Frequently asked questions on the CPD Studies

Studying without a High –School Diploma (A-levels, Higher Education Entrance Qualification), how does that go? What is different if I study in CPD mode and not full attendance? What are credit points? This page gives you some initial answers to various questions about the undergraduate CPD studies at the Professional School of Leuphana University of Lüneburg.

Organisation of the studies

  • What does it mean to study on a Bachelor’s in CPD mode?
  • What are the differences between a full-time and a CPD undergraduate study?
  • Is your degree internationally recognised?
  • What are Credit Points and what is the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)?
  • Where are the attendance phases of undergraduate CPS study held?

Entry requirements

  • Studying without High-School Diploma (A-levels, higher education entrance qualifications), how is that possible?
  • What admission requirements must I meet?

Time spent on the studies

  • How much time do I need to spend on my CPD undergraduate study?
  • Which examinations will I have to take during the studies?

Tuition fees and funding

  • Why are Tuition Fees charged for the CPD Bachelor Studies?
  • How can I fund the CPD Studies?

Further questions

  • To whom can I turn if I have queries regarding the Continuing Professional Development Bachelor’s Studies?

Organisation of the studies

What does it mean to study on a Bachelor’s in CPD mode?

The Bachelor programmes at the Professional School are closely oriented on the needs of students who are professionally active. To study on a CPD Bachelor Part at the Professional School means that all attendance phases are held at weekends (usually Friday to Sunday) and that students prepare and follow up the learning material by means of e-learning. Sometimes, attendance phases are organized in the form of educational leave. So you can optimally combine a bachelor's degree and professional activities together.

What are the differences between a full-time and a CPD undergraduate study?

For participation on a CPD bachelor, unlike for full-time bachelors, professional experience is a prerequisite. In addition, your career will be taken into account: for example, your vocational training will be credited to your studies and your professional experience will always be taken into account in the design of the classes. You can also be admitted to study on our Bachelor programs on the strength of your vocational training and experience, even if you do not hold a higher education entrance qualification.

The difference between studying full-time and a CPD Bachelor lies beyond in the organization of study. If you study the on a CPD Bachelor, you only have to attend at some weekends or week-long blocks of classes at the university. In the time in between the attendance phases, you deepen your knowledge by using e-learning content and learning materials. This means you are able to study without leaving working life, and avoid a potentially difficult re-entry into the profession after graduation.

Your degree will not be any different. At the Professional School, you complete an internationally recognized Bachelor in CPD mode, whose degree Certificate is fully equal to that of a full-time course. With your Bachelor's degree, you can then continue studying for a Master’s for example at Leuphana University of Lüneburg, or at any other university.

Is your degree internationally recognised?

All courses at the Professional School are or will be accredited. Accreditation ensures the observance of internationally recognised quality standards and the requirements of the Bologna Process to create comparable university degrees within Europe.

What are Credit Points and what is the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)?

Credit Points is a unit based on workload which the student is needs to apply in learning material preparation and follow-up to obtain one point. One credit point corresponds to 25 to 30 hours of study.

The European Credit Transfer System aims to make the benefits of students at European universities through a unified point system comparable, and to enable the recognition of credit points across borders. Since the Bologna reform of higher education with the transition to the Bachelor and Master system, the European Credit Transfer System has been used in Europe.

Where are the attendance phases of undergraduate CPS study held?

As a rule, attendance phases in the Bachelor Studies are held at Leuphana’s premises in Lüneburg. Lüneburg is situated in Northern Germany, around 50 kilometers south-east of Hamburg in the Eastern part of Lower Saxony. The town can easily be accessed by train as well as by car, using the nearby motorways A1, A7 and A39. From Lüneburg, there’s only a short distance to the holiday regions of the Lüneburg Heath, as well as to the North and Baltic seas. Some courses of study and some classes are held at external venues.

Entry requirements

Studying without High-School Diploma (A-levels, higher education entrance qualifications), how is that possible?

No high school diploma (A-levels, higher education entrance qualifications) is required to study towards a Bachelor at the Professional School in CPD mode. Your vocational training and your professional experience are your entry requirements.

What admission requirements must I meet?

Admission requirements for a CPD undergraduate programme at the Professional School are an education and relevant work experience. In addition, depending on the chosen course of study, further conditions may have to be fulfilled. However, all undergraduate programmes at the Professional School can be studied without any higher education entrance qualification.

Time spent on the studies

How much time do I need to spend on my CPD undergraduate study?

Accreditation (the external evaluation of study programmes) procedure verifies the adequacy of the time burden and thus the compatibility of a CPD study combined with professional activity. Statistical workload per credit point is between the 25 and 30 hours. 180 credit points, each needing 30 hours of study, that is to say 5400 hours workload, for example be spread out over nine semesters of study represent mathematically about 23 hours a week. However skills acquired by performing work outside school are credited at the rate of 20 CP or two semesters towards the current Bachelor's degree programmes, so that only seven semesters of studies have to be completed to obtain the Bachelor's degree.

The actual workload to be applied in the study depends to a high degree on your individual learning type and your learning speed.

Which examinations will I have to take during the studies?

The CPD bachelor's degree programme is divided into several modules, each dedicated to specific topics. Each module is completed by an exam. The examinations are usually in the form of homework, exams or portfolios. Exams usually take place in conjunction with presence appointments, so you do not have to travel separately. You can work on the other examinations within a period defined and agreed with the respective lecturers.

The final grade of your degree is calculated from the weighted average of the individual module grades and the Bachelor's thesis. Within the framework of the Bachelor’s thesis, a subject is developed, represented and reflected upon in an academic manner. Doing so, you receive the support of self-selected examiners with whom you discuss priorities and processing criteria.

Tuition fees and funding

Why are Tuition Fees charged for the CPD Bachelor Studies?

All CPD Bachelor degree programmes at the Professional School are offers, which must fully self-support following a start-up funding by the major EU project Innovation Incubator. Unlike undergraduate offers, all services, such as the production of study materials, the management as well as students’ support must be financed from tuition fees. Therefore, tuition and semester fees must be paid for on our Bachelor courses.

Tuition and semester fees are therefore charged for our CPD bachelor degree programmes. Tuition fees cover all attendance-based classes (including meals), teaching materials, the use of the e-learning platform, the support given by the course coordinator and the team of the Professional School and the use of a coaching offer during the study are included. As Students, you will also receive the Professional School Student’s ID, entitling for example to various discounts and special conditions in cultural institutions or the conclusion of contracts.

How can I fund the CPD Studies?

The expenses incurred through studying can be deducted for tax purposes in accordance with the current legal provisions. This also applies to other costs associated with the study (travel and accommodation expenses, study material etc.). In addition, various other sources of funding, such as loans or scholarships, are available. All relevant information can be found here.

Further questions

To whom can I turn if I have queries regarding the Continuing Professional Development Bachelor’s Studies?

At the Professional School, there are several contact persons at your disposal, especially for questions about the CPD Bachelor programmes. All contacts can be found here.