FOM Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management

Key Highlights

• State-recognized private nonprofit university with recognition extended through 2030
• Founded in 1991; teaching began in Essen in the 1994/95 winter semester
• Campus-Studium+ is available through more than 30 German university centers
• Digital Live programs use synchronous, interactive online lectures

Student Life & Environment

FOM’s student experience is structured primarily around study, employment and vocational training. At the Essen center, students attend scheduled classes in teaching rooms and lecture halls, receive local academic and organizational guidance, and can use digital learning resources between sessions. The campus model supports recurring contact with a cohort and instructors, while Digital Live study offers real-time interaction for students who cannot attend locally. This is a commuter-oriented environment rather than a traditional residential campus. Student advising is available centrally and through the Essen center by telephone, email, messaging and personal appointment. Prospective students can also attend information events, campus visits and sample lectures. FOM’s online campus provides course materials such as scripts, videos, case studies, exercises and simulations, which are useful for students balancing study with work. International participation is available but is not automatic. Erasmus+ students may study for up to two semesters at eligible European partner institutions, subject to program requirements, available places, language ability and selection. The International Office manages applications and nominations. Compact international programs and independently arranged freemover semesters provide additional possibilities. FOM does not present Essen as a residential campus, and the reviewed official sources do not document university-operated housing, meal plans or a broad campus-club system. Students needing accommodation should therefore investigate Essen’s independent rental market and confirm any desired extracurricular or accessibility services directly with the university.

Location & Surroundings

The Essen university center is located at Herkulesstraße 32, 45127 Essen, close to the city center. FOM describes the site as centrally located and provides both public-transport and parking guidance. From Essen Hauptbahnhof, several bus routes connect to the Hollestraße stop; tram routes 103 and 109 provide access from the Rathaus area. Parking is available directly behind the building via Volkeningstraße. Essen lies within the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region, giving students access to a large and interconnected employment market. The city hosts major energy, industrial, logistics, retail and media businesses, while nearby Ruhr cities expand the range of potential employers and professional networks. That setting is relevant to FOM’s work-compatible model because many students integrate their degree with an existing job, apprenticeship or other practical placement. The center offers teaching rooms and lecture halls rather than a self-contained residential campus. Prospective students should evaluate commuting time, evening or weekend travel and independent housing costs when choosing between Essen-based Campus-Studium+ and Digital Live study. They should also verify that their intended program and preferred timetable are offered at Essen for the relevant intake.

Costs & Career Outcomes

FOM charges tuition because it is a private nonprofit university. As displayed on its official website in August 2026, monthly tuition generally ranges from €365 to €595 depending on the program. This is not a single institutional price: total tuition, number of installments, examination charges and any enrollment fee vary by degree. Applicants should use the current page for their exact program and intake before signing a study contract. FOM offers installment arrangements and points students toward scholarships, public or private funding programs and education loans. It also states that support may be available in financial hardship. Recognition of at least 20 ECTS of eligible prior learning can reduce tuition, while smaller or differently assessed transfers may affect study time without producing the same fee reduction. Tax treatment depends on the student’s circumstances and should be checked with a qualified adviser or tax authority. No university housing or meal-plan cost was identified for the Essen center, so living expenses should be budgeted separately. Students should include rent, transport, books, equipment and any travel required by their timetable. Career value is tied closely to the work-integrated format. Many students continue employment or vocational training while studying, and teaching incorporates applied business contexts. FOM reports an extensive network of company, association and municipal partners, but that does not guarantee an internship, job or salary outcome. Applicants should assess the curriculum, accreditation, timetable and relevance to their own occupation rather than rely on generalized employment claims.