DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences

What DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences does

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences (DIPLOMA Hochschule) is a private, state-recognized Hochschule headquartered in Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Hesse, Germany, with a second campus in Leipzig and approximately 30 study and examination centers distributed nationwide. Founded in 1997 under the Bernd Blindow Bildungsgruppe (a 60-year-old diversified education conglomerate), the institution delivers accredited Bachelor's and Master's degree programs across six subject areas (Gesundheit & Therapie, Design & Medien, Psychologie, Soziales & Pädagogik, Technik & IT, Wirtschaft & Recht) in three formats: Fernstudium (distance learning), Duales Studium (dual/apprenticeship-integrated), and Präsenzstudium (on-campus). It serves working professionals, career changers, dual-study students who combine employment with academic study, school-leavers pursuing full-time campus study, and non-traditional entrants without Abitur.

The core technology platform is the proprietary Online Campus, an in-house learning management system enabling live-online seminars (predominantly on Saturdays), online examinations, course content delivery, student collaboration, and direct instructor communication. Integrated features include a 300,000+ title e-library, an MS Office license for enrolled students, and the Praxistransfer-Heft practice logbook used in dual-study programs. Programs are accredited by FIBAA, AQAS, AHPGS, Acquin, and the Stiftung Akkreditierungsrat, with distance learning offerings certified by ZFU. Revenue is generated primarily through monthly tuition fees, with a Bachelor program at approximately 277 euros/month and a Master at approximately 327 euros/month, structured across three payment models (I/II/III) plus a Sofortzahler lump-sum option. Dual-study fees (e.g., 567 euros/month for Kindheitspädagogik) are typically paid by the Praxispartner employer. The Study Buddy referral program offers a 20 euros/month discount per paired student, and a free four-semester study extension is provided to all students.

The institution pursues a multi-channel go-to-market combining direct-to-consumer digital acquisition (diploma.de, SEO, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp), sales-led study advisory (Studienberatung), and channel/distribution partnerships with Praxispartner employers (Caritas, Elbkinder, Asklepios, DRK, Techniker Krankenkasse, Siemens), distribution partners (Eckert Schulen, Handwerkskammer Hannover), the OSD franchise for osteopathy, and international academic partners in Ghana, China, and Turkey. Notable recent awards include Top Fernhochschule 2025 and 2026 from FernstudiumCheck, Top Fernhochschule 2026 from Fernstudium-Direkt, and Akademisches Studienangebot des Jahres 2026 from Study Winter. The university is led by Geschäftsführer Prof. Dr. Andreas Blindow and operates without disclosed external institutional investors or public listing.

Name

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences

Legal name

DIPLOMA Private Hochschulgesellschaft mbH

Website

https://diploma.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognized German Hochschule within the Bernd Blindow Bildungsgruppe, delivering accredited Bachelor and Master programs via distance learning, dual study, and on-campus formats across six subject areas, serving working professionals, dual-study students, and non-traditional entrants through ~30 nationwide study centers and a proprietary Online Campus platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Hesse

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Distance Learning (Fernstudium) Tuition Fees: DIPLOMA generates the majority of its revenue through monthly tuition fees charged to distance learning students. Fees are structured across three payment models: Model I (fewer installments, higher monthly rate), Model II (moderate installments), and Model III (most installments, lowest monthly rate). Students can also opt for a Sofortzahler (one-time payment) model. For a typical Bachelor program, monthly fees are approximately 277 euros; for Master programs, approximately 327 euros per month. Students may extend their study period by up to four semesters at no additional cost. The Study Buddy program offers a 20 euro monthly discount per student for pairs registering together.
2. Dual Study Program Fees (Paid by Practice Partners): In the dual study programs, practice partners (employers) typically pay the tuition fees directly on behalf of students, and in return students receive a salary from the employer. DIPLOMA charges tuition for these programs, with the fee structure being covered by the partner organization. For the Kindheitspaedagogik dual program, tuition is 567 euros per month, covered by the Praxispartner.
3. Continuing Education (Aus- und Weiterbildung) Fees: DIPLOMA offers a range of vocational training-plus-degree programs (Ausbildungsintegrierte Studiengaenge) for healthcare and technical professions, as well as certificate courses. These programs generate additional tuition revenue, typically at modified fee structures tailored to the specific vocational pathway.
4. Vertriebspartner (Distribution Partner) Revenue: DIPLOMA partners with third-party educational institutions and schools that market and recruit students for DIPLOMA programs. While the exact revenue-sharing arrangement is not disclosed, these partners form a distribution channel that contributes to student enrollment and associated tuition revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

DIPLOMA Hochschule is a private, state-recognized German university of applied sciences that delivers accredited Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in three study formats: Fernstudium (distance learning), Duales Studium (dual study), and Präsenzstudium (on-campus study). Programs span six subject areas — Design & Media, Health & Therapy, Psychology, Social & Education, Technology & IT, and Business & Law — and are supplemented by vocational training-plus-degree pathways (Ausbildungsintegrierte Studiengänge) and professional certificate courses (Zertifikatskurse).

Product overview

DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognized university offering a portfolio of accredited bachelor's and master's degree programs as three study format variants — Fernstudium (distance learning), Duales Studium (dual/apprenticeship-integrated study), and Präsenzstudium (on-campus study) — supplemented by vocational training-plus-degree programs and professional certificate courses. The portfolio spans six subject areas: Design & Medien (Craft Design, Kommunikationsdesign, UX-Design, Informationsdesign, Prozess- und Produktdesign, Digital Games Business), Gesundheit & Therapie (Ergotherapie, Logopädie, Physiotherapie, Osteopathie, Naturheilkunde, Pharmamanagement, Physician Assistant, Dentalhygiene, etc.), Psychologie (Psychologie, Neuropsychologie, Familienpsychologie, Klinische Psychologie, Public Mental Health, Schulpsychologie), Soziales & Pädagogik (Soziale Arbeit, Kindheitspädagogik, Heilpädagogik, Frühpädagogik, Berufspädagogik, Sozialmanagement), Technik & IT (Mechatronik, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen, E-Business, Industrieinformatik, Robotik), and Wirtschaft & Recht (Betriebswirtschaft, Wirtschaftspsychologie, Marketing und Vertrieb, Tourismusmanagement, Sicherheitsmanagement, Wirtschaftsrecht). The Online Campus serves as the central digital learning platform for all study formats, while the Study Buddy referral program provides a tuition discount add-on. Certificate programs (e.g., KI-Weiterbildung für Kreative, Zertifikatskurs Soziale Arbeit) extend the portfolio as shorter-duration professional development offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Fernstudium (Distance Learning) Fully online or hybrid distance learning study programs enabling students to earn an accredited Bachelor's or Master's degree while continuing employment, with live-online seminars on Saturdays, online examinations, and access to approximately 30 study and examination centers across Germany. Tuition is paid as monthly installments with optional Study Buddy referral savings.
• Duales Studium (Dual Study Program) Practice-integrated degree programs combining academic study at DIPLOMA with paid employment and on-the-job training at a Praxispartner (practice partner employer), typically three days per week at the workplace and two days at the university. Tuition is frequently covered by the Praxispartner, with students receiving a salary.
• Präsenzstudium (On-Campus Study) Full-time campus-based study at DIPLOMA's two physical campuses in Leipzig and Bad Sooden-Allendorf (Nordhessen), featuring in-person instruction, small study groups, individual faculty mentorship, and on-site student dormitories. Programs span design, health, social pedagogy, and business fields.
• Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge (Bachelor and Master Degree Programs) Accredited Bachelor's (B.A., B.Sc., B.Eng.) and Master's (M.A., M.Sc., MBA) degree programs across six subject areas: Design & Medien, Gesundheit & Therapie, Psychologie, Soziales & Pädagogik, Technik & IT, and Wirtschaft & Recht. Programs are Bologna-compliant (180–240 ECTS) and offered in distance learning, dual, and on-campus formats.
• Aus- und Weiterbildung (Vocational Training & Continuing Education) Combined vocational training-plus-degree programs (Ausbildungsintegrierte Studiengänge) that pair a recognized vocational qualification (e.g., Ergotherapie, Logopädie, Physiotherapie, Pflegefachkraft, Pharmazeutisch-technische Assistenz, Rettungssanitäter:in, ZFA, Grafikdesign, Erzieher:in, Heilpädagogik, Kindheitspädagogik, Sozialpädagogik) with a Bachelor's degree, plus pathways for Betriebs-/Fachwirt:innen to earn an academic degree alongside their vocational credentials.
• Zertifikatskurs Künstliche Intelligenz (AI Certificate Course for Creative Professionals) Online certificate program providing a university-level qualification in artificial intelligence applications within design and creative fields, aimed at creative professionals seeking structured AI training.
• Zertifikatskurs Soziale Arbeit (Social Work Certificate Course) Online certificate course in social work delivered as professional continuing education, providing practical and theoretical foundations with flexible online study.
• Zertifikatskurs Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten (Scientific Writing Certificate for Health Professionals) Certificate course in scientific writing and academic research methods targeted at healthcare professionals needing to develop academic research and writing competencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free study period extension of up to four additional semesters
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bernd Blindow BildungsgruppecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIPLOMA Hochschule is an integral part of the Bernd Blindow Bildungsgruppe, a 60-year-old educational group encompassing multiple schools, training centers, and the university of applied sciences. The group provides DIPLOMA with institutional infrastructure, brand recognition, student recruitment pipelines across its network of schools, and access to shared resources including the Bernd Blindow Schulen network and student dormitories.
• Osteopathie Schule Deutschland (OSD)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOSD co-delivers the Osteopathy Bachelor (B.Sc., 240 ECTS, 8 semesters) and Master (M.Sc.) programs with DIPLOMA. OSD provides the hands-on clinical training component while DIPLOMA provides the academic degree framework. This is a franchise/licensing partnership arrangement where OSD delivers a substantial portion of the program content under DIPLOMA's accreditation.
• Takoradi Technical University (Ghana)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational cooperation with Takoradi Technical University (TTU) in Ghana focused on mechatronics and drive technology. The partnership includes student and faculty exchange, joint curriculum development, and the potential for a Double-Degree program in automotive systems and mechatronics. A TTU delegation visited DIPLOMA in July 2026 to advance the collaboration.
• Changshu Institute of Technology (CIT), ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational university partnership with CIT in China, enabling potential academic exchange, joint research, and double-degree arrangements for students in technology and engineering programs.
• Xi'an Aeronautical Institute (XAAU), ChinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with Xi'an Aeronautical Institute (XAAU) for potential student exchange and academic collaboration in technology and engineering fields.
• ULC University & Language Consulting, TurkeyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational distribution partner in Turkey that markets and recruits students for DIPLOMA programs under a distribution partnership model.
• Lebenshilfe ErfurtcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPractice partner for the dual study program in Heilpaedagogik und Inklusive Paedagogik. Lebenshilfe provides practical training placements for dual study students and employs them during their studies.
• Elbkinder KitascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor practice partner providing dual study placements for Kindheitspaedagogik and Soziale Arbeit students. As one of Hamburg's largest kindergarten operators, Elbkinder is a key recruitment channel for DIPLOMA's dual study programs.
• Asklepios KlinikencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of Germany's largest hospital groups, Asklepios provides clinical practice placements and research collaboration opportunities for DIPLOMA health and therapy students.
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK) Landesverband NordrheincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor social and healthcare organization providing practice placements and employment for students in social work, health management, and crisis management programs.
• Bernd Blindow SchulencoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of vocational schools within the Bernd Blindow Bildungsgruppe that serve as partners for combined Ausbildung-plus-Studium programs, enabling students to earn both a vocational qualification and an academic degree simultaneously.
• Techniker KrankenkasseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGermany's largest statutory health insurance provider (TK) partners with DIPLOMA for Gesundheitsmanagement programs, providing practical insights into health insurance operations and potentially offering scholarships or student benefits.
• Siemens AGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner enabling practical project work, theses, and internships for technology and engineering students, particularly in the Mechatronik and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen programs.
• Caritas CampuscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCaritas OnlineCampus for vocational education partners with DIPLOMA to provide pathways from vocational training to academic degree programs in social work and pedagogy.
• Eckert SchulenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOne of Germany's largest private vocational training providers, Eckert Schulen serves as a distribution partner recruiting students for DIPLOMA programs through their nationwide network of training centers.
• Handwerkskammer HannoverminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChamber of Crafts Hannover acts as a distribution partner, promoting DIPLOMA's Craft Design and communication design programs to craftspeople and vocational practitioners seeking academic qualifications.
• Neura Robotics GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics company collaborating with DIPLOMA on a research project exploring how humanoid robots can support and relieve healthcare and nursing staff, combining DIPLOMA's health sciences programs with Neura's robotics technology.

Scale indicators6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DiplomaDeHochschule
• Facebookfacebook.com/diplomahochschule
• Instagraminstagram.com/diplomahochschule
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/diploma-hochschule

Compliance8 records

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 DIPLOMA University of Applied Sciences