The FernUniversität in Hagen: Your Future – Closer than You Think
Rethinking Education – Digital, Flexible, Networked. As Germany’s only state-run distance-learning university, we have been driving digital change in research and teaching for over 50 years, making a lasting and meaningful contribution to society. This commitment is firmly embedded in our mission statement.
Photo: Jakob Studnar
„The FernUniversität opens up educational opportunities for anyone wishing to move on to the next stage of their development. As a modern digital university, we combine cutting-edge research with digital innovation – always with the aim of making education accessible at every stage of life. “Prof. Dr. Stefan Stürmer, President of the FernUniversität in Hagen
What Is Important to Us:
Photo: Jakob Studnar
Research & Teaching
Science at the cutting edge. Our research forms the foundation for teaching that addresses current social issues and brings them to life digitally.
[More on research] | [More on teaching]
Photo: Torsten Silz
Equal Opportunities & Diversity
Equality as a quality feature: We regard the promotion of gender equity and diversity as a key priority in all areas of university development.
Photo: Jakob Studnar
International Issues
Thinking globally, networking digitally. We promote scientific exchange across borders by creating and fostering international partnerships.
The Hagen Manifesto
For years, there have been calls to change how we think about learning. Now, at the FernUniversität, we’re getting serious about it: In twelve theses, the Hagen Manifesto describes what constitutes New Learning and what is necessary to put it into practice.
Teaching and Learning at the FernUniversität
The FernUniversität’s teaching concept is based on a blended learning approach, which combines printed, multimedia, and online study materials with optional in-person seminars and events. This allows students the flexibility to learn when and where they want. At the same time, students receive support through personal advising and mentoring, study groups, and seminars on the Hagen campus and in regional centers throughout Germany and abroad.
The FernUniversität ensures the high quality of its education through a variety of measures including wikis to provide practical support with planning and implementing teaching and learning scenarios, funding programs to promote innovative approaches to teaching and learning, evaluation and analysis of study programs, and extensive in-house training and support for teaching staff with a focus on instructional design in e-learning and distance teaching.
Cross-Cutting Issues
Diversity
One FernUni, many strengths: From 2015-2018, we successfully took part in the Stifterverband’s “Vielfalt gestalten” (Shaping Diversity) diversity audit.
Gender Equality
We are particularly committed to achieving gender equality and equality of opportunity. Learn more about how we implement policies for gender equality:
Internationalization
As a modern European university, we consider internationalization to be an indication of quality in teaching and learning, research, and support for early career scholars. Here is how we put it into practice:
Did you know...
... that with 76,647 students in the summer semester 2020, the FernUni is the largest university in Germany?
... that 80 percent of FernUni students study via distance learning in addition to their careers?
... that 7,293 people study at the FernUniversität without a formal university entrance qualification, on the basis of their vocational experience?
