The dual study programme at DHBW
Would you like to study in Germany and earn a recognised Bachelor’s degree? Do you want to work at the same time and gain valuable practical experience?
Then a dual study programme at DHBW is exactly the right choice for you!
A dual study programme means:
You combine theory and practice from the very beginning. You study at university while also learning in a company. You alternate every three months between engaging academic phases and hands-on work experience.
During your studies, you have a fixed contract with a company. You receive a monthly salary, allowing you to support yourself financially and focus fully on your studies.
The Bachelor’s programme takes just three years. At the end, you receive a state-recognised degree with excellent career prospects.
With a dual study programme, you gain both a university degree and valuable professional experience – at the same time.
Advantages of a dual study programme at DHBW
- Gain professional experience from day one
You work in a company and get to know the German labour market first-hand. - Earn while you study
Your salary helps cover living costs such as rent, food, and insurance. - Full-time programme with a duration of only three years
You complete your degree quickly and can start your career sooner. - Small study groups
Many classes have around 20–30 students.
This means: personalised support and a positive learning environment. - Excellent career prospects
Many students are offered a position by their partner company after graduation. - International opportunities
Take advantage of options for studying abroad or join international degree programmes. - Clearly structured programme
The programme is well organised. You know in advance when you will be at university and when you will be working in your company.
Master degrees
After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can go on to study for a master’s degree – for example, the DHBW’s Dual Master’s programme. The master’s programmes are offered at the DHBW Centre for Advanced Studies (DHBW CAS) and cover the fields of business, engineering, social sciences and health.
The programme is structured so that you can continue working. It is work-integrated and part-time – you combine theory and practice directly. This allows you to continue gaining professional experience whilst expanding your specialist knowledge.
The Dual Master’s programme is practical and flexible. You can choose modules that suit your job and your goals. There are also opportunities for personal development. In the ‘Interdisciplinary Skills’ module, for example, you will strengthen your skills in self-management, communication and leadership.
The DHBW CAS and the Master’s programme
You can also gain intercultural and international experience during your Master’s studies.
Admission
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.
Application
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.
Preparatory courses
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.
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.
Tuition fees
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.
Advice
Are you interested in a dual study programme at DHBW and have questions about the courses on offer, the application process, your admission or general information?
Please send your enquiry to ias[at]dhbw.de and we will respond as quickly as possible.
Contact
Friedrichstraße 14, 70174 Stuttgart