Europäische Studienakademie Kälte-Klima-Lüftung

About Europäische Studienakademie Kälte-Klima-Lüftung

The Europäische Studienakademie Kälte-Klima-Lüftung (ESaK) is a state-recognised dual-study academy located in Maintal, near Frankfurt, Hessen. Founded in October 2004, it specialises exclusively in refrigeration and climate engineering, offering dual Bachelor of Science programmes that alternate three-month theory and practice blocks.

By the end of 2023 the academy had produced 319 graduates — representing over one-third of all refrigeration and climate engineering graduates in Germany. Programmes are accredited by ASIIN (German engineering accreditation agency) and delivered in close partnership with more than 1,000 partner companies in the sector.

From autumn 2024, new students enrol through the cooperative framework of StudiumPlus and Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM), upgrading the curriculum to 7 semesters and 210 ECTS credits, which grants direct eligibility for consecutive master's programmes. ESaK continues to operate its Maintal campus facilities and laboratories as the specialist delivery partner.

Key facts

Founded: 2004
Faculties: 1

Only institution in Germany dedicated exclusively to dual-study Bachelor programmes in refrigeration and climate engineering

ASIIN-accredited Bachelor of Science programmes

Over one-third of all German refrigeration/climate engineering graduates trained here (per ESaK, by 2023)

Network of more than 1,000 partner companies providing practical training placements

Cooperative framework with Technische Hochschule Mittelhessen (THM) and StudiumPlus from 2024, enabling 210 ECTS / master's eligibility

Small cohort sizes allowing close mentoring by professors and industry supervisors

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees are charged at this state-recognised academy. Dual-study students typically receive a training allowance from their partner company during practical phases. Semester administration contributions (if any) are not specified on the official site.

Admission requirements

Applicants must secure a dual-study contract with an ESaK/StudiumPlus partner company before enrolling — the company sponsors the practical phases. Entry qualification: German Abitur or equivalent (Fachhochschulreife accepted). No separate international-student admission track is documented on the official site; international applicants should contact the Studienbüro directly. German language proficiency is required for the German-taught programme. APS certificate required for applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam.

Languages of instruction

German (primary language of instruction). StudiumPlus partner THM offers limited English-track options for incoming international students.

Campuses & locations

Maintal Campus

Theo-Mack-Str. 3, 63477 Maintal (near Frankfurt); primary campus with laboratories and workshops

Living in the city

Maintal is a small town directly east of Frankfurt am Main in the state of Hessen. It is well connected to Frankfurt by S-Bahn (S8/S9), giving students access to one of Germany's largest cities and its extensive professional and cultural infrastructure.

Student life & support

As a small specialist academy, ESaK has an intimate learning environment with direct access to professors and industry mentors. Students spend alternating three-month blocks on campus and with their partner company, building hands-on experience throughout the degree. The academy maintains a Facebook channel (facebook.com/kaelteblick) and YouTube channel for community engagement.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus