www.hochschule21.de

What www.hochschule21.de does

hochschule 21 is a privately operated, state-recognized university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) located in Buxtehude, Lower Saxony, Germany. Operating since 2005 under the legal entity hochschule 21 gemeinnützige GmbH and tracing its institutional heritage to 1875, the institution serves over 1,100 students across three departments: Bauwesen (Construction), Technik (Engineering), and Gesundheit (Health). Its core product is a portfolio of seven dual bachelor's programs (Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building Services Engineering, Mechatronics, Physiotherapy, Nursing, and Industrial Engineering for Construction and Real Estate) plus one part-time master's program in Civil Engineering, all structured around the dual study model that integrates classroom learning with extended practical phases at partner companies.

The dual model is the underlying technology platform: students are simultaneously enrolled at the university and employed by a practice partner (industry, healthcare, or municipal utilities), with curriculum designed to confer professional certifications including Ingenieurkammer Niedersachsen accreditation and architecture chamber eligibility (Kammerfähigkeit). The university supplements its teaching with an applied research portfolio spanning energy transition (EnQuaFlex), healthcare digitalization (DIGI4ME), agricultural digitalization (SAMSON), and infrastructure monitoring (smartBRIDGE Hamburg digital twin alongside HPA), and publishes a technical report series (Schriftenreihe) since 2013.

Revenue is generated from tuition fees for the dual programs, public subsidies as a state-recognized private higher education institution, and continuing education services through IWB (Institut für Weiterbildung und Bauprüfung). The customer base is two-sided: students (recruited through online info talks, campus open days, school outreach, and a study program quiz) and regional practice partners (construction firms, engineering consultancies, healthcare providers, municipal utilities, and industrial employers such as Airbus, Strabag, Leonhard Weiss, GARBE, Elbe Kliniken, and Stadtwerke). International exchange partnerships extend scholarship mobility to Denmark, Australia, Austria, France, India, and the United States.

Name

www.hochschule21.de

Legal name

hochschule 21 gemeinnützige GmbH

Website

https://hs21.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

hochschule 21 is a state-recognized private Fachhochschule in Buxtehude, Germany, offering dual bachelor's and part-time master's programs in construction, engineering, and health, integrating academic study with practical training at over 20 regional practice partner companies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Engineering Services (541330), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Engineering & Technology Institutes (Comprehensive) (EDAHAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Universities with Energy, Materials & Sustainability Focus (EDAHAEAL), Global Health Institutes & Programs (EDAHAGAM), Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE)

Keywords

• Dual study programs
• Applied sciences education
• Construction engineering degrees
• Healthcare university programs
• Continuing professional education

Headquarters

HQ city

Buxtehude

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Study Fees: As a private university, hochschule 21 charges tuition fees for its dual study programs. The exact fee structure is not publicly disclosed on the website.
2. Public Funding and Subsidies: Receives government funding as a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Lower Saxony, Germany
3. Continuing Education Services: Fort- und Weiterbildung (continuing education) programs offered through IWB (Institut für Weiterbildung und Bauprüfung)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

hochschule 21 is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Buxtehude, Germany, offering dual and part-time bachelor's and master's degree programs that integrate academic study with practical training at partner companies. The university operates three departments — Bauwesen (Construction), Technik (Engineering), and Gesundheit (Health) — and delivers programs in architecture, civil engineering, building services, mechatronics, physiotherapy, nursing, and industrial engineering. It also provides continuing education through its IWB institute and conducts applied research in energy transition, healthcare digitalization, and infrastructure monitoring.

Product overview

hochschule 21 is a private university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) located in Buxtehude, Germany, offering dual study programs that combine academic study with practical training at partner companies. The institution comprises three departments: Bauwesen (Construction), Technik (Engineering), and Gesundheit (Health). The core product portfolio consists of seven dual bachelor's degree programs (Architektur, Bauingenieurwesen, Ingenieurwesen Gebäudetechnik, Ingenieurwesen Mechatronik, Physiotherapie, Pflege, and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen Bau und Immobilien), one part-time master's program (Master Bauingenieurwesen), supported by a library service with 18,000+ media units. Research activities focus on energy transition (EnQuaFlex), healthcare digitalization (DIGI4ME), and agricultural digitalization (SAMSON). The university also publishes a technical report series (Schriftenreihe) featuring research outcomes from all departments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• hs21: Abbreviated brand name used throughout the website and communications

Products and services

• Architektur DUAL
• Bauingenieurwesen DUAL Dual bachelor's program in Civil Engineering preparing students for engineering practice at construction companies, engineering consultancies, and public administration, with practice partners including Strabag, Leonhard Weiss, Markgraf, and HTG Gadebusch.
• Ingenieurwesen Gebäudetechnik DUAL Dual bachelor's program in Building Services Engineering covering energy-efficient building systems, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technologies, integrating theory with practical company training.
• Ingenieurwesen Mechatronik DUAL Dual bachelor's program in Mechatronics Engineering combining mechanical engineering, electronics, and information technology for automated systems, with practice partners including Airbus in Stade.
• Physiotherapie DUAL Dual bachelor's program in Physiotherapy (B. Sc.) offered in cooperation with Elbe Kliniken Stade-Buxtehude and UKE-Akademie für Bildung & Karriere, integrating clinical practice with academic study.
• Pflege DUAL Dual, part-time bachelor's program in Nursing (berufsbegleitend) combining professional nursing practice with academic education.
• Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen Bau und Immobilien DUAL Dual bachelor's program (B. Eng.) in Industrial Engineering focused on Construction and Real Estate, covering property valuation, project management, and real estate economics, with practice partners including GARBE Industrial Real Estate.
• Master Bauingenieurwesen Part-time master's program in Civil Engineering (berufsbegleitend) designed for working professionals to enhance career prospects in the construction industry.
• Bibliothek der hochschule 21 University library with over 18,000 media units, approximately 100 current specialist journals, interlibrary loan services, and access to e-books, online journals, and databases.
• Continuing Education Programs (IWB) Continuing education and professional development programs offered through the IWB (Institut für Weiterbildung und Bauprüfung) for working professionals in construction and related fields.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,100 students enrolled despite maintaining family-like atmosphere
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner for Mechatronik students at Stade location. Students complete practical phases at Airbus facilities. Students have also completed international internships at Airbus Madrid as part of their dual studies.
• Stadtwerke BuxtehudecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner providing practical training opportunities for students in the Buxtehude region
• Stadtwerke StadecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner providing practical training opportunities for students in the Stade region
• StrabagcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor construction company practice partner for civil engineering and construction management students
• Leonhard Weiss BauunternehmungcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company practice partner for Bauwesen students
• MarkgrafcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company practice partner for civil engineering students
• Viebrockhaus AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company nominated for Baum-Challenge 2025; interdisciplinary cooperation partner
• Elbe Kliniken Stade-BuxtehudecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for dual study Physiotherapy program (Kooperationspartner)
• UKE-Akademie für Bildung & KarrierecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner for dual study Physiotherapy program (B. Sc.)
• Hamburg Port Authority (HPA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned smartBRIDGE Hamburg project for development of digital twin of Köhlbrandbrücke bridge using innovative probabilistic monitoring methods
• WTM Engineers GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering partner for smartBRIDGE Hamburg project implementation
• MKP GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngineering partner for smartBRIDGE Hamburg project implementation
• Competence Center Process Management Real Estate (CC PMRE)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKooperationspartner for PMRE Monitor 2026 research collaboration on innovation in real estate industry
• Ingenieurkammer NiedersachsencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwards outstanding student theses; confers engineer certification (Ingenieururkunde) to graduates
• GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPractice partner for Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen Bau und Immobilien students; has European locations including Paris office for international internships
• DTU - Technical University of DenmarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic exchange partner; Inge Rörig-Dalgaard from DTU visited hochschule 21 in May 2025
• Queensland University of Technology (QUT) BrisbaneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for student exchange semesters; students from Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen have completed study abroad semesters in Australia
• St. Josef Krankenhaus WienminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner in Austria for Erasmus+ practical internships for Nursing (Pflege) students
• ProVision (India)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages rehabilitation center in Mylaudy, India for international physiotherapy internships; supported by Patengemeinschaft für Kinder in Indien e.V.
• Frenzel & Frenzel ArchitektencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm practice partner for Architektur DUAL students
• HTG Hoch- und Tiefbau GadebuschcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction company practice partner for Bauwesen students
• gmp (Gerkan, Marg and Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor architecture firm practice partner for Architektur DUAL students
• BDA LüneburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association awards annual Studienpreis for outstanding architecture graduation theses since 2018
• Lions Club Buxtehude Franziska von OldershausenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNominated hochschule 21 for Baum-Challenge 2025 environmental sustainability initiative

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (HTWK Leipzig): Public university of applied sciences with civil engineering, architecture, and business engineering programs that directly overlap hs21's curriculum, providing a public-sector benchmark for the same Fachhochschule model.
• Hochschule Wismar: Public university of applied sciences in northern Germany with strong programs in architecture, civil engineering, and design — directly overlapping hs21's Bauwesen portfolio, though as a public institution.
• FOM Hochschule: One of Germany's largest private universities of applied sciences with a strong focus on working professionals and dual/part-time study formats. Comparable as a private Fachhochschule but with significantly broader scale and program portfolio.
• Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (HTW Berlin): Large public Fachhochschule with engineering, construction and economics programs mirroring hs21's Technik and Wirtschaftsingenieurwesen offerings, but with metropolitan scale and visibility.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university with state recognition and a heavy focus on dual study and online programs. Operates the same private-Fachhochschule license model with overlapping engineering and construction-related programs.
• Hochschule Fresenius: Private, state-recognized university of applied sciences with health and engineering programs similar to hs21's Gesundheit and Technik departments. Comparable in private Fachhochschule positioning but with national multi-campus reach.
• SRH Hochschule Heidelberg: Private, state-recognized university of applied sciences offering dual and part-time programs including engineering and health sciences. Comparable as a private Fachhochschule with similar dual-study positioning.
• Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW): Germany's largest dual-study university with ~34,000 students and the pioneering state-level dual study model. Comparable in dual-study structure and engineering/construction/health program mix, but operates at much greater scale as a state institution.

Direct peers

• NORDAKADEMIE Hochschule der Wirtschaft: Private, state-recognized dual-study university in northern Germany with a similarly sized student body (~1,000+) operating the classic dual study model integrating theory with practice at partner companies. Directly comparable in business model, scale, and regional positioning.
• Berufsakademie Sachsen / Staatliche Studienakademien: State-recognized dual-study academies in Saxony running the classic Theorie-Praxis-Verzahnung model with employer partners across construction, engineering and healthcare. Closely comparable business model to hs21 at a state level.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=cHWVYTdwYTA
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• Instagraminstagram.com/hochschule21

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about www.hochschule21.de