University in Germany
Hagen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
University profile
The FernUniversität in Hagen is Germany's only state distance-learning university and its largest university by student numbers. Its teaching is based on a blended-learning model that combines printed, multimedia and online study materials with optional in-person seminars and events, so students can study when and where they choose. Study programmes are taught and assessed in German.
The university is based in Hagen, North Rhine-Westphalia (Universitätsstraße 47, 58097 Hagen) and runs a network of regional campus locations across Germany, plus centres in Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. Student advice, information events and on-campus seminars take place at Hagen and at these locations. Its mission statement stresses digital, flexible and networked education, with research and teaching, equal opportunities and diversity, and international cooperation as stated priorities.
Five faculties cover the subject areas: Humanities and Social Sciences (Kultur- und Sozialwissenschaften), Mathematics and Computer Science, Psychology, Business Administration and Economics (Wirtschaftswissenschaft), and Law. The range includes more than 30 state-recognised bachelor's and master's programmes, the state examination in law, academic continuing education programmes, certificate courses and an Academy (Open Access) programme for lifelong learning. Central services include the University Library, the Center for Digitalization and IT (ZDI), the Center for Learning and Innovation (ZLI) and the research centre CATALPA.
In winter semester 2025/26 there were 78,684 students, of whom 67,450 were enrolled in degree programmes. About 8.2% live abroad, the average age is 37.9 years, and 75% are employed, so most students combine study with work or family life. Study can be full-time or part-time, and the semester runs for six months.
International students apply through the same procedure as German applicants. Applicants with foreign qualifications are assessed by the International Student Office, and proof of German is required where the qualification was not obtained at a German-speaking institution. Studying at the university from abroad does not qualify for a German student visa. Programmes are modular and an enrolment-based guaranteed-place policy applies, with no numerus clausus.
The university charges semester costs (per six-month semester) rather than conventional tuition. Full-time study with 30 ECTS credits costs EUR 406; part-time with 20 ECTS EUR 296; part-time with 15 ECTS EUR 241. These are made up of a basic fee of EUR 60, a document fee of EUR 11 per ECTS credit, a student body contribution (EUR 8.40 for winter semester 2026) and a social contribution of EUR 16 to the Dortmund Studierendenwerk. Total programme costs over the standard period are about EUR 2,000-2,700 for a bachelor's degree, EUR 3,600-3,900 for state examination studies and EUR 700-1,800 for a master's degree. International students pay the same fees as domestic students. Doctoral candidates pay EUR 11 per ECTS plus the EUR 60 basic fee for modules taken and no AStA student body fee.
Students receiving subsistence benefits (such as Bürgergeld), BAföG for the semester concerned, or prisoners without sufficient means can have course fees waived up to EUR 330 (full-time) or EUR 220 (part-time) plus the student body contribution; the EUR 60 basic fee is not reduced. It applies to the first degree and first consecutive master's. From the fourth semester, proof of exam success in the last three semesters is needed. Apply each semester: winter semester 1 June to 30 September, summer semester 1 December to 31 March. Contact: Fee Administration, +49 2331 987-2777. Fee reduction page.
The university awards Deutschlandstipendien of EUR 300 per month for two semesters, independent of income and parental income, to students with good results and social engagement. Half is funded by the federal government and half by private sponsors. Applicants must be enrolled in a regular degree programme or a continuing education master's programme (full- or part-time) with at least two semesters remaining within the standard period; doctoral candidates are excluded. Applications for 2026/27 were open from 1 to 31 August 2026 through an online portal. Contact: [email protected], +49 2331 987-4126. Deutschlandstipendium page.
Deutschlandstipendium at FernUniversität in Hagen →
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View scholarships for FernUniversität in Hagen →The application and enrolment portal is the route for all programmes. Applications for the winter semester (start 1 October) are accepted from 1 June to 31 July; for the summer semester (start 1 April) from 1 December to 31 January. There is no numerus clausus and no selection procedure: under the guaranteed-place policy, applicants who meet the admission requirements are enrolled immediately. Digital proof of health insurance is required for enrolment of students residing in Germany; students living abroad are not required to have German health insurance. Psychology bachelor's enrolment is only possible in the winter semester and includes a mandatory online self-assessment.
Admission requires a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, a professional qualification (vocational training with work experience, for those without Abitur) or an equivalent foreign qualification. A technical college entrance qualification (Fachabitur) alone is not sufficient. Some programmes expect prior mathematics knowledge, and good English reading skills are needed for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and many Business Administration and Information Systems electives. Programmes are conducted and assessed in German.
There is no separate procedure. The International Student Office checks foreign certificates case by case against the assessments of the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB, anabin database); bachelor's applicants need certificates equivalent to the German Abitur. Alternative routes are a Studienkolleg Feststellungsprüfung or the TestAS aptitude test, which qualifies for enrolment in listed programmes (B.Sc. Psychology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Mathematical-Technical Software Development, Business Administration and Economics, Business Information Systems; B.A. Educational Science, Cultural Studies, Political Science, Administrative Science, Sociology). Vocational qualifications are accepted if recognised as equivalent in Germany and followed by three years of professional experience. Certificates not in German or English must be translated by a sworn translator.
All applicants whose qualification was not gained at a German-speaking institution must show recognised proof of German, including German citizens. Commonly recognised: TestDaF with at least level 3 in all four sections, DSH level 1 or higher, the German section of the Studienkolleg Feststellungsprüfung, or Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2. The university offers no preparatory language courses, but the free online studyBRIDGE courses (B1 and B2, three months) are available to prospective students.
A completed university degree (usually a bachelor's) or an equivalent foreign degree is required, and consecutive master's programmes add subject-specific prerequisites listed on each programme page. Master's programmes are conducted and assessed in German. Continuing education master's have their own admission requirements and costs, and many can start outside the regular enrolment periods. Applicants with foreign degrees submit certificate and transcript in the original language and in translation.
Doctoral studies need a professor or faculty-affiliated Privatdozent willing to supervise the project; each faculty applies its own doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnung) through its dean's office. Candidates can enrol as doctoral students at any time with the letter of acceptance or supervision confirmation and degree certificate copies, and re-register each semester.
No admission requirements and no degree is awarded. Registration is possible until 30 September for the winter semester.
A student visa is not normally issued for distance study because the course can be completed from abroad; exceptions for on-campus seminars or internships are decided by the competent authority. Students resident in non-neighbouring countries can take supervised exams at official German offices abroad.
The main site is the Hagen campus (Universitätsstraße, 58097 Hagen) with the central administration, the five faculties, the University Library, ZDI, ZLI and CATALPA, student advice and the on-campus seminars. The Student Service at Building 3, Universitätsstraße 11, is open Monday to Thursday 9:00-18:00 and Friday 9:00-16:00.
Regional campus locations in Germany offer advice, information events, mentoring and seminars:
Abroad: the Center for Distance Learning Austria (Bregenz, Linz, Wien, Villach), a distance-learning centre in Budapest, Hungary (Madách Imre út 13-14), and a Service Center Switzerland at Technopark Zürich (Technoparkstraße 1). Services include central student advice, psychological counselling, a careers service and campus dining.
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