General Questions
Is the learning concept suitable for me?
In order for you to feel comfortable with your decision to study with us, please read the following information.
We would like to clearly point out that all the study programmes we offer on behalf of universities are purposefully designed to allow students to study at their own pace and at times that are ideal for them, independent of us and their classmates. Please consider carefully if this way of studying is suitable for you.
Our students are on average about 44 years old and are heavily occupied at work. The desire for frequent contact with us or with fellow students in real time is often not present and is therefore purposefully not scheduled by us. The different time zones also impede real-time interactions. Our basic literature as well as the recorded lectures are provided digitally and do not require live attendance. This also means that you cannot ask questions to the professors in real-time. However, you can post questions about the lectures in our forum in Virtual Tutorial. You can also send E-Mails, schedule zoom meetings or contact us by phone to receive prompt answers to your questions. Furthermore, all exams are deadline based assignments, not live exams. This way we avoid imposing additional real-time attendance requirements on you. The task requirements are worded in a clear and unambiguous manner and do not require live lectures for further explanations. Even the time of submission can usually be decided at least partially on your own. You can submit your study tasks weeks before they are due (which is recommended by us).
You are welcome to contact your Course Manager as often as you wish via Zoom, Email or Forum. However, since this is a Master’s level study program, you need to actively reach out and communicate your needs to us. Our Course Managers are available for you daily from Monday through Thursday and are looking forward to supporting you.
Conclusion:
Should you be looking for a study program that includes frequent and regular real-time contact with classmates, professors and Course Managers, our study program is probably not suitable for you. Our target group consists predominantly of executives who seek greater autonomy and flexibility, who struggle to fit in appointments that require live attendance, and who prefer to work independently at their own pace, while having the option to interact with professors and fellow students if they choose.
We would be very happy if you decide to study with us. At the same time, we want to ensure that our students know what to expect in our study programs that were carefully designed in collaboration with our partner universities.
What makes the courses offered by AIHE GmbH stand out?
In Europe, AIHE GmbH is the first and only provider of courses which are completely remote. Since 2007, AIHE has been developing scientific further education courses in the fields of psychology, leadership and management. Advisory boards and cooperation partners such as the communication legend Prof. Dr. Friedemann Schulz von Thun offer their expertise for its development and implementation. AIHE stands out particularly thanks to the creative learning and examination methods, application-oriented content as well as the very professional customer/student support that it offers. An innovative pioneer in the field of distance learning on the international market.
Can I study from abroad?
Yes! That is the whole purpose and meaning of distance learning degree courses.
You can complete an AIHE degree course wherever you are, anywhere in the world. That’s our exact goal. There are no restrictions on the locations of AIHE GmbH or on their cooperation partners. The virtual learning platform at AIHE GmbH expressly promotes worldwide, independent studies.
Is there a Numerus Clausus (NC)?
No, the degree courses at AIHE GmbH generally do not have no Numerus Clausus (NC).
Applications
Can I apply for several degree courses at the same time?
Is there an application fee?
No, we do not charge any fees for applying.
Organisation of studies
Is it possible to have previously earned credits/ECTS transferred or recognized?
London Metropolitan University and University of East London: Yes. Start the application and send us the relevant documents that support your credit transfer request.
FHWien: The application for ECTS transfer is only possible after admission into the programme.
How are semester times and breaks structured?
What types of examinations are offered?
AIHE GmbH places a strong emphasis on practical, innovative tasks and assignments. Examinations are designed to provide real added value for the professional practice of students and can be tailored to their individual learning goals and areas of focus.
Detailed information about the specific examination formats can be found on the AIHE portal under each degree program.
Once you have signed the contract, you will gain access to the learning platform and can begin using the time before the official start to of the programme to get started. You can already read the basic literature and prepare for examinations.
How do students communicate with each other?
What technical equipment do I need?
In order to participate in AIHE GmbH degree courses, you need a computer with internet access, a webcam function, a headset and a common word processing programme as well as the ability to create PDF files.
Degree and Title
Is the degree internationally recognised?
All AIHE degree courses are recognised in Germany by the Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht (ZFU – Central office for distance learning) and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. Not only this, but the degree courses and our Institute are accredited or validated according to applicable national requirements.
To what extent your employer and/or state authorities recognise a master’s degree from Germany, Austria, Great Britain or the USA or other countries cannot be determined in general.
There are so many countries around the world where one can study and gain academic degrees (https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Listen_von_Universitäten).
There is also the question of whether you already have a bachelor’s degree or whether you have started the master’s degree course without a first degree. Some employers expect candidates to have completed a degree course of at least four to five years (first the bachelor’s and then the master’s degree). For others, professional experience is more important and they think a wide range of practical skills is more relevant.Seek information from your employer or the relevant state authority about recognition of degree courses taken abroad before signing up for a degree course at AIHE GmbH.
Can I study in English and obtain a German academic title (vice versa)?
No. You are enrolled for a master’s degree course and can therefore only obtain the academic title for this degree course.
Degree courses offered by AIHE GmbH with a partner university in various languages are officially registered as different degree courses. It is therefore not possible to study in one language and to obtain the title in another language.
Does the degree certificate indicate that it was earned through a distance learning programme?
No, the degree is only related to the academic level achieved, not the manner of study.
Which professional activities and professional fields am I qualified for with this degree? What is my professional title once I have successfully completed it?
- They want to be able to put their existing practical activities on an academic footing and explain them using theories and models in order to work more professionally.
- They have succeeded in reaching their current position without an undergraduate degree thanks to plenty of hard work and commitment and they are now striving for an academic degree.
- They have a bachelor’s degree and want to achieve a master’s degree before launching their career. This target group is smaller.
Master’s programmes provide support in deepening and expanding knowledge that students can apply in their professional lives. Naturally, the master’s degrees from our partner universities can also be helpful in standing out from the competition thanks to an additional qualification. It is not possible to give a generic answer concerning the extent to which employers choose a graduate with a master’s degree from an AIHE partner university. If you have a specific position in your sights for which you wish to become qualified with an AIHE degree course, we would recommend that you get in touch with the relevant company/employer before starting your studies.
Does the degree provide an entitlement to a licence to practice/doctoral studies?
For doctoral studies, admission decisions are made on a country- and institution-specific basis. Find out about the applicable conditions (doctoral degree regulations) in the country in which you wish to obtain a doctorate or directly from the university where you wish to study for a doctorate.
Various universities in Europe expect at least five years of academic further education, i.e. a three-year bachelor’s degree and a two-year master’s degree. This means that beginning one of our degree courses without an undergraduate degree may make it difficult to obtain a doctoral position. In Germany, all 16 federal states have different admission criteria which universities must adhere to when awarding doctoral places. Universities use this as a basis to develop doctoral regulations for each specialist area and decide on a case-by-case basis who is admitted for doctoral studies.
According to German law, universities are also allowed to admit graduates holding bachelor’s degrees under certain conditions in exceptional cases. As this is not the general rule, we initially recommend a bachelor’s degree and then a consecutive or suitable two-year master’s degree or two one-year master’s degrees as a minimum – provided your clear goal is a doctorate.
Are there differences in the recognition of two- to three-semester master’s courses compared with longer programmes?
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, a bachelor’s degree generally takes three years; in Scotland it takes four years. A master’s degree generally only takes one year. In Great Britain, two-year master’s programmes are rare. Many students are concerned about whether the shorter British master’s degrees are fully recognised. In private businesses, this should not cause problems as the individual qualifications count here. In business, British master’s degrees and so-called “short masters” are generally very well-regarded.
However, it could become problematic for you if you are aiming for a qualification in the civil service, in state-regulated professions or for a doctorate. In all three fields, five years of degree-level study is almost always required, however universities are always able to make decisions following an individual case review. Bachelor’s and master’s degrees obtained in other European countries are not recognised by German universities (e.g. if you wish to study for a doctorate) without an individual case review.
Is the study programme BPS and QAA accredited?
Of course, our degree programs are accredited according to UK and Austrian law.
The London programmes are not BPS (British Psychological Society) accredited but QAA accredited.
Can I withdraw from my contract after starting the distance learning programme?
A withdrawal from the contract for a distance learning course is generally only possible on the basis of the contractually stipulated notice period. For this purpose, check the information in your contract or the details in the AIHE portal.
Am I allowed to call myself a "psychologist" after graduation?
Universities used to award students with titles such as e.g., Dipl.-Biologist or Dipl.-Psychologist before the Bologna reform was passed.
Today, these academic titles are in form of a bachelor’s or master’s degree and certify the specific academic knowledge. E.g., MSc Business Psychology or MSc Communication Psychology. Therefore, no title is awarded, but a qualification in a specialized field is confirmed.
The professional title of psychologist is in Germany – unlike in Austria – not protected by a special professional law. Therefore, a person who successfully completed the study of psychology at an institution of higher education (university or university of applied sciences) is allowed to use the title of psychologist.
With the verdict from the 20th of July 2017 the Munich Higher Regional Court (AZ 6 U 4436/16) confirmed Prof. Jack Nasher’s view of a less strict use of the title. This overturned the view of the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP), according to which the designated ‘business psychologist’ could only be used by those who had a diploma or a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. From now on everyone who has studied business with psychology can call themselves a business psychologist, according to Prof. Nasher.
Resource: Nasher,J. (2015): Focus Online: https://www.focus.de/wissen/experten/nasher/titel-und-welche-rolle-sie-spielen-wer-darf-sich-eigentlich-psychologe-nennen_id_4616430.html
Work-Compatible online degrees for professionals and executives
Duration 1 year
- Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes online
- Partner universities in London and Vienna
- Minimal Live Sessions and 100% Remote
