Dual Study Programmes (Duales Studium) in Germany

A dual study program (Duales Studium) is a form of a university degree course that combines theory with practice within the syllabus of the program. Integrated vocational training or practical phases is a mandatory aspect of a dual study program, wherein the student is required to provide proof of practical hours in a company.

There are different kinds of dual study programs:

• Dual study programs with integrated vocational training
• Dual study programs with integrated professional training
• Part-time dual study programs

For more information and details, please refer to https://www.bibb.de/

The dual study programs are advantageous for many. The parallel implementation of the theoretical modules in a practical environment not only allows the student to understand the concepts properly, but also helps retain the knowledge. On the other hand, the companies can train and mold the student/employee as per their requirement.

The stipend that is received during the course of employment can be used towards meeting the living costs, which ensures a high financial dependency on previous savings, educational loans or family savings.

Dual study programme come in the following ways:

1. With integrated professional training
2. With integrated vocational training
3. Part-time dual study programs

As the DAAD’s mandate covers university and higher education, it can offer information about the first type,i.e. dual study programme with integrated professional training. About the other two types, you are welcome to visit https://www.bibb.de.

The structure of a dual study programme could differ depending upon the university and the partnering company (Praxisunternehmen): For example, the work may comprise of 80% of a given week while 20% will be dedicated to learning modules stretched over 16 hours. After completing three semesters in this manner, the fourth semester will be dedicated to writing and presenting the Master thesis. The subjects and later the topic of the thesis need to be chosen in line with the company-specific requirements.

The following needs to be taken care of:

1. 1. High German language proficiency
      This is is necessary most importantly for integration, especially for the job at the training partner company.
   2. Clarity about bureaucratic activities
      For example: type of visa issued for the purpose of this study program, the type of contract offered by the company and if it aligns with the visa type etc.
   3. Stress management
      Balancing work and academics simultaneously can be highly challenging. There are deadlines at work as well as at the university that need to be adhered to. Lack of performance on any of the two fronts might prove detrimental to progress.

Certain public universities of applied sciences and to some extent even the public universities offer dual study programmes.

As you are considering a dual study programme at Bachelors or Masters level, you will need to work simultaneously on two fronts:

I. Check if you fulfill the application criteria of the university

To understand everything about doing degree, please read about:

• Bachelors in Germany
• Masters in Germany

You find all the information such as eligibility criteria, databases of courses, application procedure etc. here.

II. Secure a work contract from a company in Germany

While it is ideal if you have a work contract before applying to a university, it is not a must. A job / contract with a Praxisunternehmen needs to be presented within a stipulated time-frame for the admission to hold and later for your degree to be valid.

1. Universities offer a ‘job-portal’ for this purpose. The companies offering jobs on the portals are generally registered with the universities. This makes the process relatively simple for students. The prospective student can write to the company and secure a working position.
2. In case you are already in touch with a company in Germany, where you have a potential to be employed, you can check if they are fine with you doing a dual study program with the employer being the training partner (Praxisunternehmen). If they are not registered with the university providing the course, they will have to go through a brief process to be onboarded on the university’s dual study program. However, depending upon the requirements of the degree, the university reserves the right to reject the application of the company as a training partner (Praxispartner).

One of the important requirements is a work contract with a cooperating company (Praxisunternehmen). The universities offer a ‘job-portal’ for this purpose. The prospective student can write to the company and secure a position. This process needs to run in parallel to the university application procedure.

Some universities give the students time till the end of the year to show a work contract. In this case, the student can do the university admission process and then subsequently work on finding an employer.

German language proficiency of B2 to C1 will be necessary in most cases. Different universities may have different requirements. It would also be of vital importance to meet the language proficiency expectations of the training company.

Remember to be well versed with conversational German, especially in the context of workplace, even before applying to the companies. Do take a look at ProRecognition to prepare yourself better.