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Distance learningRecognition of prior achievements
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Save time and money: getting previous knowledge recognised
Relevant previous knowledge can reduce your study duration and save you 30 euros per ECTS-point.
We differentiate between recognition and crediting: If you have completed courses at another university or university of applied sciences, you can have these recognized. Vocational training or professional experience relevant to your study programme can be credited. Here we speak generally of recognition.
For the recognition of your standard and/or individual previous knowledge, we have prepared an online application form for you. If needed, you can combine the two:
Standard options for recognition
For a large number of vocational or further training, we have pre-filled applications for recognition which you can simply fill in online. Have a look first if there is a standard application that fits your vocational or further training. Examples for standard recognition options: - Vocational training IHK, HWK - Further training IHK, HWK - Further training VWA - Other
Individual options for recognition
You have professional experience we don’t offer standard recognition for or have studied at another university or university of applied sciences? Then fill in our individual online application. Below, we will guide you through the steps. Examples for individual recognition options: - Completed courses at other universities/universities of applied sciences - Non-university degrees (e.g. IHK degree) - Contents from vocational training - Professional experience
Your cost reduction
Your cost reduction
What do you have to pay attention to if you want to save money with your previous knowledge? It is particularly important that you submit your application for recognition online by the end of your trial month at the latest. This way you reduce the number of monthly installments - the amount of the installments itself does not change. You can find more information in the notes for your recognition at the bottom of the page.
SUBMIT AN APPLICATION AND SECURE YOUR BENEFITS!
We will also be happy to check in advance whether we can recognise your previous achievements – without obligation and 100% online. You do not have to enrol directly for this!
Simple (i.e. non-authenticated) copies of your certificates are sufficient for us to check.
5 steps through your recognition application
Do you have professional experience for which there is no general recognition option, or have you already studied at another university? Then use our individual application for recognition of prior learning achievements.
1. Start your online recognition
You want to get started right away? Then go directly to our online recognition.
And, by the way: We will be happy to check whether (and to what extent) we can recognise your previous achievements before you apply for your desired study programme. Simple (i.e. non-authenticated) copies of your certificates are sufficient.
2. Fill out the contact form
Next, you choose your study programme and enter your details. Already a student at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU)? Then enter the programme you want to have individual experience recognised for.
3. Optional standard recognition
First, you review our list of vocational or further trainings for standard recognition. You have completed one of these trainings? Then select it. If you haven’t completed any of the listed trainings, simply select the modules you would like to have experience recognised for in the next step.
By the way: you can combine the application for standard recognition with the recognition for individual previous experience.
4. Fill in your previous experience
See whether you have any previous experience: Simply compare your professional experience or completed courses with the module handbook of your study programme. If the contents match, you can choose the corresponding courses from the compulsory and elective subjects in the dropdown menu. Please take note of the additional regulations concerning electives. You find them on the corresponding study plan.
5. Submit your documents
To finish, you submit relevant proof (see required documents) in the corresponding upload space. And you’re done!
Our tip: To help us review your application faster, name your documents like this: Content_FirstName_LastName, e.g. Report_John_Doe
Submit an application and secure your benefits!
We will also be happy to check in advance whether we can recognise your previous achievements – without obligation and 100% online. You do not have to enrol directly for this!
Simple (i.e. non-authenticated) copies of your certificates are sufficient for us to check.
Your checklist: Have you submitted everything yet?
We still need a few documents to check your recognition: You are welcome to send us simple (non-certified) copies, as we cannot return your documents to you. Here you will find an overview of which documents are required as proof of your previous achievements.
Transcript/achievement overview of previous study achievements and ECTS-CP/hours
Module handbooks & course contents (German or English)
For academic achievements at foreign universities: Overview of their evaluation system
In justified cases, we reserve the right to request certified copies
Official proof of completed training or further training (e.g. IHK examination certificate, certificates)
Presentation of the technical contents imparted – Evidence of the achievements and teaching hours attained
In the case of further training at foreign institutes: Overview of their evaluation system
In justified cases, we reserve the right to request certified copies
Presentation of the contents taught and/or proof of the time required
In justified cases, we reserve the right to request certified copies
Official proof of employment from the employer including the following information: Detailed description of the function, the tasks and the period of time
Please use the form "Employer's confirmation"
or
alternatively, submit a qualified reference (including all the above information).
In justified cases, we reserve the right to request certified copies.
Zeitersparnis: 30h/ECTS credit
Kostenersparnis: 30€/ECTS credit
Your path to recognition
1. Application received
As soon as you have completed and submitted your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation of receipt. We will then contact you by e-mail and inform you of any documents we might still need.
2. Final acceptance
We will send you a message when we have processed your application and forwarded it to the Examination Board for final approval.
3. Recognition notice
You will receive your finalised certificate of recognition.
4. Entering your achievements
We will forward the notification to the Examinations Office so that your recognised achievements are recorded in your transcript of records. However, this only happens after your official matriculation.
5. Cost reduction
If you also save tuition fees through recognition, you will receive a supplementary agreement which will be sent to you before payment starts and is valid from your official enrolment date.
Tips for your recognition process
We can only check applications that have been completed in full.
For your recognition, we always need appropriate proof.
You must submit any missing documents within four weeks of submitting your application or our request for missing documents.
We consider successfully completed achievements if they correspond to the level and learning outcome of the module/course for which you want to have them credited.
All documents/proofs must be available to us in German or English. Certificates in other languages must be translated by a certified translator or by the university/continuing education provider who issued the documents.
The decision on the recognition of prior achievements lies with the Examination Board or a person appointed by it.
If an aptitude test is required as an admission prerequisite for your entry into the study programme, we cannot credit you with the specific modules required from it.
You are enrolled from the date on which you officially start your Bachelor's or Master's study programme. This does not include participation in aptitude tests, TASC examinations or admission courses.
In the case of new study programmes or re-accreditations, you can only apply for recognition at the start of the new study programme.
Please note that changes in the curriculum may affect your reviewed recognition.
In total, we can recognise up to 50% of the ECTS points for your study programme.
Recognition based on work experience specifically refers to your individual professional qualifications that were not acquired through formal education.
For the recognition of a professional qualification, we need proof through your qualified work certificate/official job description or your completed employer confirmation from IU.
Your experience must correspond to the level and learning outcome of the module/course you want to have recognised.
At Master's level, work experience in a managerial position is required.
The recognition of professional training is only possible if your certificate of participation contains information on the contents and the time frame.
Provide evidence of all achievements that you would like us to recognise by means of examination certificates and the corresponding module descriptions.
The recognition of final theses (Diplom thesis or Bachelor’s/Master's thesis) is generally excluded.
We recognise foreign languages if the language level according to the CEFR is noted on your certificate. If you have a university entrance qualification, we can automatically recognise the language level B2 in the online study programme.
For the transfer of your grades:
For recognised achievements, we take the grade of the external German university/institution at which you attained the respective achievement, if this corresponds to the grading system of IU.
If our grading system does not match that of the university/institution at which you were enrolled, we will convert your grades using a table and transfer them to the IU system. In the case of non-comparable grading systems, we recognise your performance without grading.
If your recognition relates to competencies that you have acquired in different courses with a different assessment, this is done without grading and with the remark "passed" ("Bestanden").
Our tip in advance: In order to benefit from a cost reduction, you must submit your application for recognition by the end of your trial month at the latest. This way, you reduce the number of your monthly instalments – the amount of the instalments itself does not change.
Your supplementary agreement on the amount of the price reduction is valid from the official enrolment date. For legal reasons, we can only officially recognise your previous achievements once you are enrolled.
Your tuition fee is reduced by 30 euros per recognised ECTS point.
In order for us to grant you a cost reduction, you must submit any missing documents no later than four weeks after submitting your application or our request for missing documents.
You are not entitled to printed teaching materials in recognised courses. They can be provided to you upon request and for a fee. However, you can still view the scripts via the free Interactive Book.
In case your studies start at the same time as your application for recognition is being reviewed: When you start your studies, please do not enrol in any of the courses for which you have applied for recognition. We can only enter your approved courses after the process has been completed and you have matriculated.
Your advantage: You are not bound to a fixed semester plan when choosing courses, but remain completely flexible.
In the case of new study programmes, the new modules are only available at the beginning of the respective semester (see study schedule of the full-time model in the download area of the website).
Please note: You cannot take an exam in this course once you have registered for recognition. If you have registered for an examination in a module for which you have also applied for recognition, your application for recognition for this module is invalid according to Section 7 (1) General Examination Regulations of IU.
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