- Founded
- 2003
- Students
- 10,200
- International
- 5.5%
- Programmes
- 100
- Taught in English
- 1
About Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg
The Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg (Euro-FH) is a private distance-learning university of applied sciences based in Hamburg and part of the Klett group of companies. It specialises in flexible, work-compatible (berufsbegleitend) bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes delivered primarily as distance study (Fernstudium), with an online evening-study format and university certificate courses also on offer.
The Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg has granted the Euro-FH state recognition, which guarantees that its degrees are equivalent to those of state universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen). The university is institutionally accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) and, since March 2024, holds system accreditation from the German Accreditation Council, allowing it to accredit its own study programmes internally. Its distance programmes and certificate courses are also state-approved by the ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht, Cologne).
Study is designed for maximum flexibility: there is no fixed semester structure, students can enrol and start at any time, test the programme free for four weeks, and sit module examinations monthly either online or at one of ten nationwide examination locations. Master's degrees additionally open access to the higher civil service (Höherer Dienst) and to subsequent doctoral study.
State-recognised by the Hamburg Senate; degrees equivalent to those of state universities of applied sciences
Institutionally accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat and system-accredited by the German Accreditation Council (since March 2024)
Described as Germany's best-known private distance-learning university (forsa 2025)
Fully flexible distance study with no semester system: start any time and a free four-week trial
Optional two-week International Seminars at partner institutions in Denmark, the UK, Poland, Spain and China, with possible DAAD funding
Master's degrees give access to the higher civil service and to subsequent doctoral study
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 2003
- Students
- 10,200
- International
- 5.5% international students (winter semester 2024/25; 10,610 students in total) per Studis Online.
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 100
Study programmes
100 accredited degrees at Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg, 1 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–24 of 100 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
As a private university, the Euro-FH charges tuition fees (Studiengebühren) for its programmes; it is not tuition-free and does not levy a public-university semester contribution. Exact fees depend on the chosen programme and are provided in the programme-specific information material and price lists rather than as a single figure on the site. Credit for prior learning (Anrechnung von Vorleistungen) can reduce study duration and fees, and promotions/discounts are periodically offered.
Admission requirements
As a distance university governed by the Hamburg Higher Education Act, admission is oriented to working professionals rather than the typical international-applicant pathway. Bachelor's entry routes: (1) with Abitur or Fachhochschulreife (direct enrolment); (2) without Abitur, via a subject-specific advanced vocational qualification (e.g. Fachwirt/in, staatlich geprüfte/r Betriebswirt/in, Meister/in, Techniker/in) plus a short advisory interview with the university's expert commission; (3) without Abitur, with completed vocational training plus at least three years' professional experience, starting as a guest student and passing an entrance examination (German plus reasoning/judgement) within ten months. A Master's-entry programme allows access to many master's degrees without a first degree for applicants with vocational training plus at least 10 years' professional experience, including at least 6 in a leadership role. The official site does not publish an APS-certificate requirement or standardised English-test (IELTS/TOEFL) thresholds; prospective international applicants should confirm individual requirements with the study advisory service ([email protected]).
Application deadlines
There are no fixed application deadlines or winter/summer intakes. The Euro-FH operates without a semester system, so students can enrol and begin their distance studies at any time, and start with a free four-week trial period.
How international applicants apply
Not used. Registration is done directly online at euro-fh.de in three steps; international certificates are checked in-house free of charge against the database of the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB/anabin): 'internationale Zeugnisse prüfen wir kostenlos ... über die Datenbank der Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen'. Euro-FH is not on the official uni-assist member list for Hamburg.
Languages of instruction
Programmes are taught in German and aimed primarily at German-speaking working professionals; distance materials and examinations are in German. There is no general English-taught degree track. International exposure is provided through optional two-week International Seminars at partner institutions abroad and individual business-English certificate courses.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg
2 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Aufstiegsstipendium des BMBF
Federal scholarship for experienced, motivated professionals taking up a first degree full-time or part-time - ideal for the Euro-...
Amount: up to EUR 3,045 per year; full-time students receive EUR 992 monthly p...
bachelor, master
Weiterbildungsstipendium des BMBF
Federal scholarship supporting young talented professionals with a completed recognised vocational apprenticeship in their further...
Amount: up to EUR 9,135 over three years plus contributions towards tuition fe...
bachelor
Student accommodation
What Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
From the university
Because it is a distance university aimed at working professionals, there are no on-campus dormitories or a conventional campus student life; the main in-person elements are occasional compact seminars (usually online) and the optional International Seminars abroad.
Campuses & locations
Doberaner Weg 20, 22143 Hamburg; located directly at the Hamburg-Rahlstedt station. Main administrative and advisory site; in-person consultation appointments possible here.
Ten exam centres across Germany: Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt a.M., Göttingen, Hamburg, Köln, Leipzig, München, Nürnberg and Stuttgart. Examinations can alternatively be taken online.
Living in Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and a major northern port and economic hub, home to a large student population across several universities. The Euro-FH headquarters sits in the Rahlstedt district in the east of the city, directly at the Hamburg-Rahlstedt rail station. Because the Euro-FH is a distance-learning institution, most students study remotely from across Germany (and abroad) rather than relocating to Hamburg.
Student life & support
Student support centres on intensive personal supervision: a dedicated study advisor plus tutors and professors, an online campus, and a 24/7 AI learning companion (KILEA). Examinations are flexible (online or at ten German exam centres) with a 'free attempt' on early modules. Because it is a distance university aimed at working professionals, there are no on-campus dormitories or a conventional campus student life; the main in-person elements are occasional compact seminars (usually online) and the optional International Seminars abroad. DAAD scholarship support is available for the International Seminar.
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