Fachhochschule für Verwaltung und Dienstleistung

About FHVD

The Fachhochschule für Verwaltung und Dienstleistung (FHVD) is a state university of applied sciences in Schleswig-Holstein dedicated exclusively to training civil servants for the German public sector. Founded in 1975 and operating from two campuses in Altenholz and Reinfeld (Holstein), it offers bachelor's degree programmes in General Administration, Police Service, Tax Administration, and Pension Insurance (Social Security Management).

All programmes follow a dual-track model: students are simultaneously employed by a state or municipal government agency, which sponsors their studies and pays a monthly gross stipend of approximately €1,331. Admission therefore requires an offer of employment from an authorised public-sector employer, and is restricted to German nationals and EU citizens. Approximately 1,600 students are enrolled across both campuses (WS 2024/25 preliminary figure).

The FHVD is not a conventional open-admission university and offers no programmes targeted at international students outside the EU. It is accredited and listed in the German higher education system, but its intake and mission are specialist civil-service training rather than general academic or research education.

Key facts

Founded: 1975
Students: 1,591
International: Negligible; admission restricted to German nationals and EU citizens employed by a public authority
Faculties: 4

Fully state-funded civil-service training: students receive a monthly salary (approx. €1,331 gross) and pay no tuition

Guaranteed career pathway: graduation leads directly to appointment in the German public sector (Gehobener Dienst)

Four specialist departments: General Administration, Police, Tax Administration, and Pension/Social Insurance

Dual-track model integrating academic study with practical employer placements from day one

Founded 1975; approximately 1,600 students across two campuses (Altenholz and Reinfeld)

Accredited institution listed in the German higher education system (Hochschulkompass / KMK)

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

No tuition fees. Students receive a monthly gross stipend of approximately €1,331 from their employing public authority during the entire study period, covering living costs. No semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) data published on the official site.

Admission requirements

Admission is not open to the general public or to non-EU international applicants. Prospective students must first secure employment with an authorised German public-sector employer (Ausbildungsbehörde), which then registers them at the FHVD. Entry requirement is a Fachhochschulreife or Abitur (or equivalent). Applicants must hold German citizenship or citizenship of an EU member state. Non-EU international students are not eligible. APS certificate is not applicable — the programme is closed to Indian, Vietnamese, Chinese, or other non-EU applicants.

Application deadlines

Applications are made to the employing public authority (not the university directly). Deadlines vary by employer but typically fall in autumn of the year preceding the August 1st start date. No centralised application portal.

Languages of instruction

German (all programmes taught exclusively in German)

Campuses & locations

Altenholz

Main campus; hosts Allgemeine Verwaltung, Polizei, and Steuerverwaltung departments. Address: Rehmkamp 10, 24161 Altenholz.

Reinfeld (Holstein)

Secondary campus; hosts Rentenversicherung (Social Security/Pension Insurance) department. Address: Ahrensböker Str. 51, 23858 Reinfeld.

Living in Schleswig-Holstein

Altenholz is a small municipality directly north of Kiel, the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein, on the Kiel Fjord. It is effectively a suburb of Kiel, offering easy access to the city's infrastructure, student amenities, and Baltic Sea coastline. Reinfeld is a small town approximately 25 km north of Lübeck in eastern Schleswig-Holstein.

Student life & support

Student life is closely tied to the civil-service employment context. Students are salaried employees during their studies, which removes financial pressure but also means the campus experience differs markedly from a conventional university. Both campuses have libraries, IT facilities, student counselling services, and housing support. Extracurricular student activities are present but limited given the specialist nature of the institution.

Accredited Programmes

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus