Want to gain practical experience while studying? A cooperative study programme at THWS makes this possible. THWS cooperates with several companies and offers its students dual cooperative study programmes and study programmes with in-depth practical experience.
Published on 05 March 2026
Exciting practical phases instead of mere theory: a cooperative study programme combines theory and practice and gives students interesting insights into companies. This means that students have the opportunity to gain valuable professional experience during their studies, giving them a decisive advantage when starting their careers.
THWS offers two different dual study models for bachelor's degree programmes. In academic study combined with vocational training (Verbundstudium), students complete vocational training at the same time. Training at the respective company begins one year before the start of the degree programme and continues during the lecture-free periods in the second year of training after lectures have begun. The professional training is then usually completed during the internship semester of the respective degree programme. Depending on the field of study, a wide range of different apprenticeships are available – THWS can be largely flexible in this regard, depending on its cooperation partners. Due to the preliminary training year, a Verbundstudium takes a total of 4.5 years.
An alternative to the Verbundstudium are studies with intensive in-company training (Studium mit vertiefter Praxis). As this option does not include vocational training, students start their degree programme in a regular way and then alternate between practical phases in a company and periods of study at THWS. Even though no vocational training is completed, the practical component is still more than twice as high as in a standard degree programme. The total duration of this option is 3.5 years.
Numerous advantages during and after your studies
Applying what you have learned in practice is just one of the many advantages of a cooperative study programme. Lilly Erkenbrecher is currently completing studies with intensive in-company training in the bachelor's degree programme in Mechatronics. "It's always a good idea to combine theory and practice," she explains. "You also get a direct insight into how a company works and what everyday working life can look like." In theory, it can quickly happen that the practical relevance is lost. In a company, you directly see the practical relevance of the content. This can be very helpful for understanding and thus makes learning easier in some areas.
The financial aspect is also an important point: with a cooperative study programme, you receive a guaranteed monthly salary for the entire duration – even during the study phases. For Lilly, this was a decisive factor: "I am financially independent from my parents and can cover my financial needs myself." And all without having to take on additional part-time jobs. This allows her to focus entirely on her studies and practical phases. The key factor is that during lecture periods, she can concentrate exclusively on her studies, just like all other students. During this time, there are no work demands, so she does not have to carry a double burden.
Even though long holidays are not really possible due to work commitments during the semester breaks, private life does not suffer. Every student of dual cooperative programmes is also entitled to holiday leave from the company, and otherwise it is simply a matter of good planning. "For example, I start a little earlier in the summer so that I can finish in the afternoon," explains Lilly. This ensures that she also has free time.
A dual cooperative programme is invaluable on your CV, that much is certain. There is hardly a faster way to gain a decisive advantage during your bachelor's degree and stand out from your competitors. The network you build up within the company is particularly valuable in your later professional life. For Lilly, one thing is clear: "I would choose a dual cooperative programme time and time again."
Finding the right practice partner
Young people interested in a dual cooperative programme are advised to start looking for a company early on. The application process at THWS itself is no different from that for a regular degree programme, but applicants must go through the relevant selection process at the company. "The larger the company or institution, the earlier the application periods end – positions are often filled in the spring for students starting in the winter semester," explains Professor Dr. Ralf Christel, coordinator of dual cooperative programmes at THWS. Interested parties can also find information about cooperating companies and a corresponding list on the THWS website. The focus on application-oriented learning at THWS is a good fit for any company with high standards of training quality.
Companies also benefit from dual cooperative students
Not only students, but also companies benefit from the option of a dual cooperative programme. In the winter semester 2025/26, Flyeralarm became a practice partner of THWS for the bachelor's degree programme in Computer Science. "Students get to know our values, culture, and working methods right from the start – this strengthens their identification with the company," explains Amelie Zeidler, Team Lead HR Development at Flyeralarm. As a modern and forward-looking employer, it is becoming increasingly important to inspire young talent at an early stage. At Flyeralarm, dual cooperative students are right in the thick of things: from the very beginning, they are allowed to take on responsibility and contribute their own ideas. This means that what they learn is put directly into practice, and the company also benefits from the students' fresh knowledge – a valuable added bonus. The aim is to retain students in the long term, even after they have graduated. "Many of our current specialists or project managers studied with us in a dual cooperative programme themselves," says Zeidler. For Flyeralarm, THWS is the perfect partner: modern, practice-oriented, and based in the region. In the future, the company is also interested in other degree programmes, for example in the field of business administration.
THWS dual cooperative programmes to be expanded further
Ten degree programmes are currently accredited for dual cooperative studies for the summer semester 2025, but plans for further programmes are already in full swing. The aim is for almost all bachelor's degree programmes at THWS to be accredited for dual cooperative studies by the winter semester 2026/27. Good coordination between THWS and companies is essential in this regard. "The additional accreditation of the ‘cooperative' profile feature is a seal of approval for the content, organisational, and contractual integration of the educational institutions," explains Professor Dr. Ralf Christel. "This represents a great added value in external communication." To ensure ideal support, the coordinators of dual cooperative study programmes at THWS (Professor Dr. Sebastian Leitsch for Würzburg, Professor Dr. Ralf Christel for Schweinfurt) are available at any time as contact persons not only for students but also for interested companies at – always with the aim of continuing to develop attractive offers for THWS students.
