Who is EHiP suitable for?

EHiP is particularly suitable for students who need a high degree of flexibility regarding study times and location. Unlike many distance-learning universities, it does not require students to follow conventional semester starts, weekly lectures or central examination dates.

EHiP may be a good choice if you …

• want to study alongside work, family commitments, shift work or frequent travel,
• want to determine your own learning pace and schedule examinations individually,
• want to study without regularly travelling to a study centre,
• are comfortable using digital learning materials and online platforms,
• are looking for a bachelor’s degree in business, management, marketing, education, health, sport or nutrition,
• want to have previous academic or professional qualifications assessed for recognition.

The university may be less suitable if you …

• need a fixed weekly schedule with compulsory lectures,
• expect regular face-to-face teaching on a university campus,
• depend on frequent external deadlines and close monitoring to remain motivated,
• are looking for a master’s degree,
• want a science-based programme with regular laboratory classes,
• need a degree taught entirely in English.

The high degree of freedom is the main advantage of the model, but also its central challenge. Without regular compulsory sessions, you must decide when to study, which modules to work on and when you are ready for an assessment. A realistic and consistent study plan is therefore particularly important.

The programmes are primarily aimed at German-speaking students. International applicants should confirm the teaching and examination language of their chosen degree before enrolling.

How does studying at EHiP work?

The degree does not follow a conventional semester schedule. Once your programme has been activated, you complete the modules through the myFOCUS online campus. You can begin on any day of the year and adjust your learning pace throughout the programme.

Online campus and learning materials

myFOCUS is the central platform for learning, communication and study administration. All core materials are provided digitally. Printed study guides are not the main element of the learning model.

Depending on the module, the learning resources include:

• digital study guides,
• web-based training with interactive exercises,
• teaching and explanatory videos,
• workbooks and academic articles,
• an online library and digital literature,
• online study groups and virtual working spaces.

The modules are structured into individual learning units. Students typically begin by studying the academic foundations through texts, exercises and videos. They then complete practice tasks or applied exercises before preparing for the relevant assessment.

Live formats and communication

The independent study phases are supplemented by virtual classes, online consultation sessions and Online Working Spaces. These formats allow students to discuss subject content, ask questions and work on tasks together.

Online sessions may be recorded and made available through myFOCUS. The frequency and format of live teaching can vary between modules and degree programmes.

The live sessions do not form a fixed weekly lecture schedule. The main part of the programme remains self-directed. Students who need compulsory weekly classes as a learning framework should take this into account.

Academic and organisational support

Lecturers and tutors support students with subject-related questions. The student advisory team assists with organisational matters. Communication takes place mainly through myFOCUS, email and virtual consultation sessions.

Support is therefore organised digitally. Students are expected to raise questions actively and use the available services independently. Weekly individual meetings or continuous personal monitoring are not standard elements of the programme.

Which subjects does EHiP offer?

The current portfolio consists mainly of Bachelor of Arts programmes. The subjects fall into three broad areas.

The range is broader than that of a university specialising exclusively in sport or health, but smaller than that of large distance-learning universities covering engineering, computer science, social work, law and psychology.

The regular degree portfolio currently consists of Bachelor of Arts programmes. Applicants seeking a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering or a subsequent master’s degree will not find a corresponding selection in the current portfolio.

International applicants should check whether the degree and its specialisation meet the academic or professional requirements of the country in which they intend to work or continue studying.

Dual distance learning

EHiP also offers several subjects as dual distance-learning programmes. Academic teaching remains digital but is combined with regular work at a practical training partner.

Applicants need an agreement with a suitable company or organisation accepted by the university. Depending on the arrangement, the practical workload is typically between 20 and 35 hours per week. The partner organisation generally pays the tuition fees.

The dual format is suitable for students who want to gain professional experience throughout their degree. It provides less scheduling freedom than the regular distance-learning model because employment hours and workplace responsibilities must also be considered.

International applicants planning to work for a partner organisation in Germany should clarify residence and employment requirements before signing a contract. Admission to a degree does not automatically include permission to work in Germany.

How flexible are examinations and study duration?

Flexible assessment is one of the defining features of EHiP. Online examinations can be started without waiting for a central semester examination period. Written assignments, presentations and projects are also organised digitally.

Online examinations

An online examination typically lasts 90 minutes and may include open questions or multiple-choice tasks. Students register through myFOCUS and begin the examination at a time they choose.

Before the examination starts, the technical equipment and the student’s identity are checked. Online proctoring software uses the webcam and microphone to supervise the assessment. Students must also show their examination room and provide valid identification.

• no fixed central examination day,
• no journey to an examination centre,
• examinations can be started at different times of day,
• a stable internet connection, webcam and microphone are required,
• the examination is supervised digitally.

This arrangement can be particularly useful for students with irregular working hours or those studying from abroad. However, students must assess for themselves when they are sufficiently prepared.

International students should test their equipment and internet connection before an examination. They should also check whether local network restrictions, time differences or data-protection requirements could affect access to the examination platform.

Other assessment formats

Depending on the module, assessments may also include seminar papers, presentations, projects and other applied assignments. The relevant programme curriculum and examination regulations specify the assessment format.

Written assignments can generally be organised within the applicable completion period. Presentations and other digital assessments follow the specific requirements of the module.

Study duration and learning pace

The bachelor’s programmes generally comprise 180 ECTS credits. Completion within 36 months corresponds to a full-time study pace. Students can also distribute their workload across a longer period and study alongside employment.

Regardless of the selected payment plan, study and academic support are available for up to 72 months. This provides additional flexibility during periods of high professional or family workload.

The payment period and the study duration are separate. Completing the degree before the end of the selected payment period does not normally reduce the agreed total tuition fee.

Leave of absence and interruptions

Students may apply for a leave of absence for valid reasons such as illness, unemployment, parental leave or exceptional professional demands. An approved interruption can last between one and twelve months. Contractual obligations and tuition payments are suspended during this period.

The university’s study conditions also provide for the temporary deferral of tuition payments in certain unforeseen circumstances. Deferred fees must be paid at a later date.

Tuition fees and payment plans

EHiP offers three payment plans for its regular bachelor’s programmes. The programme content, qualification and maximum support period are the same in each model. Only the monthly instalment, payment period and total cost differ.

The Sprint plan has the highest monthly instalment but the lowest calculated total cost. The Flex plan reduces the monthly financial burden but increases the total cost through the longer payment period.

According to the university, there are no additional standard enrolment, examination or graduation fees. The tuition fees include:

• access to myFOCUS and the online library,
• digital study materials and learning media,
• academic support within the modules,
• participation in regular examinations,
• assessment and feedback on submitted work,
• support within the maximum study period.

Possible additional costs

Although standard enrolment and examination fees are included, students need their own technical equipment and may incur further expenses:

• computer or tablet, webcam and microphone,
• stable internet connection,
• additional academic books, legal texts or reference materials,
• software not provided by the university,
• travel and accommodation for optional face-to-face events.

An additional fee may apply if an assessment has to be repeated following proven academic misconduct or plagiarism.

Trial period and cancellation

Students can test the programme for four weeks. EHiP extends the statutory cancellation period to 28 days from the start of study. Tuition fees already paid are refunded when the contract is cancelled within this period.

After the trial period, the minimum contract duration is six months. During this initial period, the contract can be cancelled with six weeks’ notice. Afterward, a notice period of three months applies.

Admission requirements

Direct admission is possible with the German Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or a subject-specific university entrance qualification. These are German school-leaving qualifications that provide access to higher education. There is no numerus clausus, or fixed grade-based admissions threshold.

International school-leaving certificates must be assessed for equivalence. Applicants may need to provide certified documents, official translations or evidence of previous education.

Admission without the traditional German Abitur may also be possible through vocational routes:

• a recognised advanced professional qualification, such as a master craftsperson, Fachwirt or technician qualification,
• at least two years of vocational education and relevant professional experience,
• depending on the admission route, a trial study period, aptitude assessment or advisory interview.

The exact requirements depend on the degree and the applicant’s professional background. A commercial qualification may be relevant to a business degree, while different subject-related experience may be required for health or nutrition programmes.

Studying from outside Germany

Because the programme is delivered digitally, students can generally access myFOCUS and complete their studies from outside Germany. A computer, internet connection and compatible technical equipment are required.

However, international applicants should clarify several points before enrolling:

• the teaching and examination language,
• recognition of their school or professional qualifications,
• availability of certified translations,
• technical access to the learning and examination platforms,
• recognition of the German degree in their intended country of employment,
• tax and funding implications in their country of residence.

Students completing the programme entirely from abroad do not normally need a German student visa solely for online participation. A visa or residence permit may become relevant if they move to Germany, attend longer on-site activities or take up employment with a German dual-study partner.

German BAföG is a public student funding scheme subject to eligibility requirements. International students and students living abroad are not automatically entitled to this support.

Recognition of previous learning

Previous university modules, vocational qualifications and advanced professional training may be recognised if their content, academic level and scope are comparable with the relevant programme modules.

Under the current study conditions, each recognised ECTS credit has two effects:

• The calculated learning workload is reduced by 30 hours.
• The tuition fee is reduced by €45.

For example, recognition of 30 ECTS credits reduces the calculated workload by 900 hours and the tuition fees by €1,350. The actual amount is set out in an individual recognition decision.

Applications for recognition must be submitted within four weeks of the start of study under the general study conditions. Applicants should therefore collect certificates, module descriptions and other supporting documents before enrolling.

Documents issued outside Germany may need to be submitted as certified copies or official translations. The university decides whether an international qualification is sufficiently equivalent.

Frequently asked questions about EHiP