The Esslingen University of Applied Sciences or Hochschule Esslingen (formerly 2006: Hochschule für Technik (FHTE) und Hochschule für Sozialwesen (HfS)) is a University of applied sciences in Esslingen am Neckar, Germany. It is ranked among the top Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany with especially strong business administration, mechanical, electrical engineering, IT and Engineering with Business Studies programs. The university cooperates closely with the local economy and has partnerships with well established companies such as Daimler, Porsche, Bosch, Festo , Eberspächer etc. which have major operations in the vicinity. The Esslingen University of Applied Sciences has 10 faculties, 20 bachelor study programs and 12 master programs. The Esslingen University of Applied Sciences has three locations: the main city campus is right in the middle of downtown and is also referred to as “der Stall” (the stable). This is not because the old neo-classical style building or the futuristic new building from 1992 remotely resemble a stable, but because the original school was located directly across from the royal riding stables of the time.