Frequently Asked Questions

Dual / cooperative degree programmes are particularly suitable for high-performing, motivated and focused prospective students who are eligible to study a specific field or generally at a university of applied sciences, have an advanced school leaving certificate (“Abitur”) or master of trades qualification (or have completed advanced vocational training equivalent to a master of trades qualification, e.g. economist), or in certain cases specially qualified employees who have completed vocational training and accrued at least three years’ professional experience thereafter.

Please note: Many degree programmes have a capped intake based on a cut-off grade known as “numerus clausus”, which candidates must bear in mind when applying.

There are two different modes of study to choose from:

• Degree programmes with extended practice (bachelor’s or master’s degrees with a large amount of integrated practice)
• Combined degree programmes (bachelor’s or master’s degrees with integrated vocational training)

There are very good prospects for graduates from either kind of programme.

If you are keen to graduate quickly, then the programme with extended practice would be the right choice (minimum duration: 3.5 years).

If you are keen to establish a firm foundation of practical experience and would like to combine this with an additional formal qualification (e.g. from a chamber of trade or commerce), then a combined programme is more up your street (duration: 4.5 years, as it includes one year more of practical experience than the programme with extended practice). If you are keen to start by notching up some practical experience after spending twelve to thirteen years at school, then we would also recommend the combined programme (-> generally one year of practical work before studies commence).

A combined programme makes less sense if you have already completed primary vocational training – in which case, a programme with extended practice would be more suitable.

Dual / cooperative programmes offer many advantages:

• Extensive practical and professional experience in the company of your choice
• Optimum integration into a company’s structures, working methods and project workflows
• Training in key practical skills
• Financial security thanks to continuous pay
• Outstanding job and career prospects – the majority of graduates being kept on by their company
• Quicker conclusion of training and studies compared with vocational training followed by a degree, in some cases starting work several years earlier, and a seamless transition from university to career

Many degree programmes have a capped intake based on a cut-off grade known as “numerus clausus”. The actual grade depends on the course. You can find out what the cut-off grade was for your programme the previous year, as a a guideline, from the university.

Please note: The same grade applies for admission to dual / cooperative studies as for the regular degree programme.

No, there aren’t any tuition fees. Tuition fees were abolished at state-run universities of applied sciences in Bavaria from winter semester 2013/2014. However, you need to bear some other expenditure in mind (student union membership = €26, semester public transport ticket = €30, purchasing books = variable, etc.).

The application process is the same as for regular degree programmes.

• Applications & enrolment
• Applying for a combined degree programme or Applying for a programme with extended practice
• We recommend submitting your employment contract before 1 March (summer semester) / 15 July (winter semester).
• Your application documents go to Academic Registry and your contract to our “hochschule dual” team in Kempten.
• Applicants for dual / cooperative programmes have to meet the cut-off grade in just the same way as others!

This information is included in the diploma supplement. Our university also issues a separate certificate for graduates of dual / cooperative programmes.

No, you must apply for a place on the degree programme in the same way as other candidates. An employment contract doesn’t guarantee you the option to study.

In general, yes. However, this needs to be agreed with the company, as progression with studies might be delayed if it’s not possible to complete all the necessary elements of study abroad. It is a good idea to ask the university early on which partner universities would be suitable for a semester abroad.

Some training companies also offer internships abroad.

Please note the documents required include your main contract, a supplement (appended to the contract) and, if applicable, a training contract.

We definitely need the supplement!

You can find templates for the relevant paperwork on the webpages for degree programmes with extended practice and combined degree programmes.

There is no longer means testing of income with regard to children aged between 18 and 25 for child benefit or tax-free allowance for children.
Parents will still receive full child benefit even if their child also earns income during his/her primary vocational training or first degree programme. 
The level of remuneration on a dual / cooperative programme has no effect on child benefit.

To be eligible for BAföG funding, a student must not have any other means of financing their living costs and training. Your gross income must remain under the specified threshold. All the details about awards, the sums available, duration of funding, etc. can be found on the website www.studentenwerk-augsburg.de . Please contact Augsburg Student Union to enquire whether you would be eligible for BAföG funding.

All participating companies are listed in our database .

The number of places varies between companies. Major conglomerates are generally able to offer more place for students on dual programme than small or medium-sized enterprises. However, every year there are more applicants than vacancies in the companies. For that reason – get your application un early!

As a rule, any company can offer places on dual /collaborative programmes. However, there are a number of criteria that they must observe:

• Ensuring a high level of practical training that is relevant to the envisaged trade or profession.
• Providing a suitably qualified mentor who can offer guidance to students and communicates with the university
• In addition, for combined degree programmes, companies must fulfil the criteria deemed to ensure suitability for combined training in the given profession pursuant to BBiG (training eligibility).

Would you like to incorporate a combined degree programme or programme with extended practice (bachelor’s or master’s) into your company’s training or staff development programme? You can find useful information about issues such as selecting the appropriate mode of study or how collaboration works with the universityhere. 

Get in touch with the team at “hochschule dual” 
Tel: +49 (0)89 5404137-12 
info[at]hochschule-dual.de 

The outlay for a combined degree programme or programme with extended practice comprises the dual / cooperative programme student’s salary and associated HR costs. There is no financial obligation to “hochschule dual” or the university – companies participate in the scheme free of charge. 

No. You can apply to any company you like that meets the quality criteria set by “hochschule dual”.

The best approach is to contact a company before applying to ask if they would be interested in collaborating on a dual / cooperative study programme. If so, they should get in touch with the university to establish the basic framework (becoming a partner company).

Academic studies at university leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree + extensive practical blocks in a company without a qualification from a chamber of trade or commerce.

You will alternate systematically between blocks of theory and practice while studying on a degree programmes with extended practice . Students on a dual / cooperative programme complete intensive practical blocks in their company during lecture-free periods and specially designated practical semesters. You will be involved in various projects, ideally rotating between different departments, and might also get the chance to manage your own small projects as you progress. This provides an ideal opportunity to already introduce young people while they are studying to the specific tasks they will be expected to perform later on in a company.

You can study any degree programme run by Kempten University of Applied Sciences in a format with extended practice.

You can find the full list of degree programmes at our university of applied sciences with potential for extended practice here.

To access the list of all collaborating companies, please click here.

To fulfil the university’s admission requirements, you must attain a higher school leaving certificate (“Abitur”), college certificate (“Fachhochschulreife”) or master craftsperson’s certificate (or equivalent advanced training certificate). It is also possible for specially formally trained workers to enrol on programmes related to their field.

A good year before you’re due to leave school or college is the right time to start thinking about potentially suitable dual / cooperative degree programmes. It’s especially important to get ahead of the game if you want to enrol on a combined programme. You can browse the various options for dual / cooperative degree programmes, including a list of all our partner companies, here.

Around 12 months before the dual / cooperative degree programme is due to start, you should apply to the company of your choice for internships. It’s also possible to apply to companies who don’t yet collaborate with us (simply enquire about potentially establishing a partnership with Kempten University of Applied Sciences).

You need to choose a subject that can be studied in a format with extended practice. Then, you apply for a traineeship with a company that cooperates with our university in your chosen subject of study. It’s also possible to apply to companies who don’t yet collaborate with us (simply enquire about potentially establishing a partnership with Kempten University of Applied Sciences). Information on how to apply for a place on a bachelor’s degree programme can be found here, and for a place on a master’s degree programme here.

Version 1:
After signing the employment contract, you can apply for a place on a degree programme at our university of applied sciences. Please note that applicants for dual / cooperative degree programmes must also attain the required grades (“numerus clausus”) for courses with limited intake. Once you’ve done all that, you’re ready to roll!

Version 2:
You start off by studying and then (during semesters 1 to 3) look for a company (as described above) where you can complete the practical blocks during semesters 2, 3 and 4.

As a student on a programme with extended practice, your annual leave is determined by the Federal Holiday Entitlement Act or the relevant collective wage agreement. Your holiday entitlement will be stipulated in your training contract (contract for a dual / cooperative programme) with the company. “hochschule dual” recommends at least ten days’ annual leave, to be taken during the practical periods in the semester breaks. If more days of annual leave are granted than the statutory entitlement, then lecture-free days during the semester can be counted as holiday.

Look through the options at our university of applied sciences in Kempten to see which degree programmes you can study alongside an apprenticeship. Click here.

In 4.5 years, you’ll have completed formal vocational training with a chamber of trade or commerce and earned a bachelor’s degree at university.

If you meet the university’s admission requirements, you can apply for a place. We recommend that you start looking for a combined degree programme to suit your interests at least 18 months before finishing school or vocational college. You can browse the various options for dual / cooperative degree programmes, including a list of all our partner companies, here.

Around 12–14 months before the dual / cooperative degree programme is due to start, you should apply to the company of your choice for a place on its training scheme. It’s also possible to apply to companies who don’t yet collaborate with us (simply enquire about potentially establishing a partnership with Kempten University of Applied Sciences).

If you fulfil the general admission requirements and meet the “numerus clausus” cut-off grade, if applicable, you are guaranteed a place. In practice, it is become increasingly apparent that the companies themselves actually tend to demand higher average grades than the universities. All the same, we recommend that prospective students apply for places at more than university of applied sciences in case the guideline cut-off grade isn’t met, or only just. In addition, a few places on each degree programme are actually ring-fenced for students on the combined format – for candidates who might not make the cut-off grade but have greatly impressed their company.

Vocational training enables you to learn your profession “from the ground up” – so, for instance, you’ll know how to operate machinery on the factory floor as a senior engineer. This kind of knowledge will help you to make the right decisions later on when you’re in charge. As a senior manager, you will understand the concerns and needs of the workforce in your company.

Apart from that, you will have a great standing in the various departments and will know the right person to talk to about a specific issue or project. The extensive network that you have built up during your vocational training will help you get along and be highly valued by the various departments and in HR.

You will be paid in accordance with the regular scale for trainees in the company. All the periods spent working in the company must be remunerated, and pay is highly recommended for the theoretical blocks at university.

Once you have completed your vocation training, remuneration is generally agreed individually between you and the company.

Holiday entitlement is stipulated in the company’s training contract for combined degree programmes.

Students on a combined degree programme should be entitled to the same annual leave during training as regular trainees in the same company.

Approximately one-third of our partner companies include a loyalty or repayment clause in their contract. Having said that, the period in question should not exceed three years after graduation. Any clause of this kind is included in the training contract between students on a dual / cooperative programme and the company.