Fresenius University of Applied Sciences (HSF)

The Hochschule Fresenius receives a mixed, but predominantly positive feedback from its students. Many students appreciate the practical study content and the high quality of teaching. Numerous testimonials highlight small class sizes that create a personal learning atmosphere. Lecturers often bring extensive practical experience and integrate it into their teaching, making lectures lively and vivid. Guest lectures from companies, project work, and a close connection to the professional world are often part of everyday life at Fresenius. This combination of theory and practice is seen as a helpful preparation for entering the workforce. Overall, students feel well supported in their field of study and have the sense of studying something "meaningful" for their career. Particularly in business-related fields, many report good job prospects and valuable industry contacts even during their studies.

The teaching and support are largely positively evaluated. Students praise the dedicated teaching staff, who are approachable in most cases and take time to answer individual questions. The experience reports mention that emails and student inquiries are often answered promptly and helpfully. Due to the manageable group sizes, educators can better cater to the needs of individual students, which many see as a major plus. Some degree programmes – especially in the natural and health sciences – are described in the reports as having very good support: for instance, lab experiments are well-organized, and each student gets a place without competition. Such structured processes relieve students of much pressure and create a sense of security in their studies. However, some testimonials also point out that the quality of instructors is not consistent everywhere. There were isolated criticisms of lecturers who seemed less motivated or less competent, or in some cases, were difficult to reach – especially at certain locations or in specific subjects. Nevertheless, the overall impression is that the instructors are competent and care for their students.

A frequently recurring point of criticism concerns the organization of the university. Several students criticize coordination issues and administrative processes. For example, it is reported that schedules and room assignments are sometimes changed at short notice or classes are canceled due to missing lecturers. Examination management is also criticized: organizational weaknesses such as long waiting times for grades and approvals or registration for exams without available information have been described. Some students felt misled in advance by the university's marketing promises of "comprehensive care," but then experienced gaps in study organization. On a positive note, the university reacted quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic – the lecture operation was swiftly transitioned to digital formats without loss of teaching content, and as soon as possible, students were able to return to in-person classes. However, some reviews negatively noted that increased online teaching was maintained in some degree programmes. Satisfaction with the organization seems to depend heavily on the location and programme: while some report smooth processes and good planning, others at less organized locations feel abandoned and have to show a lot of self-initiative.

The campus facilities and infrastructure of Hochschule Fresenius are rated very differently and are also strongly location-dependent. At established locations – such as the main campus in Cologne – students describe the facilities as modern and functional. Apparently, there are attractive seminar rooms for small groups, places to study, and even lounge areas to relax between courses. A master's student, for example, talks about "very modern equipment" and a pleasant study environment. In contrast, reports from smaller or newer locations are much more critical. For example, it is reported for Frankfurt am Main that the university there does not own a building, but only uses rooms in a university hospital – with a single hallway as the campus area. Consequently, essential facilities are missing at such places: no cafeteria or cafe, no library on-site, which significantly diminishes the atmosphere and the sense of well-being. Some students at the Frankfurt location felt unwelcome and had little reason to linger longer at the "campus." The lack of a proper university library is a recurring theme in negative reviews. Often, students need to use literature and study spaces at neighboring state universities because Fresenius offers a very limited selection of books or study spaces on-site. The technical equipment also varies: Some criticize outdated presentation technology (such as projectors with only VGA connectors) and simple furniture, which is considered inadequate given the high tuition fees. On the other hand, other students praise the digital infrastructure – such as the learning platform and online resources – and highlight that WLAN and IT services mostly function reliably. Overall, larger locations seem to be much better equipped, while smaller locations are in need of catch-up. This difference can lead to students at the same university having very different experiences with the infrastructure.

Regarding student life and networking outside of classes, Hochschule Fresenius is regarded as somewhat below average in the eyes of many students. Due to its structure as a private university with distributed locations, there is less of the traditional campus culture found at large state universities. Several testimonials mention that student events or parties hardly ever take place. While some students were aware of a student council (AStA), they saw little of it in daily life – AStA rooms were never occupied, and activities were practically nonexistent. Those looking for a lively campus with a lot of student activity may be rather disappointed at many Fresenius locations. However, the small class sizes at least foster camaraderie among peers: many students describe their classroom atmosphere as friendly and closely connected. They get to know their fellow students well and often form study groups or networks on a small scale. In this sense, a personal community is formed, even though major university festivals or traditional university sports and cultural offerings are missing. In terms of networking for careers, Fresenius offers advantages: through the aforementioned collaborations with companies and the existing alumni network (emphasized by the university), students have opportunities to make contacts in the professional world. Mandatory internships, project work with industry partners, and instructors from the industry ensure that meaningful relationships can be formed during studies. Thus, while the classic student life is less pronounced, many students at Fresenius feel well supported in terms of professional networking.

In the realm of careers and practical relevance, Hochschule Fresenius enjoys a good reputation among its students. Practical orientation and relevance to the professional world are key aspects of many degree programmes. Students positively highlight that they acquire practical skills and insights into current industry developments. Projects, case studies, and internships prepare them concretely for their jobs. Some testimonials compare the requirements to public universities: indeed, studying at Fresenius is sometimes described as slightly easier or less theoretical. While for some, this may mean that the academic depth is lower, many students see it as an advantage that the focus is on applied learning. The career prospects are generally viewed optimistically. Students appreciate that the university opens doors to companies for them – be it through networking events, career services, or recommendations from industry-experienced instructors. However, there are also cautionary voices. Particularly in psychology studies, it was reported that certain career paths (e.g., licensure as a psychotherapist) were not possible with a Fresenius degree. Additionally, some note that private education is still stigmatized in parts of the public, although these experiences seem to be exceptions, mostly from very traditional fields. In most industries – especially business, media, health, or design – Fresenius graduates feel well-equipped and competitive. Overall, the prevailing impression on this topic is that the university equips students with practical skills and contacts that can facilitate the transition into professional life.

Finally, the relationship between price and performance is repeatedly discussed, as it is a private university and therefore a fee-paying institution. Depending on the programme and model, the tuition fees average several hundred euros per month (often around 700–800€ monthly). Many students emphasize that they were aware they were paying a high price for their education and therefore had high expectations of the university. Opinions differ on whether these expectations were met. Those who could fully benefit from the advantages described above express positive views: personal support, practical learning, small groups, and a chance to study despite Numerus Clausus restrictions elsewhere. They see the costs as an investment that is worthwhile because they feel well-supported at Fresenius and may not have had a comparable alternative at a state university. Some mention transparent fee models, sibling discounts, or flexible part-time and distance learning options that somewhat relativize the high price. On the other hand, students with experiences where quality and organization fell short of expectations are critical. If, for example, the facilities are inadequate or the organization is chaotic, the price-performance ratio is seriously questioned. Negative reviews show that satisfaction with the price-performance greatly depends on whether the promised quality is actually delivered. In summary, Hochschule Fresenius falls into the middle range in this category: while the majority of students agree that the study is expensive, they perceive the education and support offered as at least largely adequate – especially in comparison with other private providers. Nonetheless, for some, the impression remains that more should be delivered for the price, especially in terms of facilities and organization.

Overall, Hochschule Fresenius convinces students through its practice-oriented study content, personal support in small groups, and instructors with high professional expertise. Particularly in business-related and health-related programmes, students benefit from good career connections and a high practical relevance. At the same time, weaknesses in the organizational structure and facilities – especially at smaller or newer locations – can negatively impact the price-performance ratio. Outside of classes, student life at many locations is only weakly developed. Overall, the university is particularly suitable for those seeking a goal-oriented study with a strong practical focus, while the classic university atmosphere or research-intensive approaches are less in focus. Despite existing criticisms, positive impressions prevail in the reviews, especially concerning career opportunities and the individual learning environment.

Disclaimer: This editorial evaluation is based on an analysis of publicly available reviews, testimonials, and opinions from various sources. The summary provides an objective and factual representation of the most common positive and negative aspects as reported by current and former students. It does not claim to be complete or absolutely correct. Individual experiences may vary, and it is recommended to seek additional information independently before making a study decision.