When exploring the German higher education system, many prospective students are often confused by the names of In the landscape of distance education in Germany, apart from the well-known public giant – the University of Remote Education in Hagen, there is also a long-standing and large-scale private distance education university, often referred to as Euro-FH. This higher education institution located in Hamburg offers a flexible academic structure and a curriculum that closely aligns with practical vocational experiences, making it the preferred choice for many working professionals seeking to enhance their qualifications. For those who wish to obtain a German degree without leaving their jobs, understanding the nature of this institution and its “dual certification” mechanism is crucial for making an informed decision. The reasons to get a Euro-FH diploma in Germany?
I. Overview of the Institution: A Pioneer in Private Distance Education
Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg (Euro-FH) was established in 1995 and is headquartered in Hamburg, the media and trade center of Germany. Unlike the University of Hagen, Euro-FH is a private, nationally recognized applied science university (Private, staatlich anerkannte Fachhochschule).
Educational Nature and Scale
As one of the earliest private distance universities in Germany, Euro-FH is affiliated with the renowned StudyGroup Education Group. Currently, the school has over 8,000 students and is one of the largest private distance universities in Germany.
Position and Characteristics
The school focuses on providing applied business and law education. Its core philosophy is “a perfect combination of theory and practice”, with highly modularized curriculum design, aiming to enable students to quickly apply the knowledge they have learned to their daily work.
Subject Offerings
Euro-FH mainly offers undergraduate and master’s degree programs in the following fields:
Business Administration: including general enterprise management, international management, marketing, finance and accounting, etc.
Law: providing a law bachelor’s degree program.
Dual-track courses: collaborating with enterprises, offering degree programs that alternate between theory and practice.
II. Learning Mode: Highly Flexible “Hybrid Learning”
The teaching mode of Euro-FH is specifically designed for working professionals, significantly breaking down the limitations of time and space.
Multimedia Materials: The school provides students with carefully compiled printed textbooks and online learning materials. Students can study independently at any location according to their own schedule.
Online Tutoring: Through online classrooms (Webinars) and virtual campuses, students can interact with lecturers and participate in case discussions.
Offline Seminars: Although mainly remote, the school regularly holds offline seminars in major German cities (such as Hamburg, Berlin, Munich, etc.) and some overseas locations. This provides students with valuable face-to-face communication and Networking opportunities.
Flexible Examinations: Examination formats are flexible, usually allowing students to take the exams at global test centers or conduct online proctored exams under specific conditions. How many days does to get a Euro-FH diploma online?
III. In-depth Analysis of the Diploma: Dual Certificates and Value
Euro-FH’s diploma system is its greatest highlight and the core reason why many students choose it. Graduates typically receive two degree certificates, which form the basis of its high value.
First Certificate: Degree from the Main Campus
When students graduate, they will first receive a bachelor’s or master’s degree (such as Bachelor of Arts or Master of Arts) issued by Europäische Fernhochschule Hamburg.
Nature: This is a German private university degree certificate.
Certification: This degree is recognized by Germany, proving that students have completed studies in accordance with German higher education standards.
Second certificate: Degree from a cooperative public university
This is the “killer feature” of the Euro-FH diploma. Depending on the student’s chosen major, the school has deep cooperation with renowned public universities in the UK and Spain. After meeting the graduation requirements, students will also receive a degree certificate from the cooperating university.
Cooperative universities:
University of Derby, UK: Usually corresponding to business, management majors.
University of Murcia Catholic University, Spain: Usually corresponding to law or some business majors.
Nature: This is a degree certificate from a public university in the UK or Spain, exactly the same as the degree obtained from the corresponding university in that country.
The value and certification of the diploma
In Germany: The Euro-FH degree enjoys a good reputation in the German business community, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises and multinational companies. Employers highly value the time management and stress resistance abilities demonstrated by graduates who “study while working”.
International certification (China Ministry of Education): For Chinese students, the degree certificate from the cooperative public university is the key for academic certification. Since the University of Derby in the UK and the University of Murcia Catholic University in Spain are both on the list of overseas universities recognized by the Ministry of Education of China, students can use this certificate to apply for academic and degree certification from the China Education and Research Center for International Students.
Note: The specific requirements for certification may change with policies. It is recommended that students consult the Education and Research Center for International Students before applying to confirm the specific certification rules for “distance education + overseas degree”.
IV. Suitable candidates and application guidelines
Euro-FH is not suitable for everyone. Its target group is very clear.
Target audience
Working professionals: Managers or employees who cannot quit their jobs to take a break for further studies and need to study during evenings or weekends.
English speakers: Although the school is located in Germany, it offers a large number of business courses taught entirely in English, suitable for students who are fluent in English but do not want to learn German.
Those seeking dual backgrounds: Students who wish to have both a German study experience and a degree from an English or Spanish public university.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate: Usually requires a high school diploma (or equivalent) and some vocational training or internship experience. If the academic background is insufficient, a preparatory course may be required.
Master’s: Requires an accredited bachelor’s degree and some work experience (usually more than 1 year).
Language: German courses require DAF or DSH scores; English courses require IELTS (usually 6.0-6.5) or TOEFL scores.
