Distance learning
What are the similarities and differences between a master's degree program and a master's course at FERNFH?
Legal Framework: The principles and many provisions governing the procedures for master’s degree programs are set forth in the University of Applied Sciences Study Act (FHStG); master’s degree programs are explicitly addressed only in a few sections of the FHStG. At FERNFH, however, the study and examination regulations for the programs stipulate that a large portion of the statutory provisions of the FHStG regarding Master’s degree programs also apply by analogy to the Master’s programs.
ECTS: The credit load for master’s programs at FERNFH is 120 ECTS; master’s programs may also comprise fewer ECTS, but no fewer than 90. The 120 ECTS of a master’s program must be completed in 4 semesters / 2 years. For Master’s programs, the distribution of credits may also differ; that is, they may span 3 or more semesters (with fewer than 30 ECTS per semester).
Admission Requirements: Admission to a master’s program requires the completion of a relevant first degree. For master’s programs that generally serve as a career-oriented, supplementary qualification, admission may also be granted under certain circumstances to applicants with a non-academic, post-secondary vocational qualification.
Degree: Both master's degree programs and master's courses lead to an academic master's degree.
Funding & Approval: Master’s programs are approved by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research, and Economy and accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria). They are federally funded, meaning students are required to pay tuition fees of €363.36 (plus the ÖH contribution).
Master’s programs are established by FERNFH, and their content is reviewed and approved by the faculty. Program fees are fully financed by students enrolled in the Master’s program; program spots are not federally funded. However, as with the Master’s degree programs, scholarships and financial aid may be available in some cases.
Admission to a doctoral program: A master’s degree qualifies a student to begin a related doctoral program. This right does not apply to graduates of a master’s program. Whether a master’s degree qualifies a student for a doctoral program is determined at the discretion of the universities offering the doctoral program.
Quality Assurance: Once established, both master’s degree programs and master’s courses are subject to the same internal quality assurance processes at FERNFH. The corresponding quality management system is audited every seven years by an international quality assurance agency.
Is there any assistance available with applying for a visa?
Ferdinand Porsche FernFH assists students with the necessary formalities for their studies. Upon request, students will receive an “Invitation Letter” for attending in-person sessions. This letter can be used to apply for a visa at the appropriate government agency.
Please note: If the documents are not in German or English, they must first be translated and certified.
Detailed information and the necessary forms are available on the Austrian Exchange Service's website.
When is the application deadline?
You can find the application deadline on the respective program page.
What travel expenses should you expect?
Since your studies at FERNFH are primarily online, you’ll only incur travel expenses for the in-person sessions. These typically take place up to three times per semester and usually last two days (Friday and Saturday).
How much your travel expenses will be depends heavily on your individual situation—especiallyyour place of residence,mode of transportation,accommodation needs, and yourdegree program. As a rough guideline, you can expecttravel and living expenses to range from about €300 to €900 per semester. However, depending on the distance from where you live, your chosen mode of transportation, and the number of overnight stays, the amount may belower or higher.
Sample Calculations
Example 1: Place of residence in Lower Austria/Vienna
- How to get there:Train or car (1–2 hours)
- Overnight stay:none (you can return home the same day)
- Cost per in-person session:approx. €30–80
- Cost per semester:approx. €100–250
If you live nearby, your travel expenses are usually very low.
Example 2: Residence in Southern Germany or Tyrol
- How to get there:By train or car (5–6 hours)
- Overnight stays:1–2 nights (approx. €80–150 per night)
- Cost per in-person session:approx. €200–400
- Cost per semester:approx. €500–900
For longer distances, there are usually overnight accommodations costs, which you can reduce by booking early.
Our Tips for Travel and Accommodations
Plan your trips well in advance and take advantage of early-bird offers, carpooling, or public transportation with a Klimaticket.
Travel and lodging expenses may be tax-deductible in some cases—check the specific details for your situation.
You can find an overview ofparking options, travel information, and lodging options in Wiener Neustadthere:https://www.fernfh.ac.at/fernstudium/services-fuer-studierende/anreiseinformation/
When and where will the in-person sessions take place?
You can find all the dates for in-person sessions in our schedules on the respective program pages. You can also see at a glance in these PDF schedules whether these sessions will take place online or on campus in Wiener Neustadt.
How much time per week should I expect to spend on my studies?
The workload is equivalent to that of a full-time degree program (approximately 750 hours per semester). This requires a significant weekly time commitment from students, especially when combined with a job.
Students and alumni confirm that the timeframes and deadlines for assignments and assessments are communicated and described in detail very early in the semester, making it entirely possible to work through the course material in a timely manner and allowing students to successfully pursue their studies while working, despite the heavy workload.
Do I have to be employed to study at FERNFH?
Since the program is offered exclusively on a part-time basis, you are expected to be employed by the time the program begins at the latest. If you are currently looking for work or not employed, a confirmation from the AMS is sufficient.
When can I start my degree program?
The program always begins in the winter semester (September). The exact date varies depending on the degree program. Due to the predefined study plan and the sequential nature of the curriculum, transferring into the program is generally not an option.
Can I take a break from my studies, for example, due to illness or personal reasons?
You have the option to take a leave of absence for one full academic year at a time. After your leave of absence, you will resume your studies with the next incoming class.
On the website, it says “in person” or “online” for the in-person sessions. Can I choose which one I want?
No, whether an in-person phase takes place on campus or online depends on the course content and will be announced by the program in a timely manner.
On the program pages of the website, you'll find a customized overview of the semester schedule for each program, as well as a downloadable calendar that gives you a clear overview of your program dates, including in-person sessions and their schedules.
Is attendance mandatory during the in-person sessions?
Unless otherwise specified, attendance is mandatory for all events (introductory lectures, exams, workshops) during in-person sessions. This also applies, mutatis mutandis, to online events held during an in-person session.
In a distance learning program, do all lectures take place online?
No, for us, “distance learning” means much more than just online lectures. We meet three times per semester for our in-person sessions in Wiener Neustadt (and, in some cases, for online in-person days).
During the semester, there may also be online meetings, but these are more like Q&A sessions than lectures. For the rest of the program—that is, during the so-called distance learning phases—you’ll study the material independently and on your own schedule. There will be reading assignments and tasks of varying lengths that will allow you (and your instructors) to determine whether you’ve understood everything.
What equipment is needed for distance learning?
To complete your distance learning program at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH, you will need various study materials:
- Desktop or Laptop
- A current web browser (Chromium-based, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge)
- Reliable Internet access
- Webcam
- Microphone
- Ability to scan (smartphone running Android or iOS, or a scanner)
- Optional Printer
What degree programs can I pursue at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH?
You can pursue the following bachelor's and master's degree programs through our acclaimed FERNFH distance learning model:
- Aging Services Management | Bachelor's Degree
- Business Administration & Business Psychology | Bachelor's Degree
- Business Informatics | Bachelor's Degree
More information about the bachelor's degree programs
- Business Administration & Business Psychology | Master's Degree
- Information Technology | Master's Degree
- Digital Health Management | Master's Degree
More information about the master's programs
How does distance learning work at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH?
The distance learning program consists of three on-campus sessions per semester (usually two days each, Friday and Saturday) and two distance learning phases that can be completed at any time and from any location. Depending on the program, the on-campus sessions take place either online as live sessions or in Wiener Neustadt at Ferdinand Porsche Ring 3. The program dates and format are always announced well in advance by the program to help you plan and organize your studies and personal life effectively.
During the distance learning phases, you’ll work independently or in small groups via the Online Campus. With our Online Campus, you can access courses and learning materials anytime, anywhere.
For personal interaction with instructors and fellow students, there are also forums, video conferences, and online office hours.
How much are the tuition fees?
All degree programs at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH are publicly funded. Tuition is €363.36 plus the ÖH fee (2025/26: €25.20—including insurance) per semester. You can find more information in thetuition regulations.
Questions specific to the program
Which bachelor's degree programs are considered relevant to the field and meet the admission requirements for the Master's program in Business Administration & Business Psychology?
Pursuant to Section 4(4) of the University of Applied Sciences Act (FHG), the academic admission requirement for a master’s program at a university of applied sciences is a completed bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from a university of applied sciences or the completion of an equivalent program at a recognized domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution. If equivalence is generally established and only a few additional requirements are needed to achieve full equivalence, the program director is authorized to make the determination of equivalence contingent upon the completion of examinations to be taken during the respective master’s program.
Relevance to the field
In any case, the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology offered by the Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH is recognized as a relevant degree program.
Admission to this master’s program is also possible for students who have completed another relevant bachelor’s degree program or a bachelor’s degree program at a university of applied sciences.
Relevant bachelor’s degree programs, including those offered by universities of applied sciences, are characterized by a minimum total of 180 ECTS credits in the following fields: social sciences, economics, and psychology, provided that the content from each of these fields relevant to the master’s program is covered:
- 15 ECTS credits in General Business Administration/Human Resources/Leadership/Organization/Strategic Management/Corporate Management/Finance/Accounting/Marketing Management
- 15 ECTS credits in Business Psychology/Organizational Psychology/General Psychology/Social Psychology/Personality Psychology/Psychological Assessment
- 4 ECTS in Empirical Social Research & Statistics
Relevant bachelor's degree programs
Students often transfer into the Master’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology from the degree programs listed here, as they provide a comprehensive academic foundation in the field for the Master’s program. However, the academic admission requirements may also be met by other bachelor’s degree programs at universities and universities of applied sciences.
Examples of relevant bachelor's degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (all universities)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (all universities)
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Psychology (Seeburg Castle Private University, Carinthia University of Applied Sciences)
- Bachelor of Arts in Business Psychology & Management (Kufstein University of Applied Sciences)
- Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management (Vienna University of Applied Sciences, WKW)
- BA in Marketing & Sales (Vienna University of Applied Sciences, WKW)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt)
- Bachelor's Degree in Product Marketing & Product Management (University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt)
- Bachelor of Business Administration (MCI Management Center Innsbruck)
- BA in Business Administration (online, MCI Management Center Innsbruck)
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Social Sciences (Vienna University of Economics and Business)
For questions regarding admission, please contact the FERNFH Admissions Office: +43 2622 32600-600, studieninfo@fernfh.ac.at
Please note that there are only a limited number of spots available in the master’s program. Meeting the academic admission requirements does not, therefore, guarantee a spot in the program. In accordance with § 11 of the Higher Education Act (FHG), an admissions process must be conducted whenever the number of applicants exceeds the number of available spots.
After completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Business Administration and Business Psychology, am I allowed to use the professional title “Business Psychologist”?
No. According to Section 1 of the PG (Federal Law Gazette 360/1990), only those who have completed one of the degree programs listed therein are entitled to use the professional title “Psychologist.” Successful completion of the “Business Administration & Business Psychology” degree program does not entitle the holder to use the professional title “Psychologist” or “Business Psychologist.”
What does the aptitude test for the master's program in Business Administration & Business Psychology cover?
Technical knowledge in the core subjects at the bachelor's level:
Business Administration:
- Fundamentals of Business Administration
- Corporate Governance
- Human Resources Management
- Marketing
Recommended Reading:
– Lechner, K., Egger, A., & Schauer, R. (2013). Introduction to General Business Administration (26th, updated ed.). Vienna: Linde. (Especially Chapters: A. Business Administration: Subject Matter, Structure, History & B. The Firm as a Socio-Economic System Oriented Toward the Environment)
– Kasper, H., & Mayrhofer, W. (Eds.) (2009). Human Resource Management, Leadership, and Organization (4th ed.), Linde International. (especially the sections on: Recruitment and Selection of Employees, Human Resource Development, & Performance Appraisal), or the updated 5th edition (2015) (especially the chapter on: Human Resources)
– Kotler, P., Armstrong, G., Wong, V., & Saunders, J. (2011). Principles of Marketing (5th, updated ed.). Munich: Pearson Studium. (especially the chapters: The Strategic Dimension of Marketing, The Product, Price & Communication)
Business Psychology:
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- Consumer and Market Psychology
- Economic Psychology
Recommended Reading:
– Kirchler, E. (Ed.) (2011). Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3rd ed.). Vienna: UTB. (Series on Industrial and Organizational Psychology, published by WUV). (See especially Chapters III: Motivation and IV: Leadership)
– Kirchler, E. (2011). Business Psychology: Individuals, Groups, Markets, the State (4th ed.). Hogrefe: Göttingen. (see especially chapters: 1 – Content and Limits of Economic Psychology, 6 – Consumer Goods Markets: Sales Policy, 8 – Financial Markets)
English proficiency:
Statements about a given text that must be identified as true or false.
Reading Comprehension of Specialized Texts (Level B2)
Comprehension questions using synonyms based on a given text.
Text Puzzle or Fill-in-the-Blank Exercise
I'm not sure if my coursework from other programs can be classified under Business Administration, Business Psychology, or Empirical Social Research. What should I do?
For organizational reasons, the academic prerequisites in core courses in economics and psychology (15 / 15 / 4 ECTS) can only be reviewed after you have submitted your application (preferably via our online application system or by email) and after all required documents have been submitted.
What are the level-adjustment required modules for?
The level-equalizing required modules are designed to help students who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or diploma degree in psychology or business administration build additional competencies in their respective disciplines, in addition to the minimum of 15 ECTS credits they have already earned. This ensures that students have sufficient prior knowledge in both subjects—similar to the bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology at FernFH, where 90 ECTS credits can be earned in each core subject.
Do the level-adjustment required modules in the first semester of the Master's program in Business Administration & Business Psychology fulfill the admission requirements?
No! The required leveling modules in the first semester of the master’s program are not intended to fulfill the admission requirements and can only be completed after you have been successfully admitted to the program. This means you must earn the required ECTS credits through other means.
The mandatory level-equalizing modules are designed to help students who have completed a bachelor’s, master’s, or diploma degree in psychology or business administration build additional competencies in the relevant discipline, in addition to the minimum of 15 ECTS credits they have already earned. This ensures that students have sufficient prior knowledge in both subjects—similar to the Bachelor’s program in Business Administration & Business Psychology at FERNFH, where 90 ECTS credits can be earned in each core subject.
Can I make up the required academic level or ECTS credits at FERNFH?
This is generally not possible. You must be admitted to a FERNFH program in order to take exams.
The level-equalizing required modules in the first semester of the master’s program, as described on the FERNFH website or in the course catalog, are not intended to fulfill the admission requirements and can only be taken after you have been successfully admitted to the program.
Do the academic prerequisites for the Master's program in Business Administration & Business Psychology (15/15/4 ECTS) have to be based on completed educational programs?
NO! The required ECTS credits , as specified in the accredited application, may also come from programs that have not been completed.
However, the ECTS credits must have been earned at a recognized domestic or foreign postsecondary educational institution that requires a general university entrance qualification for admission and is recognized as a postsecondary educational institution under the laws of the country in which it is located. Training institutes, etc., do not count toward this requirement.
I haven't yet completed my bachelor's degree. Can I still apply?
Yes, but proof of a bachelor's degree must be provided by the end of October at the latest.
I don't have a degree in computer science, business informatics, or a related field. Can I still apply?
In general, relevant expertise is a prerequisite for admission. However, eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis based on the submitted resume. In some cases, admission with conditions is also possible. Just apply so we can review your qualifications in detail!
Do I need to have prior programming experience to enroll in the master's program in Information Technology?
It would be beneficial, but not absolutely necessary.
What can I do if I don't meet the requirements for the core courses in the MA in Digital Health Management program?
We offer online courses that will help you independently catch up on any missing prerequisites in the core subjects. These courses are available to you immediately after you apply and before you begin your studies, so you can start off fully prepared.
How can I find out if I meet the requirements for the core subjects (Health Sciences/Public Health, Project and Process Management, Computer Science, Digital Transformation, and eHealth)?
We will determine whether you meet the requirements in the core subjects as part of the review of your application materials. For this, we need a detailed transcript of your previous studies.
What are my chances of being accepted into the bachelor's program in Business Information Systems?
We offer the largest bachelor's degree program in business informatics at a university of applied sciences in Austria and have a relatively large number of available spots. If you're truly committed to pursuing this degree, there's a very good chance we'll be able to make it happen for you.
As a general rule, even a spot on the waiting list during the admissions process means that, thanks to applicants who change their minds and withdraw, you’ll still receive a firm acceptance in time for the start of the academic year.
What happens next after I apply for the Aging Services Management program?
As soon as we receive all of your documents, you will receive the login information for theASBA admissions process course. The admissions process includes an online aptitude test and an admissions interview via MS Teams. The study materials for the aptitude test are available in the course room. To give you a good sense of the online campus and the course rooms, we’ve designed the preparatory course for the admissions process to be similar to our regular college courses.
Application and Admissions Process
What are the requirements for a master's program?
You can find detailed information about the admission requirements for a master's program at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFHhere.
Can I apply even if I do not meet the required academic level or ECTS credits in one of the areas?
In principle, yes. However, you would only be admitted conditionally and would have to submit all required documentation by the start of the academic year at the latest.
Do the academic prerequisites for the Master's program in Business Administration & Business Psychology (15/15/4 ECTS) have to be based on completed educational programs?
NO! The required ECTS credits , as specified in the accredited application, may also come from programs that have not been completed.
However, the ECTS credits must have been earned at a recognized domestic or foreign postsecondary educational institution that requires a general university entrance qualification for admission and is recognized as a postsecondary educational institution under the laws of the country in which it is located. Training institutes, etc., do not count toward this requirement.
Can I apply to college again?
Yes, of course. Applicants who were not admitted (and those who were admitted but did not begin their studies) may reapply for the next academic year. They will then be subject to the admissions process and ranking criteria in effect at that time; there is no provision for preferential consideration based on their previous application.
When are the admissions interviews held?
The dates for admission interviews vary by program. You can find this information in the program schedules on the program pages, or it will be sent to you by the program after your application is received.
How is the admissions process structured?
The admissions process generally varies from one degree program to another. For all of them, the first step is to submit your personal online application.
Details on the admission procedures for each degree program…
Does the saying “First come, first served” apply, and are applications ranked before the application deadline?
No, of course not. The date of registration or application is not a factor in determining the order of admission, as long as the registration is submitted within the application deadline.
What are the requirements for a bachelor's degree program?
To be admitted to a bachelor's degree program at FERNFH, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- General University Entrance Qualification / Vocational Maturity Exam / University Entrance Exam
- Relevant professional experience plus an additional exam (completed vocational training in an apprenticeship program or a three-year vocational high school program; for some of our bachelor’s degree programs, a three-year diploma program is also accepted) – a free online preparation course is available for the additional exams, and the exams themselves are free of charge.
You can find detailed information about the requirementshere.
What documents do I need to submit with my application?
The following documents must be uploaded when applying online:
- Other Certificates (e.g., university, university of applied sciences)
- Birth Certificate
- High school diploma and final report card from the last school year, or
- Vocational Maturity Certificate, University Entrance Qualification Exam, Graduation Certificate from a Vocational Middle School, or Apprenticeship Completion Certificate
- Diploma, bachelor's degree transcript, and cumulative transcript from previous higher education studies (when applying to a master's program)
- Proof of Citizenship
- Resume
- Confirmation of Current Employment
- Letter of Motivation
- A digital passport photo (700×900 pixels, file format: jpg, number of colors: 16.7 million (24-bit), file size: between 50 and 150 kilobytes)
- Any name change documents, etc.
Can I still apply after the application deadline has passed?
Applications received after this date will be considered only if space is available.
When is the deadline for applying to a degree program?
The application deadline varies depending on the program; you can find details on the respective program page:
- Aging Services Management | Bachelor's Degree
- Business Administration & Business Psychology | Bachelor's Degree
- Business Informatics | Bachelor's Degree
More information about the bachelor's degree programs
- Business Administration & Business Psychology | Master's Degree
- Information Technology | Master's Degree
- Digital Health Management | Master's Degree
More information about the master's programs
Continuing Education
What are the similarities and differences between a master's degree program and a master's course at FERNFH?
Legal Framework: The principles and many provisions governing the procedures for master’s degree programs are set forth in the University of Applied Sciences Study Act (FHStG); master’s degree programs are explicitly addressed only in a few sections of the FHStG. At FERNFH, however, the study and examination regulations for the programs stipulate that a large portion of the statutory provisions of the FHStG regarding Master’s degree programs also apply by analogy to the Master’s programs.
ECTS: The credit load for master’s programs at FERNFH is 120 ECTS; master’s programs may also comprise fewer ECTS, but no fewer than 90. The 120 ECTS of a master’s program must be completed in 4 semesters / 2 years. For Master’s programs, the distribution of credits may also differ; that is, they may span 3 or more semesters (with fewer than 30 ECTS per semester).
Admission Requirements: Admission to a master’s program requires the completion of a relevant first degree. For master’s programs that generally serve as a career-oriented, supplementary qualification, admission may also be granted under certain circumstances to applicants with a non-academic, post-secondary vocational qualification.
Degree: Both master's degree programs and master's courses lead to an academic master's degree.
Funding & Approval: Master’s programs are approved by the Federal Ministry of Science, Research, and Economy and accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria (AQ Austria). They are federally funded, meaning students are required to pay tuition fees of €363.36 (plus the ÖH contribution).
Master’s programs are established by FERNFH, and their content is reviewed and approved by the faculty. Program fees are fully financed by students enrolled in the Master’s program; program spots are not federally funded. However, as with the Master’s degree programs, scholarships and financial aid may be available in some cases.
Admission to a doctoral program: A master’s degree qualifies a student to begin a related doctoral program. This right does not apply to graduates of a master’s program. Whether a master’s degree qualifies a student for a doctoral program is determined at the discretion of the universities offering the doctoral program.
Quality Assurance: Once established, both master’s degree programs and master’s courses are subject to the same internal quality assurance processes at FERNFH. The corresponding quality management system is audited every seven years by an international quality assurance agency.
How is the admissions process structured?
The admissions process varies significantly from program to program. In all cases, the first step is to submit a personal online application.
Details on the individual admission procedures for the courses and programs…
What qualifications do I need to enroll in a continuing education program?
You can find detailed information about the admission requirements for continuing education programs at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFHhere.
Are there information sessions about the continuing education programs?
You can find the current dates for our online information sessions on the pages for each training program and in the event overview on our website.
Registration is generally not required. However, you will need an internet connection to participate online. Please always check the instructions for each event.
What scholarships and grants can I apply for?
You can find the latest information on scholarships and grants for continuing education in the Scholarships and Grants section.
How much does continuing education cost?
Where and when do the in-person sessions take place?
You can find all the dates for the in-person sessions on the respective course or master's program page under "Continuing Education."
When can I start a continuing education program at FERNFH?
Please refer to the schedule on the website for the respective course or continuing education program for all dates, such as the start of the program and in-person sessions.
How does continuing education at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH work?
Continuing education at FERNFH consists of a few days of in-person classes and distance learning phases. Please refer to the respective website for the course or continuing education program for details on the exact structure.
What continuing education programs can I take at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH?
Micro-credentials
What kind of certificate will I receive upon completing a micro-credential?
Upon successful completion of the MC, you will be issued a certificate of completion.
How are micro-credentials assessed?
In all courses that make up the MC, the course instructor must conduct a formal assessment of whether the learning outcomes have been achieved. This assessment is graded using the “school grading system,” similar to the courses in the degree programs. Simply acknowledging attendance in a course is not sufficient to earn an MC.
Exams can be administered as “open book” or “closed book,” as well as “online” or “on-site.”
What does it take to successfully complete a micro-credential?
Micro-credentials are typically worth 5–15 ECTS credits, which generally corresponds to two to five courses. Once you have successfully completed all the courses that make up the learning path, you will receive your micro-credential—in the form of a printed certificate and a digital badge.
Individual courses must have been completed within a 5-year period in order to count toward a micro-credential.
Can I also have courses in a micro-credential recognized for credit?
“Recognition of prior learning” toward a micro-credential is only possible for courses that have been successfully completed within the last five years. Examination results from earlier than that cannot be recognized toward a micro-credential. In addition, recognized ECTS credits may not exceed one-third of the total credit hours of a micro-credential.
Conversely, courses from an MC program may also be credited toward a university of applied sciences degree if they were completed within five years prior to the start of the degree program (and if the MC courses are also part of the core, elective, or individualized curriculum of the relevant degree program).
Important:Please note that the exact options and scope of credit transfer may vary depending on the specific degree program. We therefore recommend that you contact the relevant program staff directly for specific details.
What does the term “EQF/ISCED level” mean in the descriptions of the MCs?
The EQF is the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning (EQF), which aims to “improve the transparency, comparability, and transferability of qualifications.” Programs at the bachelor’s level are classified as Level 6, while those at the master’s level are classified as Level 7.
ISCED-P is the program level to which the micro-credential is assigned in the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED), which is UNESCO’s reference and classification system. In somewhat greater detail than in the EQF, a distinction is made between the“program level”(ISCED-P) and the “level of education” (ISCED-A). A program may be at ISCED-P Level 7 (i.e., at the master’s level), but if it takes less time than the standard stipulates, the person who has completed it has not yet reached educational level ISCED-A 7, but is one level below, i.e., 6. This applies to micro-credentials. This means:
If you complete an MC at ISCED-P Level 7, you may not list “Master’s” as your “highest level of education completed” (unless, of course, you have already earned a “real” Master’s degree elsewhere). The same applies to MCs at the bachelor’s level (ISCED-P Level 6, but ISCED-A Level 5).
Can I complete more than one micro-credential per semester?
Yes, you can take as many courses—and thus earn as many micro-credentials—as you’d like. (Some courses do have enrollment limits, though.) Keep in mind: Sometimes there’s a recommended order in which to take the courses. And sometimes there’s a mandatory order.
How are micro-credentials organized?
Micro-credentials are organized through the degree programs at Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH.
The degree program varies depending on the micro-credential. You can find more information on the pages for each micro-credential.
Do I have to complete the MC courses at the specified pace?
As for the individual courses: Yes. They are structured and organized in such a way that they can usually be completed within the specified timeframe, even during busy periods. Otherwise, you might have to wait until the next academic year for exams to be offered again in your MC subject.
As for the entire MC: No. For example, if we suggest that you take two courses in the winter semester and two in the summer semester, you can also spread them out over four semesters, taking one course each semester. Or you can take even more courses and take a break in between.
The only important thing is that you must complete everything within five years of enrolling in the Micro-Credential.
How can I apply for a micro-credential?
If you’re earning your micro-credential as part of your current FERNFH degree program:
If you’d like to apply for a micro-credential from your own degree program, you can contact your program directly. For micro-credentials outside your degree program, please apply via the micro-credentials online application page:
By the way: If it’s been a while since you graduated, we’ll count ECTS credits earned up to 5 years ago.
If you are completing your micro-credential as a standalone short program.
To get started with a micro-credential, apply for your specific MC on the Micro-Credentials online application page.
When is the deadline for applying for a micro-credential?
During the winter semester, the various application deadlines run from August through October and vary depending on the micro-credential. You can find the latest deadline for applying to your micro-credential on the page for that specific micro-credential.
Are there any prerequisites for Mirco Credentials?
If the MC is earned as part of a degree program, the relevant admission requirements apply. MCs offered as standalone short programs are considered “attendance in individual courses”; no formal admission requirements (e.g., completion of a qualification at a specific ISCED level) need to be met for these.
Subject-specific prerequisites (“relevant qualifications or knowledge”) may be required, and proof of fulfillment may be necessary. You can always find the prerequisites listed directly on the respective MC’s website.