The big TRANSFORMATION – the DHBW profile

The foundation stone for the success story of the dual study programme was laid around 50 years ago with the founding of the former vocational academy and today’s Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW). With its proven study model, DHBW supports thousands of Cooperative Partners throughout Germany and beyond in meeting the growing challenges of the global skilled labour shortage. The university sends 10,000 highly qualified young people out into the labour market every year. And there’s more: Dual academic training, dual research, dual professorships and dual doctorates strengthen DHBW’s profile where academia meets practice.

With 32,000 students and 9,000 Cooperative Partners, DHBW is the largest university in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Together with our Cooperative Partners, we award dual Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to more than 10,000 young people every year at twelve locations and thousands of practice locations, qualifying them to become specialists and managers.

And there’s more: Dual academic training, dual research, dual professorships and dual doctorates strengthen our profile where academia meets practice. And we can proudly say that we are the largest and most flexible state transfer university in Germany.

WE ARE THE TRANSFER UNIVERSITY FOR EUROPE

We are proud of our 9,000 Cooperative Partners. As full members of the university, they contribute customised course content and participate in university bodies and committees that shape the study programmes. With these strong collaborations and around 10,000 graduates every year, DHBW provides an enormous transfer service between society, university and industry beyond the borders of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg.

WE ARE ALL OVER BADEN-WUERTTEMBERG

The university teaches and retains young professionals locally at its twelve locations and the DHBW Center for Advanced Studies. These regional roots make DHBW an important cooperation partner for economic and social development in the regions. This ensures that practice partners remain competitive, and economic and social development is constantly improved, especially in rural areas.

WE ARE INTENSIVE AND COOPERATIVE

DHBW students usually complete their degree in just three years. Thanks to the integration of theoretical and practical content, students also complete part of their studies during the practical phases. Every study programme at DHBW is certified as an intensive programme. Thanks to the customised structure and the interlinking of theory and practice, DHBW graduates enjoy above-average success and engineer a safe and smooth transition for themselves into the world of work. Around 80% of graduates already have a contract offer before graduating.

SMALL COURSE GROUPS FOR BIG CAREERS

DHBW is the largest university in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Nevertheless, there are rarely more than 30 students in a course group. They are supervised by their Programme Director in small, individual courses and immerse themselves in the working world at partner companies during the practical phase. This increases personal initiative and guarantees intensive and efficient study.

FINANCES: WE OFFER STUDENTS SECURITY

As employees of a Cooperative Partner, DHBW students receive a monthly salary throughout their studies, providing them with financial independence so they are able to concentrate on their studies. In close cooperation with professors at the university, lecturers with practical experience and trainers in companies, DHBW gives its students the best possible start to their professional lives – including many pioneering students who are the first in their families to graduate.

OUTLOOK: 50 YEARS OF DUAL STUDY PROGRAMMES

DHBW dates back to the early 1970s. At the time, the initiators from the worlds of business and politics had set themselves the goal of creating a practice-oriented academic alternative to traditional university studies. Companies were to be given the opportunity to train junior staff at university level and customise them to their own requirements. Back in 1974, nobody could have imagined that the “Stuttgart model” would become the largest university in Baden-Wuerttemberg and an international pioneer in the field of dual study programmes. DHBW will be celebrating the birth of this success story next year.