Cooperative studying - get the best of both worlds 

Cooperative education: a synergy of theory and practice

Your practical partner (in other words, a company) will teach you the technical principles, as well as how to apply the theoretical knowledge learnt on university courses in your own projects and daily work. Through your theoretical partner, in other words a university or vocational school, you'll learn the basics of theory. Learning content and work assignments will complement each other as much as possible so that theory is reinforced by being put into practice to make sure it sticks on a long-term basis.

A cooperative study programme involves a mix of theory and practice. In some cases, students will complete a practical stage (in a company) which may last up to 18 months before even starting their academic programme. Schedules can be very different as every partner will organise their cooperative study programme to meet their own individual needs.

Generally speaking, there are two styles of scheduling:

• Block style: students spend time at the university and company in blocks of weeks or months.
• Week style: student split their week by spending some days at the university and some days at the company.

Cooperative study programme with apprenticeship (degree course + vocational training):

Students will complete a degree course at a university in Rhineland-Palatinate whilst also undertaking vocational training

Qualification: university Bachelor's degree and vocational qualification for a recognised vocational profession.

Cooperative study programme with work experience (degree course + intensive practice stages):

Students will complete a degree course at a university in Rhineland-Palatinate and apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during intensive practice stages.

Qualification: university Bachelor's degree