The European Dual Studies University – EU4Dual has defined Dual education clearly.
The Dual Study Model is a specific type of Higher Education. It combines academic learning with practical work experience. This model relies on collaboration and shared commitments in learning, teaching, and quality assurance.
Key characteristics:
Dual education serves to:
The “world of work” includes all enterprises, civil society organisations and the public sector.
Integration means:
Dual Study Programmes combine academic learning with workplace experience. We integrate theoretical knowledge from universities with practical skills from companies.
Theory and practice phases are carefully coordinated
Written agreements between universities and employers
Both academic and workplace learning are quality-assured
Graduates earn fully accredited degrees
All parties (student, university, employer) share responsibility for success
Today’s universities face changing expectations. Beyond foundational knowledge, there is growing demand for application-oriented learning and greater engagement with society. This reflects the “Third Mission” of universities – contributing to technology transfer, skills development and solving societal challenges.
Dual Higher Education directly addresses these expectations by:
The EU4Dual Alliance is developing Dual Higher Education as a relevant and successful component of modern Higher Education across Europe.
We’re creating a new path for higher education—one that connects learning and working, people and places, ideas and action. Together, we can shape a brighter future for Europe and beyond.
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This website reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
