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About us

About us

As a scientific institute, the Center for Lifelong Learning (C3L) has been a leader in Germany's continuing higher education sector, e.g., through the use of innovative teaching and learning formats and in the development and application of credit transfer procedures. Our courses are designed to meet the needs of working adults in companies and public institutions who want to continue their professional development or who are seeking support to develop continuing education programmes at their own organisation. In addition, we cater to all individuals and groups interested in education and facilitate their participation in the scientific discussion of socially relevant topics.

C3L as the Focus of Research

Owing to its unique position in Germany's higher education system, C3L has itself repeatedly been an object of scientific research. The following articles about C3L have been published in recent years:

Degree and Certification Programmes for Professionals

International trends – increasingly evident in Germany – indicate that a growing number of students will work while studying in the future. So far, however, study programmes in Germany have been aimed almost exclusively at full-time students. The University of Oldenburg was the first German university to introduce Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes specifically designed for students who want to engage in lifelong learning by combining their job with academic studies. C3L, in cooperation with the faculties of the University of Oldenburg, offers a wide and continually expanding range of part-time degree programmes for professionals.

Continuing Higher Education

In addition to degree programmes, C3L also offers a number of part-time, university-level certificate programmes that lead to professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Those who successfully complete these courses receive a certificate from the University of Oldenburg and/or other certifying institutions. Some of these certificates can also count as credit towards a degree programme later on.

Online Courses

The University of Oldenburg is among Germany's most successful universities as regards the use of new technologies in teaching. The University has continually expanded its knowhow in this area through a series of externally funded projects in recent years. C3L runs its own online learning platform especially designed for part-time learning. This platform can be used for continuing education programmes, as well as for in-house training at companies, and is under continuous development in C3L's IT, Media and Learning Design Department, with the focus on mobile learning and the integration of Web 2.0 tools.

Learning and Innovation: Connected with Research

C3L's continuing education programme is based on the University's core competences in research and teaching. Since demand for continuing education courses is highest in areas where the University excels, programmes and courses are developed and marketed in close collaboration with the University's research institutes. As a scientific center that both researches and teaches innovations in learning and new learning methods, C3L offers professional expertise in the latest educational and technological developments.

Public Science

As an institute for lifelong learning, C3L caters to all members of the public interested in science and education – including those who are not necessarily interested in long-term study programmes or courses that lead to a qualification. The University of Oldenburg opened its doors to non-traditional target groups many years ago and offers several options for them to pursue academic interests, including courses for guest students, the KinderUniversität programme, and the various events and lectures that contribute to the Lust auf Wissenschaft initiative.

Opening Up the University

Since its founding, the University of Oldenburg has ascribed to the motto of Open to new approaches and has defined itself as an institution of lifelong learning for new and heterogeneous target groups. These groups include first generation students, foreign students, graduates with foreign degrees, people with professional qualifications, working professionals, non-academic target groups (for example, child care workers, nursing staff, and artists) and senior citizens. C3L has years of experience in employing well-established, quality-assured procedures and competence portfolios for the recognition and transfer of credit for competences and prior learning, as well as ensures that studies can be organised flexibly and tailored to individual requirements.

(Changed: 15 Mar 2024)  | 
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