The University of Oldenburg is an open university: it deliberately opens itself up to a diverse student body - especially students with previous academic appointments and first-time graduates. It offers target group-specific programmes, advice and support services and promotes lifelong learning. The university thus promotes permeability between academic and vocational education.

Extract from the document „Diversity in the Context of Equal Opportunities”

The programmes offered as an open university include the following

In the academic competence area of credit transfer, procedures and instruments are developed to improve the permeability of academic and vocational education. On this basis, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) service advises students on the transfer of competences acquired outside of higher education to study modules and support them in the creation of credit portfolios.

The Study and Career Counselling Service (ZSKB) offers tailored information and advice for students with prior professional qualifications.

The Helene Lange mentoring programme "Perspectives. Pathways into academia" offers guidance and support for advanced doctoral students and early postdocs who are first-generation academics in their families. 

The C3L - Centre for Lifelong Learning designs and implements various formats to further open up the university, such as guest studies and the KidsUniversity. The Higher Education Entrance Qualification (Z-Prüfung) offers access to university without a high school diploma, with an academic appointment or with previous education recognised as academic.

The University of Oldenburg cooperates with the German association ArbeiterKind.de in its activities. This nationwide non-profit initiative supports all those who are or want to be first in their family to study. The network of volunteers is organised in local groups and helps with orientation from the end of school through to starting a career.