Best Distance Learning University 2024: IU awarded first place in FSD Ranking

• IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) achieves clear top scores in the comparative ranking of German universities on the Fernstudium Direkt (FSD) portal. 
• Course evaluations and reviews from IU’s own students and graduates are decisive for the ranking. 
• IU students particularly appreciate the high degree of flexibility, the wide range of digital learning tools and the opportunity to customise their studies to suit their individual life situation. 

Erfurt, 31 January 2024. IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany's largest university with over 130,000 students, is the best distance learning university in 2024 according to the Fernstudium Direkt (FSD) ranking. Students from more than 100 education providers in Germany were able to rate the courses and distance learning courses offered by their education provider on the Fernstudium Direkt comparison portal (fernstudium-direkt.de) from 01 January to 31 December 2023. A total of 3,720 evaluations were recorded for academic providers during this period. With an FSD score of 5.4386, IU clearly stands out from the other academic distance learning universities and takes first place for the first time. 

"Fernstudium Direkt's award as the best distance learning university is a confirmation of our efforts to make personalised higher education accessible to people all over the world. We are proud that our distance learning students are so satisfied with our constantly growing and future-oriented offering, which we are constantly adapting to the demands of the labour market. We will continue to pursue innovative ways to make education even more accessible, flexible and individual, so that people can find their own personal fulfilment and achieve their personal and professional goals," says Dr Carmen Thoma, COO for the online study formats at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 
 

A degree programme that adapts to life 

The high degree of flexibility of the distance learning programme at IU and the excellent compatibility with everyday professional, family and private life are rated particularly positively and frequently. 

Esther, a 43-year-old nursing education student, says: "I appreciate the high degree of flexibility, which can be easily reconciled with a dynamic family life and a demanding working day." 

Aron, 30, a distance learning student on the Bachelor of Data Science programme, also shares this experience: "My online studies at IU have exceeded my expectations, especially the flexibility of the study plan and the opportunity to take exams online are outstanding for me. The freedom to organise my own learning while taking into account work and personal commitments is a key advantage. I can plan my study time efficiently and feel well looked after thanks to the excellent digital resources and support system." 

Studying at the leading EdTech pioneer 

Digital learning tools and AI-controlled assistants such as the specially developed learning buddy, Syntea have long been an integral part of everyday life at IU. They improve the learning experience as well as the individual learning progress of each student, and through active use, provide them with the skills they will need in the future. IU International University of Applied Sciences also offers a wide range of innovative IT, AI and digital programmes that enable employees to become digital experts outside of their day-to-day work. Incidentally, IU students rated the "Content & Materials" category best in the FSD ranking. 

Rehana, 38, says of her distance learning Master's in Artificial Intelligence: "The programme is highly recommended and the learning curve is very steep. You acquire a wealth of skills and abilities in a very short space of time. The IU also offers students a great online library and free access to learning portals, where you can gain hands-on experience with maximum flexibility." 

Luisa, 25, Bachelor New Work adds about the learning materials: "I particularly liked the Teams Live Sessions and the Feed Course. They were personal, practical and gave me the feeling that my learning process was being supported individually. The scripts, the IU Learn app [...] and the video library were my reliable companions. The content was well structured and offered a balanced mix of practice and theory." 

For all those who prefer a degree programme with attendance components, IU offers further study formats at over 35 locations in Germany. For example, practice-integrated dual study programmes and programmes in “myStudium”, a model that combines online teaching and campus life. 

All information about studying at the IU at: iu.de 

All information on the FSD overall ranking at: 
https://www.fernstudium-direkt.de/siegel-bewertungen/siegel-2024/fernhochschulen 

ABOUT FERNSTUDIUM DIREKT 
Fernstudium Direkt (FSD) is an evaluation and comparison portal for academic distance learning programmes and further education courses. With currently 22,500 experience reports and numerous filter options, Fernstudium Direkt helps interested parties to find the right educational programme for them. In 2023, FSD had 900,000 visitors to its website www.fernstudium-direkt.de and around 2.1 million page views.