Germany has always been a popular choice for international students from all over the world. One of the top reasons why students prefer studying in Germany is the relaxed German language regulations. Additionally, the country is home to some of the most prominent colleges to offer at the most inexpensive tuition costs. Moreover, the nation offers various Study programmes that allow overseas students to study and work in Germany. Here’s all you need to know about Dual Study programs in Germany.

What are Dual Study Programs in Germany?

A dual study programme is a combination of academic studies with experience in a company and vocational training. Dual Study Programmes are very famous in Germany because of their practical orientation. Some universities in Germany and professional schools offer dual study programmes in a variety of ways:

• Training-integrated: The degree programme is paired with official training in a recognised occupation. In terms of time and substance, study stages and vocational training are related.
• Practice-integrated: In an organization, study phases alternate with practical phases. The content of the higher education institution’s courses and practical training content are connected. Students receive a first degree that allows them to perform a profession, but not a qualification in a recognised occupation that requires more training.
• Career-integrated: Academic courses are blended with occupational additional training in this career-integrated programme. In this approach, the learning content of the two types of training is also linked. Students learn mostly through self-study, similar to a distance learning course, in addition to a full-time job.

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Why Pursue Dual Study Programs in Germany?

So, what makes dual studies so popular and beneficial to students? Students in dual programmes benefit from the best of both worlds: they not only receive academic instruction but also gain practical experience and, in certain cases, complete vocational training. 

• Their dual learning is awarded two diplomas, giving them double the qualifications they would have if they had “only” completed a standard programme. Because of this certification and the hybrid education style, dual programme graduates have good work opportunities: They are not only connected to an organization and a university, but they are also highly qualified professionals. 
• Companies are frequently interested in hiring students on a long-term basis after paying for their education. 
• Graduates can offer an impressive and compelling CV to potential employers even if they are not employed by their dual studies organisation.

Who Offers Dual Study Programs in Germany?

In this section, we will see who offers dual study programs in Germany. Most dual study programmes may be divided into the following categories:

• Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS): UAS offers some dual study programmes or has dual options for their regular programmes.
• Universities of Cooperation Education (UCE): Universities of cooperative education (UCE) offer some dual study programmes. (German: Duale Hochschule/Berufsakademie)

While UAS offers non-dual study programmes as well, UCEs are exclusively committed to dual learning. Whether or not a UCE exists in a particular German region is determined by the laws of the individual German state (German: Bundesland). 

Furthermore, dual study programmes are offered not just by higher education institutions, but also by companies and other employers. In most cases, UAS and UCE that offer dual study programmes have a list of collaborating organizations readily available for prospective students so that they may apply. Companies that hire dual students as trainees are listed in several databases, such as those supplied on the websites of Wegweiser Duales Studium or the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (German: Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung).

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Dual-degree Program Courses in Germany

If we talk about 2019-2020, there were 1,662 dual study programmes available, the majority of which were in the subjects of engineering (595 programmes) and business/economics (500 programmes) (580 programmes). There were 210 dual programmes in computer science and 173 in social welfare and social services, which included social work, health, therapy, and educational sciences. In disciplines like architecture, transportation, communication, and room design, there are fewer programs to choose from. 

This implies you won’t be able to enrol in dual study programmes in every subject. Traditional full-time programmes at research institutions are preferable, especially if you want to study a humanities field. In summary, dual study programmes provide an emphasis on relevant disciplines as well as intellectual training and provide students with information that complements their practical experiences.

English-language Dual Study Programs in Germany

There are a few English-language dual-study options available. The sad fact is that you’ll have to spend a bit more time researching these possibilities to find them. But, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that there are some dual study options available in English. Like,

the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University, the biggest higher education institution for dual studies, provides undergraduate dual programmes entirely in English. These foreign programmes include practical stays and exchange semesters abroad to some extent.

Which Companies are in Support of Dual Study Programs in Germany?

Many prominent companies in Germany offer job opportunities in various dual study programmes. A directory of such collaboration companies is available on the official websites of German universities and professional colleges, which is highly useful.

Dual-degree programmes are in high demand among the student population. Corporations invest in students and sign contracts with them. As a result, adequate assortment procedures must be in place. Students should be thoroughly informed of all the options for professional dual studies in Germany, about 18 months ahead of the school’s completion, in order to avoid missing any deadlines. Ideally, you should apply to different companies 12-14 months before commencing your studies.

Language Requirements

Advanced German skills are necessary for most dual study programmes in Germany. The reason is self-evident: The most common study language in the programmes is German, and you must be able to follow the courses. Even if you are enrolled in an English language dual study programme, working for a German firm will almost certainly need you to speak German, whether because you interact with clients in German or because the official language is German. In any event, having some German abilities will make you more appealing to employers on the German job market, even if your work could be completed entirely in English.

There are a number of language certifications that are approved by all colleges and most workplaces to demonstrate that you can communicate in German at a good level:

• TestDaF (TDN 3, 4 or 5) (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
• DSH II or III (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
• Goethe-Zertifikat C2
• telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule (The European Language Certificate)
• DSD II (Deutsches Sprachdiplom Stufe II)

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Eligibility Criteria

There are certain requirements you need to meet before pursuing dual study programs in Germany. Here are the eligibility criteria for these programs:

• Dual-degree students should have a high school diploma or a certificate that is equivalent to one.
• A certificate showing advanced German language skills.
• The application should have been approved unconditionally (if you hold a high school certificate from any German university.)  Other degrees will require verification and approval by the Student’s Local Office for Diploma Recognition (Zeugnisanerkennungsstelle).
• The Goethe Institute issues certificates of German language competency and conducts regular German language examinations.

Documents Required to Apply

Before applying for dual study programs in Germany, make sure that you have gathered all the necessary documents required for them. The following documents are necessary for the application:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of Coverage
• Passport-sized photograph
• Certificate of completion of a diploma or a high school diploma
• Acceptance letter from a German university (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung)
• Proof of adequate German language skills

A to-do list for dual study programmes in Germany for international students:

• Choosing a college or university as well as a relevant company.
• Admission certificates from the designated office of acceptance in a German university are mandatory.
• Proof of German Language Proficiency and the required certifications (i.e. the language exam from TestDaF from the place it was taken).
• Clearance of visas, residence permits, and health insurance coverage (especially for students who come from non-EU countries).
• Clarification of how the company will finance your study.
• Booked accommodation and dislocation.

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Requirements for Indian Students

Though the specific eligibility requirements will mainly differ as per the course and university you have selected, there are some general requirements you must ensure while applying for a program to study in Germany. The general requirements for students aspiring to study in Germany are as follows:

• Academic transcripts of your previous degrees as well as senior secondary mark sheets.
• Proof of language proficiency (German- DSH, TestDaf or English-IELTS, TOEFL, etc.)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Copies of your passport (personal details and photo ID page)
• GRE/GMAT Scores
• Proof of Financial Resources
• Motivation letter (optional)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)
• Letters of Recommendation (LORs)– Optional

Types of German Study Visas

While applying for a visa to study in Germany, it is important that you know about the types of study visas available for different purposes. There are mainly three types of German Study Visas:

• German Student Visa: A standardized student visa for those applying for a full-time programme to study in Germany
• German Student Application Visa: This type of German study visa is for those who are going to Germany to carry out the admission process in person. A German Student Application Visa does not apply for those wanting to study in Germany but for those visiting it to complete their admission process in a certain shorter time duration. It is mainly issued for 3 months but can be extended to another 6 months during which you can obtain the acceptance letter and switch to a student visa afterwards.
• German Language Course Visa: This German study visa is for those planning to pursue a German language course in Germany.

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How to Get a German Student Visa?

To begin with the process of getting a visa to study in Germany, you need to get in touch with the German embassy or consulate situated in your country. Further, if you have been successfully accepted by an academic institution in Germany, you can commence your student visa application either with your letter of acceptance or entrance exam scores (specified by your chosen institution) or else if you do not have any of these two, then you can opt for a prospective student visa instead.

The student visa remains valid for a period of three months. Further, it can be extended by six months given that you get accepted into an academic institution or else get admission into a foundation course or any preparatory German language program within the six-month period. Also, it is advised to start your visa application as early as possible and you can also apply for a resident permit for studying after staying for some time in the country with the prospective student visa.

Documents Required for a German Student Visa

Mainly, you will need the following documents to apply for a German student Visa:

• Valid Passport
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Health insurance-related proof
• Copy of a health certificate
• Transcripts or mark sheets of previous academic qualifications as well as scores of language proficiency tests
• For prospective student visa: submission of transcript or mark sheet of a recognised higher studies entrance qualification
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Letter of acceptance from your chosen higher education institution (if you are not applying for a prospective student visa)
• Proof of English/German Language Proficiency scores
• Proof that you have submitted the visa application fee

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If you are aspiring for higher studies in Germany and don’t know which program to opt for or where to begin your application, reach out to our Leverage Edu experts and counsellors and we will guide you at every step of the way from finding the right course as well as university to kickstarting the admission process and ensuring that you get successfully shortlisted. Book your free 30 minutes consultation with us and get in touch with us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

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