The flexible teaching and learning system is an essential quality feature of the faculty's study programme. Based on the blended learning concept, printed and digital study guides are supplemented by technology-based learning environments and tools that are used according to subject-specific and didactic requirements for the provision of content as well as for communication and collaboration. Effective and flexible support services are offered for students with significant time constraints and interrupted learning paths.

Studies and examinations are possible in distance learning around the world. Currently, about 9% of open university students live abroad. The Faculty of Economics operates double degree programmes in cooperation with renowned universities in Hungary and Russia. In the double degree programme, two degrees are acquired in parallel or staggered over time: The participants complete in-person studies at one of the partner universities as well as distance learning at the open university.

Universität Pècs, Ungarn; Universität Szeged, Ungarn; Staatliche Wirtschaftsuniversität St. Petersburg, Russland

Teaching is complemented by the Moodle virtual teaching and study platform, which offers a large number of other digital study programmes. The exercises during the semester are handled digitally via an online exercise system. Online exams and the entire final thesis process take place here. All online resources are accessible via the central "studyPORT” system. The Hagen Library offers its students databases with both subject-specific and interdisciplinary sources of information.

The Faculty of Economics at the open university in Hagen bundles competences in the areas of Business Administration, Economics and Business Information Systems. The lecturers are involved in multifaceted, sometimes interdisciplinary research projects. Participation in research focus areas: Energy, Environment & Sustainability (EUN); Management of Energy-Flexible Factories (MaXFab). Participation in research groups: Centre for East Asia Macroeconomic Studies (CEAMeS); Intelligent Systems for Decision Support

The cross-faculty studyFIT programme offers a special module on entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial spirit in the "Entrepreneurship & Agility" segment. Within the overall programme of our faculty, there are two special modules for a) business start-ups and b) company succession. Both modules can be taken and completed either within or outside the curriculum of a chosen degree course.

Diversity plays a very important role because the students at the open university are characterised by their diversity and heterogeneity: age, origin, professional background, family life situation. This is a challenge and an opportunity at the same time. Therefore, there is an ongoing reflection on the study system and the current forms of teaching and supervision in order to implement changes for an appreciative approach to diversity.