Our e-learning courses have been government-approved and certified by the ZFU.

Why is ZFU-certification important?

The ZFU (Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht) is a German government agency. It reviews online courses based on the Distance Learning Protection Act (FernUSG). Its goal is to ensure the quality of distance learning and to protect participants from dubious or inadequate educational offerings. The approval is limited in time and is usually reviewed every three years to ensure continuous quality assurance. The following criteria are the focus of the review:

• Among other things, it is checked whether the teaching content provided matches the defined course objective and whether this objective is realistically and comprehensibly achievable.
• The content review is carried out on a random basis, with the ZFU involving independent external experts.

• Do the teaching methods meet the requirements for distance learning?
• Are the materials understandable, structured, and conducive to learning?

• Is sufficient support offered by qualified personnel?
• Are there individual feedback, contact options, and learning support?

• Are regular, individual exams carried out?
• Are corrections or feedback provided?

• Are the contract terms transparent and legally correct?
• Are rights such as the right of withdrawal and fair notice periods respected?
• Are all costs and contract terms clearly and understandably stated?

• Are the lecturers professionally and pedagogically qualified?
• Is their suitability for the respective subject area proven and documented?

Bottom Line

The ZFU approval is a reliable quality feature for distance learning courses. It confirms that a course is professionally sound, didactically sensible, and consumer-friendly.