Academic study combined with vocational training and academic study with intensive in-company training

Academic study combined with vocational training

In this model you combine a bachelor’s degree with a professional apprenticeship (with IHK/HWK qualification) which includes a vocational qualification over 4.5 years. When you choose this model, you will spend the entire first year as a trainee in a company  of your choice and go to vocational school alongside this. Then, you start the degree, where, in the practical semester, you also sit the exam for the vocational qualification.

Academic study with intensive in-company training

In this model you complete your studies after 3.5 years with a bachelor‘s degree and gain comprehensive practical work experience in a participating company of your choice that go beyond the mandatory internships - but without aiming for vocational training. Therefore, you are able to demonstrate longer periods of practical experience than in a regular academic study course. In the company, you will be involved in projects, ideally working in different departments, and with time, you may even be able to take on your own small projects. You also write your bachelor thesis in the company.

Academic study combined with vocational training or academic study with intensive in-company training according to the Digital and Regional study model

The Bavarian-Swabian Digital and Regional Study Model offers an innovative way of studying with its unique part-time degree program in Systems Engineering (B.Eng.). What's special about it: Together with regional partner companies, specialists study part-time on two working days a week, either alongside their job or cooperative - and this through so-called blended learning, a combination of face-to-face events and e-learning. The face-to-face events take place at the Donau-Ries University Center in Nördlingen or at the Memmingen University Center. Depending on where you live, the face-to-face days can be attended at one or the other location. On the remaining three working days, the study participants are employed in their partner companies.

Further information on the study programme can be found on the relevant website. 

Academic study with intensive in-company traininginaccording to the ICS funding model

A variant of the academic study with intensive in-company training is the ICS model, which is offered in the Faculty of Computer Science together with the ICS support association. In this model, the faculty recommends the best students of the year for the program after the first semesters. The support association takes over the coordination and supports the pairing of students and companies.

• Further information on the academic study with intensive in-company training in the ICS model can be found on the ICS (international co-operative studies) website.
• Further information is available from the Faculty of Computer Science at the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences

Detailed information can be found on the website of hochschule dual- an initiative of Hochschule Bayern eV, which bundles the activities of all Bavarian universities in cooperative study programs.

The following 3-minute video from hochschule dual provides a summary of the academic study combined with vocational training and academic study with intensive in-company training.

Both, academic study combined with vocational training and academic study with intensive in-company training, alternate between periods at the university and in the company. Due to the integrated vocational training in the  academic study combined with vocational training, this variant lasts 4.5 years, while academic study with intensive in-company training can be completed in 3.5 years.

Academic study combined with vocational training

With the academic study combined with vocational training, you start with the first year of training in the company before you begin your studies and complete the remaining training content during lecture-free periods.

The following picture illustrates a typical course of study:

On the way to academic study combined with vocational training, you will go through the following steps:

• You choose one of our subjects that can be studied in academic study combined with vocational training.
• You then apply for a training position at a company that already cooperates with us in the desired course of study. Alternatively, you can apply to a company of your choice that is interested in collaborating with Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg.
• Now you sign a training contract with your company and apply for a place at the university at the same time
• After up to 14 months in the company, your studies at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg begin; the university and practical phases now alternate.
• You usually take the final examination for your company training (e.g. IHK/HWK examination) in the 4th year.
• After passing the final vocational examination, you will complete further practical units in the company during the lecture-free periods and, if necessary, additional practical semesters.
• You will complete the combined course of study with a company-related bachelor's thesis.

Our contact persons will be happy to answer further questions.

Academic study with intensive in-company training

In academic study with intensive in-company training, university and practical phases (practical phases during practical semesters and lecture-free periods) alternate regularly. This gives you intensive professional experience by getting to know the "day-to-day business" of the cooperating company in addition to project work. The transition into the job is smooth thanks to the intensive practical experience.

You can start academic study with intensive in-company training shortly before the start of the course or up until the 3rd semester. The following picture shows a schematic of the course of a typical  academic study with intensive in-company training:

On the way to your academic study with intensive in-company training, you will go through the following steps:

• You choose one of our subjects that can be studied with academic study with intensive in-company trainingand apply for a place at the university.
• At the same time, or by the 3rd semester, you apply to a company that already cooperates with us in the desired degree program. Alternatively, you can also apply to a company of your choice that is interested in collaborating with the Technical University of Applied Science Augsburg.
• Now you conclude a training contract with your company - you can obtain a template for this from the contact person at the faculty.
• During the lecture-free periods and the practical semester, you will complete practical units in the company.
• You will complete your studies with a company-related bachelor's thesis.
• After successfully completing your studies, you can have the university confirm that you have studied with in-depth practical experience – you can find a corresponding form under Downloads.

Our contact persons will be happy to answer further questions.

Master's degree with academic study with intensive in-company training

A master's degree with academic study with intensive in-company training is consecutive and is aimed at both bachelor's graduates who have completed academic study combindes with vocational training or academic study with intensive in-company training, as well as those who did not study cooperative in their bachelor's degree.

The students spend at least 34 weeks (or at least half of the standard period of study) in the company. This time is made up of attendance during the lecture-free periods (approx. 4 months or 16 weeks) and the master's thesis (at least 4.5 months or 18 weeks). The following figure shows the course of a typical master's degree with academic study with intensive in-company training lasting 1.5 years (full-time).

On the way to your Master's degree with academic study with intensive in-company training, you will go through the following steps: 

• You choose one of our subjects that can be studied with academic study with intensive in-company training and apply for a place at the university.
• At the same time, you apply to a company that already cooperates with us in the desired degree program. Alternatively, you can also apply to a company of your choice that is interested in collaborating with the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg.
• You will now conclude a training contract with your company. During the lecture-free periods, you will complete practical training units in the company. 
• You will complete your studies with a business-related master's thesis.

After successfully completing your studies, you can have the university confirm that you have studied academic study with intensive in-company training – you can find a corresponding form under Downloads.

Our contact persons will be happy to answer further questions.

At the Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, you can study the following programs as academic study combined with vocational training and/or academic study with intensive in-company training:

Bachelor's degree programs

Master's degree programs

The Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg cooperates with long-standing partners in both academic study combined with vocational training and  academic study with intensive in-company training. Here you will find our partner companies listed by faculty (in alphabetical order):

• Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering (courses in Architecture, Civil Engineering, E2D, Digital Master Builder) 
• Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Electrical Engineering, International Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics)
• Faculty of Computer Science (degree programs in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Business Information Technology) 
• Faculty of Mechanical and Process Engineering (Mechanical Engineering, Environmental and Process Engineering, Production)
• School of Business (Business Administration course).

In addition, the IHK Schwaben offers a company guide and an apprenticeship exchange, which can facilitate the search for a suitable company based on training area and location.

The HWK Schwaben also offers an apprenticeship exchange.

You can also find job advertisements from companies for students on the university job exchange.

The idea of academic study combined with vocational training and academic study with intensive in-company training is to combine theory and practice in such a way that students and companies benefit equally. From the companies' point of view, this results in the following advantages:

• Students use their academic knowledge effectively for their company while they are studying.
• You will receive highly qualified, academically trained employees whose practical know-how is tailored to your company.
• The graduates build a strong bond with your company right from the start.
• Your future need for successful specialists and managers will be well met.
• They develop close contacts with universities and thus support technology and knowledge transfer.
• Your company will become more attractive to the best and your company image will improve.

Further information on the two study options from a company perspective can be found on the hochschule dual website.

Use our university job exchange!

If you, as a company, are offering vacancies in cooperation with us for the academic study combined with vocational training or academic study with intensive in-company training and are looking for prospective students, you can advertise them free of charge in the Bavarian university job exchange.

Attracting young talent with the cooperative ICS funding model

Together with the ICS (International Co-operative Studies (ICS) eV) support association, the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences offers a special study variant for courses in the Faculty of Computer Science, with which you can specifically attract above-average students to your company.

After the first semesters, the faculties of the participating universities recommend the best students of the year for the program. You get to know them personally and decide with whom you would like to sign a sponsorship agreement. The sponsorship phase covers the last two to three semesters, includes a practical component of 60 to 75 percent and contributes to an optimal transition from study to work.

The coordination and organization of the selection and application process as well as the support of all partners throughout the entire funding process is carried out by the ICS. New partners interested in cooperation can join at any time and can also be implemented with a short lead time.

Detailed information on recruiting young talent using the ICS funding model is available on the ICS website or from our contacts at Technical University of Applied Science Augsburg.

External advice on training opportunities or cooperative programs can be found in various places online or in person.

Information on apprenticeships can be found on the Federal Employment Agency’s web portal BERUFNET.

On site at our chambers, such as the IHK Schwaben here and the HWK here.

Our umbrella organization hochschule dual eV offers extensive information, FAQs and advice.

vocational schools in Augsburg and the surrounding area

Contact persons in the faculties

The contact persons in the faculties will be happy to help you if you have questions about a specific course of study or if you, as a company, already know which faculty you would like to cooperate with.

Study Model Digital and Regional
Part-time Study Program Systems Engineering (B.Eng.)
Faculty of Computer Science

Central Coordination

Our central coordination office will be happy to provide you with information on general questions about cooperative study options – for prospective students as well as for companies.

Central Student Advisory Service

If you are unsure whether you should study academic study combined with vocational training or academic study with intensive in-company training, or if you are undecided about which degree program to choose, the central student advisory service will be happy to help you.

Information on academic study combined with vocational training and  academic study with intensive in-company training at the THA

Practical semester in academic study combined with vocational training and  academic study with intensive in-company training

Certificate for a degree with academic study with intensive in-company training

Students at Technical University of Applied Sciences Augsburg who have successfully completed a course of study with academic study with intensive in-company training can obtain a certificate for this special type of study.

The prerequisite is that a cooperation agreement for academic study with intensive in-company training has been concluded between the company and the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences.

Then the following steps are necessary:

• The graduate has the practical training confirmed informally or using the following form by his/her company, which cooperates with Augsburg University for the academic study with intensive in-company training.
  
  It is important that, in accordance with the quality criteria of hochschule dual, at least 50 percent more practical training time has been spent in the company for a bachelor's degree course than in a regular university course.

• The graduate goes to his/her faculty and presents the following documents:
  • Bachelor's/Master's certificatefrom Technical University of Applied Science Augsburg
  • Form signed by the company
  • educational contract

• The graduate then receives an official certificate signed by the faculty.