AKAD vs PFH
Two distance-learning universities side by side, by the same criteria and with the same primary sources, so you can see where they really differ.
AKAD or PFH: which one suits whom?
Both are on the same price level. AKAD allows a start at any time and also examines online, PFH has fixed start dates and exams at study centres. Psychology and law are only in PFH's profile, industrial engineering and communication only in AKAD's.
Subject information refers to the focus areas recorded in this portal, not to the complete programme catalogue. Which university suits your situation depends on prior education, available time and goal.
AKAD and PFH in detail
The same criteria for both, every entry sourced. The information provided by the university is binding.
| Criterion | AKAD | PFH |
|---|---|---|
| Country | DE | DE |
| Operator | private | private |
| Location | Stuttgart | Göttingen |
| Founded | 1959 | 1995 |
| Format | online | online, On-site |
| Start of studies | any time | fixed dates |
| Without Abitur | Yes | Yes |
| Recognition | State-recognised (Baden-Württemberg), ZFU-approved, Bologna-compliant | State-recognised (Lower Saxony), Bologna-compliant |
| Price level | ||
| Price example | from approx. EUR 219/month (Bachelor in Business Administration) | approx. EUR 312 to 460/month (distance learning) |
What the table does not show
Exams. At AKAD: Online exams with proctoring or on-site exams at examination centres. At PFH: Exams at study centres in Germany, Austria and Spain; distance-learning programmes approved by the ZFU; fixed start dates.
Accreditation. AKAD is institutionally accredited via German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (2006, re-accredited 2023), with programme accreditation via Programmes accredited by ACQUIN and ZEvA; ZFU-approved. PFH is institutionally accredited via State-recognised under the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act; institutionally re-accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) (most recently on 31.01.2025, as a university of applied sciences), with programme accreditation via ASIIN, FIBAA and ZEvA (per programme); distance-learning programmes ZFU-approved.
Subjects. Both offer Business Administration, Management. Only AKAD additionally offers Technology, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Communication, Health. Only PFH additionally offers Psychology, Business Psychology, Social Affairs, Technology, Law, Business Informatics.