Dual studies in different cultural contexts: The work-study model in Germany and its applicability to China

ABSTRACT

This paper, based on data collected from questionnaires distributed among German students and from interviews with university professors and contacts in cooperating companies in both Germany and China, evaluates dual studies in Germany and their applicability to China. The study finds that most students are satisfied with the theory phase and the practical phase. Practical experience and grants from companies are mentioned as important advantages of dual studies. In addition, expert interviews carried out in Germany show that students acquire both professional knowledge and occupational skills in the course of their dual studies. Interviews with Chinese experts point to the fact that the German model of dual studies could be applicable to China. Therefore, dual studies at Chinese application-oriented universities which interlink theory with practice and offer both a Bachelor’s degree and a professional qualification in 3- to 4-year programmes could be an attractive alternative for Chinese students.

KEYWORDS:

• Dual studies
• higher education
• Germany
• applicability
• China

Acknowledgments

The author would like to extend his gratitude to the foundation and Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University. Thanks also go to the anonymous reviewers for their invaluable comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Young Research Foundation of the Ministry of Education of the 13th Five-year Plan of National Science of Education (Grant No. EJA170451) in China.

Notes on contributors

Ye Zhang

Ye Zhang is a research assistant professor at Shanghai Polytechnic University, and a member of several academic associations. She has published widely on comparative education and higher education and undertaken several research projects sponsored by different institutions. She received her PhD degree in Pedagogy from University of Munich, School of Psychology and Education, Munich, Germany.

Bernhard Schmidt-Hertha

Bernhard Schmidt-Hertha is a full professor for educational research with a focus on vocational continuing education and higher education at University of Tübingen, Germany. His research areas are learning in later life, informal learning, and quality of higher education. He has published many books and articles in national and international journals. He also published a large number of articles in edited books.