German University of Prevention and Health Management: Bachelor, Master & MBA — Online

What distinguishes the Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement?

The German University of Prevention and Health Management (Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement, commonly abbreviated as DHfPG), is a state-recognised private university of applied sciences based in Saarbrücken, Germany. Its academic profile focuses on prevention, fitness, sport, nutrition, health management, exercise therapy and health-related information technology.

The university combines distance-learning phases with compact classes. Bachelor’s students also work regularly for a partner company throughout their degree. The master’s and MBA programmes, by contrast, are designed for part-time study alongside an existing career and do not require a compulsory training company.

DHfPG developed from a vocational academy founded in 2001 and has since become a specialist higher education institution for the fitness and health sector. Unlike broadly positioned private universities, it offers a deliberately focused range of subjects. Its programmes extend from training and health sciences to management and information technology, but all remain closely connected to sport, fitness, prevention and healthcare.

The bachelor’s programmes follow the German duales Studium model. Students sign both a study contract and an agreement with a suitable partner company. They work for this company on a regular basis and apply academic content to practical tasks. Typical partner organisations include fitness and health facilities, therapy and rehabilitation centres, sports organisations and companies offering prevention or workplace health programmes.

This is more than a standard internship or a work-placement semester. The employment relationship normally continues throughout the bachelor’s degree and is an integral part of the programme. International applicants therefore need both an eligible university entrance qualification and a suitable partner company, usually in Germany.

The master’s and MBA programmes use a different structure. They can be completed part time through a combination of distance learning and compact classes. No partner company is required. These programmes are aimed at graduates who want to qualify for specialist, management or leadership roles while continuing to work.

DHfPG operates a network of study centres. Depending on the degree and module, compact classes may take place on site or online. The central learning and organisational platform is the ILIAS e-campus, where students can access study materials, digital learning resources, administrative information and examination-related content.

How does DHfPG differ from other private universities?

DHfPG differs primarily through its narrow industry specialisation, the compulsory partner company in its bachelor’s programmes and the combination of distance learning with compact teaching blocks. It is neither a conventional campus university nor a fully online university. The model is designed to link academic knowledge continuously with professional practice.

The main difference from many other dual universities lies in the organisation of the academic phases. Rather than alternating between several weeks on campus and several weeks at work, DHfPG uses longer distance-learning phases and individual compact classes. Students can therefore remain involved in their company’s regular operations throughout most of the degree. At the same time, this structure requires a high level of self-organisation.

Compared with fully online universities, DHfPG is more closely connected to physical teaching locations. Rooms, equipment and face-to-face instruction can be particularly important in modules involving training, diagnostics or therapy. The university therefore does not offer a completely asynchronous, location-independent experience across all programmes.

The professional orientation is also narrower than in general business administration, sports science or health management degrees. Prospective students should consider whether they want to work in fitness companies, sports organisations, prevention, therapy, rehabilitation or health promotion over the long term. The specialisation can be an advantage for a clearly defined career path, but it also limits the academic breadth of the programme portfolio.

What should international applicants know?

DHfPG’s programmes are primarily designed for the German-speaking education and employment market. International applicants should verify the teaching language of their chosen degree before applying. Sufficient German-language skills may be required not only for classes and examinations but also for employment at the partner company.

School-leaving certificates and university degrees obtained outside Germany must usually be assessed for equivalence. The university decides whether an applicant meets the academic admission requirements and which documents are needed. Certified copies, official translations or additional evidence may be required.

For a dual bachelor’s programme, admission to the university does not automatically grant the right to work in Germany. Applicants from outside the European Union or European Economic Area may need an appropriate residence permit and permission to take up the employment that forms part of the degree. The responsible German authorities make the binding decision.

International applicants should clarify the following points before signing a study or employment agreement:

• the teaching and examination language of the chosen programme,
• recognition of the relevant school or university qualification,
• German-language requirements for both university and workplace,
• visa, residence and employment requirements,
• the location of the partner company and the selected study centre,
• travel and accommodation costs for on-site classes,
• whether the qualification meets professional requirements in the intended country of employment.

How much does studying at DHfPG cost?

For new study contracts, tuition fees currently amount to €390 per month for most bachelor’s programmes. The bachelor’s programme in Sports and Exercise Therapy costs €420 per month. Master’s and MBA students pay €440 per month. In the dual bachelor’s programmes, the partner company usually covers the tuition fees.

According to the university, the tuition fees include study materials, classes, use of the ILIAS e-campus, advisory and support services and standard examination fees. Students may incur additional expenses for travel, accommodation, meals, personal equipment and optional printed materials.

For bachelor’s students, the published tuition fee is only one part of the financial arrangement. The agreement with the partner company is equally important. The company normally pays the tuition fees and also provides monthly remuneration. For a recommended working week of 32 to 35 hours, the university gives an indicative remuneration range of approximately €650 to €850 per month.

The employment agreement should state clearly who pays the tuition fees, how much remuneration the student receives, whether travel expenses are reimbursed and whether repayment clauses apply if the employment relationship ends early.

Master’s students generally pay the fees themselves unless an employer contributes. Possible financing options include employer sponsorship, student loans, tax-deductible education expenses and, for eligible students, German BAföG funding. BAföG is a means-tested public funding scheme. International students are not automatically eligible; entitlement depends on factors such as nationality, residence status and personal circumstances.

Where can students attend classes?

DHfPG holds classes at eleven study centres in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Saarbrücken, Stuttgart, Vienna and Zurich. The university’s headquarters and central administration are located in Saarbrücken.

• Northern Germany: Hamburg
• Eastern Germany: Berlin and Leipzig
• Western Germany: Düsseldorf and Cologne
• Southern and south-western Germany: Frankfurt, Munich, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart
• Austria and Switzerland: Vienna and Zurich

The study centres are not conventional full-time campuses where the same group of students attends classes every day. They are used mainly for compact, scheduled teaching sessions. Between these sessions, students work independently with the provided materials and, in the dual bachelor’s programmes, continue working for their partner company.

Depending on the programme and module, some classes may also be held online. On-site participation nevertheless remains an important part of the bachelor’s model, particularly for practical subjects. Students should therefore consider not only the distance to a study centre but also the actual teaching schedule for their chosen programme.

Students based outside Germany should pay particular attention to travel requirements. A programme with only a limited number of teaching days can still involve significant costs if repeated international journeys and overnight stays are necessary.

How is the degree organised?

Studying at DHfPG combines independent distance-learning phases, compact classes and several forms of assessment. Bachelor’s students also work regularly for a partner company. Master’s and MBA students complete their programme alongside their career without a compulsory practical training partner.

Admission and application process

Applicants to a bachelor’s programme need a recognised university entrance qualification and a training agreement with a suitable partner company. German qualifications may include the Abitur, Fachhochschulreife, a master craftsperson qualification or certain advanced vocational qualifications. Under specific conditions, admission may also be possible without the traditional German Abitur.

The Abitur is Germany’s standard general university entrance qualification. International school certificates may be accepted if they are considered equivalent. Applicants should not assume that a qualification giving access to higher education in another country will automatically provide direct access to a German bachelor’s degree.

The partner company also enters into a cooperation agreement with DHfPG. Applicants can search for a company independently or use the university’s Career Service and job portal. Before signing a contract, they should check whether the company offers suitable tasks, qualified supervision and sufficient time for academic study.

Admission to a Master of Arts programme generally requires a first university degree. The consecutive master’s programme in Sports and Exercise Therapy has more specific subject-related and academic requirements. The MBA normally also requires professional experience, an employer recommendation and a multi-stage admissions procedure.

Study phases and teaching format

The dual bachelor’s programmes have a standard duration of seven semesters, or 42 months. The employment component comprises more than 20 hours per week; the university generally recommends 32 to 35 hours. Depending on the programme, approximately 58 to 73 teaching days are distributed across the entire degree.

During the distance-learning phases, students work through structured study guides and digital materials on the ILIAS e-campus. They have a degree of flexibility when planning their study time. However, modules, scheduled classes and examination dates provide a fixed framework. The model therefore requires consistent study alongside regular employment.

The master’s and MBA programmes have a standard duration of four semesters, or 24 months. Classes are organised in compact blocks and may take place either on site or online, depending on the programme. Employment is not a formal component of these degrees, but their structure is designed for students who continue working.

Examinations and assessment formats

The assessment format depends on the module. Students may complete written examinations, term papers, presentations, project assignments and a final thesis. Application-oriented modules may also include practical tasks or case studies.

The partner company enables bachelor’s students to apply academic content to longer-term workplace tasks. However, the quality of this theory-to-practice transfer also depends on the individual company. Not every partner offers the same range of responsibilities, supervision or professional development opportunities.

When are the application deadlines?

Registration and the start of study are generally possible throughout the year. There is no single university-wide application deadline tied exclusively to a traditional autumn or spring intake. Bachelor’s applicants must nevertheless find and contractually secure a suitable partner company before enrolment.

For administrative purposes, students are assigned to either a summer or winter semester. Teaching dates follow the relevant programme schedule. Applicants should therefore ask when the first modules and classes for their chosen degree will take place.

Finding a partner company is often the most time-consuming part of a bachelor’s application. A lead time of several months is advisable, particularly when an applicant is restricted to a specific region, type of company or professional field.

International students may need additional time for qualification assessments, certified translations, visa procedures and employment authorisation. These processes should be started well before the intended enrolment date.

Who is DHfPG suitable for?

DHfPG is particularly suitable for students with a clear career goal in fitness, sport, prevention or health who want to combine academic study with continuous professional practice. It is less suitable for students seeking a broad range of subjects, a conventional residential campus experience or a completely asynchronous online degree.

DHfPG may be a good choice if you …

• want to complete a dual bachelor’s degree with continuous workplace experience,
• already have a clear career objective in the fitness, sports or health sector,
• are comfortable combining independent learning with scheduled teaching blocks,
• want to gain professional experience and receive remuneration during your bachelor’s degree,
• are looking for a specialised master’s programme that can be completed alongside a career,
• have sufficient German-language skills for study and, where applicable, employment.

The university may be less suitable if you …

• want to complete a bachelor’s degree without a compulsory partner company,
• want a broad choice of subjects outside sport, fitness, prevention and health,
• expect a conventional campus experience with weekly lectures and extensive student life,
• need a programme without fixed teaching dates or travel requirements,
• have not yet decided which industry you want to work in,
• are looking specifically for a degree taught entirely in English.

Bachelor’s applicants should assess the partner company as carefully as the university. Working conditions, supervision, remuneration and the range of tasks have a substantial effect on the student experience. A suitable company can support the transition into employment, while a poorly matched partner may limit the practical value of the degree.

Prospective students should use advisory appointments, information events and discussions with potential partner companies to resolve outstanding questions before signing a contract.

Frequently asked questions about DHfPG