Prospective students

If you live abroad and want to study in Germany — with practical work and a degree — a dual study programme at DHBW could be just right for you. The programme combines learning at university with real work in a company or a social or healthcare institution. You will spend time alternately at the university (theory) and with your ‘dual partner’ (practice). This means you will not only learn from books, but also put your knowledge directly into practice. 

Throughout your studies, you will be employed by the partner company and receive a monthly salary — this will help you cover your living expenses and give you financial independence.

At the end of your studies, you will receive an internationally recognised bachelor's degree — depending on your course of study, this will be a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering or Bachelor of Laws — and you will already have valuable professional experience.

In short, a dual degree programme at DHBW can help you combine study and work. You will receive a sound education, practical experience and a recognised degree — ideal if you are ambitious and enjoy learning in a practical setting.

Why is studying at DHBW particularly well suited for international prospective students?

• Practical learning and working: You regularly switch between theory at university and practical work in a company — this helps you to apply your knowledge directly in practice and gain professional experience.

• Financial support: You are employed throughout your studies and receive a salary — this allows you to finance your studies and plan your life. 

• Fast degree: Your bachelor's degree usually takes only three years. This means you finish early and can concentrate on your professional future.

• International opportunities: Many degree programmes offer opportunities to spend part of your studies abroad — ideal if you want to gain international experience.

• Individual support in small groups: Courses are small (often fewer than 30 students), which allows for a personal atmosphere and good support.

• Good chances of being hired after graduation: Many students are hired by their internship partner — this increases the likelihood of finding work immediately after graduation.

Undergraduate programmes in English

Undergraduate programmes in German

The following rule applies to prospective students with a foreign educational qualification:
The school leaving certificate from your home country must be equivalent to the German Abitur.

If you have a foreign qualification, you must have it officially verified before applying to a dual partner and before enrolling at the DHBW. This will determine whether your qualification is equivalent to the German university entrance qualification. In addition, you must prove that you have sufficient German language skills. The application form lists which language certificates are accepted.

Admission is independent of nationality, origin, religion, caste or gender. The only requirement is that all formal admission requirements of DHBW are met. No work permit or work visa is required to enrol at the DHBW, as the practical phases in the company are an integral part of the dual study programme.

More information on admission

Applications for a dual study programme at DHBW are generally submitted directly to a dual partner. These are companies or social institutions that collaborate with DHBW.

If you meet the general admission requirements for studying at DHBW, the respective dual partner will decide whether to award you a place. Bachelor's degree programmes always start on 1 October. Many dual partners advertise their study places up to twelve months in advance.

On the websites of the DHBW locations, you will find overviews of the dual partners who already collaborate with the university for each degree programme. However, it is also possible to apply to companies or social institutions that do not yet have a cooperation agreement with DHBW. 

DHBW offers various programmes that provide international prospective students with targeted technical and language preparation for a dual study programme at DHBW.

Here you will find an overview of our preparatory programmes:

1. StartDual.international

Do you already have a German Abitur or German university entrance qualification and also have German language skills at level B2/DSD II?

Then you can test whether the dual study programme is right for you in a 9-month programme at the DHBW Karlsruhe directly after your Abitur.

You will work for approx. 20 hours per week at a dual partner company of DHBW Karlsruhe, gain professional experience and receive a monthly salary. In addition, you will attend an intensive German language course together with other international participants in the programme and go on exciting excursions in the region as part of the cultural leisure programme.

StartDual.international (in German)

2. Bridge Year

Do you already have a university entrance qualification for Germany and want to study here, but don't speak German yet or only speak very little German and want to prepare yourself academically and improve your language skills?

Two-semester preparatory programme at the DHBW location in Heidenheim, including intensive German language course, application preparation, intercultural training and company visits.

Study preparation programme

3. Preparatory college at the DHBW campus in Bad Mergentheim

The preparatory college prepares international prospective students with foreign educational qualifications who do not have a university entrance qualification for a (technical) degree programme at DHBW.

In this two-semester preparatory programme (T-course), you will be prepared linguistically, technically and methodologically for a degree programme in technical subjects, especially at DHBW. However, you can also study at other universities with this qualification. The language of instruction is German. 

What makes this course special is that, in addition to the classic linguistic and technical preparation, you also receive support in finding a partner company. Application training, company visits and excursions are integral parts of the course.

Preparatory college

Since the 2017/2018 winter semester, the state of Baden-Württemberg has been charging tuition fees for two specific groups on the basis of the State Higher Education Fees Act (LHGebG): people pursuing a second degree and international students.

International students are defined as all students who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country. This group is required to pay tuition fees of €1,500 per semester. Students who have obtained a university entrance qualification in Germany are exempt from this fee and do not have to pay tuition fees.

More information on tuition fees for international students