A dual study programme (duales Studium) combines university and practice: you study and work in the company at the same time, usually with pay. That makes the route attractive, but the application is more demanding, because you are not only applying for a university place but also for a training or employment contract with an employer. This guide shows the typical routes, how the selection usually works and which documents belong in almost every application.
Short answer: You usually apply for a dual study programme directly to the company, or through a job advertisement linked to a university. Each employer sets its own deadlines, which can fall at different points during the year. Typical steps are an online application, tests, an assessment centre and an interview. The process of your preferred employer is described on its careers page. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- You apply to a company, usually for a study place and an employment or training contract at the same time.
- Each employer sets its own deadlines, so there is no single application date for the whole country.
- The selection often includes online tests, conversations and sometimes an assessment centre.
- Documents such as a cover letter, a CV and certificates are needed in almost every process.
- A clear reason why this employer and this subject suit you carries considerable weight.
Where do you apply for a dual study programme?
Applications run through several channels, and the right one depends on the provider. The table shows the most common routes and what to check for each.
| Application route | Typical form | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Directly with the company | Application through the employer’s careers portal | Study and training arrangements are often regulated together |
| Position linked to a university | Advertisement for a course at a cooperating university | Admission to the university can involve separate steps |
| Job portal of a public body or institution | Advertisement through the provider’s job board, for example the Federal Employment Agency | The process follows the requirements of the advertisement |
For a general overview of deadlines and documents, the German guide Bewerbung Studium Checkliste: Unterlagen, Fristen und Termine (in German) is useful. If you are still weighing study against training, the German guide Studium oder Ausbildung: Entscheidungshilfe nach dem Abi (in German) offers orientation.
How does the selection process work?
The process varies between employers, but many companies work in similar stages that you should understand in advance. The Federal Employment Agency describes on its pages how applications and selection work for training and study, and public employers publish their steps as well.
- Online application: You complete a form and upload documents. Errors in personal data and certificates are noticed here.
- Online test: Logical reasoning, numbers or language comprehension are often tested. Practice helps, because the tasks are solved under time pressure.
- Assessment centre: Group tasks, presentations or role plays show how you work in a team and communicate.
- Interview: This is about your motivation, your experience and why you want to study within the company.
The German Bundestag describes on its careers page a selection procedure for dual study programmes as well. Examples like this show that the stages are not named the same way everywhere, but the logic is similar. Read the advertisement of your employer carefully before you prepare.
Which documents belong in the application?
The requirements differ, but the following documents are requested in almost every process. Collect them in one folder in advance so that you can adapt applications quickly.
- A cover letter that responds to the specific employer and the study programme.
- A tabular CV with school education, internships, part-time jobs and volunteering.
- Certificates, in particular the university entrance qualification or an equivalent document.
- Proof of language skills or special qualifications, if the advertisement names them.
Many applicants underestimate the value of internships. Even short insights into a profession, a training place or a part-time job show that you have engaged with the world of work. For each station, briefly describe the tasks you took on and what you learned.
How do you write a convincing application?
A dual study programme requires you to move between university and employer and to take both seriously. In your cover letter, show that you understand the switch between theory and practice and that you look forward to it. General sentences about teamwork sound interchangeable. Concrete examples from school, work or volunteering are better, because they show how you handle responsibility.
Research the employer carefully as well. Anyone who knows the business areas, locations and training content can answer more precisely in the interview. This matters especially if you apply to several companies and need to adapt each cover letter.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a university entrance qualification already?
Many dual study programmes require a university entrance qualification or an equivalent document. The exact requirements are set by the employer and the university. Check this in the advertisement before you apply.
Is there a fixed application deadline?
No. Each company sets its deadlines on its own, and they can be spread across the year. When you see a deadline, it applies to that employer and that programme. Keep a list of deadlines for each company.
Can I still apply after finishing school?
Yes, and many applicants come to a dual study programme after a training place, a break or a detour. What counts are the requirements of the advertisement. Explain clearly in your cover letter why you choose this route now.
How many companies should I apply to?
There is no fixed number. What matters is that each application is individual. A smaller selection of well prepared applications achieves more than many standard letters that hardly address the employer.
What happens if I do not pass the test?
That depends on the process. Some companies treat a test as one stage among several, others filter candidates early. After a rejection, a follow-up question is worthwhile if the employer offers it. For your next application, you can practise specifically.
Pay close attention to the wording of employer responses. Invitations to tests or interviews often come with short reply deadlines, and a missed reply can cost you a place even if the application itself was strong. Set up a calendar that also tracks responses, and reply promptly even if you have not yet reached a final decision.
What to do now
- Choose three to five companies that fit your subject and your place of residence.
- Note for each employer the deadline, the selection process and the documents.
- Create a basic cover letter and adapt it concretely for each employer.
- Practise online tests and prepare answers to typical interview questions.
- Track the status of your applications and note dates for follow-up questions.
Related reading
- Duales Studium: Vorteile, Nachteile und Voraussetzungen (in German)
- Duales Studium: Familienversicherung, Pflichtversicherung und Beitrag (in German)
- Bewerbung Studium Checkliste: Unterlagen, Fristen und Termine (in German)
- Motivationsschreiben fürs Studium: Aufbau, Länge und Beispiel (in German)
Sources:
- Application and selection process for training or study, Federal Employment Agency (in German)
- Selection procedure for dual study programmes, German Bundestag (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
