RPTU offers around 160 attendance and distance learning programmes at two locations. DISC, as a central academic facility at the Kaiserslautern location, is responsible for the distance learning programmes. Here you are offered a wide-ranging portfolio of quality-certified and accredited degree programmes in the fields of social sciences, economics, law, natural sciences, and engineering. Our programmes differ in length and range from short certificate courses over certificate programmes to Master’s programmes.
Continuing education degree programmes, in contrast to consecutive degree programmes, generally demand (at least one year of) relevant and qualified professional experience. Furthermore, those degree programmes usually ask for a first degree (of at least Bachelor level) or, for people without a first academic degree, a successfully completed aptitude test. We offer distance learning programmes with standard periods of study ranging from two to six semesters. Our programmes are part-time and designed with a focus on distance learning. Therefore, they allow you to study parallel to your professional and/or other obligations and commitments.
Our distance learning programmes are aimed at people who are interested in continuing their education and who have already gained a certain level of professional experience. In general, our degree programmes are designed to be application-oriented and to consider the current needs of the labour market. Research-oriented continuing education programmes, on the other side, prepare students for academic careers at universities or research facilities.
Here are six excellent reasons why:
1. Distance learning at a public university
As a distance learning student at RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, you can take advantage of all the facilities of a large university, such as the university library or online self-study offerings.
2. Continuing education at an academic level
All of our Master‘s and Certificate programmes combine academic content with reflexion from a practical point of view and encourage participants to transfer their knowledge to their own professional activities.
3. Certified quality
Our distance learning programmes are part of RPTU‘s university quality management system. DISC‘s programmes are either accredited through internal RPTU procedures or undergo an external programme accreditation procedure.
4. Fair fees
As a public university, we do not work for profit, but to cover our costs. We are therefore able to offer our distance learning programmes at moderate prices.
5. Excellent work-life-learn balance
In our part-time degree programmes you study largely independently of time and place. This allows you to comfortably balance your studies with your other responsibilities.
6. Maximum support
Each of our distance learning programmes has a dedicated contact person who will provide you with comprehensive advice and support on all aspects of distance learning. You will also be able to interact directly with lecturers and fellow students during on-campus phases.
As a distance learning student, you gain access to the university library which not only allows you to borrow books on location but also enables you to use the interlibrary loans and document delivery services. You benefit from a wide-ranging supply of e-books, e-journals, and numerous data bases. Furthermore, there are several other services, such as online-classes and e-tutorials. If you are living in Kaiserslautern or the surrounding area, you can enjoy the Unisport services under the same terms and conditions offered to attendance students. This includes the Unifit gym and the Unisport sports programme.
RPTU is a public university which means anchored by state regulation, so this therefore also applies to our distance learning programmes. A degree programme is evaluated based on certain criteria, which are set by the German Accreditation council, during a so-called accreditation. Thus, the quality of a degree programme is guaranteed. Our Master’s degree programmes are either accredited by external accreditation agencies or by RPTU’s system accreditation. There is no obligation for certificate programmes to go through the accreditation process, yet. Nevertheless, we voluntarily put our programmes through the comprehensive quality assurance process according to the system accreditation.
Graduates receive a certificate, a diploma, and a diploma supplement. Depending on the field of study, you will be awarded the academic degree Master of Arts, Master of Science, Master of Laws or Master of Engineering after completing your Master’s programme.
The course of study is made up of individual self-study phases, which are supported by the provided self-study materials, and mandatory on-campus phases, which usually take place over a long weekend once or twice per semester. Different kinds of coursework and examinations complete the individual modules. Additional online-services offer support during your studies and the online-campus accompanies you throughout the course of studies.
The combination of these three elements, guided self-study, synchronous and asynchronous interaction formats, and different kinds of examinations, form the basis of successful studies. The advantage of the “Independent Learning” concept is that you can realise your wish for further education while you stay fully involved in your private and professional life.
Academic further education offers scientific theories, profound strategies, and instruments to reflect on them and apply them in a professional setting. Therefore, the willingness to reflect on and to deal with new academic linguistic forms and ways of thinking is of great importance for academic further education.
Our online campus is your interactive learning platform. Here, you will receive all important information concerning your studies. You can find all your study materials on the platform, register for events, and submit coursework for marking. Moreover, you have a connection to your fellow students and to us at any time.
Our online campus offers ways to network. Here, you can get into contact with your fellow students and also, depending on your degree programme, with your programme management and tutors. Moreover, you can contact us via phone or e-mail. The launch event, the on-campus phases, and possibly online events offer additional chances to network.
The time required may vary between individuals depending on prior knowledge and your personal learning strategy. Our long experience with distance learning shows that students should expect an expenditure of time of around 20 hours per week. The workload mostly results from working through the study materials, completing coursework such as mail-in exercises, taking exams, writing your thesis, and participating in on-campus phases.
Yes, it is possible under certain conditions. First, you need to pass an internal university aptitude test. Information on the aptitude test for the degree programmes Erwachsenenbildung, Leadership, Organisationsentwicklung, Organisation und Kommunikation, Personalentwicklung, Schulmanagement and Systemische Beratung can also be found here.
We provide additional information on professional experience on our website.
Application restricted degree programmes (admission restriction) can only offer a limited number of study places. If the set number of study places is sufficient for the number of submitted applications, each applicant for the programme in question will gain admission, provided that they meet all admission requirements. If the number of submitted applications for one semester exceeds the set number of study places, study places will be awarded through a selection process according to the study place allocation regulation (Studienplatzvergabeordnung).
You can start your distance studies every October (winter semester). Applications can be submitted from mid-May to (usually) mid-July.
In many degree programmes it is possible to apply for a study place without a first academic degree if you have passed an aptitude test. The application period for the aptitude tests starts in November of the previous year and usually ends on the 31.01. (For some programmes the application period ends on the 31.03.). There is enough time to enter the application process after passing the aptitude test.
Please note, different specificities may apply for some degree programmes (such as different deadlines). Information on the application process and deadlines can be found on our website.
In general, foreign students, who want to enrol in a German-taught university programme in Germany, need to provide proof of sufficient German language skills. Usually, this can be done by passing a German language test for university admission (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang / DSH).
Proof of sufficient German language skills is not necessary in the case of English-taught degree programmes. In this case proof of sufficient English language skills in needed.
For further information, please contact the Subdivision for Distance Student Affairs.
In general, you can get credit for prior coursework and otherwise acquired skills or have it recognised. Recognitions are regulated in the respective examination regulations and can only be declared by the head of the examination board. For this purpose, please submit a formal request and attach all relevant proof.
Semester fees are paid per semester. You pay the same fees for each semester during your standard period of study, regardless of the number of modules or the workload of the semester. The overall remuneration is therefore equally distributed across all semesters of the standard period of study. Additionally, in Master’s programmes a one-time fee for the Master thesis has to be paid upon submitting the Master’s thesis registration form.
Yes, tuition fees can generally be paid in instalments if requested in due time.
Distance studies offer the possibility of free, individual time-management due to the high ratio of self-study activities. Should this flexibility not be enough, and you must temporarily pause your entire studies, you can submit a justified application for a leave of absence.
All degree programmes have curriculums which define a standard period of study. In individual cases it could happen that, for different reasons, this time frame is not enough. In this case it is possible to add another semester to your studies for which you only have to pay the social contribution but no tuition fee. For any extension beyond one semester, you have to pay 30% of the tuition fees and the social contribution per additional semester.
RPTU offers two parent-child-rooms to student parents which can also be used by distance learning students with babies or children during the on-campus phases. Please book the rooms at least 24 hours in advance! Both rooms are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on workdays.
You can book the room on our website.
Weekend bookings and double occupations are available upon request. Please contact the family-service-office if interested.
Please note: Childcare can be arranged if needed. Please, submit your request to the family-service-office at least three weeks in advance.
In general: Yes! Admission to doctorate programmes is regulated by the doctorate regulations of the supervising institute. Students must find doctoral supervision on their own.
As a graduate you can register for the RPTU-Alumni network. This gives you the chance to stay in contact with former fellow students and us.