Offering professionals the chance to gain a state-recognised university degree without having to give up work or restrict their professional activity – this has been the objective of FOM University of Applied Sciences since its foundation in 1993. With more than 46,000 students, FOM is Germany's biggest private institute of higher education. It has been accredited by the German Council of Science and Humanities, Germany's most important advisory body for science policy. FOM is supported by the non-profit Stiftung BildungsCentrum der Wirtschaft. Experienced lecturers from the academic world and industry give on-site lectures at 29 study centres throughout Germany.