- Founded
- 1997
- Students
- 14,265
- International
- 15.9%
- Programmes
- 25
About Hamburger Fern-Hochschule, gemeinnützige GmbH
HFH · Hamburger Fern-Hochschule is a state-recognised, non-profit distance-learning university (Fernhochschule) headquartered in Hamburg. Founded in 1997 and owned by the DAA-Stiftung Bildung und Beruf, it is one of the largest non-profit, privately financed higher-education institutions in the German-speaking world, with over 21,000 graduates to date.
The university offers more than 15 bachelor's programmes, nine master's programmes, and approximately 200 continuing-education courses across three departments: Health and Nursing, Technology, and Business and Law. All programmes are delivered in a blended distance-learning format combining self-directed digital study, online instruction, and in-person seminar sessions at regional study centres.
HFH operates roughly 13 study centres in Germany (including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stuttgart, and others) and five in Austria (including Vienna, Graz, and Linz). All programmes carry ACQUIN accreditation and ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht) certification. There is no numerus clausus: admission to all programmes is unrestricted, with no minimum Abitur grade required.
State-recognised non-profit Fernhochschule founded 1997, owned by DAA-Stiftung Bildung und Beruf
Over 21,000 graduates; ACQUIN-accredited and ZFU-certified programmes
No numerus clausus - all programmes are admission-restriction-free
Blended learning format: digital self-study, online instruction, and in-person seminars
18 study centres across Germany and Austria for regional in-person support
Tuition rate guarantee: fees fixed at enrolment level for the full duration of studies
Key facts
- Type
- Fachhochschulen / HAW
- Founded
- 1997
- Students
- 14,265
- International
- 15.9%
- Faculties
- 3
- Programmes
- 25
Study programmes
25 accredited degrees at Hamburger Fern-Hochschule, gemeinnützige GmbH.
Showing 25–25 of 25 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
HFH is a privately financed institution; tuition fees apply to all students regardless of nationality. There is no public-university semester contribution model. Bachelor programmes cost approximately €290-€410 per month (total programme cost roughly €7,100-€16,280 depending on duration and subject). Master programmes cost approximately €380-€600 per month (total €11,790-€14,490). Dual study programmes range from €180-€380 per month. Examination fees are charged separately per attempt (first attempt currently waived for certain 2026 intakes). HFH guarantees tuition rates remain fixed at the level valid on the date of enrolment. Students may extend their studies by up to two semesters beyond the standard duration at no additional cost; thereafter a monthly continuation fee applies.
Admission requirements
Admission requires a German Hochschulreife (Abitur or Fachhochschulreife) or equivalent foreign qualification assessed by the ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen). Professionally qualified applicants without Abitur may be admitted via recognised advanced professional certificates or an entrance exam. Most bachelor programmes require a 12-13-week practical internship (Grundpraktikum) prior to enrolment; exemptions apply for Psychology, Business Psychology, and Therapy/Nursing Sciences programmes. International applicants must demonstrate German language proficiency at a minimum of B2 CEFR level. Accepted certificates include DSH, TestDaF (sufficient result), DSD II, or Goethe-Institut diplomas (ZOP, Kleines/Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom). Applicants whose secondary education was conducted in German are exempt. Foreign credentials are evaluated against the ZAB database and the DAAD credential database (daad.de/zulassungsdatenbank). No APS certificate is required or mentioned by the institution. All programmes are admission-restriction-free (kein NC).
Application deadlines
Enrolment is possible on a rolling basis (year-round); no fixed national application windows. New cohorts typically start in April (summer) and October (winter). Prospective students should apply several weeks before their intended start date to allow for document verification.
How international applicants apply
Direct application - no uni-assist. Applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification register exclusively via the HFH-Studienberatung ([email protected]); the registration form states that registration and matriculation run solely through this HFH checking procedure. HFH assesses foreign certificates itself strictly against ZAB/anabin evaluation proposals and requires certified copies, sworn German translations, German B2, and where applicable a ZAB Gleichwertigkeitsbescheinigung.
Languages of instruction
German (all programmes). No English-taught degree programmes listed.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Student accommodation
What Hamburger Fern-Hochschule, gemeinnützige GmbH publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageCampuses & locations
Headquarters at Alter Teichweg 19, 22081 Hamburg; multiple Hamburg study centres
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Living in Hamburg
Hamburg is Germany's second-largest city and a major port and media hub on the Elbe river. It offers a diverse cultural scene, a large international community, and strong employment opportunities in logistics, media, IT, and engineering. As a Fernhochschule, HFH's Hamburg headquarters is primarily administrative; students interact mainly with their local regional study centre rather than the Hamburg campus.
Student life & support
HFH's distance-learning model is designed for working professionals and career-changers. Study is primarily self-directed through digital learning materials and online sessions. In-person contact is centred on seminar weekends at regional study centres, giving students the opportunity to meet peers and receive face-to-face academic support. There is no traditional on-campus student life (student union, dormitories, sports facilities) given the distance format. A 96% recommendation rate and over 21,000 graduates indicate high satisfaction among the target demographic.
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