Whenever distance learning is discussed in Germany, there is no way around a single institution: the FernUniversität in Hagen. It is the largest state university in the country and the only state distance university. For that reason alone, it shapes the picture of distance learning more strongly than any other institution, and its numbers are the starting point for almost every look at the market.
One university, many students
The FernUni Hagen alone accounts for a considerable share of all distance learners in Germany. This concentration is unique in the higher education system: no campus university comes close to a comparable scale. The reason lies in the format. Distance learning is location independent, so a single university can take in students from across the country and beyond, without being bound by lecture hall capacities.
That has an important consequence for the statistics. Anyone who wants to estimate the number of distance learners in Germany has to distinguish between the state FernUni Hagen and the private distance universities. Only both groups together give the full picture. The concrete orders of magnitude are set out in the Distance learning in numbers report, with source and date.
A different type of student
The students in Hagen differ clearly from those at a campus university. They are older on average, in the middle of their working lives, and study alongside a job, often with a family on top. This composition is typical of distance learning as a whole and explains why the average age in distance learning is so much higher than on campus. More on this in the article How old are distance learners?.
Because so many employed people are enrolled, many study part time or spread their studies over more semesters than the standard period of study foresees. That is not a sign of failure, but a deliberate adjustment to life alongside studying. For interpreting the numbers this means: a high number of enrolled students does not automatically mean just as many degrees per year.
What Hagen reveals about the market
The FernUni Hagen is a good gauge for the entire distance learning market, but not a complete one. The state sector grows fairly steadily, while the private distance universities have expanded strongly in recent years. Anyone looking at Hagen alone therefore underestimates the dynamism of the market. Anyone looking at the private providers alone overlooks the single largest group. Only together do they give a reliable picture, and that is exactly how we prepare the numbers.
In short: the FernUni Hagen is the anchor of distance learning statistics. It shows how large the format can be, who uses it and why distance learning differs so clearly from classic campus study. How the rest of the market is distributed is shown in the overview of the largest distance universities.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FernUni Hagen the largest university in Germany?
It is the largest state university in Germany and the only state distance university. By the total number of all students, the private IU is now larger, but among public universities the FernUni Hagen leads. We report the exact student number in the Distance learning in numbers report, with source and date.
Is a degree from the FernUni Hagen recognised?
Yes. The FernUni Hagen is a state university, and its bachelor's and master's degrees are legally equivalent to those of a campus university. The word distance learning usually does not appear on the certificate.
Who studies at the FernUni Hagen?
Mostly employed people who study alongside their job, as well as people with family commitments. The average age is well above that of a campus university, which pulls the entire distance learning statistics upward.
Why is the FernUni Hagen so important for the statistics?
Because it alone accounts for a large share of all distance learners in Germany. Anyone who wants to gauge the market must not confuse it with the private distance universities, but has to look at both groups together.
The information on this page is general in nature and is meant as orientation. It does not replace an official credit transfer or recognition decision by the relevant university and is not legal advice. The universities and the responsible bodies decide: the ZAB in Germany, the BMBWF in Austria and the SBFI in Switzerland. Always check your specific case directly with the university before you enrol.