Computer Science & Information Technology, Electrical Engineering & Automation, Mathematics & Data Science
Studying without moving to a campus town is the purpose of FernUniversität in Hagen, which the state of North Rhine-Westphalia founded in 1974. Teaching started in 1975, and the university is a publicly funded institution devoted to distance teaching.
Its main seat is Hagen, and a network of regional and study centres in Germany and elsewhere in Europe supports students locally. The university has five faculties: humanities and social sciences, psychology, mathematics and computer science, economics and business administration, and law.
Student numbers are large for a German university: sources agree on more than 60,000 students. Applicants can find programme descriptions, registration dates and fee information on the official website, and should check there for the current terms.
Domains taught:
AI and Machine Learning, Automation, Computer Vision, Data Analytics, Ecology and Sustainability, Electrical and Electronics, Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Optics, Physics, Process Control, Project Management, Robotics, Signal Processing, Software Engineering, Statistics, Structural Engineering, Telecommunications, Thermodynamics
Diplomas*:
Bachelor, Doctor, Master
Status:
Public
Partnerships:
Germany’s only public distance learning university. Flexible study options for working professionals and diverse learners.
Research:
AI and machine learning, Cybersecurity and IT security, Software engineering and distributed systems, Automation and control engineering, Mathematical modeling.
Famous Alumnis:
N/A
International recognition**:
Number of staff***:
1500
Current students***:
70000
Foreign students***:
N/A%
Cumulative former students***:
N/A
Pros
Distance learning model offers flexibility, accessible higher education, wide range of programs including technical fields.
Cons
Requires high self-discipline and motivation, less campus interaction, perception of distance degrees can vary.
Best For
Germany’s public distance learning university, offering programs in computer science, electrical engineering, and mathematics.
Technische Universität Dortmund in Dortmund, also in North Rhine-Westphalia, is listed for production and logistics, chemical and bioengineering, computer science and data science.
Universität Duisburg-Essen in the same state covers engineering, nanomaterials and computer science.
Universität Bielefeld in Bielefeld teaches computer science and intelligent systems, physics and molecular biology.
Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster in Münster is listed for chemistry and pharmacy, physics, geosciences, mathematics and computer science.
Universität Mannheim in Mannheim is listed for computer science, data science, business informatics and mathematics in business.
Most Similar Schools Abroad
The Open University in the United Kingdom offers all subjects through distance learning, the closest model to this profile.
Among European universities, Tilburg University in the Netherlands pairs data science with cognitive science.
University of Massachusetts Amherst in the United States lists computer science, linguistics and engineering.
Linnaeus University in Sweden is listed for entrepreneurship and forestry.
University of Hyderabad in India lists physics, chemistry, life sciences, humanities and social sciences.
*our own picks (our criteria: a mix between domains, diploma delivered, reputation and size), but obviously too many criteria for an apple-to-apple ranking.
FAQ
When did the university start work?
The state of North Rhine-Westphalia founded it in 1974, and the first teaching took place in 1975.
What kind of university is it?
It is a publicly funded university that teaches at a distance. Study materials, online teaching and local centres replace daily campus attendance.
Which faculties does it have?
There are five: humanities and social sciences, psychology, mathematics and computer science, economics and business administration, and law.
Where do students receive support?
A network of regional and study centres operates across Germany and elsewhere in Europe.
Where is the university based?
Its main seat is Hagen in North Rhine-Westphalia.
How large is the student body?
Sources agree on more than 60,000 students. Exact figures vary by semester and by source.
Where can applicants find official information?
The official website describes programmes, registration dates and fees, and applicants should check it for current terms.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Information Technology (IT), Machine Learning, Mathematics
*: without any judgment of the quality, readers are strongly encouraged to check the official status of the exact diploma envisioned as many universities have a mix of recognized diplomas, not recognized, “co-delivered,” “equivalent to”, “some pathways” (…), can change over time, and can be named differently from one country to another.
**: international reputation: is based on some criteria that do not mean much in some domains or specialties (number of researchers, of scientific publications, on budget ….). Our approximate 1-4 scale:
known locally
known locally and internationally
is listed in some of the world university’s classifications
is listed among the 20 firsts in some of world university’s classifications
***: estimated numbers, based on online sources and/or feedbacks. The numbers can vary greatly depending on school organisation (ex.: school is part of a group, it employs internal staff or external consultants or has public staff without employing them …). Refer to all the links provided to have accurate and updated numbers.
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