hmkw

What hmkw does

HMKW, operating as Media University of Applied Sciences (Media University GmbH), is a state-recognized private university in Germany founded in 2008 and registered in Berlin (HRB 116949 B). It operates three physical campuses in Berlin (Ackerstraße 76, headquarters), Cologne (Höninger Weg 139), and Frankfurt am Main (Solmsstr. 18), with study programs accredited by FIBAA and state-approved by the Berlin Senate. Its portfolio comprises eight bachelor's and ten master's programs spanning media, design, communication, journalism, business psychology, and emerging AI disciplines, supplemented by part-time online variants and an English-taught distance-learning M.A. in Visual and Media Anthropology delivered via Canvas LMS, Zoom, and an avatar-based virtual campus in Open Sim.

The institution runs on a tuition-based subscription model. Full-time campus master's programs are priced at 890 EUR per month over four semesters, part-time online master's programs at 490 EUR per month over five semesters, and the distance-learning Visual and Media Anthropology program at 4,170 EUR per semester (16,680 EUR for the full four-semester program); bachelor's programs are BAföG-eligible. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via a multi-channel digital marketing approach (website, social media across LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube/TikTok, paid advertising, HubSpot CRM, study advisory services, open days, trial lectures, education fairs, and online information events), targeting prospective German and international students. The technology stack includes Canvas LMS, an Open Sim virtual campus, AI chatbots (Soul Machines, Chatling), and Strato hosting.

HMKW monetizes industry engagement through project-based partnerships with media and corporate names including Deutsche Welle, MediaGroup RTL, Koelnmesse, Schindler, C4 Berlin, and Inno2grid, plus Erasmus+ and worldwide partner universities for international exchange. Leadership comprises President Prof. Dr. Lorenz Pöllmann and Chancellor Alice Blezinger, with department heads including Prof. Dr. Ranty Islam (Cologne, journalism and AI) and Prof. Dr. Urte Undine Frömming (Berlin, humanities). Notable applied initiatives include the 2024 Constructive AI Compass project with Bonn Institute, RTL, Deutsche Welle, and Aarhus University, and an award for Best Practice in Online Teaching from CEDIS at Freie Universität Berlin.

Name

hmkw

Legal name

Media University GmbH

Website

https://hmkw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

HMKW (Media University of Applied Sciences) is a state-recognized, FIBAA-accredited private German university operating campuses in Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt, offering accredited bachelor's and master's programs in media, design, communication, journalism, business, and psychology, with growing online and AI-themed offerings.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Media and Communication)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Fully Online Universities (Online-First, Degree-Granting) (EDAHALAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual Field Trips & Experiential Learning Environments (Museums, Geography, History) (EDAFAJAG), Workshops, Webinars & Live Masterclasses (MPACALAD), Virtual Training, Workshops & Masterclasses (Interactive Sessions) (MPAGAOAJ)

Keywords

• Higher education services
• Media education programs
• Bachelor degree programs
• Master degree programs
• Distance learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees - Campus Master Programs: Full-time campus-based master's programs charged at 890 EUR monthly. Programs include Business Psychology, Public Relations and Digital Marketing, Digital Journalism, International Business, International Marketing and Media Management, and others. BAföG funding may be available for eligible students.
2. Tuition Fees - Part-time/Online Master Programs: Berufsbegleitende (part-time career-aligned) master programs priced at 490 EUR monthly, offered online with optional networking meetings at Cologne campus. Programs include International Marketing, Public Relations, and Business Psychology.
3. Tuition Fees - Visual and Media Anthropology: Distance learning program priced at 4,170 EUR per semester or 16,680 EUR total for the complete 4-semester program. Includes e-learning components and optional on-campus workshops in Berlin.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HMKW (Media University of Applied Sciences) is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences delivering accredited Bachelor's (B.A., B.Sc.) and Master's (M.A., M.Sc.) degree programs with a media, communication, design, business psychology, and AI focus. Education is delivered across three German campuses (Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt) and online through Canvas LMS, Open Sim avatar-based virtual campus, Zoom webinars, and 360-degree/VR learning, supplemented by dual-study and part-time/online career-aligned formats.

Product overview

Media University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Medien und Kommunikation, hmkw) is a state-recognized private university offering a comprehensive portfolio of accredited undergraduate and graduate programs. The institution operates across three campuses in Berlin, Cologne, and Frankfurt, supplemented by extensive distance learning options. The core product portfolio includes eight Bachelor programs (B.A. and B.Sc.) spanning digital marketing, graphic design, game design, journalism, media management, business psychology, and social media; ten Master programs (M.A. and M.Sc.) covering AI and societies, AI in education, corporate sustainability, digital journalism, international business, communications design, public relations, visual anthropology, and business psychology; plus part-time online variants of three master programs. Programs emphasize practical application with industry partnerships, small class sizes, and integration of modern technologies including AI, VR, and digital media tools. The institution is accredited by FIBAA and state-approved by Berlin's Senate.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• B.A. Digitales Marketing und E-Commerce Bachelor program focusing on digital business models, online shopping, influencer marketing, and e-commerce strategies for prospective students pursuing careers in digital marketing.
• B.A. Grafikdesign und Visuelle Kommunikation Bachelor program covering visual communication design fundamentals with practical orientation for creative careers in graphic and visual communication design.
• B.A. Game Design und Interaktive Medien Bachelor program on interactive media and game design, part of the Design department offerings, for students pursuing careers in interactive digital media and game development.
• B.A. Journalismus und Unternehmenskommunikation Bachelor program preparing students for journalism and corporate communication careers with emphasis on contemporary media landscape.
• B.A. Management der Medien- und Kreativwirtschaft Bachelor program combining creative skills from design, audio, film, or games with business knowledge and modern AI practice for the media and creative industries.
• B.A. Medien- und Eventmanagement Bachelor program at the intersection of artists, creatives, and businesses for developing innovative solutions in media and events management.
• B.Sc. Medien- und Wirtschaftspsychologie Bachelor program combining classical psychology with digitalization context for careers in business or media companies.
• B.A. Social Media Marketing und Content Creation Bachelor program developing social media strategies, content production for digital platforms, and brand positioning in digital space.
• M.A. Artificial Intelligence and Societies Master program providing interdisciplinary understanding of AI's impact on societies worldwide.
• M.A. Artificial Intelligence, Education, Technology and Innovation Master program focused on shaping the future of teaching and learning with artificial intelligence, education technology, and innovation.
• M.A. Corporate Sustainability Management Master program combining management, business intelligence, sustainable brand leadership, and communication for corporate sustainability roles.
• M.A. Digitaler Journalismus Master program for professionalizing journalism skills in culture, entertainment, economics, and politics, focused on digital journalism.
• M.Sc. International Business Master program developing strategic and operational marketing concepts and international market positioning.
• M.A. Internationales Marketing und Medienmanagement Master program available in both campus and online (part-time) formats for international marketing and media management.
• M.A. Kommunikationsdesign und Kreative Strategien Master program teaching core competencies for art directors based on real agency practice in communication design and creative strategies.
• M.A. Public Relations und Digitales Marketing Master program combining public relations and digital marketing — the first German program of its kind — preparing graduates for new communication professions in digital transformation.
• M.A. Visual and Media Anthropology English-taught distance learning master program on ethnographic film, documentary photography, and immersive 360-degree applications including VR technologies, with optional on-campus workshops in Berlin.
• M.Sc. Wirtschaftspsychologie Master program combining psychological expertise with economic thinking for consumer and business behavior analysis; available in campus and part-time formats.
• Berufsbegleitendes Masterstudium (Part-time Online Master Programs) Part-time online master programs (M.A. Internationales Marketing und Medienmanagement, M.A. Public Relations und Digitales Marketing, M.Sc. Wirtschaftspsychologie) for working professionals; 100% online with optional networking events at the Cologne campus, priced at 490 EUR per month over 5 semesters.
• Dual Study Program (Dual-praxisintegrierend) Public Relations und Digitales Marketing Dual-study program combining university coursework with work at partner companies; the university assists with finding partner companies. Currently offered for the Master in Public Relations and Digital Marketing at the Cologne campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni employed at major companies: SAP, Google, Jung von Matt, ZDF, TikTok, META
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• MediaGroup RTLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with MediaGroup RTL for student practical projects in journalism, PR, and digital marketing programs. Students work on real client projects with RTL as part of their curriculum, gaining hands-on industry experience.
• KoelnmessecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Koelnmesse (Cologne Exhibition Centre) for student practical projects. Provides real-world event management and marketing experience for media and event management students.
• Lebenshilfe BonnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership for student projects in communication and PR, allowing students to gain experience in the nonprofit sector while contributing to meaningful causes.
• Erasmus+ Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange program partnerships with European universities through Erasmus+. Students can study abroad at partner institutions and benefit from cultural exchange and academic collaboration.
• Worldwide Partner UniversitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal network of international partner universities for student exchange, study abroad programs, and collaborative academic initiatives beyond Europe.
• C4 Berlin (Kreativagentur)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign thinking course collaboration with creative agency C4 Berlin, along with Schindler and Inno2grid, for master student innovation projects.
• Schindler GermanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partnership for design thinking and innovation projects involving master students, combining academic learning with real business challenges.
• Inno2gridminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation and startup ecosystem partner for student projects focused on design thinking and energy/technology innovation.
• Bonn InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Constructive AI Compass project (2024) where students developed AI prompting strategies for constructive journalism with partners including RTL, Deutsche Welle, and Aarhus University Constructive Institute.
• Deutsche WellecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership in journalism education and AI applications in newsrooms. Deutsche Welle collaborates on student projects and research initiatives, particularly in AI-powered journalism tools.
• Aarhus University Constructive InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Constructive AI Compass project (2024) for developing AI prompting strategies in constructive journalism education.
• Friedrich-Ebert-StiftungminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPreviously collaborated on developing curriculum for environmental journalism in Vietnam (2015-2017), supporting journalism education development internationally.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hochschule Fresenius: Established German private university group with campuses nationwide offering media, business, psychology, and design programs. Comparable in scope to HMKW but with significantly broader portfolio and footprint.
• Beuth University of Applied Sciences (BHT): Berlin public university of applied sciences with strong engineering, design, and media programs at low/no tuition. The most direct public-sector alternative for cost-conscious Berlin applicants.

Regional players

• Deutsche Journalistenschule: Munich-based elite private journalism school offering postgraduate training. Comparable in mission (practitioner-led journalism education) and target audience (aspiring journalists), though more selective and not degree-granting in the same way.

Direct peers

• FOM Hochschule: Germany's largest private university for working professionals, with strong part-time online and campus programs in business, communication, and media management. Directly comparable to HMKW's part-time/online master offerings.
• IU Internationale Hochschule: Germany's largest private university, offering accredited Bachelor and Master programs across business, media, design, and technology via flexible online and campus formats. Directly competes with HMKW on tuition-funded, accredited private higher education in Germany.
• BSP Business & Law School: Private Berlin-based university offering accredited Bachelor and Master programs in business, communication, and media with multiple delivery formats. Overlaps on media and business curricula and Berlin campus.
• Hochschule Macromedia: Private German university of applied sciences with campuses in multiple German cities, specializing in media, communication, management, and creative arts programs. Closely comparable to HMKW in mission, program portfolio, and target students.
• SRH Hochschule: Large private university group operating multiple campuses across Germany with state-recognized and FIBAA-accredited programs in business, media, design, and engineering. Comparable scale, delivery model, and private-tuition business model.

Emerging players

• SAE Institute: Global creative-media higher education provider with campuses in Germany offering degrees in audio, film, game design, and animation. Overlaps with HMKW's media/creative design offerings and now jointly delivers some program content.
• CODE University of Applied Sciences: Berlin-based private university focused on software engineering, interaction design, and product management. Overlaps with HMKW on creative/digital curriculum and on-campus Berlin location, targeting similar younger, career-oriented students.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@media.university.
• Facebookfacebook.com/mu.mediauniversity
• LinkedInde.linkedin.com/school/media-university
• Instagraminstagram.com/media.university.de
• TikToktiktok.com/@media.university

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

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 hmkw