A new phase in life begins after you graduate from high school or a technical diploma: school graduates can embark on a course of study that corresponds to their wishes and abilities. Many people are still not entirely sure what they can study and how this is possible. Because there could also be a consideration of whether a classic full-time study or a dual study should be aimed at. The dual study is a mix of study and work, which is carried out at a company. Dual studies are also understood to mean, for example, if you are doing a bachelor’s degree and at the same time completing an apprenticeship as an industrial clerk.
So you are spoiled for choice as to which variant would be best for you. In order to have a clear picture of the advantages and disadvantages, they should be compared below.
Benefits of full-time study
The first advantage of a full-time study is the 100% concentration on the course content throughout the day or weeks. Sometimes there is even time that you could take additional subjects that interest you. There is so much time in some fields of study that you can also complete another course of study. The classic may often be philosophy, which is often included in this context. It is sometimes not only to be seen as a supplement, but as a change. Because if a subject such as mathematics or engineering is selected, such a subject with a completely different focus is good. However, this is not a must and of course voluntary. It is only intended as an example of how students can really focus on personal development in full-time studies. You would thus have the opportunity to delve much deeper into research questions with more time.
Another advantage is that a university career becomes more transparent for the students. You can find out if you might like a PhD position to earn a Ph.D. and even pursue a professorship later. If you later left higher education because you found an employer outside it, it is usually unlikely that you will come back because it seems more difficult and less attractive.
The advantage of studying full-time at a university or technical college is also the relative freedom to choose the right course for you. If you notice during the first semester that you don’t enjoy the subject and that something else is more suitable, you can switch much more easily. The financing should still be checked to see whether it remains stable. In case of doubt, it only means that you simply continue to do jobs on the side, as you have been used to doing so far.
Disadvantages of full-time study
So concentration can mostly have advantages. However, many companies see it as a disadvantage that students do not really learn what will later be needed in the company. Everything is a bit theoretical and the students have to be properly trained in their first job. Whether this is always an ethically correct reason or at least a pretended reason for companies to rely primarily on experienced professionals when hiring can certainly be discussed critically.
Strictly speaking, full-time studies are often not full-time studies. Because the question of financing can affect the availability of attending all lectures that would be important or at least enriching.
In principle, the course has 3 options for financing:
- parents
- BAföG
- student job
If the parents or the BAföG are the sponsors, students can really concentrate one hundred percent on their studies. You can get by with the BAföG if you live frugally. You are allowed to earn something extra, but you should observe the current upper limits. Otherwise this will be shortened afterwards. Sometimes the financing may be a mix of the above options. However, if the student has to earn significantly more from a student job, this takes away from the time needed for additional subjects or even better grades. It may therefore be the case that at least one or two semesters are added to improve the grades. Overall, there is a risk and this can be seen as a disadvantage that students who study full-time have to earn money on the side, need a lot of time for this work and may only be able to get a job and earn their first money up to a year later.
Advantage of a dual degree
The big advantage is mostly the close connection to the company in the dual study program. As a rule, the companies want to train the students so that they then stay and work in the company. This is the win-win relationship, so to speak, that you enter into together with this company.
In addition, you can easily finance your studies with it. So you don’t need to look for student jobs at the gas station, at the trade fair, in the hotel or with test surveys because the income is very adequate. So you no longer need to think about a part-time job.
The other important advantage is the practice that you learn in the company or in the departments that you go through in the dual study program. Only here will you notice and understand why and which topics of the theoretical part of the course you can and will really apply. Of course, that doesn’t protect you from letting the unimportant things shuffle around in the learning material. Because they will also be a topic in the exams. Rather, during your studies you will learn to think and act in ways that companies will appreciate and reward.
Disadvantage of dual studies
A major disadvantage for you may be that you are committed to a company where you complete the dual study program. If the superiors are nice, the colleagues are likeable and the topic is very interesting, then everything is fine. However, if one or more of the aspects just mentioned are negative, that’s pretty bad. Because the consortium of study and work cannot be changed that easily. Most of the time you just have to do it. At the same time, this clouds your view of whether the company is really the one you want to stay with after graduation.
A change due to the specialization is also difficult. A simple trial and error is therefore not possible with the dual study program. You have to know in advance whether you will enjoy the direction of your studies and your future job.
It should also not be concealed that the dual course of study requires a great deal of discipline. Because here it is stipulated that you really have to work while studying or, conversely, study. In addition, you are then to be regarded as an employee and must follow the rules of the company, the management level and possibly also a dress code. You have to get involved in the company from the very first moment so that you can continue to develop and make a career there in the future. So the pressure is much higher and already very real, which you are spared in full-time studies
Learning in full-time studies and in dual studies
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Conclusion on full-time studies and dual studies
The dual study program is very appealing because you don’t have to worry about financing your studies or a future employer. These are two essential advantages that weigh very deeply. The disadvantage could be that you find out in the course of the dual degree that you don’t like your company or the field of study. With the full-time course, on the other hand, you can still test out whether it is the ideal subject for you at all. In addition, you will have the opportunity to earn a doctorate and a professorship, especially in research-intensive subjects.
If you have a certain career plan in mind, you will already know which direction would be the better option for you. Should it be a career in a company or at university? If your career should definitely be in the company, the dual study program will be the option for you. However, if you are fundamentally undecided as to which career and which field of study suits you at all, you should rather start with a full-time degree.