13. January 2025
5 Minutes
Linus Kretzschmar

Stress-free through a dual study program

A dual study program is much more demanding than a regular degree program—at least, that's what many students think. They worry about a higher workload, more pressure, and less free time with this type of study. But is that really true? We asked our student Linus Kretzschmar about this. He shares his experiences from his first year of studying Business Informatics at the University of Applied Sciences Saxony in Glauchau and working at our Chemnitz office.

You’ve completed your first year as a student in the dual study program for Business Informatics. Can you first tell us how a dual study program is structured?

Linus: Hello! Essentially, a dual study program like the one at the University of Applied Sciences Saxony in Glauchau* is divided into practical and theoretical phases. Each semester starts with a two or three-month theory phase at the university, during which new content and knowledge are taught. Each theory phase ends with an examination. Afterward, the practical phase begins, which for me takes place at Arineo. Here, I contribute to existing client projects and actively participate in work processes. Typically, the theory and practice phases are about the same length, but there are also longer practical phases of up to seven months. Often, during these phases, there are assignments from the university, such as preparing practice transfer reports. This provides valuable experience for working on the subsequent bachelor’s thesis.

How are the theory phases structured? What courses do you take?

Linus: Unfortunately, I can’t compare it to a regular degree program, but I would liken the structure to high school. Each week has a fixed course schedule, with classes running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The end times vary frequently, and each weekly schedule differs from the last. The course topics vary by semester, depending on the chosen program. For me, the focus was on gaining initial insights into computer science, including theoretical computer science, working methods, project management, and computer architecture. These were supplemented by business-related courses such as business administration, company insights, business English, and programming.

What does the training in the company look like? What tasks have you taken on so far?

Linus: The training at the company is very varied and practical and differs significantly from the theoretical phases at the vocational academy. To begin with, I was gradually introduced to the different areas to develop a basic understanding of the processes and systems within the company. I was then able to gradually get involved in working on customer projects. So far, I have taken on tasks in software development, such as testing and configuring applications, as well as supporting the implementation of new IT solutions, such as data cleansing, connecting interface solutions, or smaller tasks to optimize client systems.

Can you apply your theoretical knowledge to your work in the company, and if so, how?

Linus: Yes and no. Many topics are very theoretical and are somewhat generalized at the University of Applied Sciences Saxony, making it more challenging to match the specific area in which the company operates directly. However, general working practices or methods for working on IT projects are applicable and were also covered at the university. There are always topics that are dealt with in both phases. Overall, the theory phase provides a broad overview, while the practical phase offers more specific, in-depth content.

And now for the big question: how strenuous is the dual study program? Do you have enough time for your personal life, or do you find it particularly stressful?

Linus: I definitely have enough time for my personal life. This probably also depends on your learning and comprehension style, i.e., how quickly you can absorb content and apply it in exams. But as long as you show motivation and invest time in both the vocational academy and the company while actively engaging with the material, it’s entirely possible to have enough time for personal activities.

Are the transitions between theory and practice phases very demanding?

Linus: No, I wouldn’t say that they’re demanding. On the contrary, for me, it’s rather refreshing to switch every two to three months. This keeps things from becoming monotonous, and you always get to see different faces.

Looking back on your first year, have your expectations for combining theory and practice been met?

Linus: I actually expected it to be more stressful. I imagined the dual workload would be much heavier, and since the demands are high in both the academic and training aspects, I anticipated a lot of pressure. Looking back, I’m pleasantly surprised at how well the two areas complement each other. The apprenticeship’s practical phases helped me better understand and apply theoretical content from my studies. At the same time, my studies often opened up new perspectives for me, which I could use directly in practice. Of course, there were also challenging phases, especially when exams and major projects coincided. Overall, the combination of studying and training has been enriching and motivating – definitely the right decision.

What advice would you give to students considering a dual study program? What skills should they have?

Linus: I think there should be a certain basic willingness to sit down and study. Simply attending classes might not be enough to grasp the necessary content. You should be eager to actively participate and be sure that you’re genuinely interested in the subject area. And if you enjoy learning and find it easy to retain information, that’s a nice bonus.

*The BA Saxony will become the Dual University Saxony. This transition offers students and practical partners numerous new opportunities and advantages. With enhanced dual-quality teaching and academic recognition for bachelor’s and diploma degrees, the Dual University Saxony remains a premier institution for market-oriented studies with practical relevance. Source: Dual University Saxony: BA Saxony will become DHSN

Find out more about a dual study program at Arineo