Distance learning without a university entrance qualification

No A-levels, but work experience?

With a successfully completed apprenticeship and work experience, you have various options for starting your distance learning programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) without a university entrance qualification. In addition to vocational training and work experience, a master craftsman's certificate or advanced training can also entitle you to study.

Even better: We credit your previous advantages to help you save time and money. Before starting with us, you can get your options assessed free of charge.

  • More salary

    You benefit from prospective salary increases in your old or new job

  • New Challenges

    You’re given more interesting tasks and can develop professionally

  • Career booster

    You have better chances of promotion and taking on more leadership responsibility

Admission requirements

How to get admitted without a university entrance qualification

Vocational training
Advanced vocational training (Aufstiegsfortbildung)
Recognition of prior achievements
Trial study

Get off to a flying start with your trial study programme

What you should bring with you:

  • You have completed at least two years of vocational training.
  • You have gained at least three years of full-time work experience to match your vocational training.
  • Your chosen study programme builds up on your education and professional experience.

Or

  • You have successfully completed your technical college entrance qualification (Fachabitur) with a non-subject-related focus.

If you have completed a non-subject-related form of education with work experience, an entrance examination can help you find your way to the degree programme of your choice.

This is how your trial study programme works!

1. Enrol online

Simply apply for your preferred study programme. After completing your online application, you will be able to start at your desired starting date. We will send you an e-mail with the login data for the online campus. We advise you to submit your documents together with your online application. If you don’t have all documents ready, simply submit them as soon as possible.  

2. Study flexibly

Choose modules with a total of 15 ECTS credits, which you complete within 12, 18 or 24 months, depending on the time model you choose. You can take the exams at your convenience online or at one of more than 45 exam locations. If necessary, a Study Coach will be at your side.

3. Complete your trial study programme

If you pass your modules in the chosen time frame, you have successfully completed the trial study programme. This makes you eligible for this IU Bachelor’s programme. After the trial period, your regular study programme starts. The completed modules will be credited to you.

FREE TRIAL? LET’S GO!

You can try out your study programme for four weeks – no commitment. The fees for this period only apply if you decide to continue your studies with us.

Simply register online for your desired programme.

Entrance exam

Achieving your goal without prior experience

What you should bring with you:

  • You are pursuing a study programme that is unrelated to your completed education and/or professional experience.
  • You have completed at least two years of vocational training.
  • You have worked in a full-time profession for at least three years.

Get your university entrance qualification in two steps:

  • Take your entrance examination.
  • Prepare for your studies with your test of aptitude.

This is how your entrance exam works!

1. Enrol online

Simply apply for your preferred study programme. After completing your online application, you will be able to start at your desired starting date. We will send you an e-mail with the login data for the online campus. We advise you to submit your documents together with your online application. If you don’t have all documents ready, simply submit them as soon as possible.  

We will then review your qualifications and discuss the next steps with you.

2. Complete examination modules

Within twelve months, you complete the module "Introduction to Academic Work" as well as an additional module from the study programme of your choice. You can take the exams online or at one of more than 45 exam locations. If you wish, a Study Coach will support you.

3. Complete the entrance examination

As soon as you have passed your exam, you will receive your university entrance qualification for the corresponding Bachelor’s programme at IU. We automatically enrol you and credit you for the modules you have taken.

Please note: During or after the entrance exam, changing your study programme is subject to a review. This means that you may have to complete an entrance exam or a trial study period again.

You take these additional modules in the entrance exam for your chosen study programme:

Architecture & Construction
Design & Media
Health & Social Affairs
IT & Technology
Marketing & Communication
Educational Theory & Psychology
HR & Law
Business & Management

Perfectly prepared for your studies

Your aptitude test

In addition to the entrance examination, your study aptitude test serves to optimally prepare you for your studies. For this test, you refresh school knowledge over the course of 350 days. To complete, you have to pass an online test with at least 50% correct answers. Don’t worry, you can retake the test as often as you like and take it at the same time as the entrance exam.

Tuition fees

Tuition fees after the trial month

Four weeks after the start of the trial study or the aptitude test, the regular tuition fees become due. This is because the time you invest in your trial studies/entrance examination also counts towards the standard period of study.