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Online communication

Contact persons at onkomm

The first place of contact for most enquiries about your study programme is the Student Service Centre, or SSC for short. As well as providing academic guidance and information on the details of the application process, the SSC also offers advice on organisation and funding for your study programme. You can also contact the secretariat and the programme directors. Student study advisers offer advice based on their own experience of their respective study programmes – both before you start your study programme and throughout your study programme.

You’ll find all the contact details for the Online Communication study programme below. If you have any general enquiries, please feel free to contact ok-sekretariat.fbmd@h-da.de.

Community Management

Tu Phan

Mentoring and online community management

If you have any questions about the mentoring programme or Onkommunity management, just send Tu Phan an email.

Community Management

Eszter Zemlényi

Mentoring und Onkommunity-Management

Ihr habt Fragen zum Mentoring-Programm oder zum Onkommunity-Management, schreibt Eszter einfach eine E-Mail. 

Programme Director

Portrait of Prof. Dr. Pia Helferich

Prof. Dr. Pia Helferich


Online communication and organisational communication

Pia Sue Helferich is a professor of online communication, specialising in organisational communication, at Darmstadt University of Applied...


Sciences. She has worked on various projects and in companies, focusing on online communication, public relations and adult education. Her work also concentrates on lifelong learning, digital transformation and communication in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Chair of the Examination Board

Portrait of Prof. Dr. Andreas Vlasic

Prof. Dr. Andreas Vlasic

Andreas Vlasic is a professor of online branding and brand management. He has many years of experience in communications research and...


communications consulting. His work focuses on strategic marketing communications, media change and digital platforms, scientific theory and empirical social research.

Departmental Secretariat

Portrait of Manuela Schaible

Manuela Schaible

departmental secretariat

Secretariat for the degree programmes in Online Journalism, Online Communication, Media Development, Media, Technology & Society

Internship Co-ordinator

International Liaison Officer

Portrait of Prof. Dr. Torsten Schäfer

Prof. Dr. Torsten Schäfer


Text production; FB Media

From April 2013 to September 2013, Torsten Schäfer was a research assistant at the IKuM at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (Green...


Journalism project) on a 50 per cent basis and also served as a substitute professor for journalism and text production. Prior to that, he worked for ten years as an environmental and science journalist, six of which as a print and online editor for the international edition of GEO (full-time) and Deutsche Welle (freelance). Since 2005, he has been a lecturer in continuing education with a focus on research, text and specialist journalism (environment/sustainability; European Union), including at the University of Lüneburg in the study programme - Sustainability and Journalism -

FAQ – All you need to know about onkomm

Here you will find the frequently asked questions about the personal entry requirements and the Online Communication (B.Sc.) study programme.

Online communication is a dynamic and exciting field that is constantly evolving. With our support, you will acquire the knowledge you need to play an active role in shaping this change. Our graduates are in high demand on the job market. Companies and institutions specifically seek our collaboration on practical projects. The study programme is also unique in Germany and offers you numerous opportunities to shape your individual profile through optional modules and learning agencies.

Our study programme combines a strong academic foundation with practical experience. The focus is on project-based learning in learning agencies and practical laboratories, where you will work on real-world projects for businesses and public sector organisations. In the past, for example, we have collaborated with start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, large corporations, as well as NGOs and local authorities.

At the Media Campus of Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, you can look forward to an exceptional learning environment offering a dozen Bachelor's and master’s degree programmes in the media sector. Over 50 professors and more than 200 lecturers with industry experience create a learning environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, enabling a close integration of theory and practice in small study groups. A particular advantage for you is that there are regular cross-programme opportunities, such as campus radio, usability, Zeitraum TV or event management, which you are also welcome to join.

More than a dozen professors and lecturers teach on the Online Communication study programme, covering all key subject areas, from online marketing and PR to sustainability communication, teaching methodology, multimedia technology and photography. Around 30 external practitioners from agencies and companies complement the team and bring the latest industry knowledge to the classroom.

Yes, in the 5th semester you will undertake a full practical semester (at least 18 weeks), during which you can put your knowledge into practice and make valuable contacts for your bachelor’s degree and your career.

The practical semester can easily be undertaken abroad. The International Office provides support in finding international work placement opportunities and potential funding. Furthermore, the sixth semester is designated as a ‘Window of Mobility’ for studying abroad, and, subject to agreement, the practical semester can also be swapped for a semester abroad as part of an exchange programme.

Advice and further information are available from the International Office at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

Curiosity and flexibility are crucial. In online communication, everything is constantly changing, and you need to be prepared to discover new things and take an active role in shaping them. This requires technical understanding, an interest in data and communication skills. Our students should be motivated to stay one step ahead of other internet users.

We are looking for digitally savvy people who are curious about the professional use of the internet, both now and in the future. An interest in analysis, strategy, consultancy and communication – particularly on social media – is a strong asset.

Be curious every day: experiment with new tools, get to know the dynamics of web communication, read, watch videos, create your own content, blog and get involved in online communities. And most importantly: have fun doing it!

No, there is no obligation to take an English test. You are free to choose which foreign language you wish to study at the language centre. If you choose English, you will need to take a placement test, which requires level B1 (intermediate). If necessary, you can brush up on this level during the first semester.

After the application deadline on 15 July, the Student Service Centre will review all applications and draw up a ranking list. You will usually be notified by email and post shortly after the application deadline. Once you have been offered a place, you must confirm your acceptance, submit the necessary documents and pay the semester fee.

There are often several rounds of admissions. If places remain unfilled after the first round, applicants on the waiting list are offered places. Offers may be made right up until shortly before, or even after, the start of the semester.

At Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, every study programme has a two-part examination regulations framework: the General Provisions of the Examination Regulations (ABPO) apply across the university and govern, amongst other things, the responsibilities of committees and the examination system. The specific regulations for a study programme can be found in the Special Provisions (BBPO). The module handbook is also important for your study programme. It sets out, for example, which compulsory and optional modules are available, how many credit points are awarded for each, and, of course, the respective learning objectives, course coordinators and examination formats.

#onkomm sees itself as a community. You’ll start to feel this shortly before your studies begin, when the mentoring programme led by students from higher semesters gets underway. This not only helps you get to know one another, but also makes it easier for you to settle into your study programme. Particularly in the first few semesters, there are practical sessions to complement the key introductory events. There are also contacts available for various concerns and difficult situations, whom you can contact in confidence if necessary.

You should definitely have a tablet or laptop; for some tasks, you’ll probably use your mobile phone as well. We have two large group study rooms that you and your team can use at any time to work on projects. These rooms also have computers equipped with all the tools you’ll need for your study programme. At the Media Campus equipment hire service, you can borrow specialist equipment that you might need for your projects, for example for filming videos or producing podcasts.

In spring 2018, the first graduates of the Online Communication study programme received their degrees. Since then, around three in four students have graduated within the standard period of study. Of these, the majority have chosen to enter the workforce, whilst some have opted for a Master's study programme. Feedback on entering the workforce has been very positive. Many students were able to establish such good professional contacts during their practical semester that they were offered a job straight away. And some #onkomm graduates have since returned to us: they are now passing on their latest knowledge as lecturers.

If you have any questions about applications, entry requirements or funding, the Student Service Centre (SSC) is here to help. Our student counsellors are also happy to give you an insight into everyday student life. You can also meet us in person at the University Information Days (hobit) in January or, if you’re interested, arrange a visit to the Media Campus.

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Find all the information you need about the application process and how to enrol on the Online Communication study programme at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences.

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