Frequently Asked Questions About Enrollment (FAQ)

Enrollment made easy: Do you still have questions? Don’t worry, you’re not on your own – we’re here to help you! In this section, you will find short and concise answers to the most frequently asked questions about enrollment and admission in the following thematically sorted sections. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, our Student Services will be happy to assist you.

 

Guaranteed Place at University

  • Select your desired study program and register via our application and enrollment portal.

  • No, there is no numerus clausus (minimum required grade) at the FernUniversität. Some master's programs require a specific minimum grade.

  • The degree programs at the FernUniversität in Hagen are not admission-restricted (no numerus clausus). Therefore, all applicants who meet the admission requirements will be offered a place in the program.

Applying for Enrollment (Matriculation)

  • No, there is no difference—both terms mean the same thing.

    “Matriculation” is the older term and dates back to the Middle Ages. At that time, students were entered into a university’s so-called matriculation register. Later, the more modern term “enrollment” became established.

  • No, we cannot review your transcripts in advance. Your eligibility for university admission will only be assessed during an enrollment application submitted during the official application period.

  • There are two enrollment windows every year:

    • Application deadline for the winter semester: 1 June to 31 July
    • Application deadline for the summer semester: 1 December to 31 January

    Enrollment in the psychology degree programs is only possible in the winter semester.

  • You can apply for enrollment online through our application and enrollment portal. You enter your information and upload your supporting documents via the portal.

  • The scope and type of documents to be submitted depend on the degree program you have selected and your educational background. You can find this information on the enrollment pages under the heading “2. Part One: Complete and Submit your Application”.

    Enrollment in Bachelor’s Programs

    Enrollment in the First Legal Examination

    Enrollment in master’s Programs

    Note: Simple copies of the documents are sufficient. However, in the event of discrepancies or for quality assurance purposes (on a random basis), the FernUniversität may also request officially certified copies of the transcripts you have submitted.

  • Unfortunately, that is not possible. Enrollment can only be made via the application and enrollment portal.

  • After submitting your application, you will receive a status update in the application and enrollment portal. The status “Immatrikulation beantragt” (Enrollment requested) indicates that your application has been successfully received. You will also receive an email notifying you of the status change in the portal.

    • In Vorbereitung (In progress)
      You have started the application but have not yet completed it or submitted it.
    • Zulassungsfrei (Admission pending)
      You have entered your initial information and uploaded documents but have not yet applied for online enrollment.
    • Immatrikulation beantragt (Enrollment requested)
      You have submitted all required information and documents and have applied for enrollment (online enrollment).
    • Immatrikulationsantrag in Bearbeitung (Enrollment application in progress)
      The Student Services Office is currently reviewing your documents and information.
    • Immatrikuliert (Enrolled)
      You have been successfully enrolled and are now officially a student.
    • Immatrikulationsantrag abgelehnt (Enrollment application rejected)
      Unfortunately, enrollment is not possible. You have already received a notification indicating which documents or information were missing.

  • When enrolling in a degree program, submitting your transcripts is a required step. If you do not yet have your final transcript, please upload a provisional certificate of your qualifications.

    If you are transitioning from a bachelor’s to a master’s program, please review the guidelines listed here.

  • If you are currently enrolled at another German university, you may only enroll in a different degree program at the FernUniversität as a so-called “second-degree student.”

    In the application for enrollment, please provide details about your studies at the other German university (name and location of the university, intended degree, field of study).

  • The FernUniversität in Hagen does not offer programs with admission quotas. This means you do not apply for a spot in a program; instead, you apply directly for enrollment. Once all your documents are complete, you will be enrolled directly in your chosen program. Please note that following enrollment, you will incur fees.

  • If you are unsure about which program to choose, we recommend that you take advantage of the counseling services offered by our Student Advice Services.

  • Yes, you can apply for enrollment in multiple degree programs. Currently, you may submit up to three enrollment applications at the same time. This can be a good idea if you are unsure whether you meet the requirements for a particular degree program. Please note, however, that if you are admitted or successfully enrolled, you will be enrolled in multiple degree programs unless you withdraw your applications beforehand.

  • Studying requires organization and self-discipline. To successfully complete a full-time program worth 30 ECTS credits, you should plan to dedicate approximately 40 hours per week. For a part-time program worth approximately 15 ECTS credits, you will need to study at least 20 hours per week. We therefore recommend that you enroll in only one program to start with. Once you have earned your degree, you can easily enroll in another program.

  • No, that is not possible. You can apply separately to the relevant registrar’s offices to have your previous academic credits recognized. You can find information and application forms on the respective program portals. You can find more information on credit recognition here.

Application Review

  • We process applications as soon as they are received electronically. Processing time depends on the volume of applications and can take up to four weeks if submitted near the deadline.

    With that in mind, we recommend that you submit your documents as soon as registration opens.

  • If any documents are missing, you will receive a notification via the application and enrollment portal stating that your application is incomplete, and you will be asked to submit the missing documents via the portal. We will notify you by email that a new message is available in the application and enrollment portal, and you will generally have 14 days to submit the missing documents or information through the portal.

  • If your application is incomplete, the Student Services Office will contact you (see Question 20), and you will then be able to submit the missing documents via the application and enrollment portal.

  • For applications that have been submitted in full, you can change the information provided during online registration, as long as processing has not yet begun. You can do this as long as the application status has not yet reached “Registration in progress.”

  • Once your application for enrollment is complete, you will be enrolled directly in your chosen program. You will receive a confirmation email immediately afterward, followed by your student ID card in the mail.

    Your application status in the application and enrollment portal will change to “enrolled.”

Re-enrollment

  • Please re-apply via our application and enrollment portal during the enrollment periods. During the application process, you can enter your old student ID number, if you still have it.

  • As long as you have not been de-registered for more than 10 years and you submitted all your documents with your original application, you must submit at least the following documents:

    • Proof of identity
      (e.g., a copy of your identity card, passport or residence permit)
    • Health insurance
      Please request a digital confirmation for universities from your health insurance company and quote our transmission number H0001901. You can usually easily request this confirmation via the health insurance company’s website or app. Further information, especially for privately insured persons and persons resident abroad, can be found under Health insurance.
    • Change of name, if applicable
      (e.g., marriage certificate if the name on the certificate is different, if you have changed your name in the meantime and this is not evident from your identification document)
    • A copy of the notification of a definitively failed examination, if applicable
      (If you have studied at another university in the meantime and have definitively failed an examination, please submit a copy of the notification)

    Note: Proof of eligibility to study does not have to be resubmitted. As this field is a mandatory field in the upload portal when submitting application documents digitally, you can send an informal letter instead of certificates with the note: “Wiedereinschreibung. Meine Zeugnisse liegen unter der Matrikelnummer XXXXXXX vor.”

Withdrawing an Application

  • Applications that have already been submitted can generally be withdrawn at any time using the appropriate function in the application and enrollment portal – as long as you have not yet been enrolled.

    After enrollment and before the start of the semester, simply send an informal email to bescheinigung. Please include your name and student ID number.

    After the semester begins, only de-registration is possible. You can find more information here.

Legal Basis for Enrollment

  • The FernUniversität in Hagen is a state university in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia (NRW) and is therefore bound by the legal requirements of the Higher Education Act for the state of NRW. In addition, there are separate regulations that govern the enrollment procedure. You can find a summary of our legal bases here (in German).

 
 
Service-center-telefongespraech-hwFoto: Hardy Welsch

Student Service:

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15.06.2026