Welcome to the FernUniversität in Hagen
Photo: Horst Pierdolla
Photo: Volker Wiciok
Whether you come to the FernUniversität as a guest or as a new colleague, we want you to feel at home on our campus in Hagen right from the start. The FernUniversität is a unique institution in many ways, not least because of its friendly staff of around 1,900 researchers, teachers, and administrators who put the idea of lifelong learning into practice each day. Welcome to this magnificent community! We have collected some useful information below to help you get a good start.
Prof. Dr. Ada Pellert, President of the FernUniversität
The FernUniversität in Hagen
Photo: Torsten Silz
The FernUniversität in Hagen is Germany’s only state distance-learning university and the largest university in Germany in terms of student numbers. With more than 40 years of experience in distance learning and more than 70,000 students, the FernUniversität offers a quality university education that is adapted to the individual needs and life situations of its diverse student body. The FernUniversität is not only committed to developing new and innovative forms of teaching, but is also dedicated to supporting the innovative and wide-ranging research of its scholars, both within and across academic disciplines.
How to Get Here
Hagen's main station is well-connected to Germany's rail network and easy to reach from any direction. From the station, there are frequent buses to the FernUniversität campus. If you are travelling by car, you can reach the campus quickly from any direction: via the Autobahn A1 (from the west), the A45 (from the north/south) or the A46 (from the east). The nearest airports are Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn, which are about an hour away, or Dortmund, which is 40 minutes away.
The FernUniversität campus is home to the faculties, the university management, the university library, the Center for Media and IT, the central university administration and a cafeteria/restaurant. Bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, and a hotel are located nearby. The campus is on the edge of the city, surrounded by woods, and is accessible for people with disabilities.
- Campus Map and Directions
- Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr: Public transportation (buses and trains) in and around Hagen
- Deutsche Bahn: Public regional and long-distance transportation in Germany
Hagen
The “City of Four Rivers” has a lot to offer: from culture, art, and architecture to sports and hiking to shopping. Not only is Hagen considered the gateway to the Sauerland region, which is known for its natural parks and hiking trails, it also sits at the edge of the Ruhr area with its industrial heritage and culture.
Where to Stay
For short stays, or until you find an apartment, the Bildungsherberge hostel or nearby hotels are a practical option. Additionally, the FernUniversität cooperates with a local housing provider, which offers both furnished and unfurnished apartments to rent. You can find more information and tips for your apartment search in our arrival checklist and information.
- Bildungsherberge: The Bildungsherberge (German) hostel offers students at the FernUniversität in Hagen an inexpensive option for accommodation (24 euro/night in an individual room) close to the FernUni campus.
- Short-term Accommodation in Hagen You can find more useful information about hotels, short-term rentals, guesthouses and hostels (German) in and around Hagen in this brochure from the city of Hagen’s HAGENagentur marketing agency.
Getting Started in Germany
Photo: Torsten Silz
Whether you are here for a short research stay, or moving to Germany for the first time, there is a lot to take care of when you first arrive. This guide will help you with the first steps.
Everyday Tips
Photo: Hardy Welsch
To help make your stay as comfortable as possible, we have gathered some useful tips, information, and links for day-to-day life at the FernUni and in Hagen.
Photo: Jakob Studnar
International Office
The FernUniversität’s International Office is happy to provide advice and assistance to our international guests. If you have questions or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us.
