Cooperative studies

Start your studies with intensive in-company training or integrated practice!

Please note: Cooperative studies are only available in German. Thus, English TWIN programmes are not available for cooperative studies. You must be enrolled in the German degree programme in order to study a cooperative programme.

Cooperative studies combine academic higher education studies with intensive practice phases and, if applicable, with vocational training in a company, institution, or authority. The theoretical study phases alternate with the practice phases with the practice partner, which generally take place in the lecture-free period.

For the best possible interlocking of theory and practice, THWS issues practice recommendations for each practice phase in the so-called practice plan. The practice semester must be completed with the practice partner, the thesis must also be completed in cooperation with the practice partner.

Various modules systematically connect the learning contents of the higher education institution and the practice partner. Therefore, students of cooperative programmes spend considerably more time in companies than regular students. During this time, students can work in various areas. That way they are tailor-educated for their later profession and already used to the company.

THWS offers the following cooperative studies options: academic study with intensive in-company training or academic study combined with vocational training.

Academic study with intensive in-company training - practice-integrating bachelor's & master's programmes

Right from the start of your studies, theory and practice will alternate, with theory phases (usually) taking place during the lecture period (ca. 1 Oct - 25 Jan, and 15 March - 10 July) and practice phases with the practice partner in the lecture-free period (ca. 15 Feb - 14 March, and 1 Aug - 30 Sept).

The practice semester must be completed with the practice partner, the thesis must also be completed in cooperation with the practice partner. The learning contents of the higher education institution and the practice partner are systematically connected by various modules or through suggestions of practical project topics or practical assignments from the practice partner.

Course of studies for academic study with intensive in-company training (3.5 years)

Academic study combined with vocational training - Bachelor's apprenticeship integrating

Also with this study type, theory and practice phases alternate, as with the academic study with intensive in-company training (ca. 1 Oct - 25 Jan, and 15 March - 10 July) and practice phases with the practice partner in the lecture-free period (ca. 15 Feb - 14 March, and 1 Aug - 30 Sept).

In academic studies combined with vocational training, students obtain not only obtain their bachelor's degree but also complete vocational training with a degree of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) or the Chamber of Crafts (HWK). To meet this objective, students start their vocational school training one year prior to their studies to prepare for the interims examination of their vocational training. The studies start parallel in the second year of training.

Course of studies of academic study combined with vocational training (4.5 years)

Overview of cooperative studies offers

Please note: Cooperative studies are only available in German. Thus, English TWIN programmes are not available for cooperative studies. You must be enrolled in the German degree programme in order to study a cooperative programme.

The following list contains all current and prospective cooperative study options at THWS.

Do you want to start earlier with one of the listed programmes to gain practice experience? All practice partners for cooperative studies also offer positions for working students (Werkstudierendentätigkeit) for the entire duration of your studies! Please do not hesitate to contact the companies!

Studienplatzportal - Overview of cooperative studies and practice partners (in German)

In the Studienplatzportal, you will find detailed descriptions of the individual degree programmes, the schedule, and the competent contact persons. There, you can also find an overview of professional degrees attainable through academic studies combined with vocational training. Practice partners introduce themselves and indicate vacant positions.

The website also provides a list of companies that offer positions for working students (Werkstudierende), that can be commenced already before the start of the cooperative studies options!