Dual studies
Start your studies with intensive in-company training or integrated practice!
Dual 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, dual students 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 dual 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)
![Course of studies for academic study with intensive in-company training The image shows the exemplary Course of studies for academic study with intensive in-company training in an informational graphic: In the first year, the students start with an optional pre-study internship on 1 Sept. On 1 Oct, students commence their studies. Students work in the company during lecture-free periods and during their internship semester (5th semester). The bachelor's thesis is completed in cooperation with the partner company. The study with intensive in-company training ends after 3.5 years in Mid-March.](/fileadmin/_processed_/2/8/csm_SmvP_hsdual_7707486741.png)
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)
![Course of studies of academic study combined with vocational training The image shows the exemplary course of studies of academic study combined with vocational training in an informational graphic: In the first year, students start their apprenticeship on 1 Sept. One year later, they take their interims examination. On 1 Oct, students commence their studies. Students continue their apprenticeship during lecture-free periods. At the end of their 5th semester, they take their final apprenticeship examination. The students then work in the company during lecture-free periods. The bachelor's thesis is completed in the 7th semester in cooperation with the partner company. The study academic study combined with vocational training ends in late February or early March after 4.5 years.](/fileadmin/_processed_/8/a/csm_Verbundstudium_hsdual_9d96fbb987.jpg)
Overview of dual studies offers
The following list contains all current dual study options at THWS and prospective dual options.
Do you want to start earlier with one of the listed programmes to gain practice experience? All practice partners for dual studies also offer positions for working students (Werkstudierendentätigkeit) for the entire duration of your studies! Please do not hesitate to contact the companies!
Available for dual studies (as of 03/2024):
- Civil Engineering (bachelor's programme)
- Civil Engineering - Digital Design and Construction (bachelor's programme)
- Business Analytics (bachelor's programme)
- Hydrogen Technology (bachelor's programme)
From winter semester 2024/25 available for dual studies (as of 03/2024):
- Computer Science (bachelor's programme)
- Information Security (bachelor's programme)
- Applied Polymer Engineering (bachelor's programme)
- Surveying and Geoinformatics (bachelor's programme)
- Social Work (for more information, please refer to the website of the degree programme) (bachelor's programme)
From winter semester 2025/26 available for dual studies (as of 03/2024):
- Applied Mathematics (bachelor's programme)
- Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (bachelor's programme)
- Culinary Studies and Wine Tourism (bachelor's programme)
- Mechanical Engineering (bachelor's programme)
- Mechatronics (bachelor's programme)
- Robotics (bachelor's programme)
- Product Development and Systems Design (master's programme)
From winter semester 2026/27 available for dual studies (as of 03/2024):
- Business Administration (bachelor's programme)
- Geovisualisation (bachelor's programme)
- International Management (bachelor's programme)
- Logistics (bachelor's programme)
- Media Management (bachelor's programme)
- Business and Engineering (bachelor's programme)
- Geo Data Technology (master's programme)
Studienplatzportal - Overview of dual 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 dual studies options!