Course and examination fees
A remote study is connected exactly like a operational readiness level study with costs. The amount of these costs depends on the provider and the federal state in which the university is located, the chosen subject, the desired degree and ultimately on how quickly the course can be completed. Before one decides for a remote study, one should inform oneself about it, how high the fees are and with which costs altogether must be counted.
The big players in the industry, such as the Fernuniversität Hagen, offer very precise overviews of fees and also indicate the expected total costs. Probably because they can change fee structures over time.
Tuition and course fees
The most important item in the context of distance learning is the pure course fees. How they are calculated varies from university to university. In some cases, flat rates per month or semester are charged, to which the costs for the study material are then added.
Example FernUni Hagen
The Fernuniversität Hagen only charges fees for the distance learning courses: 20.00 Euro per semester hour per week (SWS), plus 10.00 Euro per SWS for academic studies. Converted, the total costs (at university) for a bachelor’s degree in educational sciences amount to around 1,800 euros, for law to 2,500 euros. In addition, there may be expenses in connection with examinations or internships, if any, such as travel expenses and accommodation.
- other courses of study with details of fees: FernUni Hagen
Private distance learning schools more expensive than state distance learning universities
Private distance learning colleges are sometimes considerably more expensive. Depending upon course of studies and conclusion amounts of over 10.000 euro are not rarity. However, studying at a private institution is quite different from studying at a state distance learning university: not only in its approach – scientific-theoretical versus scientific-practical – but also in the way it communicates the contents.
Some private universities provide their students with all the necessary materials, including specialist literature, which must be purchased from other institutions. Here, it is important to consider which form is considered to be better, whereby the most important thing should be personal wishes and ideas.
Costs for distance learning at a private university
As mentioned at the beginning, the fees for distance learning vary depending on the provider and course of study or degree. Below are excerpts of some distance learning courses for Bachelor’s and Master’s / MBA degrees with course fees. Examination fees are not included here, therefore the indication “ab”:
bachelor programmes
| course of studies |
|---|
Financial StatementsProvidersCostsBusiness Administration
Bachelor of Arts (B. A.)AKADab 11.232€more InfosEuro-FHab 12.240€more InfosInformatik
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)WBHab 11.124€more infoMachine building
Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng.)AKADab 13.608€more InfosWBHab 13.356€more InfosWirtschaftsinformatik
Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.)AKADab 11.520€more InfosWBHab 11.124€more Infos
Status 07/2013, data taken from the respective provider pages
Master / MBA degree programmes
| course of studies |
|---|
Financial StatementsSuppliersCostsGeneral Management
Master of Business Administration (MBA)AKADab 12.528€more InfosEuro-FHab 13.680€more InfosDUWab 15.600€more InfosMarketing
Master of Business Administration (MBA)Euro-FHab 13.680€more InfosWirtschaftsinformatik
Master of Science (M. Sc.)WBHab 11.808€more InfosWirtschaftsingenieurwesen
Master of Science (M. Sc.)WBHab 11.808€more InfosWirtschaftspsychologie
Master of Science (M. Sc.)Euro-FHab 10.890€more info
Status 07/2013, data taken from the respective provider pages
audit fees
The examination fees for distance learning are not included in the above tables, but are payable. Here, too, the amount depends on the distance learning institution, course of study and the degree you are aiming for. In the case of private distance learning universities, an additional several hundred euros are to be expected.
learning materials
Another cost factor that can be significant, depending on what is provided by the university, is the learning materials. This includes not only classic office materials such as pens, paper, toner or ink cartridges as well as folders, but also literature, special software depending on the subject and, if necessary, a modern PC.
No study works without books. They can put a considerable strain on your budget. Interlibrary loan and copies are a viable way to reduce costs. But copying takes very much time up, which is straight with an occupation-accompanying remote study or a remote study with child rather scarce commodity. A certain “basic equipment” cannot be avoided in most cases. It is possible to buy them used. However, the edition must be paid attention to. It counts always only the newest version. This also applies to the software. Text and spreadsheet programs are sufficient in most cases and are available as freeware free of charge. But when it comes to special programs, one must or should invest to be able to study properly. This requires a computer that on the one hand is suitable for the Internet and on the other hand meets the requirements, for example in order to be able to exchange information with the lecturer via video conference or to participate in a virtual lecture.