Dual study program at the FHV

In a dual study program, professional activity in the form of firmly integrated practical phases at a partner company is a central component of the training. The advantages for students are obvious: perfect coordination of theory and practice, a regular income during their studies and excellent career prospects. But there are also good reasons for companies to become partners of a dual degree program. The 9th Dual Forum at the FHV showed the different perspectives and offered an opportunity for exchange.

Platform for exchange and knowledge transfer
Cooperation with local companies has been a tradition since the FHV was founded. As one of the strongest research universities of applied sciences in Austria, the close cooperation between science and practice is valuable for companies, students and the university.

"We have around 20 partner companies from a wide range of sectors on the Electronics and Information Technology dual degree program. Mondelez has been another exciting training company for our students since March," says Franz Geiger, Head of the Electronics and Information Technology dual degree program, who is delighted about the new partner company. "As part of our network meetings, we ensure a regular exchange between all participants, especially among the partner companies. This makes it possible to exploit synergies, for example in the supervision of students and final theses," Geiger continues.

Specialists and managers for the region
With the aim of training specialists and managers for the region, the further development of degree programmes at the FHV is geared equally towards the needs of students and the market. "Last summer, we adopted the new programme structure for Engineering and Management. In addition to the specializations in supply chain management and sustainable product management, there will be a new specialisation in digital construction and process management from autumn 2025. We have also strengthened the future topics of AI, robotics and leadership," says Karin Feurstein-Pichler, Head of the Bachelor's degree programme in Engineering and Management.

Students' perspectives
Students and alumni of both degree programmes also contributed their perspectives to the Dual Forum. Julia Köfler from Thuringia completed her industrial engineering degree in summer 2024. For her, the dual model was ideal for starting her career straight after graduating from high school, combined with an academic education. At her employer Liebherr, she had the opportunity to contribute her interdisciplinary knowledge and get to know various departments right from the start.

Intensive cooperation
How important it is to have a designated supervisor in the company was described by Katharina List, who is currently in her 6th semester of a dual degree in electronics and information technology. She is completing her practical phases at Omicron.

Claudia Feurstein, Recruiting and Employer Branding at Julius Blum in Höchst, also confirmed this principle and added: "The intensity of the cooperation in a dual study program enables companies and students to adapt to each other. Not only do we benefit from the different perspectives, but together we create a foundation for attractive development opportunities for specialists and managers directly within the company."

In this context, Geiger emphasized: "Of course, we support our partner companies in the best possible way when it comes to combining theory and practice. When it comes to final theses, it is also important to us to develop topics together with the students that offer the company real added value. However, it should not be underestimated that supervising and integrating dual students requires resources and time within the company." 

Dual study programs at the FHV
A dual study program is possible in two technical degree programmes at the FHV:

• Electronics and Information Technology dual: Graduates are accomplished engineers. They combine hardware and software to drive innovative technologies for automation, IoT and digitalization.
• Subject areas are: Smart production in industry, automation, renewable Energy or electromobility
• The bachelor's degree is offered exclusively as a dual study program.

Engineering and Management:

• Graduates combine technical expertise with business and management thinking and social skills.
• With strong communication skills, they optimize processes and promote progress and innovation within the company.
• There are both dual and part-time study places for this bachelor's degree. The dual model is ideal for prospective students without professional experience. For applications with initial technical training and relevant professional experience, there is also a part-time option.