Englisch 
Deutsch 
Admission requirements
The following admission requirements apply for the distance learning course Cultural Studies, Bachelor of Arts, at FernUni Hagen.
You must provide an officially certified copy of a university entrance qualification valid for North Rhine-Westphalia:
- Certificate of the general university entrance qualification/Abitur certificate (a certificate of a completed university degree with a standard period of study of at least 6 semesters is alternatively recognised as a general university entrance qualification, but this does not apply to degrees from universities of applied sciences of public administrations and art colleges)
- or certificate of the subject-specific university entrance qualification with study eligibility for one of the subjects Social Sciences/Sociology, Philosophy, Literary Studies, History
- or comparable foreign educational certificates.
If you do not have the entrance qualification required for the study of Cultural Studies, you can under certain conditions begin the Bachelor's degree directly or initially a trial study or take an entrance examination. Further information for professionally qualified applicants can be found on the FernUni Hagen website.
If you do not have a study qualification valid for NRW, you can continue your studies at FernUniversität in the same or a comparable course of study if you have studied at another German university for at least 4 semesters and have earned on average 20 ECTS credits per semester there (i.e. in total at least 4 semesters with at least 80 ECTS credits). Continuation of studies is also possible after completion of a preliminary diploma or an intermediate examination.
Also necessary for successful Cultural Studies studies are good English reading skills and access to an internet-enabled PC. Especially for students who cannot attend face-to-face seminars, it must be ensured that they can participate in online seminars.
There is no Numerus Clausus (NC).
Structure and Content of the Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Studies
The Bachelor's degree programme in Cultural Studies at the FernUniversität in Hagen provides in-depth knowledge in the humanities disciplines of history, literary studies, and philosophy. Students choose one major and one minor subject from these three fields.
The programme comprises a total of eleven modules:
- Compulsory module: “Foundations of Cultural Studies”
- At least three modules in the minor subject
- Six modules in the major subject
The course of study is divided into two phases:
- Introductory phase: foundational module and two introductory modules from different subjects
- Advanced phase: subject-specific, practice-oriented and elective modules as well as the Bachelor's thesis in the major subject
Who is this degree programme suitable for?
The programme is aimed at working professionals and interested individuals who wish to engage scientifically with cultural, historical, literary, or philosophical topics. It is especially suitable for those looking for a flexible, location-independent study option that can be balanced with work and everyday life.
What skills are taught?
- Scientific basic knowledge in history, literary studies, and philosophy
- The ability to analyse and classify cultural and historical contexts
- Transdisciplinary perspectives through the combination of humanities approaches
- Media literacy and structured, independent working
- Practice-oriented work and reflection of scientific content in application contexts
Which examination requirements are planned?
Throughout the programme, eleven examinations must be completed, including:
- Two oral examinations
- Two written exams (examinations)
- Three term papers, two of which in the major subject
At least one major subject module must be completed in a practice-oriented manner. The Bachelor's thesis is written in the chosen major subject.
How is practical relevance designed?
A practice-oriented module in the major subject is compulsory. In history and literary studies, a minimum 150-hour internship is required, supplemented by a written reflection. In philosophy, the practical reflection is replaced by an intensive engagement with one’s own professional or voluntary activity. Seminars – partly online, partly face-to-face – support practical implementation.
How is teaching carried out?
Teaching is based on a combination of study letters, digital learning platforms, and interactive seminars. Supervision is provided by lecturers responsible for the modules as well as online tutors. Platforms such as Moodle foster exchange between students and lecturers.
What career prospects does the programme offer?
The degree qualifies graduates for a wide range of professional fields, including:
- Cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives
- Publishers, media companies, broadcasting and television
- Educational institutions, academies, and further education centres
- Public institutions, churches, political parties, or associations
Furthermore, access to advanced degree programmes such as Master’s or PhD studies is possible.
Mandatory Internship in the Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Studies: What You Need to Know
In the Bachelor's degree programme in Cultural Studies at the FernUniversität in Hagen, students specialising in history or literary studies complete a compulsory internship. This forms part of a practical module and aims to link theoretical knowledge with practical experience. For students of philosophy, an external internship is not required. Instead, a professional or voluntary activity is incorporated into the module assessment.
When and where can the internship take place?
The internship can be completed either before or during the module. It must be finished before registering for the examination and documented with proof and an internship report.
- Minimum duration: four weeks or 150 hours
- Part-time or partial completion possible
Possible areas of deployment include, for example:
- Museums, archives, libraries
- Publishers, media, cultural projects
- Political parties, churches, educational institutions
- Monument preservation, cultural tourism
- Voluntary cultural work
A content-related reference to the respective module and to cultural or historical practice is required. Pure administrative tasks or passive memberships usually do not meet the requirements.
How does the practical module proceed?
Coordination with the module coordinators is mandatory before starting the internship. The internship forms the basis for the module examination, which is carried out by a practice-related term paper.
Overview of examination requirements:
- Scientific term paper (15–20 pages)
- Internship report (3–5 pages)
- For philosophy additionally: practical reflection (2 pages)
In philosophy, it is sufficient to scientifically reflect on a suitable professional or voluntary activity related to the module.
Can professional experience be recognised?
Yes, professional or voluntary activity can be recognised provided that it is relevant to the module content. It is important that a reflective term paper results from this. Even if recognition is granted, the written requirements remain compulsory.
The decision on recognition is made by the module coordinator. Prior clarification is strongly recommended.
Online internship: a flexible alternative
An advantage of distance learning: internships can also be completed online. For example, the Institute for History and Biography offers a fully digital internship in module G5 – ideal for working professionals or those with family commitments.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Distance Learning Course in Cultural Studies
The distance learning course in Cultural Studies at the FernUniversität in Hagen often raises similar questions among prospective and current students. Below you will find a selection of frequently asked questions – answered concisely and understandably:
- Can I complete the programme part-time? Yes, the programme can be completed flexibly on a part-time basis. Many students take one module per semester. There is no fixed maximum duration of study.
- Is it possible to study without a school-leaving certificate? Yes, under certain conditions. With vocational training and several years of experience, admission is possible via an entrance examination or a trial study period.
- Which specialisations can I choose? You can choose from history, literary studies, and philosophy. The specialisation shapes the course of study and the practical module.
- Is an internship mandatory? Yes, for the specialisations history and literary studies. In philosophy, the internship is waived – practical reflection on professional experience is required here.
- Can I have my professional field or voluntary work credited as an internship? Yes, if the activity is relevant to a module and practical reflection is possible. The module coordinator makes the decision.
- How many face-to-face events do I have to attend? At least three face-to-face seminars are required. Many of these can be replaced by online seminars.
- What does the entire course cost? There are no tuition fees, only a semester fee (currently approx. 220 EUR). Total costs over the standard period of study: approximately 2200–2300 EUR.
- When can I start my studies? In the summer semester (April) or winter semester (October). Registration deadlines: 31 January and 31 July respectively.
- How does exam registration work? All examinations must be registered online via the FernUni Hagen exam portal – within the respective deadlines.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Cultural Studies? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution University of Hagen or the editorial team will answer you.