More and more opportunities are opening up before modern youth. The world is constantly changing, modernizing; the labor market requires new qualified personnel, so the education system also does not stand still. Every year we hear about the appearance of new programs, specialties, professions that can be surprising for somebody and are already familiar to others. About one of such opportunities there will be more details further.

Have you heard about Dual Education (Duales Studium)? This is still obscure subject to Ukrainian youth, but the majority of applicants in Germany choose this way to get higher education.

WHAT IS DUAL EDUCATION?

This is a symbiosis of the practical and theoretical part of the training. In this case, the student receives all the necessary knowledge based on university education and works them out at the enterprise or company with which the educational institution cooperates.

Such a system was created just in Germany and is already present in other European countries. Dual education makes an ordinary student a young, experienced and ambitious specialist who knows exactly what he wants from life. It opens not only new opportunities for learning, but also brings income, and this, of course, is a very nice bonus for young people.

FEATURES OF DUAL EDUCATION

Dual education implies constant interaction between the school and the employer. Enterprises make an order to universities for a certain number of training places for future specialists. Students work due to the chosen specialty the entire period of study. They can attend lectures for three months, and then work and improve the skills for the next three months. Perhaps you will go to university for a week, and work out practical experience for a week. The option of a simultaneous combination of studies and practice is also not excluded: in the morning here is a training, after lunch here is a work practice or vice versa. It all depends on the program you choose and on the contract with the employer.

An interesting fact is that lectures are held not only by teachers but also by employees of your company, who are happy to share their practical experience.

TYPES OF LEARNED EDUCATION

There are 4 types of dual education:

- Dual education with integrated learning (Ausbildungsintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

- Dual education with integrated practice (Praxisintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

- Professionally integrated education (Berufsintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

- Professionally individual training (Berufsbegleitende duale Studiengänge)

Dual education with integrated learning (Ausbildungsintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

The symbiosis of training for getting a Bachelor degree and professionally technical education (Bachelor-Abschluss und IHK / HWK-Abschluss). The condition for enrollment lies in providing a high school diploma. Duration of the programme is 4 years. A prerequisite is the signing of a contract between a student and an employer.

According to this system, the educational establishment is partially engaged in vocational training. Thus, the direct connection between theory during training and practice in the enterprise is guaranteed.

Dual education with integrated practice (Praxisintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

The program means a symbiosis of bachelor degree studies with integrated practical blocks. The condition for admission is vocational education or work experience, as well as a high school diploma. Duration of studies is 3-4 years. Signing a contract between a student and an employer is a ‘must-do’.

The program provides part-time employment at the enterprise or long-term phases of the practice, which cannot be compared with the practice during “regular” study because they are consistent with the theoretical content of the lectures, which contribute to the constant optimal balance between theory and practical experience.

Professionally integrated education (Berufsintegrierende duale Studiengänge)

The program means a symbiosis of training for a bachelor's degree and part-time employment at the enterprise. A prerequisite for admission to the program is the availability of professional education. High School diploma is not required. A labor contract is signed between the student and the employer, daily work activity (part-time) is provided due to this contract.

Some educational programs provide the possibility of obtaining the qualification of a craftsman or a mechanic.

Professionally individual training (Berufsbegleitende duale Studiengänge)

The program provides a combination of training and full-time work in the enterprise. Here is meant about individual training in parallel with daily work activities. Seminars are held only once a week. In this case, the employer is obliged to reduce the workload on the student. A high school diploma is not required.

MATERIAL PROMOTION

For most applicants, the material side plays a very important and even decisive role when choosing a future education. Often you have to give up the dream of getting an education abroad due to the inability to afford it for yourself.

Dual education, of course, guarantees high prospects for the future, profitable employment, but full or partial material support is often the decisive argument in favor of this program.

The employer is obliged to pay all contributions provided by the university. Besides, the company usually pays a stipend in the amount of from 500 to 1000 euros. The size of such payments depends on the field of training and the enterprise itself.

All obligations regarding material security are stipulated in the contract between the student and the employer.

Due to the rules of some enterprises, the payment of a scholarship is only possible during the direct practice, and they are only partially entitled to pay tuition fees. Sometimes the employer provides the student with the necessary educational material.

All conditions should immediately be discussed personally with the company, which offers you a workplace during training and carefully read the contract before signing.

ADVANTAGES OF DUAL EDUCATION

 PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

The modern education system, unfortunately, lacks a practical part. The “dry” theory takes a lot of time to process, but it brings little benefit in professional life. Very often, students have to learn anew in the workplace they choose after university, because they have received only basic knowledge, which is not enough for work. Those who received a dual education already know for sure what place they want to occupy and what their obligations will be, because even during the training they tried their hand at positions in the specialty and had the opportunity to improve their knowledge in practice.

 MATERIAL SUPPORT

Studying dually, students get a good scholarship, in contrast to those who have chosen the usual way of getting an education (such students are not entitled to work more than 20 hours a week and receive only 500 euros per month for this). In the future, they, as a rule, also earn more.

 HIGH PERSPECTIVES

Approximately 70% of dual students remain to work in an enterprise or a company where they have been trained, some immediately get the position of department head. But even if you were not offered a place, the chances of getting a good job are still much higher, because approximately 27 hours of academic training and practical experience for 21-28 weeks greatly attract employers.

DISADVANTAGES OF DUAL EDUCATION

 Not all specialties can be studied dually. If the labor market does not have enough personnel in a particular industry, enterprises order places in this particular area. In general, dual education programs are available only in technical, economic or social specialties.

 The number of people who want to get a dual education is growing every year, so the level of competition is quite high. It is necessary to prepare in advance for an interview with the employer to show themselves from the best side.

 When “ordinary” students have holidays, you will work. Businesses provide vacation only on general terms. Besides, it is necessary to be able to combine study and work, to be a responsible and independent person. Your adult life will begin immediately after admission to the university. But for some, it’s an advantage rather than a disadvantage.

KNOWLEDGE OF GERMAN LANGUAGE

Since the competition of dual education is very high, employers prefer, first of all, students with a high level of motivation and good knowledge of German. To enroll you must know the language of the country at C1 level, it is desirable to confirm your knowledge with an international certificate.

If you are interested in such an opportunity to receive higher education, but you do not know where to start, we will be happy to help you!

Our contact information: 01030, Kiev, st. Yaroslaviv Val, 7, of. 203; Tel.: + 380636376312