Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH

What Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH does

Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH is a non-profit continuing education company (gemeinnützige GmbH) established in 2001 and jointly owned 50/50 by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE) and Förderverein Universität Duisburg-Essen e.V. It functions as UDE's commercial arm for part-time academic continuing education, offering three accredited Master programs (Master of Public Policy, VAWi Online Master Wirtschaftsinformatik jointly with University of Bamberg, and Master Digital Business Innovation & Transformation), several certificate tracks (Public Policy CAS, NRWege language education, Grief Counseling), and a portfolio of shorter professional seminars (Shopper Research, Category Management, BIM for Municipalities, SAP/Celonis via WeLearnInBits, FührungAKTIV health-leadership workshops, and Digital Business courses). Pricing is set on a cost-covering basis under the NRW Higher Education Act, with tuition ranging from EUR 119 for short SAP modules to EUR 18,000 for the full DBIT Master, plus a 45 EUR enrollment fee for the government-funded NRWege program.

Programs are delivered through a blended format combining UDE campus facilities in Essen and Duisburg with the university's Moodle 2 LMS for online and asynchronous components. Student-facing technology is primarily off-the-shelf rather than proprietary, with the WeLearnInBits platform providing access to real SAP systems and case studies. Quality is overseen by a Scientific Advisory Board of UDE professors, and Master programs are ACQUIN-accredited. The customer base is primarily individual working professionals across multiple verticals (digital business, public sector, municipal building administration, healthcare/social work, retail), supplemented by employer-sponsored training and direct government commissioning for flagship programs such as BIM for Municipalities (MHKBG NRW) and NRWege language education (MKW NRW). Distribution is domestic Germany, anchored on direct enrollment through the institutional website and university referral channels.

Name

Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH

Legal name

Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH

Website

https://rca.uni-due.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH is the non-profit continuing education subsidiary of the University of Duisburg-Essen, offering part-time master's degrees, certificate courses, and professional seminars for working professionals and public-sector employees across Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Continuing Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Project, Quality & Operations (PMP PDUs, Six Sigma, Quality CE) (EDAAALAM), Human Resources & Talent (SHRM/HRCI Recertification) (EDAAALAN)

Keywords

• Professional continuing education
• Part-time master programs
• University certificate courses
• Professional development seminars
• Academic continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Essen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Master Program Tuition: Revenue from fee-based professional Master degree programs that lead to academic Master degrees from the University of Duisburg-Essen. Programs include Master of Digital Business (18,000 EUR), Master VAWi (starting from 12,420 EUR), and Master of Public Policy. These are cost-covering fees per NRW Higher Education Act.
2. Certificate Course Fees: Revenue from shorter certificate programs and individual modules that can be taken separately from full degree programs. Fees range from 1,300 EUR per certified course to 2,950 EUR per certified module (Certificate of Advanced Studies).
3. Seminar Fees: Revenue from one to multi-day professional seminars covering topics like Shopper Research (1,250 EUR), Category Management (1,350 EUR), BIM for Municipalities (650 EUR per day), and Health & Leadership (155 EUR per day).
4. SAP Certification Program Fees: Revenue from WeLearnInBits SAP certification courses ranging from 119 to 299 EUR per course, with optional additional SAP examination fee of 160 EUR. Also includes micro-certificate courses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ruhr Campus Academy gGmbH is the non-profit continuing education subsidiary of the University of Duisburg-Essen, delivering fee-based, part-time academic Master degree programs (Public Policy, Wirtschaftsinformatik, Digital Business), university-accredited certificate courses (CAS Public Policy, NRWege language education, grief counseling), and professional seminars (Shopper Research, Category Management, BIM for Municipalities, SAP certifications, Health & Leadership). Programs are offered in blended, fully online, and in-person formats for working professionals seeking recognized academic credentials while continuing employment.

Product overview

Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH is the non-profit continuing education subsidiary of Universität Duisburg-Essen, offering a portfolio of degree programs and professional development courses. The product portfolio includes three accredited Master programs (Master of Public Policy/MPP, VAWi Online Master Wirtschaftsinformatik, and Master Digital Business Innovation & Transformation/DBIT), three certificate programs (Public Policy certificates, NRWege language education, and Trauerbegleitung grief counseling), and six seminar offerings (Shopper Research, Category Management, BIM for Municipalities, SAP/welearninbits, Digital Business, and FührungAKTIV health leadership workshops). Programs are delivered in various formats including in-person, online, and blended learning, with some programs offered in partnership with other NRW universities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Public Policy (MPP) Part-time professional Master of Public Policy degree program accredited by the University of Duisburg-Essen, focusing on public policy, governance, and political communication for public sector professionals, party/association staff, journalists, and corporate decision-makers. Includes selection interviews and individual modules bookable as Public Policy certificate courses (CAS).
• VAWi - Online Master Wirtschaftsinformatik Fully online Master of Science program in Business Information Systems (Wirtschaftsinformatik) offered jointly by UDE and University of Bamberg. Features flexible study schedules with 41 selectable modules, 24/7 access, professional tutors, and pay-per-module pricing (EUR 680/module). Available as 90 ECTS or 120 ECTS track.
• Master Digital Business Innovation and Transformation (DBIT) Part-time Master of Science program in Digital Business Innovation and Transformation, delivered as blended learning (approximately 4 presence days per module plus e-learning). Total program cost EUR 18,000 plus semester fee. Includes 13 modules, project/seminar papers, and a master thesis; leads to an ACQUIN-accredited M.Sc. degree from UDE.
• Public Policy Certificate Courses (CAS) Stand-alone certificate courses and modules from the Master of Public Policy program awarding a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) from the University of Duisburg-Essen. Each certified course is EUR 1,300 (4 days, 4.5 ECTS); a CAS Module (2 courses + practice day) is EUR 2,950 (9 days, 10 ECTS).
• NRWege in der Sprachbildung Continuing education program for (international) teachers focused on language education, including teaching German as a Second Language, language development support, multilingual diagnostics, and heritage language instruction. Funded by the Ministry for Culture and Science of NRW, the program is tuition-free except for a EUR 45 enrollment fee.
• Professionalisierte Trauerbegleitung und Verlustbewältigung (Grief Counseling Certificate) Professional grief counseling certificate program spanning 13 two-day sessions over approximately 10 months. Total fee EUR 3,490 (payable in 3 installments), includes enrollment as special guest student at UDE for two semesters. Recognized by the German Professional Association for Social Work (DBSH) with 42 continuing education points.
• Shopper Research - Shopper Insights Seminar 2-day in-person seminar in Essen on shopper research methodologies and buyer behavior in retail settings, covering data collection methods, observation techniques, and analysis tools. EUR 1,250 per participant with a maximum of 12 participants; includes a certificate of attendance from RCA.
• Category Management Seminar Seminar on category management methods, data analysis, and concepts for retail professionals, integrating shopper research and using practical case studies. Full seminar fee EUR 1,350, limited to participants with similar experience levels.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM) für Kommunen Modular continuing education program on Building Information Modeling for public sector building administrations in NRW, aligned with the BIM Qualification Guide for Municipalities. Includes 9 individually bookable modules from introductory to professional levels (e.g., O.1 First Information EUR 650, P.1.A Professional EUR 5,200) with optional E-Exam and DIN Certco certification.
• We Learn in Bits (welearninbits) - SAP Zertifikate Supplementary courses covering enterprise software including SAP ERP, Data Warehouse Cloud, FI, CO, Analytics Cloud, and Celonis process mining. Features practical learning on real SAP systems with optional SAP certification exams. Course fees EUR 119–299; additional SAP examination fee EUR 160; Celonis course currently free.
• Gesundheit und Führung (FührungAKTIV) Health and leadership workshop program (FührungAKTIV) that sensitizes executives to promote employee health and performance. Includes consulting on occupational health management and one-day in-house seminars at EUR 155 per participant per seminar day (min 10, max 12 participants). Multi-booking corporate discounts available; approximately 80 seminars per year, 640+ implemented to date.
• Kursprogramm Digital Business Three-module continuing education program consisting of an introductory seminar 'Essentials of Digitalization' (EUR 150 per participant) and two certificate courses: 'Digital Business Analysis & Design' and 'Digital Business Leadership & Transformation' (EUR 2,700 per participant per course, 180 hours, 6 ECTS equivalent). Awards participant certificates from RCA.

Quantifiable outcome

• 630+ Master graduates and 11,000+ certificate course graduates successfully completed programs
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of BambergcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Joint degree-granting partner for the VAWi Online Master Wirtschaftsinformatik program. Students may receive their Master of Science degree from either UDE or University of Bamberg upon successful completion. This dual-university model provides flexibility for students across different regions.
• Ministerium für Heimat, Kommunales, Bau und Gleichstellung Nordrhein-Westfalen (MHKBG NRW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Government ministry commissioning RCA to develop and deliver BIM (Building Information Modeling) qualification programs for municipal building administrations in NRW. The ministry developed the BIM qualification guidelines that form the basis for the training curriculum.
• Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (MKW NRW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Government ministry providing funding for NRWege language education program. MKW NRW supports development of professionalization modules for teachers in German as Second Language instruction across 11 NRW universities.
• University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200150% shareholder of RCA gGmbH and primary academic partner. UDE provides academic oversight, quality standards, campus facilities, and faculty for program delivery. All degrees and certificates are conferred by the university. The partnership enables RCA to offer officially recognized academic continuing education under university accreditation frameworks.
• Förderverein Universität Duisburg-Essen e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200150% shareholder of RCA gGmbH alongside the university. The support association represents stakeholder interests and contributes to governance oversight of the continuing education programs.
• Deutsche Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Fernstudium e.V. (DGWF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association membership providing industry networking, best practice sharing, and professional community engagement for continuing education institutions. RCA participates in DGWF publications and events.
• Kommunal Agentur NRWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization working with UDE's Teaching and Research Section for Building Technology Didactics to develop the qualification guidelines for BIM implementation in municipal governments under MHKBG NRW commission.
• Lehr- und Forschungsbereich Fachdidaktik Bautechnik, UDEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic department at UDE collaborating on BIM curriculum development for municipal building administration training programs.
• Ruhr-Universität BochumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the NRWege consortium developing professionalization modules for (international) teachers in language education with focus on German as a Foreign Language for basic teaching competencies.
• Universität zu KölnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the NRWege consortium focusing on multilingual alphabetization as part of the language education professionalization program.
• Universität PaderbornminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner university in the NRWege consortium focusing on language education at vocational colleges as part of the language education professionalization program.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg: NRW state university of applied sciences offering continuing education programs in NRW. Comparable regional peer with overlapping part-time Master and certificate offerings, primarily serving the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg region.

Others

• DGWF (Deutsche Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung und Fernstudium): Professional association of German academic continuing education institutions of which RCA is a member. Indirect ecosystem peer providing industry networking, benchmarking, and best practice sharing across comparable providers.

Broad incumbents

• SRH Universities (SRH Hochschulen): Large private university group with multiple campuses offering part-time Master programs in NRW and across Germany. Broader incumbent competitor with similar target audience but significantly larger scale and more aggressive commercial positioning.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with extensive online Master and certificate portfolio. Competes on price and flexibility with RCA's digital business and business informatics programs, but operates for-profit at national scale.

Direct peers

• Universität zu Köln - Executive School: Continuing education arm of University of Cologne offering part-time Master and certificate programs. Closest university-affiliated peer in NRW with overlapping program topics in business, public policy, and digital transformation.
• FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management: Germany's largest private university specializing in part-time Master and Bachelor programs for working professionals. Directly competes with RCA's MPP, VAWi, and DBIT programs across multiple cities including NRW.
• FernUniversität in Hagen: Germany's largest distance and continuing education university, also state-funded. Offers accredited part-time Master programs with similar online delivery model and serves overlapping working-professional demographics across Germany.
• TU Dortmund - Weiterbildung: NRW state university's continuing education division offering certificate and Master programs. Comparable university-extension model with similar non-profit fee structure and target audience of regional working professionals.
• Universität Münster - Weiterbildung: University of Münster's continuing education programs including public policy and management offerings. Comparable NRW university-extension peer with similar target audience of public sector professionals.
• RWTH Aachen - Academy: RWTH Aachen's continuing education subsidiary offering professional Master and certificate programs. Similar non-profit university-affiliated model with strong technical/engineering program overlap and NRW regional focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xxing.com/companies/ruhrcampusacademyggmbh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ruhr-campus-academy-ggmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/ruhrcampusacademy

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 Ruhr Campus Academy (RCA) gGmbH