With the bridging studies programme and ZENTRIA, there are now two new offerings at THWS for those interested in starting a business. Both people who are not yet studying and current THWS students can benefit from these programmes.
Published on 29 October 2025
A large network, expanded skills, and personal development: With the bridging programme and ZENTRIA, there are two new study models at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) that focus on start-up support and project management. This allows students to not only earn ECTS credits, but above all gain valuable experience. The bridging programme can be a meaningful way to use the time between qualification and life stages and is open to anyone with a university entrance qualification as a full-time programme. In contrast, ZENTRIA is only intended for enrolled students and complements a regular bachelor's or master's programme.
Moving on to the next chapter with the bridging programme
The bridging programme "Future Ideas and Project Development" is a one- to two-semester module in which students work on their own projects. "The bridging programme allows students to design their own projects in a highly individualised manner, whether in the economic, social, creative, or scientific field," explains Dr. Felix Liedel, research associate at the Campus for Applied Research. The bridging programme therefore appeals to a broad target group. The programme has been offered since the 2024/25 winter semester and is suitable as an orientation phase both before and after a bachelor's degree. The bridging programme can also be a useful option after a master's degree to smooth the transition into the professional world, self-employment, or a path towards a doctorate.
Tom Saliger is currently in his second semester of the bridging programme. For him, the modular programme is the ideal filler. Not only has he been able to advance his own project, but he has also earned the 30 ECTS credits he needs to add a three-semester master's degree to his 180-ECTS bachelor's degree. He particularly appreciates the good structure he has been given for the further development of his project: "I am especially proud that the rough idea I came to the bridging programme with has now gradually become a concrete plan."
Expanding networks and skills
ZENTRIA also helps students develop their own ideas. The certificate programme is aimed at those interested in starting their own business who would like to further their education alongside their bachelor's or master's degree. THWS is offering the programme for the first time in the summer semester of 2025 in cooperation with the University of Würzburg and Aschaffenburg University of Applied Sciences. Ten students from each of the three universities can obtain the certificate alongside their studies. To do so, they must accumulate a total of 35 ECTS credits in various elective modules over some semesters.
Jakob Kammerer, who is studying Business Information Systems in his second semester, is part of the first ZENTRIA cohort. "The modules are very practical and I can apply what I've learned straight away," he says. Kammerer also really values the exchange with like-minded people. Like most of the others, he can well imagine taking the step into self-employment. ZENTRIA provides him with valuable knowledge for this. But even for students who do not decide to start their own business, participating in ZENTRIA can be worthwhile. The certificate is a unique selling point in job applications, and the additional skills can of course also be applied in everyday working life.
New opportunities for creative minds and those interested in starting a business
"Thanks to the cooperation between the higher education institutions, there is a large catalogue of subjects from which you can choose suitable specialisation courses according to your own needs," Dr. Felix Liedel explains. The content ranges from business and legal methods to project management, communication, and marketing. The development of problem-solving and analytical skills and of a sound understanding of social and economic trends are also part of the additional studies programme.
The content of the bridging programme is very similar, but the options are not quite as flexible. Instead, modules that build on each other are designed to lead to the implementation of a real project. Dr. Felix Liedel looks back with satisfaction on the first completed semester of the bridging programme: "I was really impressed by the atmosphere among the students. We had a very diverse group with very different academic backgrounds and also different projects." According to Dr. Liedel, everyone worked very well together, supported each other and gave each other tips. In addition, students can benefit from advice from the team at the Campus for Applied Research and from the large network in the region. Field trips to partner projects or start-up centres are also part of the programme.
From university to practice
One of the highlights of the 2025 summer semester was the interdisciplinary "Startup! Competition" at Starthouse Spessart. During the events, students from ZENTRIA, the bridging programme, the master's programme in Social Work and the THWS Business School worked on specific practical issues. The experience they gained there with methods such as design thinking can directly benefit their own start-up projects. Jakob finds this transfer of university knowledge into practice very exciting, as does the development of his entrepreneurial skills.
As THWS's transfer centre, Campus for Applied Research aims to achieve precisely these effects. "We are very pleased that we can offer a sustainable programme for both target groups – whether they are THWS students or not," Dr. Felix Liedel reports. Within a very short time, new forms of start-up support emerged from the EntrepreneurSHIP project, which expired at the end of 2024. "Something like the bridging programme only exists here," says Dr. Liedel. "This form of studying is an in-house development at THWS, of which we are very proud."
Compatibility with studies
The Campus for Applied Research is supported by the Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities, whom they cooperate with to handle processes, examination matters, and formal requirements. At ZENTRIA, all three cooperating higher education institutions offer modules, some of which take place as block courses and some of which run throughout the semester. This makes it easy to integrate the additional studies into your own course of study.
The regular application periods at THWS apply to both programmes: from 1 May to 15 July for the winter semester and from 15 November to 15 January for the summer semester. Under certain conditions, ZENTRIA and the bridging programme can even be combined.
Bridging programme (Future ideas and project implementation)
Type of programme: Modular studies
Duration: 1-2 semesters (30 ECTS)
Admission requirements: university entrance qualification, German B2
Place of study: Würzburg
Start of programme: summer and winter semester
Tuition fees: none (only semester fee)
The programme is offered by:
Campus for Applied Research
Faculty of Applied Natural Sciences and Humanities
ZENTRIA
(Zertifikat für Entrepreneurship into Action, Certificate for Entrepreneurship into Action)
Type of programme: Additional studies programme
Duration: approx. 3 semesters (35 ECTS)
Admission requirements: Enrolment at one of the three cooperating higher education institutions
Study location: Würzburg (among others)
Start of programme: Summer and winter semesters
Tuition fees: none
Places: 10 per cooperating higher education institution
The programme is offered by: THWS, JMU Würzburg, TH Aschaffenburg
Further information on ZENTRIA
