Transition from Bachelor to Master
Photo: Jörg Koch
Have you completed your bachelor’s degree and you’re now planning to study for a master’s degree at the FernUniversität?
In a heterogeneous society with different educational options (obtaining a bachelor’s degree at the FernUniversität or at another university), there are several options for starting a master’s degree course. Select the best option for your optimal transition to a master’s program. We offer you the following:
Information for External Applicants from Other Universities
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If you have already obtained your bachelor’s degree already and have your certificate and documents, you can apply for enrollment within the application deadline.
Documents for enrollment:
- Enrollment application (only with signature if not submitted via the upload portal)
- Proof of identity (e.g., a copy of your identity card, passport, residence permit)
- University degree and transcript (e.g., certificate, proof of certain subject-specific knowledge) in copy
- 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 here: Health insurance.
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Proof of name change, if applicable, if the name on your certificate is not identical to the name on the application (e.g., copy of marriage certificate, copy of identity card)
Notes on the enrollment procedure:
If you meet the admission requirements, you will be enrolled directly and do not need to do anything else.
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If you have already obtained your bachelor’s degree (you have completed all your examinations and coursework) and you are just waiting for the official issue of the certificate documents/the official award ceremony, then you can apply for enrollment within the application deadline.
Documents for enrollment:
- Enrollment application (only with signature if not submitted via the upload portal)
- Proof of identity (e.g., a copy of your identity card, passport, residence permit)
- A statement from your examination office confirming that you have completed your bachelor’s degree and including your overall grade and the grade of your bachelor’s thesis
- A copy of your transcript (overview of courses/exams with ECTS points earned)
- 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 here: Health insurance.
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Proof of name change, if applicable, if the name on your certificate is not identical to the name on the application (e.g., copy of marriage certificate, copy of identity card)
Notes on the enrollment procedure:
If you meet the admission requirements, you will be enrolled and asked to submit a copy of your official bachelor’s certificate by the end of the re-registration period for the following semester (for the winter semester by 31.07./for the summer semester by 31.01.) at the latest.
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Note: This option does not apply to the master’s degree in Psychology.
You have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, but are in the final phase and meet the following requirements:
- for the winter semester: You will be able to complete the final examinations during the current summer semester on time and submit your complete bachelor’s degree documentation to us by 15 November at the latest
- for the summer semester: You will be able to complete the final examinations during the current winter semester on time and submit your complete bachelor’s degree documentation to us by 15 May at the latest
then we recommend that you apply for enrollment within the application deadline. After the admission requirements have been checked, you will be given the opportunity to begin your studies via temporary Open Access Studies. You will receive an offer of temporary Open Access Studies in writing.
Documents for enrollment:
- Enrollment application (only with signature if not submitted via the upload portal)
- Proof of identity (e.g., a copy of your identity card, passport, residence permit)
- Copy of your transcript listing your ECTS credits earned to date (at least 150 ECTS credits)
- 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 here: Health insurance.
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Proof of name change, if applicable, if the name on your certificate is not identical to the name on the application (e.g., copy of marriage certificate, copy of identity card)
Notes on temporary Open Access Studies and subsequent transfer to a master’s degree program
The Registrar’s Office will check your eligibility to study on the basis of the credits you have earned so far (at least 150 ECTS). If you meet the admission requirements, you will be offered the opportunity to take up Open Access Studies (equivalent to guest auditor studies) on a transitional basis so that you can start your studies in time for the start of the semester. As soon as you receive your final bachelor’s certificate, you can submit a copy (by 15.11. for the winter semester and by 15.05. for the summer semester) and request a transfer to your desired master’s degree program. As soon as the documents have been received, you will be transferred to the master’s degree program retroactively for the entire semester.
Transfer to a master’s degree program:
- for the winter semester: until 15.11.
- for the summer semester: until 15.05. (does not apply for the master in Psychology)
- You can apply for the transfer informally by post or email.
Documents for the transfer:
- Letter stating your matriculation number, the master’s degree program and the desired student status
- University degree transcript and, if applicable, additional evidence (e.g. certificate, proof of certain subject-specific knowledge) in copy
Why the detour via Open Access Studies?
As you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, we cannot yet enroll you in a master’s degree program. At the same time, we want to enable you to make a seamless transition to your master’s degree without losing any time.
As an Open Access Studies student, you receive the same study material you would have taken (with the exception of the master’s in Psychology) and can start your studies right on time at the beginning of the semester. However, in order to be able to take part in master’s examinations, you must submit your degree certificate to the FernUniversität by 15.11./15.05.
(Exception: the Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics also allows students to take part in examinations for the business modules as Open Access students)
Faculty Taking master’s modules in Open Access Studies Participation in master’s examinations in Open Access Studies Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences possible not possible Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science possible not possible Faculty of Psychology not possible not possible Faculty of Law possible not possible Faculty of Business Administration and Economics possible possible
Information for Bachelor Students at the Fernuniversität
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If you have already obtained your bachelor’s degree, you can simply apply to transfer to the master’s program within the re-registration period.
Documents for re-registration:
- Application for re-registration stating your chosen master’s program and desired student status
Notes on the re-registration procedure:
If you meet the admission requirements, you will be enrolled directly and do not need to do anything else.
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You have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, but are in the final phase and meet the following requirements:
- for the winter semester: You will be able to complete the final examinations during the current summer semester on time and submit your complete bachelor’s degree documentation to us by 15 November at the latest
- for the summer semester: You will be able to complete the final examinations during the current winter semester on time and submit your complete bachelor’s degree documentation to us by 15 May at the latest
then we recommend that you first re-register for your current bachelor’s degree program within the re-registration period and, after passing all your examinations, apply informally for a transfer by the date stated below.
Transfer to a master’s degree program:
- for the winter semester: until 15.11.
- for the summer semester: until 15.05. (does not apply for the master in Psychology)
- You can apply for the transfer informally by sending an e-mail to master, stating your matriculation number.
Documents for the transfer:
- Please send an informal e-mail to master after passing all your bachelor’s examinations, stating your chosen master’s degree program and desired student status.
Notes on the registration transfer procedure:
As you have not yet completed your bachelor’s degree, we cannot yet enroll you in a master’s degree program during the re-registration period. At the same time, we want to enable you to make a seamless transition to your master’s degree without losing any time.
As a bachelor student, you receive the same study material (with the exception of the master’s in Psychology) and can start your studies right on time at the beginning of the semester. However, in order to be able to take part in master’s examinations, you must apply to transfer to the master’s program by 15.11./15.05.
Exceptions:
- The Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics also allows bachelor students to take part in examinations for their business modules.
- The Faculty of Law allows students of the Bachelor of Laws degree program who have submitted all examinations, in particular their bachelor’s thesis, and are only waiting for their assessment, to complete up to three modules of the Master of Laws degree program with a final module examination.
- The Faculty of Psychology allows students in the final semester of their B.Sc. to take the MM1 module of the master’s program.
Faculty Taking master’s modules during bachelor studies Participation in master’s examinations during bachelor studies Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences possible not possible Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science possible not possible Faculty of Psychology possible to a limited extent: Modul 1 (36681) not possible Faculty of Law possible possible to a limited extent (max. 3 modules) Faculty of Business Administration and Economics possible possible What do I do if I do not receive the evaluation of my final examination results by 15.11./15.05.?
The faculties are aware of the deadlines for transferring to master’s degree programs (15.11./15.05.). With that in mind, they endeavor to complete their marking work by then at the latest. If, however, there is an unexpected delay, a solution will be sought between the Registrar‘s Office and the respective Examination Office so that you can continue your studies without losing any time. The most important thing is that you apply for an informal transfer to the master’s degree program via e-mail: master.
Information for Open Access Students at the Fernuniversität
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You are attending Open Access Studies to acquire subject-specific knowledge you are lacking and will
- take your last examinations for the current summer semester on time and submit them to the Registrar’s Office by 15.11. with proof of the respective certificate of achievement (for the winter semester)
- take your last examinations for the current winter semester on time and submit them to the Registrar’s Office by 15.05. with proof of the respective certificate of achievement (for the summer semester)
then we recommend that you first re-register for Open Access Studies within the re-registration period and, after passing all your examinations, apply for a transfer by the date stated below.
Transfer to a master’s degree program:
- for the winter semester: until 15.11.
- for the summer semester: until 15.05. (does not apply for the master in Psychology)
- Note: Please request an application from the Registrar’s Office by e-mail: master.
Documents for the transfer:
- Application for re-registration with signature (receipt on request by e-mail from the Registrar’s Office: master)
- Proof of identity (e.g., a copy of your identity card, passport, residence permit)
- Copy of university degree certificate
- Copies of certificates of acquired subject-specific knowledge
- 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 here: Health insurance.
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Proof of name change, if applicable, if the name on your certificate is not identical to the name on the application (e.g., copy of marriage certificate, copy of identity card)
