Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik und Optometrie Köln (HFAK)

What Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik und Optometrie Köln (HFAK) does

HFAK Köln is a state-recognized higher vocational school (Höhere Fachschule) founded on 4 February 1952, located on Bayenthalgürtel in Cologne, Germany. It delivers a two-year, full-time continuing education programme (Weiterbildung) leading to the state-certified Augenoptiker:in qualification at EQR Level 6 (Bachelor Professional in Technik), preparing trained journeyperson opticians for the German Meisterprüfung, the ZVA/HWK Optometrist examination, and self-employment. The institution is jointly funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (Land NRW) and the Zentralverband der Augenoptiker und Optometristen (ZVA), with the core programme being tuition-free (schulgeldfrei); students pay only semester material costs.

The school's core technology is a high-tech optometric teaching laboratory equipped with industry-grade diagnostic instrumentation — including autorefraktometers, phoropters, wavefront analysers, video centration systems, slit lamps, corneal topography, high-resolution Scheimpflug imaging, and aberrometers — that is also available outside class hours for independent practice. A supervised clinical internship with external probands in semester 4 anchors the practical training, alongside add-on certifications in Ortho-K lens fitting and preparation for the Meisterprüfung and Optometrist examination.

HFAK's go-to-market is direct-to-consumer: prospective students apply through the school's own website portal with documented apprenticeship credentials and at least six months of post-qualification work experience, with twice-yearly intake (winter and summer semesters). Marketing is content-driven via the website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, brochures, and alumni testimonials. The school's revenue mechanics are dominated by public-Industry co-funding from Land NRW and ZVA, supplemented by a 600 EUR/semester participation fee collected for the cooperative Bachelor of Science Optometrie programme delivered jointly with TH Köln (semesters 1–3 at HFAK, 90 ECTS recognised; degree awarded by TH Köln after four additional semesters). Auxiliary revenue is generated through a Förderverein Freundeskreis support association with an annual membership fee of at least 40 EUR.

Name

Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik und Optometrie Köln (HFAK)

Legal name

Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik Köln

Website

https://hfak.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HFAK is a state-recognized, publicly co-funded higher vocational school in Cologne, Germany, delivering tuition-free Weiterbildung to qualified opticians (Augenoptiker:innen) toward the state-certified Augenoptiker qualification and a cooperative B.Sc. Optometrie with TH Köln.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optometry Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Schools of Optometry (EDAHAGAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Healthcare & Medical Licensure Exam Prep (USMLE/COMLEX, NCLEX, Dentistry, Pharmacy, PA) (EDANAIAA), Skilled Trades, Safety & Compliance Certification Prep (OSHA, HAZMAT, welding, electrical, HVAC) (EDANAIAM)

Keywords

• Optometry education
• Vocational training
• Eye care training
• Optician certification
• Professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Köln

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Public funding (Land NRW and ZVA): HFAK is a state-recognized school (Staatlich anerkannte Ersatzschule) jointly funded by Land NRW and the Zentralverband der Augenoptiker und Optometristen (ZVA). The core Weiterbildung programme is schulgeldfrei (tuition-free) for students, funded through this public-industry partnership.
2. TH Köln cooperative bachelor's programme fees: Students enrolled in the cooperative Bachelor of Science Optometrie programme (HFAK + TH Köln) pay a semester fee of 600 euros per semester (Teilnahmeentgelt). This is collected via HFAK as part of the joint admission process.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HFAK is a state-recognized higher vocational school (Höhere Fachschule) that delivers a two-year full-time Weiterbildung program preparing students for the German state-certified optician (Augenoptikermeister) qualification. The school also offers a cooperative Bachelor of Science in Optometry in partnership with TH Köln, as well as preparation courses for the Meisterprüfung, the Optometrist (ZVA/HWK) certification, and Ortho-K certification.

Product overview

HFAK offers a unified educational portfolio centered on its two-year continuing education program leading to the state-certified optician qualification (Staatlich geprüfte:r Augenoptiker:in). The core Weiterbildung is enhanced by optional add-on modules including master craftsman examination preparation (Meisterprüfung), Optometrist (ZVA/HWK) certification, and Ortho-K lens certification. A flagship partnership with TH Köln enables graduates to enter the Kooperationsstudiengang Optometrie (B.Sc.) directly into semester 4, completing a Bachelor of Science in just four additional semesters. The institution distinguishes itself through Hightech-Labore equipped with clinical-grade diagnostic equipment (autorefraktometers, wavefront analyzers, Scheimpflug systems, OCT), practical workshops, and supervised clinical internships with external probands. A Förderverein Freundeskreis provides supplementary funding support for students.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weiterbildung zum staatlich anerkannten Augenoptikermeister (State-Certified Optician Training)

Quantifiable outcome

• 90 ECTS recognized toward B.Sc. Optometrie (TH Köln), enabling entry directly into 4th semester
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TH Köln (Technische Hochschule Köln)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2023HFAK and TH Köln operate a cooperative Bachelor of Science in Optometrie programme. HFAK delivers semesters 1–3 (90 ECTS recognized), and TH Köln awards the degree (210 ECTS total, 7 semesters). Students hold dual enrollment and pay 600 EUR/semester to TH Köln via HFAK. The programme is conducted at TH Köln Campus Deutz. This partnership enables HFAK graduates to earn an academic bachelor's degree in 4 additional semesters.
• Zentralverband der Augenoptiker und Optometristen (ZVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZVA is the primary industry carrier (Träger) of HFAK alongside Land NRW. ZVA also operates the Optometrist examination preparation (ZVA/HWK) that HFAK students can take. Additionally, ZVA provides the Teilnahmevertrag required for the TH Köln cooperative programme admission.
• Land NRW (State of North Rhine-Westphalia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLand NRW is the public carrier (Träger) of HFAK alongside ZVA, providing state recognition and public funding. The school received formal recognition as a state-supported institution (Ersatzschule) in 1953, with public funding increasing from that point.
• Pro Retina Deutschland e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHFAK maintains an active exchange with Pro Retina to give students firsthand understanding of the needs and challenges of visually impaired people, enhancing their confidence in consultation, fitting, and provision of low-vision aids.
• Handwerkskammer zu Köln (HWK Köln)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHFAK cooperates with HWK Köln to offer the Meisterprüfung (master craftsman examination) preparation and examination within the regular study period. HWK Köln also administers the Optometrist examination in partnership with ZVA.
• Cooper VisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCooper Vision sponsors the 'FORCE Student of the Year' prize, with Dr. Stefan Bandlitz serving on the judging jury.
• VDCO (Vereinigung deutscher CL-Spezialisten und Optometristen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDCO organizes the annual Rolf-Weinschenk-Posterpreis and Peter-Abel-Wissenschaftspreis. HFAK faculty (Dr. Bandlitz) actively participates and wins awards at VDCO events, demonstrating research collaboration.
• Kuratorium Gutes Sehen e.V. (KGS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Stefan Bandlitz serves as scientific advisor (wissenschaftlicher Berater) to KGS. HFAK faculty contribute to KGS's public eye health mission, including online vision checks and the Brillenglas-Profiler.
• International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Bandlitz is a Fellow of IACLE (FIACLE) and has conducted webinars for IACLE worldwide, contributing to global contact lens education.
• Fachhochschule fg Gesundheit InnsbruckminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlina Kinder (HFAK lecturer) teaches Kinderoptometrie and Angewandte Kontaktlinsenanpassung at this institution in addition to her HFAK role.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hochschule Aalen: Hochschule Aalen offers a B.Sc. in Augenoptik/Optometrie and is one of Germany's primary academic optometry programs. It competes with HFAK's cooperative B.Sc. pathway for students seeking university credentials in optometry.
• Fielmann Akademie: Fielmann Akademie in Plauen trains Augenoptiker-Gesell:innen and offers advanced qualifications within Germany's largest optical retail group. It is the most direct competitor to HFAK's vocational-to-master pathway in the German market.
• Ernst-Abbe-Hochschule Jena: EAH Jena offers a B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Optics/Optometry and is one of the longest-standing academic optometry programs in eastern Germany. It serves the same national pool of optician-Gesell:innen seeking degree-level qualifications.
• Technische Hochschule Köln: TH Köln is HFAK's direct academic partner in the cooperative B.Sc. Optometrie programme and also runs adjacent optics and natural science programs. It is both a partner and a comparable institution delivering optometry-related higher education.
• Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin: Beuth Hochschule offers a B.Sc. Augenoptik/Optometrie program in Berlin, providing another university route into the profession and competing for the same German student pool as HFAK's cooperative degree pathway.

Regional players

• Fachhochschule Salzburg: FH Salzburg operates an Optometry program in Austria, comparable in scope and curriculum to HFAK's offerings but serving a different (Austrian) market and regulatory environment.
• Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz (FHNW): FHNW offers an Optometry program in Switzerland with a comparable curriculum and clinical focus. It is a regional peer serving the Swiss German-speaking market adjacent to HFAK's German catchment.
• MCI Innsbruck: MCI Innsbruck offers health and medical technology programs with an optometry focus in Austria. It is a regional comparator for HFAK's optometry curriculum but does not directly compete in Germany.

Emerging players

• Hochschule Emden/Leer: Hochschule Emden/Leer offers technical and health-related programs including elements relevant to ophthalmic technology in northern Germany. It is an emerging comparator for engineering-adjacent optometry training in Germany.
• Salus University (Pennsylvania College of Optometry): Salus University is a US optometry school where HFAK's director Dr. Bandlitz obtained his MSc. It represents an international reference point for optometric clinical training depth, though it operates under a different regulatory framework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HFAKoeln
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/h%C3%B6here-fachschule-f%C3%BCr-augenoptik
• Instagraminstagram.com/hfakoeln

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Höhere Fachschule für Augenoptik und Optometrie Köln (HFAK)