Hochschule für Finanzwirtschaft & Management

About Hochschule für Finanzwirtschaft & Management

Hochschule für Finanzwirtschaft & Management (HFM) is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences in Bonn, founded in 2003 by the German Savings Banks Finance Group (Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe). Renamed to its current form in 2020, HFM focuses exclusively on finance and business management education, combining theoretical depth with strong ties to professional practice in the German financial services sector.

HFM offers bachelor's and master's programmes in finance, banking, and management, predominantly delivered as distance learning (Fernstudium) with a blend of online sessions, in-person seminars, and self-study phases via its eCampus platform. The institution is accredited by the Wissenschaftsrat and all programmes hold programme-level accreditation. It reports more than 5,000 graduates and 30,000 continuing education participants since its founding.

HFM is a specialist institution: its entire portfolio is oriented toward the financial services industry and management of financial institutions. It is not a broad-subject university. Over 90% of students are employer-supported, reflecting the institution's close integration with the savings bank and cooperative banking sector.

Key facts

Founded: 2003

Only German university of applied sciences focused exclusively on finance and management for the savings banks and financial services sector

Founded by the Sparkassen-Finanzgruppe (German Savings Banks Finance Group) — strong industry links and employer-supported study model

No NC, no entrance exam, and no waiting period for admission

Distance-learning format (Fernstudium) combining online and in-person sessions — designed for working professionals

More than 5,000 graduates and 30,000 continuing education participants since 2003

Dedicated International Finance (B.Sc.) programme for international students, with Summer School in English

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

HFM is a private institution and charges tuition fees for all programmes. Bachelor programmes: €424/month for semesters 1–7 (semester 8 is free), totalling approximately €17,808 over 7 semesters, payable in quarterly instalments of €1,272. Master's programmes (e.g. Management of Financial Institutions MBA): €870/month for semesters 1–4, totalling approximately €20,880. No semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) figure is separately published. Over 90% of students receive employer co-financing.

Admission requirements

HFM programmes have no numerus clausus (NC) and no entrance examination. Applicants need a general university entrance qualification (Abitur or Fachhochschulreife) or, alternatively, a recognised vocational qualification (minimum 2 years) plus at least 3 years of relevant professional experience. The institution is a private university — APS certificate requirements for Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants should be verified directly with HFM admissions, as the official site does not address this explicitly. A dedicated International Finance (B.Sc.) programme targets international students. Contact: [email protected] (admissions advisor for international students).

Application deadlines

Winter semester (October start): application by 31 August. Summer semester (April start): application by 28 February. No waiting periods or NC restrictions.

Languages of instruction

Programmes primarily taught in German. International Finance (B.Sc.) programme designed for international students includes English-language components. Summer School conducted in English.

Campuses & locations

Bonn (Main Campus)

Simrockstr. 4, 53113 Bonn — primary campus and administrative headquarters

Decentralised Study Centres

Multiple regional study centres across Germany (specific locations not listed on official site); digital eCampus available for remote participation

Living in Nordrhein-Westfalen

Bonn is a mid-sized city of approximately 330,000 residents on the Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia. Formerly West Germany's federal capital, it retains a significant presence of UN agencies, federal ministries, and major corporations. The city has a high quality of life, affordable student costs relative to Frankfurt or Munich, and excellent rail connections to Cologne (20 minutes), Düsseldorf, and Frankfurt.

Student life & support

HFM's study model is designed for working professionals — most students balance employment with distance learning. In-person sessions combine practical seminars with peer networking from the savings banks sector. An annual Summer School in Intercultural and International Management is available for international students. The main campus is in central Bonn, with access to the broader Bonn–Cologne student infrastructure.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus