FAQ on dual studies and studies with practice partners

In dual study programmes, there is a particular focus on the transfers of theory and practice in the curriculum. When there is an intensive and systematic integration of theory and practice, this is referred to as a dual study programme. Due to this close integration of theory and practice, the relevant degree programmes are accredited as ‘dual’ by the German Accreditation Council.

In studies with practice partners, the focus is also on the transfer of theory into practice. However, the integration of theory and practice is less pronounced here than in dual study programmes. These degree programmes are also accredited in principle, but not for the ‘dual’ profile feature.

There are a number of advantages that apply to both types of studies (dual study programmes and studies with practice partners). These are described in detail on the website of the umbrella organisation hochschule dual.

In both dual study programmes and study programmes with a practice partner (two types of programme), there are two study models: the Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training) and the Studium mit vertiefter Praxis (academic study with intensive in-company training). For master degree programmes, only the Studium mit vertiefter Praxis is available.

The Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training) is only available on bachelor degree programmes. You can find all the essential information about the Verbundstudium on the website of the umbrella organisation hochschule dual.

Please note that Hochschule München offers different models of Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training) in the field of civil engineering. Further information can be found on the department’s website.

A degree programme with an academic study with intensive in-company training is available at both bachelor and master degree programmes. You can find all the essential information on degree programmes with an academic study with intensive in-company training for bachelor degree programmes here and for master degree programmes here.

You can find an overview of our current range of degree programmes here .

No. You will need to find a job with a company yourself. HM does not offer any job placement services in this regard.

You can find a list of companies that already collaborate with HM in the database of the umbrella organisation hochschule dual (for the cooperative study option in Bavaria).

There is also the possibility for a company to become a new cooperation partner of HM. Further information on this can be found here .

The application process can vary from one company to another. It is advisable to first contact a company – for example, one found via the website of the umbrella organisation hochschule dual (for the cooperative study option in Bavaria) – by telephone to discuss, amongst other things, the necessary application procedure (online or by post). Application deadlines may also vary. Ideally, if you are undertaking a Verbundstudium, you should submit an application to the company one year before the start of your training. For programmes with an intensive in-company training component, applications at short notice are also possible, provided there are still places available. With this study model, you should have found a practice partner by the end of the third semester at the latest.

You will not automatically be offered a place at HM; you must submit an application for a place and meet the entry requirements for the studies.

For programmes with Studium mit vertiefter Praxis (academic study with intensive in-company training) at Hochschule München, applications must be submitted for the semester in which you wish to commence your studies.

If you are following a Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), you should submit a separate application to Hochschule München for the winter semester in which you are due to start your vocational training (usually in the autumn).

Please be sure to note the following:

If, for example, you are due to start your vocational training in 2026/27, you should submit an application for a place at university between May 2nd and July 15th 2026. If you are offered a place, you will not be able to take it up; however, you will be entitled to priority admission in the 2027/2028 application round. For degree programmes with restricted admission, you must apply for deferral via your user account on Hochschulstart.de. Advance admission is only granted by the university from which you received your admission letter. To exercise your right to priority admission, you must reapply to Hochschule München between May 2nd and July 15th 2027, submitting all documents in the correct form and within the specified deadline. In addition to this application, you must upload your vocational training contract AND the contract of study for the Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), as well as your previous admission or deferral notice. The deferral notice is valid for one year. (It is generally only available for Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), the Federal Voluntary Year (FSJ), military service or the Federal Voluntary Service). By following this procedure, you and the company can be certain, should you be granted admission, that you will be able to start your studies without any issues after the first year of vocational training.

For degree programmes with no admission restrictions, please keep your admission letter safe; it is not possible to obtain a letter of deferral in such cases. In this case too, you must submit an application to Hochschule München with all the required documents, ensuring that your application is submitted in the correct form and within the deadline.

You can find all the key information about the application process at Hochschule München here .

Hochschule München enters into a cooperation agreement with the partner companies. Students must also sign a separate contract of study with the company. A template for this contract of study can be found on the hochschule dual (umbrella organisation for the cooperative study option in Bavaria) website.

In the case of a Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), a vocational training contract is also required; this is concluded between the company and the trainee and submitted to the relevant chamber, where it is registered. (Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and Chamber of Crafts (HWK) of the relevant districts, Chamber of Tax Advisers)

For a Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), the ‘vocational training contract AND contract of study’ must be submitted with the application.

For studies with an intensive in-company training component, a ‘contract of study (intensive in-company training component)’ for bachelor degree programmes may still be concluded up to the end of the third semester at the latest, so that the practical placement can begin during the break between the third and fourth semesters at the latest. This ensures that the required practical placement periods (can still be completed within the allotted timeframe.

Hochschule München does not require a cooperation agreement (between a company and the university) for your application to Hochschule München.

You can find an overview of the bachelor degree programmes that generally require a pre-study placement here.

In a Verbundstudium (academic study combined with vocational training), a pre-study work placement is never required, as vocational training usually begins one year before the studies start.

This may be the case for studies with an intensive in-company training component (academic study with intensive in-company training). If a pre-study placement is required, the company will generally expect a certain period of practical experience to have already taken place within the company before the start of the degree programme. Sometimes, this is what leads to the creation of a contract of study. For bachelor degree programmes, this contract of study can be submitted up to one year after enrolment, provided it is still to be valid for the winter semester for which the application to the HM was made. (The deadline for late submission for a summer semester also applies up to the time of enrolment.) This period of practical experience can be used for academic credit transfer as a pre-study placement, provided that it covers the required content for the pre-study placement.

Further information on this topic can be found on the website of the hochschule dual (umbrella organisation for the cooperative study option in Bavaria).