Dual Study: Benefits, Drawbacks and Requirements

Dual study at a glance: advantages, disadvantages, application process, pay and health insurance, plus a comparison with a classic degree.

A dual study programme combines a university degree with paid work in a company. The dual study benefits are pay from the start and work experience, while the drawbacks are the double workload, little free time and an early commitment to a subject and an employer. How much you earn is set out in your contract with the company.

The key points at a glance

You are enrolled at a university or Berufsakademie and at the same time under contract with a company.
The company pays you a salary. The amount depends on the firm and on your contract.
For the whole duration, you are subject to compulsory health, pension, long-term care and unemployment insurance, like trainees. Student health insurance does not apply.
Set against this are the double workload, little free time and an early commitment.

What is a dual study programme and how is it structured?

A dual study programme consists of two parts: study phases at the university or Berufsakademie and practical phases in the company. The two phases alternate, depending on the programme in blocks of several weeks or on a weekly rhythm.

Some programmes include vocational training, others consist of the degree with long practical phases in the company. How this works for your chosen course is set by the study regulations of the university together with the company contract. Read both before you sign.

The requirements are therefore twofold: you need a place on the course and a contract with a company. The admission requirements of the university differ by course and are published on each university’s website.

What are the dual study benefits for you?

You earn from the start

While other students look for part-time jobs or apply for funding, you receive a salary from the company. This at least partly covers your living costs, and you can stand on your own feet earlier.

You gain work experience

You learn how a company works and take on real tasks. By the end of your studies, your CV shows several years of practice, and you know whether the field suits you at all.

You often have a route into employment

Some companies train dual students with a view to hiring them afterwards. Clarify whether this applies to your employer before you sign the contract, and do not rely on verbal promises.

Study and practice reinforce each other

What you learn in lectures, you apply shortly afterwards in the company. This aids understanding, and you build a network within the firm along the way.

What are the drawbacks of a dual study programme?

Double workload and little free time

You have to meet the demands of the university and those of the company. Expect full weeks and less room for hobbies, volunteering or a semester abroad than in a classic degree.

Early commitment

You choose a subject and an employer at the same time. If after a year you notice that neither fits, your studies and your company contract are linked. What applies in the event of dropping out or switching is set out in your contract and the study regulations. Have these rules explained to you before you sign.

High expectations

You are both a student and an employee. The company expects performance at work, the university expects results in exams. Delivering both at once takes a lot of energy.

Less flexibility in location and pace

The place of study, the place of practice and the timetable are set. If you want to switch universities flexibly or set your own pace, you have less freedom here. You will find more on other study formats in our comparison of study formats (in German).

Dual study or classic degree: what suits you?

A dual study programme suits you if you want to earn money and gain practice early, and do not mind a clearly structured routine. A classic degree suits you better if you want time for orientation, time abroad and your own focus. Whether the university is a university or a university of applied sciences is covered in University of applied sciences or university (in German).

Criterion	Dual study	Classic degree
Income	Salary from the company as set out in the contract	Part-time job, parents, BAföG or scholarship
Practice	A fixed part of the programme	Internships and part-time jobs of your choice
Time	Study and work run in parallel	More room for your own interests
Flexibility	Subject and employer fixed early	Subject, place and pace more freely chosen
Health insurance	Compulsory insurance like trainees	Usually student health insurance or family insurance
Application	To the company and the university	To the university

If you are still unsure after your Abitur, a break after school (in German) can help before you commit to a company.

How do you apply for a dual study programme?

As a rule, you apply to the company first, because that is where you get the contract. The university comes next. Depending on the programme, enrolment runs through the company or separately. Deadlines and the process are on the career pages of the companies and universities. Start early, because companies often select candidates long before the course begins.

Assemble your certificates, CV and letter of motivation.
Choose the course, university and company together.
Prepare for the interview, test or assessment centre.
Read the contract calmly: salary, holiday, obligations and rules in case of dropping out.

How much do you earn in a dual study programme?

The company sets the amount of the salary in the contract. It differs by industry and by firm, and it can rise over the years. A single figure would be misleading. So ask in the interview what the amount is for each year, and check whether it covers your rent and running costs.

How are dual students insured for health care?

Dual students are subject to compulsory health, pension, long-term care and unemployment insurance for the whole duration, that is, in both practical and study phases, and they are covered by statutory accident insurance. They are therefore treated like trainees. Student health insurance does not apply.

How this looks in detail, and what to consider with private insurance, is explained in health insurance for dual students (in German).

Frequently asked questions

Is a dual study programme worth it?

It is worth it if you want practice and income early and can cope with the double workload. It is less suitable if you still need to find your subject or value a lot of freedom. Work out in advance what the salary covers compared with your costs.

Can you drop out of a dual study programme?

You can, but your studies and your company contract are linked. What then applies is set out in your contract and the study regulations. Speak to the company and the student advisory service early, before you give notice, and clarify the consequences for pay and insurance.

How does a dual study programme differ from a classic degree?

In a dual programme, practice in the company is a fixed part of the course, and you are paid for it. In a classic degree, you organise practice and income yourself, but you have more freedom of time. The table above compares both.

Who is a dual study programme suitable for?

For school leavers and career starters who roughly know their subject, like working in a structured way and want to take on responsibility early. If you are unsure, try an internship or visit the information days of universities and companies before you apply.

So what should you do now

Decide whether you want practice and income early or more freedom.
Look for courses that you can study in dual form, and for suitable companies.
Apply early and read the contract in full before you sign.
Clarify health insurance in advance. If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.

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