It is the northernmost university in Germany sited about 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of the Danish border at the Flensburg Fjord, Baltic Sea.

Originally established as Königliche Seedampf-Maschinistenschule (Royal School for Naval Steam Machinists) the university was founded in 1886.

The expansion of the study program over the past 30 years has added all major engineering and information technology disciplines and a school for business administration.

There are four faculties (Fachbereiche) offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs: The FHF shares its green campus with the Europa-Universität Flensburg.

The infrastructure includes the Auditorium Maximum (called Audimax) lecture hall, the central library, a wide park area, student residences, a kindergarten, a sports and fitness center and the canteen (Mensa), also several small cafeterias and a student's pub.