Getting an education is a key stage in everyone's life. For many students, it is important to be able to combine work and study. This is exactly what the dual form of education offers.
Dual education is literally a dual form of education that allows higher education students to study full-time and work in their speciality in an organisation or enterprise, as well as to complete an on-the-job training. This is possible thanks to a specially designed schedule of individual classes.
What does the dual form of education offer?
Dual education provides students with a unique opportunity to study full-time at a higher education institution and gain practical experience while working in a company in their field of study. It is an opportunity for students to learn from professionals. This form of study allows them to acquire and master practical skills and consolidate their knowledge. It is an opportunity to gain valuable experience for your future career.
How does the transition to the dual form of education work?
The process of switching to the dual form of education takes place in several stages.
- Choosing an enterprise.
A higher education applicant selects an enterprise or organisation where he or she will undertake an internship and work in the process of dual study.
- Appeal to the dean.
The student must apply to the head of the department and agree on the chosen enterprise and the expected position for dual education.
- Submission of the application.
The student must submit an application for transfer to the dual form of study to the dean of the faculty or director of the higher education institution, or their deputies. It is mandatory to first agree on the possibility of studying in the dual form with the management of the chosen enterprise.
- Conclusion of the contract.
If approved, the higher education student must conclude a trilateral agreement with the university and the organisation or enterprise on further dual enrolment.
Components of the trilateral agreement
- Individual study plan of a higher education student;
- Schedule of individual classes;
- Internship programme at the enterprise.
Schedule of individual classes
In the case of dual study, the student is given an individual class schedule, which includes the study of all topics of the disciplines provided for in the curriculum not only at the university but also at the enterprise. Some laboratory and practical classes may take place at work – in the laboratories and departments of an enterprise or organisation under the supervision of a tutor or employer representatives.
Formats of classes in the dual form of study
- Block. Study hours are distributed between the university and the company in blocks. During a semester, a student spends some time studying at the university and the rest of the time working and studying at the enterprise.
- Split week. Several days a week, the student studies at the university, and the rest of the week - at the company.
The student's supervisor, appointed by the graduating department, controls the implementation of the academic process schedule.
Session and defence of qualification works
As in the regular form of study, students in the dual form of study take exams and tests at the university after completing the theoretical course and fulfilling the individual plan in full.
Qualification papers and projects, such as term papers and theses, are defended at the university. Representatives of the company can be invited to the defence.
Upon completion of the dual degree programme, a student may be awarded a professional qualification at an enterprise.
Advantages of the dual form of study
- Combining study and work;
- Parallel training by qualified specialists and teachers;
- Involvement of company specialists in teaching activities;
- Professional contacts;
- Taking into account specific requirements of enterprises regarding the content and quality of vocational education;
- Financial support;
- Gaining theoretical and practical professional skills;
- Adaptation to the labour market.
Dual education combines theoretical training at an educational institution with practical training at enterprises, which provides a more effective and balanced approach to training future professionals.
The dual form of study gives students the opportunity not only to attend full-time classes at the university, work and do internships at the company, but also to receive a salary, as work at the company is carried out on the basis of an employment contract. There are also cases when companies pay for students to study for a master's degree in a dual form.
