What Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit does

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (HdBA) is a German state-recognized university of applied sciences, founded in 2006 and operating under the trusteeship of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). It is the only university in Germany specializing in labor market studies, employment counseling, and labor administration policy. HdBA operates two campuses in Mannheim and Schwerin and offers three degree programs: two dual Bachelor programs (Arbeitsmarktmanagement and Beratung für Bildung, Beruf und Beschäftigung) and one consecutive Master program (Arbeitsmarktorientierte Beratung). Approximately 500 students enroll annually, all of whom are employees of the Federal Employment Agency during their studies and receive a monthly compensation of 1,925 Euro with guaranteed BA employment upon graduation. Tuition is not charged as the institution is publicly funded.

HdBA's product portfolio extends beyond degree programs to include scientific continuing education (Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung), contact studies (Kontaktstudium), and specialized modules such as the digitalization fundamentals course. The institution's technology backbone is the academyFIVE campus management system, implemented in partnership with Simovative in March 2026 to digitize study, teaching, and student service processes. HdBA also conducts applied research through externally funded projects, notably the Erasmus+ projects InCounselling50+ (2016-2019, on integrating workers aged 50+) and Include³ (2022-2025, on counseling methods for people with cognitive disabilities transitioning from sheltered to general employment), as well as the Dual Career Vietnam project on skilled worker migration.

The business model is that of a public-sector educational institution rather than a commercial enterprise. HdBA is wholly owned and funded by the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, with no disclosed tuition revenue, no external customers in the traditional sense, and no funding rounds. Students are simultaneously customers (of education), employees (of BA), and recipients of public compensation. Distribution is direct through the two campuses and the BA recruitment portal. International activity is conducted via Erasmus+ partnerships with universities in Sweden, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Lithuania, and increasingly in Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan), positioning HdBA as the academic hub for Germany's labor market policy implementation.

Name

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Legal name

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit

Website

https://hdba.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (HdBA) is Germany's only university dedicated to labor market studies, operating under the Federal Employment Agency. It trains roughly 500 BA employees annually through dual Bachelor and Master programs in labor market management and counseling at Mannheim and Schwerin campuses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Higher Education (Labor Market Studies)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Undergraduate Business Schools (BBA/BSBA Programs) (EDAHAHAA)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Dual study programs
• Labor market studies
• Employment counseling
• Vocational rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Mannheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: As a state-recognized university in the trusteeship of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency), HdBA is funded through public funding mechanisms. Students receive a monthly compensation of 1,925.00 Euro during their dual studies, paid by the BA as they are employed by the agency during their studies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (HdBA) is a state-recognized university of applied sciences operating under the trusteeship of the Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency). It delivers dual study programs (two Bachelor and one Master) in labor market management, counseling for education/profession/employment, and labor market-oriented counseling, combining academic study with practical phases at the BA. Students are employed by the BA during their studies, receive a monthly compensation of €1,925, and are guaranteed employment upon graduation. The university also offers scientific continuing education, applied research projects, and international exchange (Erasmus+).

Product overview

Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit (HdBA) is a university of applied sciences offering a unified portfolio of dual study programs in partnership with the Federal Employment Agency. The core offerings consist of three degree programs: two dual Bachelor programs (Arbeitsmarktmanagement and Beratung für Bildung, Beruf und Beschäftigung) and one Master program (Arbeitsmarktorientierte Beratung). These programs integrate economics, law, psychology, sociology, and counseling competencies, with the Master building on Bachelor qualifications. Additionally, the university offers scientific continuing education through contact studies and certificate programs, including specialized modules on digitalization. Students can study at two campuses in Mannheim and Schwerin, with all programs emphasizing practical application for the Federal Employment Agency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Arbeitsmarktmanagement (AMM) - Bachelor Dual Study Program A dual undergraduate degree program combining theory at HdBA with practical phases at the Bundesagentur für Arbeit, focusing on labor market policy, economics, and employment services. Designed for BA employees seeking academic qualification in labor market management.
• Beratung für Bildung, Beruf und Beschäftigung (BBB) - Bachelor Dual Study Program A dual bachelor program qualifying students as experts in counseling for education, profession, and employment, integrating economics, law, psychology, and sociology. Designed for BA employees pursuing expert counseling roles.
• Arbeitsmarktorientierte Beratung (AMB) - Master Program A consecutive master program focused on labor market-oriented counseling, building on Bachelor qualifications in counseling, labor market policy, and career development. Aimed at further qualifying practitioners for advanced roles in the BA system.
• Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung (Scientific Continuing Education) Continuing education offerings for professionals, including contact studies and certificate programs for skill development in counseling and labor market topics. Targeted at practitioners beyond the BA employee base.
• Kontaktstudium - Contact Studies Further education module for professionals seeking specialized knowledge in labor market and counseling topics within HdBA's continuing education framework.
• Weiterbildungsmodul Grundlagen der Digitalisierung Digitalization continuing education module covering fundamentals of digital transformation in labor market contexts, targeted at practitioners and BA employees seeking to update their digital skills.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni work across BA offices, public administrations, and personnel service providers throughout Germany
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SimovativecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 March 2026Simovative is a software provider specializing in university solutions. They are implementing the academyFIVE campus management system at HdBA to digitize central university processes around study and teaching, including student services, transparency, and efficient processes. The partnership includes participation in Simovative customer meetings for networking with other universities.
• University of MalmöcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish university participating in Erasmus+ BIP (Blended Intensive Programme) with HdBA. Students work in international groups on current labor market topics, focusing on demographic change, migration necessity, and integration of all groups into the labor market.
• University of LodzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish university collaborating in Erasmus+ programs with HdBA. Part of international modules on European labor markets and skilled worker immigration topics.
• Hochschule KärntencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian university of applied sciences participating in Erasmus+ programs with HdBA, contributing to international student exchange and joint programs on labor market topics.
• University of SzegedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHungarian university with a five-year joint seminar tradition with HdBA on social security law topics. Includes student mobility and comparative perspectives on digitization and e-health developments.
• Professor József HajdúcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessor from University of Szeged who is also a member of the European Committee of Social Rights at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Conducts joint seminars with HdBA students.
• AJD CzestochowacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish university partner in the InCounselling50+ project, contributing to the development of training curricula and online courses for counseling people aged 50+.
• University SplitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian university partner in InCounselling50+ project and international study trips. Organizes lectures on Croatian labor market development and age management for HdBA students.
• Bombardier/PolandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate company partner in InCounselling50+ project, providing practical perspective on HR management and age-appropriate working conditions.
• Cemex/CroatiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany partner in InCounselling50+ project contributing practical insights on workforce management and integration of older workers.
• MHZ Hachtel GmbH & Co. KGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman company partner in InCounselling50+ project, hosting training sessions and providing practical HR experience on age management.
• BANG Netzwerke e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of over 500 companies in the commercial sector from East Westphalia. Partner in Dual Career Vietnam project for recruiting Vietnamese skilled workers for German companies outside metropolitan areas.
• Goethe-Institut JakartacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman cultural institute in Indonesia collaborating on research project studying motivation, challenges, and experiences of Indonesian nursing students preparing for careers in Germany.
• AMS GrazcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Public Employment Service (Arbeitsmarktservice) hosting HdBA students for 2-month internships as part of Erasmus+ program, providing insights into Austrian employment service structures.
• Andrássy Universität BudapestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHungarian university new partner in Erasmus+ program where HdBA students complete internships in marketing and administrative departments.
• Diakoniewerkstätten Rhein-NeckarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman social institution providing valuable insights for the Include³ project on professional training area practices for people with cognitive disabilities transitioning to general labor market.
• CEMEX (Cement Works)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCement factory in Dalmatia region of Croatia visited by HdBA students during study trip to provide practical insights into modern HR management practices.
• HZZ (Croatian Employment Service)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian public employment service visited during HdBA study trip. Students learn about Croatian employment mediation and career counseling offerings.
• CISOK (Center for Information and Career Counseling)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCroatian career counseling center where HdBA students participated in specialist lectures on Croatian economy and employment mediation services.
• Technische Universität BerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint conference organization with TU Berlin on fair skilled worker migration, bringing together experts from science, administration, and practice to discuss international skilled worker recruitment.
• GIZ (Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman development agency participating in conferences and discussions on international skilled worker migration, especially with Asian countries like Indonesia.
• Berufscollege Nguyen Van Troi, DanangcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnamese vocational college with which BANG Netzwerke e.V. signed a cooperation agreement for the Dual Career Vietnam project to recruit and train Vietnamese skilled workers.
• IAB (Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitute for Employment Research - research arm of the Federal Employment Agency. HdBA hosts lectures on current rehabilitation research providing evidence-based insights for students.
• Helios Kliniken Schwerin GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital group presenting experiences on recruiting and integrating international nursing staff at HdBA forums on skilled worker immigration.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• FOM Hochschule: Large private German Hochschule focused on berufsbegleitende (part-time/work-integrated) degree programs for working professionals. Comparable in dual/work-study model and applied-sciences orientation, though privately funded and serving broader commercial employment.

Direct peers

• Hochschule des Bundes für öffentliche Verwaltung: The German federal university for civil service training across multiple federal agencies, the closest structural analog to HdBA: a publicly owned Hochschule that trains civil servants in dual study formats for a specific federal employer.

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung und Finanzen Ludwigsburg: Baden-Württemberg's university for public administration, offering dual study programs preparing students for state civil service careers. Shares the applied-sciences, dual-study model with HdBA but serves the state government rather than the federal BA.
• Deutsche Hochschule für Verwaltungswissenschaften Speyer: Postgraduate German research university for public administration and law, training senior civil servants across federal and state governments. Comparable in mission (training public-sector experts) and policy focus, though Speyer operates at the graduate/postgraduate level only.
• Universität der Bundeswehr: Federal universities operated by the Bundeswehr (Germany's armed forces) that provide publicly funded higher education with employment guarantees to civil/military careers. Structurally analogous to HdBA as publicly owned universities with employer-tied enrollment, though serving the military rather than the BA.
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin): Large Berlin public Hochschule combining business and law programs, including public administration tracks. A broader applied-sciences competitor in the same geographic/educational tier as HdBA, though without the exclusive BA mandate.
• Hochschule Kehl: Public Hochschule in Baden-Württemberg focused on public administration, governance, and European integration, with a similar dual-study format for civil service careers. Comparable operating model even though its mandate is state-level rather than federal.
• Hochschule Harz: Saxony-Anhalt public Hochschule of applied sciences with programs in public administration, business, and social work. Comparable in offering public-sector-oriented applied degrees with dual-study elements, though without HdBA's single-employer exclusivity.

Regional players

• Arbeitsmarktservice Österreich (AMS): Austria's public employment service, structurally analogous to the Bundesagentur für Arbeit and a hosting partner for HdBA student internships. Functions as the closest international peer institution in labor market administration, though it is an agency rather than a university.

Others

• IAB – Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung: The Federal Employment Agency's own research institute, which partners closely with HdBA on labor market research, rehabilitation studies, and teaching events. Not a direct competitor but a sister organization whose policy findings directly shape HdBA's curriculum relevance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hochschule-der-bundesagentur-f%C3%BCr-arbeit

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Hochschule der Bundesagentur für Arbeit