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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Bachelor Bildungs- & Erziehungswissenschaft under the number 1140422c. Who this German-taught B.A. fits – and what you need to apply
This degree suits you if you want to study fully online and build recognised expertise in education while working. Typical profiles include: professionals in corporate learning or HR who design training and seek a formal foundation in educational science; educators or teaching assistants in community programmes or international schools aiming to qualify for broader roles; career changers from media or digital design who create e-learning and want to ground their practice in pedagogy and research.
Admission requirements
The programme awards a Bachelor of Arts (180 ECTS), is FIBAA-accredited until 31 Oct 2030 and offers rolling admission with no numerus clausus (NC). Teaching and assessments are in German.
- University entrance qualification: German Abitur or a comparable secondary school-leaving certificate that entitles you to higher education. International school diplomas and prior higher education are considered for equivalence.
- Admission without Abitur: possible via a recognised subject-related advancement exam, or with completed vocational training plus professional experience, as outlined by the university’s routes “ohne Abitur”.
- International qualifications: foreign certificates can be recognised for admission. Prior learning can be credited towards the degree with up to 90 ECTS, reducing duration and fees.
- Language of instruction: this is a German-taught programme. You must provide proof of adequate German for academic study; accepted certificates and minimum levels are defined by the university.
- On-site components: a small number of compact seminars (8 days total) are required and are usually offered online; if chosen on campus, they take place in Hamburg. Exams are scheduled monthly, with online options available.
Personal requirements
Remote study from abroad demands consistent routines and realistic time budgeting. Expect around 22 hours per week for reading, assignments and exam prep in addition to occasional compact seminars. You should be comfortable managing deadlines across time zones, coordinating any brief on-site phases, and maintaining a reliable internet setup for webinars and online exams.
What helps you succeed: strong self-organisation, steady perseverance over several semesters, and solid study skills (note-taking, literature search, academic writing). Because all materials and interactions are in German, you need sufficiently advanced German to understand scholarly texts and produce written work; basic conversational skills are not enough. An interest in evidence-based pedagogy, digital tools for learning, and reflective practice will make the practical project and specialisations (Media Education or Adult/Continuing Education) more rewarding.
What will you study in the Education and Educational Science (B.A.) at European Distance Learning University Hamburg?
This Bachelor’s is taught in German. To apply successfully from abroad, you will need solid academic German; universities typically expect recognised proof such as TestDaF, DSH or a Goethe-Zertifikat at C1 level. The programme awards 180 ECTS and combines theory, research skills and hands-on project work in education.
You start with core foundations in educational science: theories of learning and education, sociology of education and developmental and educational psychology. You will also learn academic working techniques and scientific writing so you can navigate research literature and design small studies with confidence.
Methodological training runs through the degree. You cover research designs, statistics and qualitative methods, then apply them in modules like “Research Methods in Practice” and education evaluation and controlling. This prepares you to read evidence critically and to measure learning outcomes in real settings.
Digital and media education is a clear focus. You explore media pedagogy, digital teaching and learning, and the conditions of digital transformation in society. You learn to select and implement tools for online learning, develop e-learning concepts and moderate or present both in person and online.
Practice is built in. A supervised practical project lets you plan and deliver an initiative in a school, company, NGO or public institution. You connect theory to practice, reflect on impact and report your results. The programme concludes with your Bachelor’s thesis, where you tackle an education topic using appropriate methods.
Electives: You choose one of two specialisations to tailor your profile: Media Education or Adult and Continuing Education. Both deepen your digital and didactic skills for distinct career paths, from e-learning design to programme development in adult education.
Important German terms: A Fernstudium is distance learning with flexible, mostly online study. The provider is a state-recognised Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) in Hamburg. The programme is approved by the German distance-learning authority ZFU, which checks content and delivery for quality and consumer protection.
How does the Education and Educational Science (B.A.) distance programme work?
You study fully remotely with digital-first materials, monthly exams and a few compact seminars that are usually held online. Most international students can complete the degree from abroad; a residence visa is not required for a purely remote programme.
Teaching language and proof of language
The teaching language is German across all modules, exams and seminars. If you are applying from outside Germany, plan to provide formal German proficiency (e.g. TestDaF, DSH or Goethe C1). Everyday and academic German is necessary to follow lectures, read research and write assignments.
Learning format and study materials
This is a flexible Fernstudium with structured online study spaces, digital and printable study units, webinars and tutoring. Multimedia resources include audio study guides, learning apps and an AI learning assistant to support revision and planning. Self-paced study is combined with occasional live sessions to consolidate key topics.
Exams and taking them from outside Germany
You can take written exams monthly, either online via remote proctoring or at one of about 10 exam centres in Germany. This allows you to complete assessments from abroad. Assignment-based assessments and project work are also used, depending on the module.
On-site sessions in Germany
The programme includes compact seminars totalling around eight days. These are typically offered as virtual seminars; in-person options in Hamburg exist but are not mandatory if an online alternative is scheduled. Expect one additional short webinar during your studies.
Weekly workload, time models and time zones
The average workload is about 22 hours per week in the standard model. You can choose 36 or 48 months as your target duration and extend at no extra tuition for a substantial buffer. Live sessions follow German time (CET/CEST), with recordings commonly available to accommodate other time zones.
Regulatory note: ZFU approval number 1140422c confirms the distance-learning design and consumer protections of this programme.
Visa note: If you complete the degree fully online from your home country, you do not need a German student visa. Travel to Germany is optional when online alternatives are available for seminars and exams.
What does the Education and Educational Science (B.A.) cost?
Plan with a total of €13,872 over the standard 48-month schedule, typically paid as €289 per month. This covers tuition, teaching materials and internal assessments. Payments can usually be made from abroad via standard international methods; ask your bank about fees for euro transfers.
If you choose a faster track (36 months), the tuition is lower in total but higher per month. A typical model is about €12,924 in total at roughly €359 per month. Switching pace later is generally possible, but confirm any administrative fees and the impact on your monthly rate before you change.
Programme design includes a generous free extension period so you can finish without extra tuition if life gets in the way. Budget separately for any travel to optional on-site seminars in Hamburg, though most students attend the virtual equivalents and avoid travel costs.
Recognition of prior learning can reduce both the duration and price: up to 90 ECTS may be credited, and per-credit fee reductions are available. The exact saving depends on how much is recognised and on the tariff in place at your enrolment date.
What careers and recognition does the Education and Educational Science (B.A.) offer?
You graduate with a Bachelor of Arts, 180 ECTS under the Bologna framework. ECTS credits are portable across Europe and widely understood internationally. The programme is FIBAA-accredited (agency listed on EQAR) through 2030. The university is state-recognised in Germany and the distance format is approved by the ZFU. Together, these signals help employers and universities abroad judge quality and enable admission to suitable Master’s programmes.
Career paths are broad across public, private and non-profit education. Typical roles include:
- Adult and continuing education: programme officer, trainer, coordinator in community, corporate or higher education settings
- Learning and development in companies: instructional designer, L&D specialist, HR development coordinator
- Educational projects and NGOs: project manager for inclusion, digital literacy or community learning initiatives
- Media and digital education: e-learning designer, media educator, learning technologist
- Educational consulting and evaluation: learning advisor, education quality/evaluation associate
Salaries vary by country and sector. In corporate L&D or well-funded adult education, early-career roles often start near the local graduate median and grow with responsibility in programme design, evaluation and leadership. The digital and media pedagogy focus can be a differentiator for roles that require technology-enabled teaching and learning.
Who is the Education and Educational Science (B.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits working professionals seeking a recognised German Bachelor’s you can complete largely online, with a strong emphasis on digital pedagogy. It fits if you want flexibility, structured monthly exams and the option to avoid travel by choosing virtual seminars.
- You are fluent in German and want a distance-learning degree from a state-recognised German Fachhochschule
- You plan to work in adult/continuing education, L&D, educational projects or media education
- You value a practical project, monthly exam options and online seminar alternatives
- You want 180 ECTS with FIBAA accreditation for later Master’s study
- You need a study plan compatible with employment and different time zones
There are also clear cases where this course is not a good match. Read the points below carefully if you are applying from outside Germany.
- You need an English-taught programme; all teaching and assessment here are in German
- You require a degree that leads directly to teacher licensure in schools (this Bachelor does not qualify you for regulated K-12 teaching)
- You aim for a regulated social profession (e.g. state-recognised nursery teacher or social worker) that demands specific national credentials not covered here
- You cannot provide formal proof of advanced German for admission and academic study
If you meet the language requirements and your goal is adult education, digital learning or project roles, this distance programme offers a credible path to a European Bachelor’s while you stay employed and study from abroad.
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