Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg

What Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg does

Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg (Katholische Hochschule Freiburg) is a state-recognized private university organized as a gGmbH under Catholic church sponsorship, headquartered at Karlstraße 63 in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg. Founded in 1971, the institution delivers approximately 15 bachelor's and master's degree programs across applied nursing science, social work, healthcare management, applied theology, inclusive education, art therapy, and applied gerontology, using the ILIAS learning management system as its central digital learning platform for both degree courses and continuing education.

The institution operates three interconnected arms: degree-program delivery, the IWW (Institut für Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung) for scientific continuing education, and the IAF (Institut für Angewandte Forschung) for applied research across three foci - healthcare services research, education/socialisation/inclusion, and religion/ethics. Externally funded research projects include DiBiWohn (BMBF, 2020-2025), DIGESA, SIM-Study, NaDiya (BMZ), GiveCare, AqP Advanced Nursing, and EuBiBaM. Continuing education pricing spans free online info sessions through premium certifications up to €8,400 (Art Therapy Intensive), with single-day workshops in the €140-€410 range. The university is governed by an executive board comprising Rector Prof. Dr. Stephanie Bohlen and Chancellor Dr. Johannes Keller-Herder.

Revenue derives from a combination of per-semester tuition contributions (including administrative and student union fees), state funding for recognized programs, BMBF/BMZ research grants, and continuing education course fees. The institution holds Akkreditierungsrat accreditation, a positive Wissenschaftsrat evaluation, EFQM Model certification (2023), and the Ludwig-Erhard-Preis Bronze (2025), and is a Celis European Campus Social Work partner. Distribution is direct via campus-based enrollment, online applications through the International Office, and self-serve registration through the IWW portal.

Name

Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg

Legal name

Katholische Hochschule Freiburg gGmbH

Website

https://kh-freiburg.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg is a state-recognized private German university under Catholic church sponsorship, delivering bachelor's and master's degree programs plus continuing education in social work, nursing, gerontology, pedagogy, theology, and inclusive education, supported by applied research institutes IAF and IWW.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Christian Colleges with Theological Programs (EDAHAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Schools of Nursing (EDAHAGAC), Graduate Schools of Education (M.Ed., Ed.D., Ph.D.) (EDAHAFAB), Divinity Schools (University-Affiliated) (EDAHAKAC)

Keywords

• Applied higher education
• Social work programs
• Nursing science education
• Continuing professional education
• Applied research services

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg im Breisgau

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Semester Fees: Students pay semester contributions including administrative fees, student union fees, and semester ticket. Degree programs include both publicly funded and participant-funded (teilnehmer*innenfinanzierte) arrangements. Continuing education programs generate revenue through course fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg delivers state-recognized bachelor's and master's degree programs in social work, applied nursing science, healthcare management, applied gerontology, inclusive education, art therapy, applied theology, and related fields. It complements these degree programs with participant-funded continuing education through the Institute for Scientific Continuing Education (IWW) and applied interdisciplinary research through the Institute for Applied Research (IAF), focusing on healthcare services, gerontology, inclusion, and religion/ethics.

Product overview

Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg (Katholische Hochschule Freiburg) operates as a university of applied sciences offering a comprehensive portfolio of educational and research services. The institution provides approximately 15 Bachelor's and Master's degree programs spanning applied nursing science, social work, pedagogy, theology, healthcare management, and gerontology. Beyond degree education, the university operates the Institute for Scientific Continuing Education (IWW) offering professional development programs across healthcare, pedagogy, management, and psychology. The university hosts three key research focus areas: Healthcare Services Research (gerontology, nursing, digital health), Education Socialisation and Inclusion, and Religion and Ethics. Notable research projects include the SIM-Study on senior media use, the European Film Festival for Generations, DiBiWohn on digital education for seniors, and various healthcare initiatives. The institution utilizes the ILIAS learning management system as its primary digital education platform, supported by KuferWEB for continuing education administration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Institut für Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung (IWW): Institute for Scientific Continuing Education offering professional development and continuing education programs.
• IAF - Institut für Angewandte Forschung

Products and services

• Degree Programs (Bachelor's and Master's) State-recognized bachelor's and master's degree programs in applied social work, nursing science, healthcare management, applied gerontology, inclusive education, art therapy, applied theology, and related fields. Designed for prospective domestic and international students seeking accredited German university degrees with a practical/applied orientation.
• Continuing Education Programs (IWW) Professional development, certificate, and qualification programs covering healthcare, pedagogy, management and organizational development, psychology, counseling and therapy, and study-accompanying further education, delivered through the Institute for Scientific Continuing Education (IWW). Targeted at working professionals seeking career advancement and recognized certifications.
• Applied Research Services (IAF) Interdisciplinary applied research conducted through the IAF Institute for Applied Research across three focus areas: Healthcare Services Research (gerontology, nursing, digital health), Education/Socialisation/Inclusion, and Religion/Ethics. Delivered via consortia-led externally funded projects such as DiBiWohn, SIM-Study, DIGESA, GiveCare, NaDiya, AqP, EuBiBaM, and BaAN-frei for academic, foundation, and ministry partners.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of Heidelberg (Institute of Gerontology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiBiWohn joint research project with University of Heidelberg leading the consortium. Prof. Michael Doh serves as project consortium lead. The IAF at KH Freiburg assumed project leadership from University of Heidelberg in September 2021. Collaboration on gerontechnology and digital education research for older adults.
• University of Ulm (ZAWiW - Center for General Scientific Continuing Education)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiBiWohn consortium partner providing expertise in continuing education for older adults. Contributes to digital education format development and transfer concept scaling.
• Stiftung MedienKompetenz Forum Südwest (MKFS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiBiWohn project partner focused on media literacy and digital competency education for older adults. Based in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
• Evangelische Heimstiftung GmbH StuttgartcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPractice partner in DiBiWohn project providing real-world care settings in senior-specific residential facilities for research implementation. Located in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.
• International Universities Network (Gregor Renner)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProf. Gregor Renner maintains academic cooperation with 25+ international universities including Deakin University (Australia), Federal University São Carlos (Brazil), Queen's University (Canada), Helsinki University (Finland), Trinity College Dublin (Ireland), and others for inclusive education and augmentative communication research.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hochschule Esslingen: Public university of applied sciences in Baden-Württemberg offering applied bachelor/master programs in social work and healthcare-related fields — competes for the same regional student pool in southwestern Germany.
• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Umwelt (HfWU) Nürtingen-Geislingen: Public Baden-Württemberg university of applied sciences with applied programs in business, health, and social management — directly comparable regional positioning and applied research profile.

Direct peers

• Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin: State-recognized university of applied sciences focused on social work, health, and education — directly comparable program portfolio (nursing, social work, inclusive education, management in health/social sectors).
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private, state-recognized university of applied sciences with social work, therapy, and healthcare programs; comparable in private-sector status, applied sciences orientation, and applied research activity in the region.
• Katholische Stiftungshochschule München (KSH München): Another Catholic church-sponsored university of applied sciences in Germany, providing nursing, social work, and healthcare management programs — directly comparable in ecclesiastical sponsorship model and applied sciences focus.
• Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Vallendar (PTHV): Catholic church-sponsored university offering theological and applied social/healthcare programs; comparable ecclesiastical sponsorship structure and theological-program focus.
• Evangelische Hochschule Freiburg: Protestant counterpart university of applied sciences in the same city, offering comparable social work, healthcare, and education degree programs under different (Protestant) church sponsorship — the closest structural peer to KH Freiburg.

Broad incumbents

• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with broad applied bachelor/master programs including health and social management; competes for the same working-professional continuing education segment.

Others

• IU Internationale Hochschule:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/katholische-hochschule-freiburg
• Instagraminstagram.com/khfreiburg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Catholic University of Applied Sciences Freiburg