Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover

About Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover

The Fachhochschule für die Wirtschaft Hannover (FHDW Hannover) is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences founded in 1996. It is centrally located at Freundallee 15 in Hannover and specialises exclusively in business administration (BWL), computer science (Informatik), and business informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik), offering both cooperative (dual) and part-time study models.

With approximately 600 enrolled students and 20 professors, FHDW Hannover operates on a deliberately small-group model — roughly one professor per 25 students. All bachelor programmes integrate extended practical phases of three months or more in one of over 200 partner companies, meaning partner firms often co-fund or fully fund student tuition. All programmes are taught in German.

The institution is institutionally accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat (since 2013) and all programmes are programme-accredited through ZEvA. It has ranked as Germany's most popular university in its category on StudyCheck for four consecutive years (2021–2025) and received CHE Ranking 2024/2025 excellence ratings in Computer Science.

Key facts

Founded: 1996
Students: 600

State-recognised private university of applied sciences, institutionally accredited by Wissenschaftsrat since 2013

Specialises solely in business administration, computer science, and business informatics

Cooperative and part-time study models; partner companies often fund tuition fully

Low student-to-professor ratio (~25:1) with emphasis on individual mentoring

CHE Ranking 2024/2025 excellence ratings in Computer Science study organisation (4.9/5.0)

StudyCheck most popular university in its category (2021–2025, four consecutive years)

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

FHDW Hannover is a private institution and charges tuition fees; specific amounts are not published on the website. For cooperative bachelor students, partner companies commonly cover tuition in full and may also pay a monthly living allowance (Praxisphasenentgelt). Self-financing options include KfW student credit (€100–€650/month), German Education Study Fund (up to €30,000 total), and the federal Education Credit Programme (up to €300/month for two years). There is no state-standard semester contribution model as at public universities; there is no distinction noted between EU and non-EU fee levels on the official site.

Admission requirements

Applicants require a Fachhochschulreife (German university of applied sciences entrance qualification) or equivalent. German language skills at C1 level are required. The part-time BWL für Fachwirte programme accepts a Fachwirt certification in lieu of the standard HZB. Preparatory bridge courses in mathematics are offered. International students from India, China, or Vietnam must hold an APS certificate before applying. No English-taught programmes are available, so German C1/TestDaF equivalence is a hard prerequisite for all applicants. Applications are submitted via the online portal at bewerbung.fhdw-hannover.de.

Application deadlines

Bachelor programmes start in October (BWL and IT) and January (BWL only). Specific application cut-off dates are not published on the main website; prospective students are directed to the application portal at bewerbung.fhdw-hannover.de or to contact the admissions office directly.

Languages of instruction

All programmes taught in German. German C1 proficiency required for admission.

Campuses & locations

Hannover (main campus)

Freundallee 15, 30173 Hannover — single campus, centrally located near Hannover Hauptbahnhof

Living in Niedersachsen

Hannover is the state capital of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) with roughly 540,000 inhabitants. It is a major trade-fair city (home of Hannover Messe and CeBIT) with strong industrial and IT-sector employer presence, making it well-suited to the practice-integrated study model offered by FHDW Hannover. The FHDW campus is approximately five minutes on foot from Hannover Hauptbahnhof and is served by tram line 6 (Kerstingstraße stop).

Student life & support

The institution's small size (~600 students) fosters a close-knit community. A democratically elected student parliament (Studentenparlament) represents student interests. An alumni network and a corporate partner network of over 200 companies provide career connections. The ERASMUS programme offers exchange opportunities at partner universities in the UK, France, Belgium, and Norway, with monthly stipends up to €500 for study exchange or €600 for internships. A summer school at the University of the West of Scotland (10 ECTS, approximately £1,250 including accommodation) is also available.

International Office: International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus

Master