Nordakademie Elmshorn

What Nordakademie Elmshorn does

Nordakademie Elmshorn (legal name: NORDAKADEMIE Hochschule der Wirtschaft) is a private university of applied sciences founded in 1992 and headquartered in Elmshorn, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It operates a dual study model that alternates campus-based academic phases with company-based practical training phases, awarding academic credit for practical work via 'Transferleistungen' assessments. The institution runs dual Bachelor's programmes in Business Administration, Business Engineering, Business Informatics, IT-Engineering, and Software Engineering at its 18,000 m² Elmshorn campus, and part-time professional Master programmes (including Applied AI, Applied Data Science & AI Management, Digital Marketing Management, Financial Management & Accounting, General Management, HR-Management & Business Psychology, Business Engineering, Business Informatics/IT-Management, and an MBA) at its Hamburg Dockland campus.

The underlying technology consists of a proprietary Campus Informationssystem (CIS) student portal and the Digital Learning Campus (DLC) — a digital learning environment that hosts the AI-Ideation Workshop format and the in-house developed DASC-PM v2.0 methodology for data science and AI project management. The Studium Generale seminar programme adds over 100 elective seminars covering personality development, management, and specialist topics. International pathways include a transatlantic dual degree in Engineering & Management with the College of Charleston (South Carolina, USA).

The business model is a hybrid of corporate-funded and student-paid tuition. Partner companies (900+ since founding, 300+ active at any time) fund tuition fees for dual Bachelor students during the standard 7-semester study period and additionally pay a monthly training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung); students pay zero tuition for the Bachelor programme. Part-time Master students pay their own fees according to a publicly available Gebührenordnung (fee schedule). Continuing education certificates in Sustainability, AI, and Leadership provide a third revenue stream. The institution serves three segments in parallel: school-leavers seeking tuition-free Bachelor's degrees, employed professionals pursuing part-time Master's qualifications, and partner companies seeking preferential access to a graduate pipeline with 3.5 years of company-specific work experience.

Name

Nordakademie Elmshorn

Legal name

NORDAKADEMIE Hochschule der Wirtschaft

Website

https://nordakademie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nordakademie Elmshorn is a private German university of applied sciences offering dual Bachelor's and part-time Master's programmes that combine academic study with practical training at over 900 partner companies, serving school-leavers, employed professionals, and corporate recruiters in northern Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dual/Joint Degree Programs (International) (EDAIABAD)

Keywords

• Dual study programs
• Higher education
• Vocational training
• Applied sciences
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Elmshorn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Dual Bachelor – Company Tuition Funding: Partner companies pay the tuition fees for dual Bachelor's students during the standard period of study and also provide a monthly training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung). Students pay no tuition fees themselves.
2. Part-time Professional Master – Student Fees: Fees for the part-time professional Master's programmes are paid by the students themselves. A fee schedule (Gebührenordnung) is publicly available as a PDF.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Nordakademie Elmshorn is a private university of applied sciences (Hochschule der Wirtschaft) that delivers dual study programs combining academic coursework at the university with practical training at 900+ partner companies. It offers Dual Bachelor's degree programs (B.Sc.) across business administration, business engineering, business informatics, IT engineering, and software engineering; part-time professional Master's degrees (M.Sc./MBA) for working professionals in fields such as Applied AI, Data Science, Digital Marketing, HR Management, and General Management; and continuing education certificates covering sustainability, AI, and leadership. Partner companies fund Bachelor's tuition and pay a monthly training allowance, while Master's students pay tuition fees themselves.

Product overview

Nordakademie is a private university of applied sciences (Hochschule der Wirtschaft) offering a dual study model that combines academic education with practical training at partner companies. The institution operates two campuses in northern Germany (Elmshorn and Hamburg) and provides three main educational offerings: Dual Bachelor's Degree Programs (B.Sc.) in Business Administration, Business Engineering, Business Informatics, IT Engineering, and Software Engineering; Part-time Professional Master's Programs (M.Sc./MBA) including Applied Artificial Intelligence, Applied Data Science & AI Management, Digital Marketing Management, Financial Management & Accounting, General Management, HR-Management & Business Psychology, Business Engineering, Business Informatics/IT-Management, and MBA; and Certificate Programs & Continuing Education modules covering Sustainability, AI, and Leadership topics. The institution also offers Studium Generale (interdisciplinary seminars), foreign language instruction, and international exchange programs through its International Office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dual Bachelor's Degree Programs (Duales Bachelor-Studium) Seven-semester dual study Bachelor's programs (B.Sc.) combining academic coursework at the Elmshorn campus with practical training at partner companies. Programs include Business Administration (BWL), Business Engineering (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen), Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik), IT Engineering (IT-Engineering), and Software Engineering. Tuition is fully funded by partner companies during the standard study period, and students receive a monthly training allowance (Ausbildungsvergütung). 400 graduates per year.
• Part-time Professional Master's Programs (Master berufsbegleitend)

Quantifiable outcome

• 400 Bachelor graduates per year enter the workforce immediately with 3.5 years of company-specific work experience
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature4 records

Partnerships

34 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AccenturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1992Global management consulting and professional services firm. As a partner company of NORDAKADEMIE, Accenture provides dual study placements across multiple study programmes, recruiting graduates with practical experience in consulting and technology services. The partnership gives Accenture early access to skilled graduates over a 4-year pipeline.
• AcerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology hardware company providing dual study placements for students interested in technology and business disciplines.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal aerospace and defence company. Airbus is a partner company providing dual study placements, with particular relevance for engineering programmes (Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, IT-Engineering) given the company's focus on industrial engineering and technology.
• Alfa LavalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial equipment manufacturer. Provides dual study placements for engineering and technology-oriented students.
• AmandusKahlminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman industrial machinery manufacturer. Provides dual study placements for engineering and business students.
• AutoflugminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman aviation safety equipment manufacturer. Provides dual study placements, relevant for students interested in aviation, engineering, and business.
• avodaqminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT services company. Provides dual study placements for IT and business informatics students, with a focus on digital transformation.
• CGI Deutschland B.V. & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal IT and business consulting services firm. Provides dual study placements for IT and business informatics students.
• Generali Deutschland AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Germany's largest insurance groups. As a partner, Generali provides dual study placements across business and finance disciplines, recruiting graduates for roles in insurance, finance, and risk management.
• LufthansacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's flagship airline and aviation group. Lufthansa provides dual study placements relevant to aviation management, business administration, and logistics, with graduates recruited into the aviation sector.
• ZVO (Zentralverband der Omnibusunternehmen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman central association of bus transport companies. Provides dual study placements for students interested in the mobility and transport sector.
• Vossloh Rail Vehicles GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRailway vehicle manufacturer. Provides dual study placements relevant to engineering, production management, and business disciplines in the rail industry.
• UKE (Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf. As one of Germany's leading hospital groups, UKE provides dual study placements relevant to healthcare management, business administration in healthcare, and related disciplines.
• Schleswig-Holstein Netz AG (SHNetz)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy grid operator in Schleswig-Holstein. Provides dual study placements for students interested in energy sector, engineering, and business management.
• QUIBIQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT services and solutions company. Provides dual study placements for IT and business informatics students, with a focus on system integration and digital solutions.
• NordmannminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChemical trading and distribution company. Provides dual study placements for students interested in chemistry, business, and international trade.
• msg systems AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman IT consulting and software development group. Provides dual study placements in IT, business informatics, and software engineering, recruiting graduates into the IT consulting sector.
• Nordwestlotto Schleswig-Holstein (LOTTO SH)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState lottery company for Schleswig-Holstein. Provides dual study placements in business and economics, with graduates potentially recruited into the public-sector lottery and gaming industry.
• LIBRI GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBookselling and media distribution company. Provides dual study placements relevant to trade, logistics, and business administration in the media industry.
• Körber Technologies GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology group covering automation, logistics, and pharma systems. Provides dual study placements for engineering, IT, and business students, relevant to the group's focus on Industry 4.0 and digital transformation.
• Hoyer Handel GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational trading company. Provides dual study placements for students interested in international trade, business administration, and logistics.
• HHLA (Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHamburg port and logistics company operating ports and intermodal terminals. Provides dual study placements in logistics, business administration, and engineering, relevant to the Hamburg metropolitan area's port and logistics industry.
• HanseYachts AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremium sailing yacht manufacturer. Provides dual study placements for engineering and business students in the maritime industry.
• HafenCity Hamburg GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban development company responsible for the HafenCity district of Hamburg. Provides dual study placements relevant to real estate development, urban planning, and business administration.
• freenet AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman telecommunications and TV provider (Drittmarke). Provides dual study placements for IT, business informatics, and marketing students in the telecommunications sector.
• DESMA Schuhmaschinen GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerShoe machinery manufacturer. Provides dual study placements for engineering and business students in the manufacturing sector.
• DAKOSYminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerData communication and IT services company for the port and logistics sector. Provides dual study placements relevant to IT and logistics management in the Hamburg port ecosystem.
• Brunsbüttel Ports GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPort operator company. Provides dual study placements for students interested in logistics, business, and engineering in the port and maritime sector.
• Bauer Media GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLarge media publishing group. Provides dual study placements in media, marketing, business administration, and journalism-related disciplines.
• Arrow ElectronicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal technology and electronics components distributor. Provides dual study placements for IT, business informatics, and engineering students.
• ADS Software GmbH / ADS-SteuerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman tax and business consulting firm. Provides dual study placements for business administration students with a focus on tax, finance, and business consulting.
• Philips GmbH Market DACH (Personal Health)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman subsidiary of Philips (health technology). Provides dual study placements in business, IT, and healthcare management disciplines.
• Mankiewicz Gebr. & Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial coatings and labelling technology company. Provides dual study placements for engineering and business students in the industrial manufacturing sector.
• College of Charleston (USA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTransatlantic dual degree partnership in Engineering & Management. Students spend part of their studies at the College of Charleston (South Carolina, USA) and part at NORDAKADEMIE (Elmshorn), earning degrees from both institutions. This international partnership provides a unique cross-cultural educational experience.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FOM Hochschule: Large private university of applied sciences focused on part-time and dual study programmes for working professionals. Highly comparable to Nordakademie's Hamburg-based Master's and continuing education offerings.
• Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW): State-run dual study university offering the same theory-practice integration model with corporate partners across Baden-Württemberg. Most direct conceptual competitor to Nordakademie's dual Bachelor's model, though operating as a public institution.
• ISM International School of Management: Private business-focused university with multiple German locations offering Bachelor, Master, and dual study programmes. Comparable private, applied-sciences, business-engineering mix and target student profile.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university, offering accredited Bachelor's, Master's and dual study programmes including Applied AI, Data Science, and business disciplines. Closest scaled competitor with overlapping programme catalogue and target segments.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private university of applied sciences offering business, engineering, and informatics programmes including part-time Master's. Comparable private applied-sciences model with similar target student segments.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private university of applied sciences with campuses across Germany offering business, management, and digital programmes. Comparable private applied-sciences positioning and part-time professional Master's offerings.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private German university group with business, psychology, and digital transformation programmes across multiple campuses. Comparable programme portfolio (including dual study) and continuing education offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt (HfWU): Public university of applied sciences with business, engineering, and economics programmes in southern Germany. Comparable programme mix but public-sector funding model and different geographic focus.

Regional players

• Berufsakademie Sachsen: Saxony's state dual study institution combining academic coursework with workplace training at partner companies. Comparable dual-study concept but geographically restricted to eastern Germany.
• Hochschule Dual (Bayern): Bavaria's state-organised dual study network coordinating academic study with practical training at partner companies. Operates the same theory-practice dual model as Nordakademie but exclusively in the Bavarian market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordakademie-hochschule-der-wirtschaft

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Nordakademie Elmshorn