PFH - Private Hochschule Göttingen

About PFH - Private Hochschule Göttingen

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences (PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen) is Lower Saxony's oldest private, state-recognised university, founded in 1995 and institutionally accredited by ZEvA and re-accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities in 2018. As of January 2025, more than 4,700 students are enrolled across on-campus and distance-learning programmes, with over 6,000 alumni. The university belongs to the Galileo Global Education Group and is supported by a board of trustees that includes major corporations such as SAP SE, Continental AG, Airbus Operations GmbH, and PwC.

PFH offers approximately 60 programmes spanning Management, Engineering Sciences, Psychology, Business Psychology, Business Law, Technology, and Healthcare Technology. On-campus master's programmes in Göttingen are taught entirely in English, targeting international students. The university holds programme accreditations from FIBAA and ASIIN in addition to its institutional accreditation.

A dedicated India team (pfhindia.com) supports prospective students from India through the entire application process. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam are required to obtain an APS certificate as part of the admission process. The university operates a rolling admissions policy with intakes in April and October each year.

Key facts

Founded: 1995
Students: 4,700

Founded in 1995 — Lower Saxony's oldest private, state-recognised university

All on-campus master's programmes at Göttingen taught entirely in English

APS certificate required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam

Rolling admissions with April and October intakes; visa-rejection full-refund guarantee

Board of trustees includes SAP SE, Continental AG, Airbus Operations GmbH, and PwC

STIBET/DAAD Prize scholarships (€500–€600) available exclusively to non-German international students; Deutschlandstipendium (€300/month) also available to enrolled students

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

PFH is a private university and charges tuition fees. On-campus master's programme fees (as listed on the application page): M.Sc. AI Management in Computer Science for Business — €5,040/semester; M.Sc. General Management — €5,880/semester; MBA — €5,880/semester; M.Sc. UX Management & Design — €5,040/semester. The MBA runs 3 semesters (total programme cost approximately €20,768 including admin, enrolment, and exam fees of €500–€1,000 each, plus a semester contribution of approximately €376/semester). There is no tuition-free option; Baden-Württemberg non-EU surcharge does not apply (university is in Lower Saxony). A 25% automatic scholarship is available for high-GPA applicants.

Admission requirements

For master's programmes: applicants must hold a recognised bachelor's degree (business focus not required for the MBA) and demonstrate at least one year of relevant work experience. English proficiency must be verified by one of the following: TOEFL iBT 87, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120, LanguageCert Academic 70, or proof that the prior degree was taught in English. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must present an APS certificate (Akademische Prüfstelle) to complete the admission process — this is explicitly stated on the programme pages. PFH operates rolling admissions ('you can apply at any time') with intakes starting April 1 and October 1. A 25% tuition fee reduction is available automatically for applicants whose bachelor's GPA falls in the top 85th percentile. The university offers a zero-risk visa policy: full tuition refund if the student visa is rejected.

Application deadlines

Rolling admissions — no fixed deadline for direct applicants. Intakes: April 1 and October 1 each year (January and July intakes also listed on the application form). For incoming exchange students: Winter Semester deadline August 15; Summer Semester deadline February 15.

Languages of instruction

On-campus master's programmes in Göttingen are taught 100% in English (MBA, M.Sc. General Management, M.Sc. UX Management & Design, M.Sc. AI Management in Computer Science for Business). Bachelor's and distance-learning programmes are primarily German-taught. Exchange students may also study in German at a minimum B1 level. PFH offers optional intensive German language courses (pre-semester) and recommends the IIK institute in Göttingen for additional German instruction.

Campuses & locations

Göttingen Campus

Main on-campus location; Weender Landstrasse 3-7, 37073 Göttingen. Offers English-taught master's programmes.

Stade Campus

Second on-campus location in Lower Saxony.

Distance-Learning Centres

24 study centres across Germany, Austria, and Spain for distance-learning programmes.

Living in Niedersachsen

Göttingen is a university city in southern Lower Saxony, widely known as a centre of academic research and home to Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (a major public research university). The city has a strong student population, a compact and walkable city centre, and easy rail access. PFH's campus is located at Weender Landstrasse 3-7, close to the city centre, the main train station, and the Lower Saxony State and University Library. Living costs are estimated by PFH at approximately €750–850 per month.

Student life & support

Full-time Göttingen campus students receive a Culture Semester Ticket (free or reduced entry to cultural venues in Göttingen) and a Railway Semester Ticket covering most train connections in Lower Saxony and select routes in northern Hesse. Student housing is not managed directly by PFH; the university refers students to Studentenwerk Göttingen for accommodation options. The International Office ([email protected]) coordinates study-abroad exchanges and supports incoming international students; a separate inbox ([email protected]) handles incoming exchange students. Optional intensive German language courses are offered in the weeks before each semester (September–October for winter; February–March for summer). PFH also operates a social-points programme tied to voluntary work, and hosts regular campus events such as Business Breakfast sessions, internship fairs, and entrepreneurship programming.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus