FOM University of Applied Sciences: Germany’s Largest University for Business and Management

Within Germany’s higher education system, there is a university that, despite having been established for just over thirty years, has already grown into Germany’s largest university for economics and management. Focusing on the training of applied professionals, it has established close partnerships with over 10,000 companies. With campuses spread across 35 major cities in Germany, it ranks second among German universities in terms of student enrollment. This is the FOM University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management in Essen—FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management. FOM Transcript

What is FOM Hochschule?

FOM Hochschule (hereinafter referred to as FOM University) was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences. The university’s full German name is “FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management,” which translates to “Essen University of Applied Sciences for Economics and Management” in Chinese.

The background of FOM University’s founding is quite distinctive—it was jointly established by local German entrepreneurs’ associations, retail associations, and chambers of commerce. This unique founding model shaped the university’s core educational philosophy: a close integration of theory and practice. From its inception, the university has positioned itself as a “University of Applied Sciences,” focusing on cultivating applied management talent that meets the practical needs of businesses.

FOM operates campuses in 35 major cities across Germany, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, and Düsseldorf, as well as one international campus in Vienna, Austria. As of 2025, the university has over 57,000 students, ranking second in student enrollment among Germany’s 426 higher education institutions, surpassed only by the University of Munich.

Globally Recognized Academic Standing and Accreditation

As Germany’s largest university for business and management, FOM University has achieved outstanding accomplishments in academic accreditation:

FIBAA International Accreditation: FOM is the first private university in Germany to receive FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) international accreditation, meeting the highest international standards. FIBAA accreditation is a key component of Europe’s higher education quality assurance system; obtaining this accreditation signifies that the institution’s teaching quality and academic standards are internationally recognized.

Accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities: FOM University is accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities, one of Germany’s highest-level academic accreditation bodies. This accreditation involves a comprehensive evaluation of the university’s academic standards, teaching quality, and research capabilities, and its results carry significant authority.

Accreditation by the Chinese Ministry of Education: FOM University is one of the first German universities to be recognized by the Chinese government and is listed on the Chinese Ministry of Education’s website for the supervision of foreign-related institutions. This means that the bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded by FOM are recognized by the Chinese Ministry of Education, and graduates can have their academic credentials certified upon returning to China.

International Rankings and Honors: In the 2019 “German University Rankings” conducted by Forbes magazine, FOM University was honored as the “Best University in the Business School and Economics Category.” In the 2022 evaluation of private business universities, FOM University ranked first among private universities in the field of economics, with a service quality rating of “Good.” Additionally, FOM is the only university of applied sciences in the German Research Foundation’s “Dual Education” Quality Network.

Flagship Programs and Academic Offerings

FOM University offers over 40 undergraduate programs and 31 master’s programs, covering disciplines such as economics, management, law, natural sciences, and engineering. The university operates 11 research centers and 15 competence centers, spanning fields including business administration, information technology, economic law, corporate social responsibility, and health sciences.

Undergraduate Programs

FOM’s undergraduate programs focus primarily on business and management, while also expanding into areas such as information technology and economic law:

• International Management: A 7-semester program available at 13 campuses, including Cologne, Essen, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich. The curriculum covers Human Resource Management, Cost Accounting, International Economics, International Finance and Accounting, Project Management, and Strategic Management.
• Information Technologies & Management: A 6-semester program taught at the Düsseldorf campus, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program integrates computer science and business administration, featuring bilingual instruction in German and English, and includes e-learning and blended learning modules.
• Economics, Business Administration, Tax Law, Economic Law, Information Systems, and Network Engineering, among others.

Master’s Programs

FOM’s master’s programs emphasize professional depth and an international perspective:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA): A 3-semester program taught entirely in English at the Essen campus. The curriculum focuses on economics, marketing and communication, financial management, human resources, and leadership. This program is open to international students worldwide with no enrollment quotas; applicants must hold a university degree and have at least one year of professional work experience.
• Accounting & Finance: Master of Arts (M.A.), 1.5-year program (0.5 years in China + 1 year in Germany), taught entirely in English. Applicants must have an undergraduate background in business or economics, a GPA of 75 or higher, and a CET-6 score of 500 or an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher.
• International Marketing: Master of Arts (M.A.), 1.5-year program, taught entirely in English. No restrictions on undergraduate major; language requirements are the same as for the Accounting & Finance program.
• Other Master’s Programs: 31 specializations including Human Resources, IT Management, Economic Law, and Economic Psychology.

Dual Education System: Combining Theory and Practice

FOM University’s distinctive educational approach is epitomized by its “Dual Education System” (Duales Studium). This model closely integrates theoretical learning with practical experience in the workplace, allowing students to gain exposure to real-world work environments while still in school.

The university has established long-term partnerships with over 10,000 German companies, including renowned firms such as Siemens, Deutsche Bahn, BMW, Daimler, ThyssenKrupp, Bertelsmann Group, Deutsche Bank, IBM, Bayer, and AOK Insurance. These companies not only provide internship opportunities for FOM students but also actively participate in curriculum design to ensure that course content aligns with industry needs.

Under the dual-track education model, students can:

• Complete paid internships at partner companies to gain valuable work experience
• Apply classroom knowledge directly to real-world work scenarios
• Build professional networks with companies, paving the way for post-graduation employment
• Have part of their tuition covered by partner companies, reducing the financial burden

Internationalization and Cooperation with China

FOM University is one of Germany’s most internationally oriented universities of applied sciences. The university has established partnerships with over 100 institutions across Europe, the United States, China, India, South Africa, and other regions.

In China, FOM University has established in-depth collaborations with multiple universities:

• Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China: Academic exchange and cooperation
• Shanxi University of Finance and Economics: Joint master’s degree program
• Wuhan Business College: Joint undergraduate program in Logistics Management (approved by the Ministry of Education)
• Changzhou University: Master’s degree pathway program
• Jinzhong Information College: Integrated bachelor’s-master’s degree program

FOM has a history of over 20 years in joint education programs in China, having trained more than 6,000 graduates to date. Graduates pursue a wide range of career paths: 30% join large enterprises such as Volkswagen and Siemens, as well as banks; 45% pursue graduate studies in Germany; 15% secure positions in the civil service or public institutions; and 10% start their own businesses.

Study Abroad Costs and Value for Money

FOM University offers excellent value for money among German universities:

Tuition Fees:

• Undergraduate Programs: €345/month; total tuition approximately €14,490, plus a one-time examination fee of €500
• MBA Programs: Registration fee €1,580; tuition €13,506; examination fee €350; total €15,436
• Master’s in Accounting and Financial Management / International Marketing: Annual tuition in Germany approximately 70,000 RMB

Living Expenses: Monthly living expenses for studying in Germany are approximately 800–1,000 euros (including accommodation, food, transportation, insurance, etc.). The total cost for a two-year master’s program (tuition + living expenses) is approximately 250,000 RMB.

Career Prospects and Development Opportunities

FOM University provides students with diverse career support:

Job Opportunities in Germany: Graduates receive a one-year unconditional work visa upon graduation, allowing them to travel freely within the EU. Graduates working in Germany can apply for permanent residency upon reaching an annual income of 33,000 euros.

Corporate Job Fairs: FOM regularly organizes exclusive job fairs for current students, featuring on-site recruitment by partner companies such as ThyssenKrupp, Deutsche Bank, Lanxess, Siemens, and Volkswagen Group.

International Headhunting Partnerships: Many international headhunting firms collaborate with FOM to source management talent, providing students with a broader employment platform.

Alumni Network: FOM has cultivated over 6,000 alumni in China, who are now employed across major corporations such as Volkswagen and Siemens, banking and financial institutions, as well as universities both domestically and abroad.

Conclusion: A Cradle for Applied Talent

FOM Hochschule—this young university, established just over thirty years ago, has carved out a unique niche in Germany’s higher education landscape through its distinctive educational philosophy and exceptional teaching quality. It is Germany’s largest university specializing in business and management, a model of dual-track education that integrates theory and practice, and a bridge to employment in German companies.

For Chinese students aspiring to pursue advanced studies in Germany, FOM University offers an extremely attractive option: nationally recognized degrees, internationally accredited teaching quality, close cooperation with renowned German enterprises, flexible admission requirements, relatively affordable study costs, and broad career prospects. Whether you are drawn to Germany’s rigorous academic atmosphere or seeking a career path as a practical management professional, FOM is well worth exploring. As Germany’s largest business university, it welcomes students from around the world with open arms.