Frequently Asked Questions About Our Dual Study Programs

Studying in a combined program or a program with in-depth practical training means that you study at at least two different locations; you alternate regularly between the university and the workplace. Due to the integrated vocational training in the combined study program, this option takes 4.5 years to complete, while the program with in-depth practical training can be completed in 3.5 years.

The Dual Study Program (bachelor programs only!)

In the combined study program, you study while completing an apprenticeship (leading to an IHK/HWK certificate) at a company that partners with us. There’s no better way to combine theory and practice. You’ll start with 3 or 3.5 years of vocational training at the company, and after about 14 months, you’ll begin your first semester of study at the same time.

Bachelor’s Programs with In-Depth Practical Experience

You can pursue Bachelor’s and master programs with in-depth practical training in various fields of study.

A bachelor’s program with in-depth practical experience means that, during your academic studies, you complete intensive practical phases at a company or business that go beyond the required internships—without, however, pursuing vocational training.

You can start your studies first and then decide to pursue a subject-specific intensive practical phase in a later semester. 

Joint Degree Programs or Programs with In-Depth Practical Experience Based on the “Digital and Regional” Study Model

The Bavarian-Swabian “Digital and Regional” study model offers an innovative way to study with its unique part-time program “Systems Engineering (B.Eng.)”. What makes it special: Together with regional partner companies, students study part-time on two weekdays per week—either alongside their jobs or through a dual program—using “blended learning,” a combination of in-person classes and e-learning. The in-person sessions take place at the Donau-Ries University Center in Nördlingen or the Memmingen University Center. Depending on proximity to their place of residence, students can attend the in-person sessions at either location. On the remaining three weekdays, students are employed at their partner companies.

For more information about the program, visit the corresponding website at [digital-und-regional website]

Master’s Program with In-Depth Practical Experience

A master’s program with in-depth practical experience typically lasts 1.5 years (3 semesters) on a full-time basis. During this time, students spend at least 34 weeks (or at least half of the standard duration of study) at the company. This period consists of on-site work during the lecture-free periods (approx. 4 months or 16 weeks) and the Master’s thesis (at least 4.5 months or 18 weeks).

A Special Variation of the Program with In-Depth Practical Experience Based on the I.C.S. Support Model

One variant of the program with in-depth practical experience is the I.C.S. model, which is offered in collaboration with the I.C.S. Support Association within the Faculty of Computer Science. Under this model, the department nominates the top-performing students in each cohort for the program after the first few semesters. The I.C.S. Support Association handles coordination and assists in matching students with companies.

• Further information on the dual study program under the I.C.S. model.
• Further information is also available on the website of the Faculty of Computer Science at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences.

The Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg generally offers all degree programs across various fields of study. It even offers a combination of the master craftsman program and a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

We provide an overview on our website.

If you meet the admission requirements for a degree program at a university of applied sciences, you can apply to us.

The Central Student Advising Office offers personalized counseling.

The application process is the same as for regular degree programs and runs from early May through mid-July of each year. Please note the exact deadlines.

We recommend that you start researching suitable dual study programs at least 18 months before graduating from high school or completing vocational training.

Approximately 12 to 14 months before the start of the study program, you should apply to companies for an apprenticeship position.

It is also possible to apply to companies that do not yet collaborate with us (simply ask them about a potential partnership with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg).

Check out the information on requirements, deadlines, and tips for applying at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg.

Early admission is a special provision for applicants seeking a spot in a combined study program.

When applying to us, be sure to inform Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg in your application for admission that you have entered into or have completed an apprenticeship contract as part of the dual study program (please include proof). You will participate in the selection process as usual, in accordance with the admission rules (NC procedure).

If you have received a letter of admission from the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg but will not be taking up this spot due to your preceding one-year vocational training phase at a company, you will be considered a “deferred admission applicant” the following year. The prerequisite is that applicants

1. have begun their vocational training and

2. were or will be admitted to this degree program at the start of or during this vocational training.

Therefore, if you are offered a spot, you will not be able to accept it; however, you will be entitled to priority admission the following year. This “priority admission” applies only to the university from which you received your admission letter.

To exercise your right to priority admission, you must reapply to the university the following year with all required documents, in accordance with the deadline and proper form. You must also include proof of participation in the joint program from the Chamber of Industry and Commerce or the Chamber of Crafts, as well as your previous admission letter, with this application. Please keep these documents in a safe place!

If you meet the admission requirements for a degree program at a university of applied sciences, you can apply to us.

The Central Student Advising Office offers personalized counseling.

The application process is the same as for regular degree programs and runs from early May through June of each year. Please note the exact deadlines.

To pursue a degree program with an in-depth practical focus, follow these steps:

• You select one of our degree programs that can be pursued as part of the “Study with In-Depth Practical Experience” track and apply for admission to the university.
• At the same time, you apply to a company that already partners with us in your chosen degree program.
• If you are already a student at our university, you can join the program by the third semester; that is, you will look for a company during your first two semesters.
• Alternatively, you can apply to a company of your choice that is interested in partnering with Augsburg University of Applied Sciences.
• Sign a training agreement with your company—you can obtain a sample of this from the faculty contact person.

Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg collaborates with over 100 companies in the areas of dual study programs and degree programs with an in-depth practical component. Since we cannot offer direct placement services, please take the initiative to contact a company that interests you. However, not all companies offer an apprenticeship position every year.

Some companies list their dual study and apprenticeship positions on the university job board.

In addition, the Swabian Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Schwaben) provides a company guide that can help you find a suitable company by training field and location.

Similarly, the Swabian Chamber of Crafts (HWK Schwaben) offers an apprenticeship exchange.

No problem! The company is welcome to contact us, and we’ll work together to determine the necessary steps. When choosing a company, it’s a good idea to consider the following points, for example:

• Is there adequate support available at the company during the student’s studies?
• Are students involved in interesting tasks and projects within the company?
• Are there suitable career development opportunities for you after you graduate?
• Does the company meet the technical requirements for the internship semester and, if applicable, the introductory internship?

Great! If you are in your 1st through 3rd semester and your degree program is also offered with an in-depth practical component, you can still enroll in the program with the in-depth practical component.

The benefits for students include:

• Gaining extensive practical and professional knowledge within the company
• Optimal integration into company structures, work methods, and project processes
• Hands-on training in key skills
• A seamless transition from college to a career
• Excellent job and career opportunities—the retention rate is nearly 100 percent
• Continuous compensation even while studying
• Specifically for the combined study program: a shorter total training period compared to the sequential path (apprenticeship first, then studies)

Unlike EU citizens and citizens of other countries, foreign applicants need a visa. This is usually a student visa, which must be applied for at a German diplomatic mission abroad. The specific requirements can be obtained from the respective embassy (including proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses, German language proficiency, etc.).

For students in a cooperative program or students with an in-depth practical component, it is also important to provide proof of admission to the program (letter of admission) and the training or employment contract from the practical partner. This is because, as part of the visa application process, a work permit can be requested (with approval from the Federal Employment Agency). This step is essential, since the student will not only be studying but also working.

When applying for a visa, each case is reviewed individually, and the decision to grant a visa depends on several factors. The procedure described here should be understood only as a recommendation.

Further information for international students is available at www.study-in-germany.de or on the website of the Federal Foreign Office.

(see hochschule dual e.V./ FAQ)

The benefits for companies include:

• Leveraging students’ academic knowledge for the company while they are still in school
• Detailed insight into students’ academic and personal suitability
• Early retention of, above all, above-average students with high performance potential and strong motivation
• Access to highly qualified, academically trained employees whose practical expertise is precisely tailored to the company’s needs
• Development of close ties with universities and promotion of technology and knowledge transfer

In a combined degree program—also known as a program with in-depth practical training—a university education is optimally combined with practical experience in a company. There are two learning locations: the university and the company.

At Bavaria’s state universities of applied sciences, there are two different study models:

• Programs with in-depth practical training (practice-integrated: Bachelor’s or Master’s programs with extensive practical experience)
• Combined study program (training-integrated: Bachelor’s program with integrated vocational training)

If you are interested in partnering with us, please feel free to contact us. We will then discuss the specific tasks and expectations and enter into a partnership agreement. The overview of our past partners highlights the diversity of our client base.

Contact Information:

Architecture and Civil Engineering
: Sabine Walke, dual.ab@tha.de

Computer
Science: Prof. Dr. Peter Rösch, peter.roesch@tha.de

Bachelor’s in Systems Engineering
(Digital and Regional)
Katharina Bucher, katharina.bucher@tha.de

Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, International Industrial Engineering
Katrin Freitag, katrin.freitag@tha.de

Mechanical Engineering and Process
Engineering: Birgit Lottes, dual.fmv@tha.de

Economics
: Prof. Dr. Florian Waibel, dual.wirtschaft@THA.de

Central Coordination

Torsten Hormann, duales-studium@THA.de

Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg offers opportunities for combined degree programs and programs with an in-depth practical component. You can find an overview on our relevant web pages.

As a general rule, any company, government agency, or organization can participate. However, there are a few requirements that should be taken into account: 

• Ensuring a high standard of practical training that is professionally tailored to the student’s future career
• Meeting the requirements for a practical semester and, in some cases, for an introductory internship
• Providing a qualified mentor who supports students and maintains contact with the university. Furthermore, it is recommended that the mentor have an academic background to ensure the best possible support during the practical semester and while working on the bachelor’s or master’s thesis.
• For combined study programs, additionally: Meeting the eligibility criteria for the combined vocational training program in accordance with the Vocational Training Act (BBiG) (authorization to provide vocational training).