Frequently Asked Questions about Professional Qualifications (FAQ)

The “Ordinance on University Access for Persons Qualified in Vocational Education and Training” from 7 October 2016 regulates which professional qualifications qualify students to take up a degree course. It distinguishes between three groups:

1. Master craftspersons and those with comparable advanced training can immediately take up any bachelor’s degree program.
2. Those who have completed vocational training (at least two years) and have subsequent professional experience in the training occupation (at least three years) will be granted direct university admission for a professionally relevant degree program. For example, a law clerk can go straight into the bachelor’s degree course in Law or a bank clerk can go straight into the bachelor’s degree course in Business Administration and Economics. Access to other degree programs (in which there is no subject proximity) is possible via an entrance examination or via a period of probationary study.
3. Those who have completed vocational training (at least two years) and have subsequently worked in a profession (at least three years) that is not related to the subject can gain access to higher education via an entrance examination or via a period of probationary study.

(Advanced training in accordance with Section 2 of the Ordinance on University Access for Persons Qualified in Vocational Education and Training)

Compare your certificates with the list of advanced training courses on the FernUniversität website.

If you do not find your advanced training course on the list, we will need to review your case on an individual basis. You will need to send copies of your certificates to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation. In certain cases, we may have to ask you for further documents as part of the individual case review, for example an additional confirmation from the chamber of commerce or training center responsible for your advanced training.

(professional qualification according to § 3 of the regulation)

The faculties determine which vocational training courses with subsequent professional experience in the training occupation correspond to the chosen course of study and allow direct access accordingly. You can find the lists on our website.

If you do not qualify as a subject-approved applicant, you may be able to gain access via an entrance examination or via a period of probationary study.

The application is possible in the following cases:

– Your vocational training has already been recognized in Germany by the competent chamber or authority

or

– You vocational training has been classified as equivalent on the basis of an agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.

In addition, you must be able to demonstrate an appropriate knowledge of German if the training did not take place in a German-speaking country. Further information is available from the International Student Office.

A probationary study program is a time-limited introduction to a regular bachelor’s degree program. This means after enrolling as a student you study your chosen bachelor’s degree program on a trial basis in accordance with the curriculum. To successfully complete the probationary period, you need to achieve at least 40 ECTS credits in a maximum of 4 semesters or at least 60 ECTS credits in a maximum of 6 semesters from the respective bachelor’s program.

The probationary study program at the FernUniversität lasts at least two semesters and a maximum of six semesters, regardless of whether you are enrolled as a part-time or full-time student.

To successfully complete the probationary period, you need to achieve at least 40 ECTS credits in a maximum of 4 semesters or at least 60 ECTS credits in a maximum of 6 semesters from the respective bachelor’s program. The modules have different ECTS points depending on the degree program. You can apply for a confirmation of successful completion of the probationary course from the examination office of the relevant faculty.

The minimum duration for the probationary period is two semesters. Students who acquire approx. 60 ECTS in their bachelor’s program before the end of the second semester, can apply for a shortening of the probationary period.

Since the probationary period is part of the regular bachelor’s program, there is no need for any credit transfer procedure. All of the coursework you complete is automatically part of your bachelor’s degree program as defined in the examination regulations.

Yes, a leave of absence is possible, as the probationary study program is the same as a regular bachelor’s degree program. The general regulations for taking a leave of absence apply. The probationary period is extended accordingly.

Yes, you can deregister and resume your probationary studies at a later date. Please note that all probation semesters are counted in total for the respective degree program. In other words, you do not have to restart in the first probationary semester after re-enrolling in the same degree program.

The probationary studies period may only be carried out once for each respective degree program. See also the above questions regarding interruptions and leave of absence.

If you are unsuccessful in completing your probationary studies, you will be deregistered. You will not be permitted to take another probationary studies course for this degree program. You will have to gain access to higher education in another way, e.g., by acquiring a higher education entrance qualification at evening classes, or by passing an entrance examination.

Full-time students on a probationary studies program are entitled to apply for BAföG benefits.

Yes, you can. You must register separately for the entrance examination.

Yes, you can.

No, it is not possible to continue your bachelor’s degree. Following a definitively failed examination, you will be deregistered and may no longer study this degree program.

You can repeat the entrance examination as often as you like. The FernUniversität offers the examination twice a year.

Participation in the entrance examination is free of charge. However, you must pay for your travel and any accommodation costs yourself.

Once you have passed the entrance examination, a certificate will be sent to you by post. You can use this certificate to enroll in your bachelor’s degree program at the FernUniversität in Hagen within the respective enrollment period (summer semester: 1 December to 31 January, winter semester: 1 June to 31 July).

Visit our website for professional qualifications to find out which documents you need to submit.

You enter your previous professional activities in a specially prepared appendix (on the application form) for professionally qualified persons. Please note that you must submit official documents (e.g., confirmation from your employer, references) if requested by the FernUniversität.

Full-time or part-time employment (at least 20 hours per week) is recognized as proof of professional activity.

In the case of full-time employment, you must provide evidence of at least three years of employment. In the case of part-time employment, you must provide evidence of at least six years.

The following activities are considered equivalent to professional employment:

– management of a family household including bringing up an underage child

or

– management of a family household including caring for a relative

An exception is only possible for scholarship holders in the federal government’s advancement scholarship program. For this group of people, it is sufficient to provide evidence of at least two years of professional activity.

The minimum amount of professional activity of three years must be completed by the beginning of your first semester (for the summer semester by 1 April at the latest, for the winter semester by 1 October at the latest).

If you cannot provide proof of three years of professional activity by the start of your first semester (for the summer semester by 1 April at the latest, for the winter semester by 1 October at the latest), you cannot enroll for this semester. In this case, you would be unable to fulfill the requirements for admission as a professionally qualified applicant.

No, that is not possible. The Fachhochschulreife only entitles the holder to study at a university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), but not at a full university.

If you have completed vocational training in addition to your Fachhochschulreife and have the necessary professional experience, you may be able to gain admission to university via your vocational qualification.