University of Hagen

Hagen, Germany

Founded in 1974 and commencing instruction in 1975, FernUniversität in Hagen is Germany’s only state-run distance-learning university and the country’s largest by enrollment . It awards degrees equivalent to those at traditional universities and upholds the same academic standards.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at University of Hagen

University of Hagen Departments

  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science
  • Faculty of Psychology
  • Faculty of Business Administration and Economics
  • Faculty of Law

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of University of Hagen

As Germany’s only fully state-funded distance-learning university, FernUniversität combines remote and digital instruction with optional in-person seminars. It offers high flexibility, allowing students—many of whom are working professionals or mature learners—to study via online platforms, printed materials, and periodic seminars.

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Distinguished Alumni of University of Hagen

Infrastructure & Facilities at University of Hagen

The core campus of FernUniversität in Hagen is an urban academic complex located in the Hochschulviertel district of Hagen, strategically connected via major highways (A1, A45, A46) and public transport lines. Key facilities—including administrative departments, the main University Library, study services, Zentrum für Medien und IT, the central cafeteria (Mensa), and the Center for Learning and Innovation (ZLI)—are housed in contiguous buildings, providing centralized academic and administrative infrastructure. Beyond Hagen, the university operates over 50 regional study and examination centres across Germany and Europe to support its blended-distance learning model.

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University of Hagen Student Life

While FernUniversität lacks on-campus social life in traditional sense, it promotes student community through regional study centres where learners meet for tutorials, exams, and seminars. Many students—particularly working professionals—connect virtually via discussion forums, online group work, and learning platforms. The university also offers open-access modules (Akademiestudium) for lifelong learners, blending academic community participation with flexible study options.

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University of Hagen Career support

FernUniversität provides career-oriented services through a recently launched Career Service (as of October 2023), professional development initiatives, and the Service for Research Career Development—which supports doctoral and postdoctoral researchers with advising, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Student assistants (e.g. at the Centre for Learning and Innovation) also gain practical experience and exposure to administration and digital learning environments. While not a traditional campus placement service, the university’s structure supports working students and early career scholars in transitioning academic skills to professional settings.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at University of Hagen

Entry Requirements:

General Higher Education Entrance Qualification (e.g., German Abitur or equivalent foreign secondary-school diploma).

Or, a completed university degree (e.g., Bachelor or Diploma) with at least six semesters.

Or, advanced vocational qualifications such as master craftsman, Fachwirt, or state-certified technician.

Or, vocational training plus ≥3 years of professional experience in a related field.

Or, qualifying via a provisional entry examination or probationary studies, with relevant life or work experience recognized.

(Technical college entrance certificates alone are not sufficient.) 

Application Logistics:

German-language modules require proof of German proficiency (C1 CEFR) from applicants using foreign qualifications.

Online enrollment is required during:

Winter semester: 1 June – 31 July

Summer semester: 1 December – 31 January 

Additional Bachelor Requirements:

First-semester students in Psychology or Mathematics must complete an online self-assessment .

Required documents include a digital health-insurance certificate and ID/proof of qualification.

 

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

Although distance-focused, the university collaborates intensively with industry partners, professional associations, and public institutions. These alliances range from joint curricula development to internship facilitation and commissioned research projects tailored to working professionals and societal needs.

    University of Hagen Corporate Partnership

    • MedEcon Ruhr e.V : This healthcare network encompasses over 170 companies and institutions from the Ruhr region’s hospital, research, and supplier sectors. FernUniversität collaborates through its WED research group to develop digital-health initiatives.
    • SIHK (Chamber of Skilled Trades, Dortmund/Hagen) : Partners with the university’s WED group to launch the Startup Forum, fostering exchange between start-ups and university researchers, and promoting an entrepreneurial mindset.
    • VKH-NRW (Virtual Hospital North Rhine-Westphalia) : A digital platform offering teleconsultation services to healthcare professionals. FernUni’s WED group collaborates on studies of telemedicine acceptance and application.
    • ZTG (Center for Telematics and Telemedicine) : The university works with ZTG to explore telemonitoring systems and interprofessional telemedicine networks, leveraging WED research in digital health.
    • Wissenschaftsforum Ruhr e.V. : A consortium of Ruhr-area research institutes and partners from education, culture, business, and politics. Collaborations span projects in environmental and process technologies for sustainable development.
    • Fraunhofer UMSICHT / Fraunhofer Academy : The university’s Environmental Sciences chair works with these institutions on sustainable engineering and circular economy research, as well as professional qualification programmes.
    • Suny COIL Global Network (Since 2022) : As a member of this global virtual exchange network, FernUni participates in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives with over 100 universities worldwide.
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    Notable Achievements of University of Hagen

    University of Hagen is ranked amongst top universities in the country for Economics, Sociology and Business Administration by the CHE Rankings. The university also has a high graduate employability rate with 80% of its graduates in full time employment within 6 months of graduation.

    University of Hagen is also affiliated to and a member of several professional bodies such as the European University Association and European Association of Distance Teaching Universities. The university is also accredited by Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation, Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute, and AQAS.

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    Achievements

    01.
    High Research Output & Impact

    As of recent evaluations, FernUniversität has published over 12,000 scientific papers with more than 121,900 citations, spanning disciplines such as business, computer science, sociology, environmental science, and psychology—reflecting its robust research footprint across diverse fields.

    Year
    2020
    02.
    Dimitris Tsatsos Prize for European Constitutional Law

    The university’s Dimitris Tsatsos Institute for European Constitutional Law awards the biennial Dimitris Tsatsos Prize, honoring individuals with outstanding contributions to European constitutional science. Notable past laureates include Vassilios Skouris (2012), Giorgio Napolitano (2016), and Renata Uitz (2025).

    Year
    2012
    03.
    Bernhard Walke & Wireless Communications Innovations

    Professor Bernhard Walke of FernUniversität is credited with foundational inventions in wireless networking and mobile radio systems—holding over 100 patents enabling key functionalities in WLAN and 2G–5G technology. His work contributed to modern mobile communication infrastructure.

    Year
    1990-2000

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development University of Hagen

    FernUniversität hosts focused institutes such as:

    FIRM (Legal Information Management)

    FTB (Technology & Disability)

    FTK (Telecommunication Research)

    HIMS (Management Studies)

    IKS (Cooperative Systems)

    These institutes pursue both theoretical and applied research and generate spin-offs such as ISL Internet Security Solutions GmbH and Peperoni Mobile & Internet Software GmbH  . The university was among the first in Germany to introduce a Virtual University Learning Environment in the early 2000s, including video lectures, online exams, and digital library systems, embedding it firmly among global leaders in educational innovation  .

     

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure (FLEXI)

    The FLEXI project (FernUni LLM Experimental Infrastructure) represents FernUniversität’s initiative to embed large language models (LLMs) within higher education. It enables experimentation with open-source LLMs hosted locally to assess their applicability in teaching and research—providing practical guidance for universities considering in-house LLM deployment.

    Year
    2024
    02.
    Pioneering Wireless Communication Protocols (CELLPAC, Multi-hop & GPRS)

    Developed by Professor Bernhard H. Walke during his time at FernUniversität (later at RWTH Aachen), this suite of inventions laid the groundwork for modern mobile communication. Innovations include: • A self-organizing cellular radio mesh network (1985) integrating packet switching, beam steering, TDMA, code spread-spectrum, and multi-hop routing, foundational to 2G, 4G, and 5G technologies. • The CELLPAC protocol (1991–1993) proposed packet-based voice and data transmission in GSM systems, directly influencing the development of GPRS standards. He also introduced multi-hop relay architecture critical to LTE Release 10 and modern metro-cell deployments. These patents—over 100 in number—were pivotal in shaping mobile broadband and cellular standards.

    Year
    1985-1993

    Explore Programs & Courses at University of Hagen

    Program name
    Tuition Fees
    Deadlines
    BA Education Science 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    €1700
    (Annual Fees)
    31st Jul
    BA Cultural Studies 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    €1700
    (Annual Fees)
    31st Jul
    €1700
    (Annual Fees)
    31st Jul
    BSc Psychology 3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
    €2000
    (Annual Fees)
    31st Jul

    Connect With University of Hagen

    • Universitätsstraße 11, 58097 Hagen, Germany
    • +49 (0)2331 987-01

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