learning management system. The dual study system integrates academic study with paid practical training at partner fitness studios, health centers, and corporate employers, supported by a related job portal (aufstiegsjobs.de), an annual industry congress (Aufstiegskongress), and partnerships with industry bodies including DVGS, DSSV, Deloitte, and SAFS.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition fees paid by students (with corporate training partners often co-funding dual-study placements) and continuing education/corporate training partnerships. GTM is sales-led via website, study-finder tools, info events, and direct consultation (phone, WhatsApp, callback service). The institution is privately held as a GmbH under owner and Managing Director Johannes Marx, with no disclosed parent company or external shareholders, and is recognized by Wissenschaftsrat, accredited by AHPGS, and described as a leading private university in the German health sector.

Name

German University for Prevention and Health Management

Legal name

Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement GmbH

Website

https://dhfpg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement (DHfPG) is a state-recognized private German university offering dual bachelor's, master's, and doctoral-preparation programs in prevention, fitness, health management, and sports economics, serving approximately 8,400 students and 4,300+ corporate training partners through 11 DACH-region study centers and a distance-learning platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Saarbrücken

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Students pay tuition fees for degree programs. Dual study model may involve training agreements with companies where employers cover costs.
2. Corporate Training Partnerships: Companies (Ausbildungsbetriebe) partner with DHfPG to train employees through dual study programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

DHfPG is a state-recognized private university delivering dual bachelor's and master's degree programs in prevention, fitness, health management, sports economics, sports and movement therapy, nutritional counseling, and sports/health informatics. Programs are delivered through a hybrid model combining distance learning via the ILIAS-E-Campus platform with compact in-person presence phases at 11 study centers across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, integrated with practical training at partner companies. The university also offers a doctoral preparation program with Universität des Saarlandes, more than 100 continuing education courses, and an annual industry congress (Aufstiegskongress).

Product overview

The German University for Prevention and Health Management (DHfPG) is an accredited private university offering a comprehensive portfolio of dual study programs. The core offerings include 7 dual bachelor's degree programs (Bachelor of Arts in Fitnessökonomie, Gesundheitsmanagement, Sportökonomie, Sport- und Bewegungstherapie, Fitnesstraining, Ernährungsberatung, and Bachelor of Science in Sport-/Gesundheitsinformatik) and 5 master's programs (Master of Arts in Sport- und Bewegungstherapie, Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement, Sportökonomie, Fitnessökonomie, plus an MBA in Sport-/Gesundheitsmanagement). Supporting these academic offerings is the ILIAS-E-Campus learning management system for distance learning, the Aufstiegskongress annual industry conference, the Aufstiegsjobs.de career platform, and over 100 continuing education modules. The university also maintains a doctoral preparation program in cooperation with Universität des Saarlandes. Together, these products serve the prevention, fitness, sports, and health management market.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• aufstiegsjobs.de: A dedicated job portal operated by DHfPG in partnership with BSA-Akademie, serving companies and job seekers in the prevention, health, nutrition, fitness, sports, and informatics sector.
• BSA-Akademie
• ILIAS E-Campus

Products and services

• Fitnesstraining - Bachelor of Arts Dual bachelor's program focused on fitness training methodologies and exercise science, combining theoretical distance learning with practical gym experience at partner companies; prepares students for fitness training careers.
• Ernährungsberatung - Bachelor of Arts Dual bachelor's program in nutritional counseling meeting DGE (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung) certification requirements for qualified nutrition advisors, combining academic study with practical training.
• Sport-/Gesundheitsinformatik - Bachelor of Science Dual bachelor's program (B.Sc.) combining sports and health sciences with informatics, preparing students for digital health technology and sports/health informatics roles.
• Sport- und Bewegungstherapie - Master of Arts Master's program for advanced study in sports and movement therapy, developing expertise in therapeutic exercise prescription, evaluation, and research; includes DVGS certification options.
• Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement - Master of Arts Master's program focused on prevention and health management, with options for BBGM (Betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement) certification and DVGS credentials.
• Sportökonomie - Master of Arts Master's program in sports economics developing advanced competencies in sports business management and market analysis.
• Fitnesstraining - Bachelor of Arts (Bachelor) and Fitnesstraining Focus (Master Programs) Combined bachelor and master offerings in fitness economics (Fitnessökonomie) preparing graduates for management and leadership roles in the fitness and health industry, delivered via dual study format.
• Sport-/Gesundheitsmanagement - MBA Master of Business Administration program specializing in sports and health management, providing comprehensive business education for leadership roles in the sport and health sector.
• Graduiertenprogramm (Doctoral Preparation Program) Doctoral preparation program conducted in cooperation with the Medical Faculty of Universität des Saarlandes, supporting students through seminars, workshops, and colloquia toward completing a doctorate in health sciences.
• Hochschulweiterbildungen (University Continuing Education) Over 100 university-level continuing education courses for professional development in prevention, fitness, health, nutrition, and sports, offered to industry professionals for ongoing qualification.
• ILIAS-E-Campus (Learning Management System) Online learning management system providing distance learning materials, study resources, and digital campus access to enrolled DHfPG students.
• Aufstiegsjobs.de Job Exchange Platform Job board platform developed together with BSA-Akademie connecting companies with DHfPG students and graduates in the prevention, health, nutrition, fitness, and sports sector.
• Career Service Career service offering WhatsApp support, job exchange access via Aufstiegsjobs.de, and personal counseling for DHfPG students and graduates transitioning into the workforce.
• Aufstiegskongress (Annual Industry Congress) Annual industry congress for the fitness and health sector featuring keynote speakers, expert presentations, and networking opportunities for approximately 1,000 industry participants.

Quantifiable outcome

• Sector leadership with 8,000+ students and 4,300+ partner companies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• DVGS (Deutscher Verband für Gesundheitssport und Sporttherapie)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Long-standing partnership since 2016 expanded in 2025 to exclusive, indefinite nationwide transfer of DVGS training programs to DHfPG and BSA-Akademie. Focus on professionalizing sports and movement therapy education with comprehensive training certifications and continuing education licenses.
• SAFS Hochschule für Bewegungs- und GesundheitsmanagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwiss partner offering DHfPG programs in Switzerland. In 2024, SAFS established its own accredited university based on DHfPG's dual study model. Joint DACH fitness market studies conducted with scientific leadership from both institutions.
• DSSV e.V. (Arbeitgeberverband deutscher Fitness- und Gesundheits-Anlagen)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on annual 'Eckdaten der deutschen Fitnesswirtschaft' studies with Deloitte. DHfPG provides scientific leadership for comprehensive fitness industry market analysis covering Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• DeloittemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authorship of annual fitness industry market studies with DSSV and DHfPG. Deloitte provides industry expertise and co-authors the comprehensive fitness market data reports.
• Universität des Saarlandes (UdS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate program partnership where UdS Medical Faculty provides organizational supervision and support for doctoral candidates through seminars, workshops, and colloquia on path to promotion.
• Trainerakademie KölnminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducation partnership allowing graduates of the Trainer diploma program to continue with master's studies at DHfPG.
• milongroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVisit and deepening collaboration mentioned. milongroup CEO visited DHfPG headquarters to discuss partnership.
• BSA-AkademiecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated institution under same management (Johannes Marx) offering continuing education alongside DHfPG degree programs. Joint job portal 'aufstiegsjobs.de' operated together.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BSP Business & Law School: Private German university offering dual and part-time bachelor's and master's programs, including business and health-adjacent programs. Comparable to DHfPG on dual-study architecture, private-sector positioning, and working-adult target segment.
• IST-Hochschule für Management: Private German university focused on sports, fitness, health management, tourism, and communication. Closely comparable to DHfPG in subject-matter specialization (fitness/health), private-sector model, and degree portfolio structure.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Large private German university group with extensive health, therapy, and psychology programs (including Carl Remigius Medical School). Comparable to DHfPG as a private-sector provider of applied health degrees with a multi-campus footprint.
• FOM Hochschule: Private German university specializing in dual and part-time study programs for working professionals. Comparable to DHfPG on the dual-study architecture, working-adult target segment, and corporate-partner-driven model.

Broad incumbents

• SRH Hochschulen: Group of private German universities offering applied programs including therapy, health, and engineering. Comparable to DHfPG as a broader private higher education incumbent with health-adjacent offerings, though with a much wider program scope.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university, offering hundreds of degree programs including health management via distance and dual study. Comparable to DHfPG on private distance-learning + dual-study architecture, but with vastly broader portfolio and scale.

Others

• FernUniversität in Hagen: Germany's public distance-learning university. Comparable to DHfPG on the Fernstudium + presence-phase delivery model, but as a public incumbent rather than a private-sector peer.
• Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg (Euro-FH): Private German distance-learning university offering bachelor's and master's programs. Comparable to DHfPG on the Fernstudium architecture and private-sector delivery, though with a broader, less health-focused portfolio.

Emerging players

• HMU Health and Medical University Potsdam: Private university specializing in medicine, health, and psychology. Comparable to DHfPG in health-sector niche focus and private German higher education positioning.
• Medical School Berlin (MSB): Private, state-recognized university focused on health, psychology, and medical programs. Comparable to DHfPG as a private German institution competing for the same health-sector student pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCP2QaFNHX80mme-eLtoMKoA
• Facebookfacebook.com/deutschehochschule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dhfpg
• Instagraminstagram.com/dhfpg
• TikToktiktok.com/@dhfpg
• Xx.com/dhfpg_de

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 German University for Prevention and Health Management