Draft:PFH Private University of Applied Sciences

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences (German: PFH Private Hochschule Göttingen) is a state-recognized private university located in Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany. It was established in 1995 and offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in areas such as management, engineering, psychology, and technology. The university operates additional campuses in Stade and Berlin, as well as a network of distance learning centers in Germany and Austria. PFH delivers both on-campus and distance education programs and is accredited by the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (ZEvA). The university operates under private sponsorship and is subject to the Higher Education Act of Lower Saxony.

Locations

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences maintains three campus locations in Germany: Göttingen, Stade, and Berlin. The main campus is located in Göttingen and serves as the university’s administrative and academic center. It hosts a majority of the university’s degree programs across fields such as management, engineering, and psychology.

The Stade campus, opened in 2006, is located in Lower Saxony near Hamburg and focuses on programs in engineering and lightweight composites. The Berlin location is used for selected academic activities, including examinations and seminars.

In addition to its physical campuses, PFH operates a network of study centers across Germany and Austria to support its distance learning programs. These centers are used for examination purposes and optional in-person sessions.

Study

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences offers bachelor's and master's degree programs delivered in both on-campus and distance learning formats. The academic programs are organized across various disciplines, including management, engineering, psychology, and related fields. The university provides full-time and part-time study options.

On-Campus Programs

On-campus programs are offered primarily at the Göttingen and Stade campuses. At the Göttingen campus, academic offerings include master's programs such as General Management (M.Sc.), Computer Science for Business (M.Sc.), User Experience Management & Design (M.Sc.), and the Master of Business Administration (MBA). The Stade campus specializes in engineering subjects and offers programs such as Lightweight Engineering & Composites (M.Sc.), Industrial Engineering (M.Sc.), Digitalization and Automation (M.Sc.), and New Mobility – Micromobility (M.Sc.).

Distance Learning Programs

The university also offers distance learning programs at both bachelor's and master's levels. These include degree programs in areas such as business administration, psychology, business psychology, industrial engineering and management, and business law. Distance learning programs are delivered primarily through online platforms and are designed to be completed independently of location.

Language of Instruction

Programs are available in both German and English. English-taught master's programs include General Management, Digitalization and Automation, Industrial Engineering, User Experience Management & Design, Lightweight Engineering & Composites, New Mobility – Micromobility, Computer Science for Business, and the MBA.

Program Structure

Master’s programs at PFH typically consist of 90 to 120 ECTS credits and have a standard duration of three to four semesters. The university also offers a preparatory program—Master’s Foundation Programme—for applicants whose prior academic training does not fully meet the requirements of their intended master’s program.

Accreditation

All study programs at PFH are state-recognized and accredited by agencies including the Central Evaluation and Accreditation Agency (ZEvA) and the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA). The university’s distance learning programs are also approved by the German Central Office for Distance Learning (ZFU).

Further education

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences offers further education programs through the PFH Akademie, a separate unit of the university focused on continuing professional development. The Akademie provides non-degree courses in subject areas including psychology, human resource management, communication, digital business, and logistics.

The programs are designed to support ongoing qualification and are structured in various formats, such as online courses, short-term seminars, and modular learning units. Some of these offerings are eligible for academic credit under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), subject to assessment and recognition procedures. The courses are aimed at individuals seeking to update or expand their professional skills outside of formal degree programs.

Instruction is delivered primarily through distance learning methods, and participation is open to individuals meeting the program-specific entry requirements.

Research

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences conducts applied research in disciplines including psychology, economics, and entrepreneurship. Research in psychology focuses on diagnostic tools, digital interventions, and human-technology interaction. In economics, the university examines governance structures in emerging and transition economies through international collaborations. The Centre for Entrepreneurship supports research related to entrepreneurial education and sustainable business development. Research activities are carried out in cooperation with academic and industry partners and are supported by external funding.