Dual Study Programme “Studium Plus” of the TH Mittelhessen after 10 Years Marius Klytta University of Applied Sciences TH Mittelhessen (Germany) [email protected]

Abstract — The paper describes the current state of the Dual Study offered since over ten years in the University of Applied The courses offered in the Studium Plus consist of 6 Sciences TH Mittelhessen (Land , Germany). This study semesters and lead to the international Bachelor´s degree form, called “Studium Plus”, created in cooperation with (B.Eng.). There are 4 Bachelor courses in the field of companies in the Middle Hesse region, has strong practical electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, economy and orientation. management. I. INTRODUCTION There are meanwhile also master courses in Process Since 2001 the University of Applied Sciences Management and System Engineering. The lectures take Mittelhessen (THM) offers unique Bachelor and Master place in , in other 4 centres of the Dual Study in Land programmes, the so called “Studium Plus ”. It was created as Hesse (, Bad Hersfeld, Bad Wildungen, result of cooperation between the THM and companies in the Frankenberg) and in . Land Hesse. Typical for this study is very strong practical The organizing structure of the Dual Study (Fig.2) shows orientation, which is achieved thanks to the special the partners acting in combination. The University THM acts “dovetailing” of study periods in the University with the by the Scientifical Center Dual Study . Its involved Faculties practical phases in the involved companies. The next chapters are: give short information about the draft of this study, its - Electrotechnics and Information Technology organization structure, the offered courses and of the present - Mechanical and Energy Technology experiences. - Economy and Management and - Social- und Culture-Sciences II. THE ORGANIZING STRUCTURE OF DUAL STUDY The participating companies, meanwhile more than 500 The management of the Studium Plus is located in Wetzlar. Hessian companies, are represented by the Competence The town Wetzlar is besides Giessen and Friedberg the third Center Dual Study (CCD). The companies secure scholar- location of the TH Mittelhessen (s. Fig. 1). ships for the students, periods of practical training and employment after the study. Important role plays also the Middle Hessian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

TH M i t t e l h e s s e n

L A N D

H E S S E Z D H (Scientifical Center „Dual Study“) O Wetzlar O Giessen

O Friedberg Curatorship STUDIUM Students PLUS

O FRANKFURT

C C D (Competence Center Dual Study)

C o m p a n i e s Fig. 1. The three locations of the University of Applied Sciences THM: Giessen, Friedberg as the centres of the conventionally studies and the town Fig. 2. The organizing structure of the THM Dual Study “Studium Plus” Wetzlar as the centre of the Dual Study

26

III. THE ORGANIZATION OF DUAL STUDY , ITS SUBJECTS , IV. FINANCIAL STRUCTURE AND THE LATEST STATISTICS COURSES AND SPECIALIZATIONS The expenses for companies are the tuition, which are 250 € The study preconditions are similar to those in the other per month and student in Bachelor course and 350 € per study forms, nonetheless the students of the Dual Study month and student in Master course, as well as the monthly obtain scholarship from companies, i.e. they are also chosen salary compensation for students (typical at least 500-600 €). by companies. After this “nomination”, the students can be Apart from the so called semester fee (now ~175€) there is matriculated in the wished courses. no additional tuition for students. Before the study there is a preliminary practice of 3 month The table below shows the beginner numbers in the in the sponsoring company. The students do also shorter Bachelor courses in the chosen semesters during the last ten internships after each semester, with typical duration of 6 years. weeks. TABLE I The lessons take place in relative small groups of 15 DEVELOPMENT OF STUDENT NUMBER IN THE DUAL STUDY persons. It makes possible almost individual students monitoring and secure high study quality. The fifth Semester is devoted to a project work, which is Student number in first year selectively carried out in the company. It is the most intensive WS 2003/04 WS 2009/10 WS 2012/13 form of combining of theory and praxis, with both sides care, from the university and from the company side. Business 37 102 170 The last, i.e. the sixth semester is for the Bachelor finish Administration work. The Dual Study offers following Bachelor courses, Engineering 18 40 133 specializations and degrees: Business Admin. 23 43 61 • Business Administration and Engineering Business Process - Small and Medium Size Bus. Management - - Logistics Management Management 49 45 - Business Informatics First year - Facility Management 78 234 432 students total - Health Insurance Management Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) • Industrial Engineering Students total 186 586 1.025 - Mechanical Engineering - Electrical Engineering Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) The Dual Study had till now about 2.200 participants and • Engineering more than 1.000 graduates. The study efficiency reaches 96%, - Microsystems Technology i.e. only 4% of the beginners don’t finish this study. - Mechanical Engineering - Electrical Engineering CONCLUSIONS - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Techn. The Dual Study of the University of Applied Sciences THM - Molding develops continuously both in view of course number as with Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) regard to student number. No wonder, when one considers the • Organization Management in Health Care clear advantages for the students and for the companies. Degree: Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) The students profit from : - practical oriented study, thanks to the permanent The offered Master courses with specializations and dovetailing of theory and praxis degrees: - learning in small student groups • Process Management - imparting of important interface competences - Business Process Management - favourable financial support during the study - Technical Processes - employment guarantee after the study and therefore very Degree: Master of Science (M.Sc.) good career prospects • Systems Engineering The advantages for companies are : - Mechanical Engineering - young, motivated and practical oriented qualified - Electrical Engineering employee and future executives Degree: Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) - employees with strong ties and identification with the company Besides the professional skills the study imparts also social - influence on the course contents and this way education skills. These are among others: working methods, creativity according to company requirements techniques, motivation techniques, presentation techniques, - quick employment after the study, without long training time management and such further useful qualifications as IT- period competence, professional English or project management. These interface competences are considered as not less The up to now experiences with this study form are very important than professional qualification. positive - there is a really requirement for such study form.

27