In the past, part-time degree programmes were mainly offered to people in employment - either integrated or part-time. Nowadays, more and more people are taking advantage of the opportunity to study an undergraduate degree programme part-time in order to fulfil other private commitments.
The higher education legislation of individual federal states now includes provisions that allow undergraduate degree programmes to be completed alongside part-time employment or caring responsibilities (e.g. looking after children or the sick). In addition, there are two forms of part-time study that make it possible to combine work and academic study: work-integrated and extra-occupational study programmes.
Career-integrated study programme
Foto: Bundesagentur für Arbeit
In a career-integrated study programme (sometimes also referred to as a ‘dual study programme’), the professional activity is usually combined with a subject-related part-time study programme, which is taken on a daily basis or in longer blocks. The professional activity with all its tasks and requirements is an integral part of the degree programme. It is usually a further qualification, such as a Master's degree programme, for which working hours are reduced in agreement with the employer. You need the support of your employer for this model. The release of students from work for their studies is agreed in cooperation agreements between students and companies and sometimes also with the university.
Depending on the study and work components, the duration of the programme usually varies between eight and eleven semesters until the Bachelor's degree. In the fields of business administration, engineering, nursing/healthcare and social work in particular, integrated degree programmes are predominantly offered by universities of applied sciences or dual universities. They are fully-fledged degree courses and differ from conventional degree courses only in the way they are organised. The degrees correspond to those in full-time degree programmes and are equivalent.
Extra-occupational study programme
Working and studying can also be combined in a extra-occupational study programme. It is completed alongside the professional activity, but does not have to be related to the subject. In this case, it is entirely up to the student to reconcile work and study. Part-time degree programmes typically involve a high proportion of e-learning as well as selected face-to-face courses, mainly in the evenings, at weekends or in longer blocks. Credits from vocational training and practical experience can be credited to the degree programme if necessary. This form of part-time study is also ideal for combining education and caring for relatives with studying.
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The universities' student advice centres will be happy to provide you with information on which of their degree programmes can be completed as a part-time or part-time degree course.
Please note that part-time study programmes are not eligible for BAföG funding.
