Programme with extended practice: Master’s degree

If you have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences or traditional university, you meet the general admission requirements to study for a (consecutive) master’s degree at Kempten University of Applied Sciences. Additional criteria might apply (e.g. cut-off grades, or aptitude tests) for particular degree programmes. 

Once you’ve decided to study for a master’s,.

you should apply to study with a company that cooperates with our university in your chosen subject of study.

All the cooperating companies are listed in our search engine “Find study options”.
What if the company that you wish to work for isn’t yet partnered with Kempten University of Applied Sciences? Or if none of the partner companies for the degree programme that you’re interested is quite what you’re looking for? You are very welcome to use your own initiative to find a company and enquire about the potential for studying on a dual / cooperative degree programme (combined format or extended practice). We will assist you with organisational matters.

Once you have signed your employment contract with the company, you  apply for a place on a degree programme at our university of applied sciences. Then you’re ready to get studying. You will alternate systematically between blocks of theory and practice while studying on a degree programme with extended practice. The master’s programme takes between 1.5 and 2 years (3–4 semesters) to complete full-time, or 3 years part-time. You will spend at least 34 weeks (i.e. at least half of the standard duration of study) in your company, predominantly during vacation time and while writing your master’s thesis related to the company, which forms the apex and rounds off your degree programme.

You get the chance to apply what you have learned at university to your work in the company during vacation time and potentially on additional work days. You will acquire master’s-level business acumen. And of course you will be paid for your work. A company-related master’s thesis forms the apex and rounds off a dual / cooperative master’s degree programme. In just a few semesters, you will have hit two major targets at the same: A recognised master’s degree (M.Eng., M.A., or M.Sc.) from a state-run university of applied sciences plus a decent portion of professional experience. That’s the launch pad for a stellar career!

Kempten University Of Applied Sciences takes note of the contract between a company and dual / cooperative programme students.

We note the period of contract, practical stages and timing of the practical semester cited in the “Supplement detailing the practical semester of study”, which you must append to your contract. The placement officer in your faculty will check all these details before signing the supplement, after which you will be emailed a copy for your records.

What we need from you:

• Contract of study for the master’s degree programme with extended practice (signed by you and the company)
• Supplement detailing the practical semester of study

Requirements and application process:

1st  Check admission requirements
Check the admission requirements for the degree programme that you wish to study. An appropriate bachelor’s degree from either a university of applied sciences or a traditional university fulfils the general admission requirements for a consecutive master’s degree programme at a university of applied sciences. Additional criteria might apply (e.g. cut-off grades, or aptitude tests) for certain degree programmes.

2nd  Apply to a practice-based partner
If you are a dual / cooperative student working towards a bachelor’s degree, you should enquire ahead of graduating (approx. one year in advance) at your practice-based partner whether there are openings for the master’s degree programme(s) that you are considering and, if so, how to apply.
If you are not a dual / cooperative student, but on a regular degree programme, you should check what documents are required and the deadline for applying to the practice-based partners that you are interested in. Most companies will expect you to submit a regular application comprising a cover letter, curriculum vitae and certificates approx. one year pre-graduation. Students averaging grades well above the “numerus clausus” cut-off (if applicable) have a good chance of being accepted onto the master’s degree programme that they wish to study.
See “Find study options” for a list of the practice-based partners currently collaborating with our university.

3rd Sign a contract
Sign your contract with the practice-based partner for the master’s degree programme with extended practice, stipulating the type and extent of practical work, your holiday entitlement, remuneration and other formal terms and conditions. If you have any questions about contracts, we will be happy to assist! Just get in touch .

4th Apply to the university
After completing steps 1–3, you can apply for a place to study at our university of applied sciences. The usual entry and admission requirements (including numerus clausus / aptitude tests) also apply to dual / cooperative master’s degree programmes at the university. Universities publish the list of required documents on their websites well in advance of the applications period. You will also need to submit your contract with the practice-based partner. We don’t require any original documents from you – scans are sufficient. On certain degree programmes, you can start studying in either the winter or summer semester. Many dual / cooperative master’s courses can also be completed on a part-time basis.

What if the company that you wish to work for isn’t yet partnered with Kempten University of Applied Sciences?
You are very welcome to use your own initiative to find a company and enquire about the potential for studying on a dual / cooperative degree programme (combined format or extended practice). Simply enquire about potentially establishing a partnership with Kempten University of Applied Sciences, put the company in touch with us, and we’ll do the rest.

Click here the list of all the partner companies for your programme format.