The European Dual Studies University – EU4Dual is run by an alliance of higher education institutions working together with businesses in Europe.
Together, we’re shaping the future of higher education for a positive impact on society.
Dual education combines academic learning with hands-on experience through dual education. Students alternate between studying and working, giving them practical skills alongside academic knowledge.
It also links industry partnerships and joint research.
Dual education boosts employability, promotes regional growth, and tackles global challenges.
Our value chain shows the main processes, stakeholders, and impacts of the EU4Dual project.
It highlights how partner universities, industry partners, and students interact. It also shows the project’s broader impact on the environment, society, and education.
Special focus is on our Grand Challenges: Future of work, green economy, and healthy living. These themes shape the project’s goals and results.
At EU4Dual, we measure our impact across six key categories. Each category has specific dimensions that allow us to track our progress and success. These dimensions align with the impacts that European Universities Alliances aim to achieve.
We’ve successfully implemented the Dual Study Framework, which now guides curriculum design for 151 bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Our curricular scheme for joint masters incorporates digital credentialing and European competence frameworks.
Industry collaboration has strengthened, with companies like AVL participating in our joint dual master’s programmes. Interest in dual education has grown significantly, with 25 institutions supported in adopting this model.
Research partnerships between institutions and businesses have led to a 450% increase in joint research activity between partners. We’ve created flexible learning pathways and strengthened the European research community in dual education, with 250 attendees at our first conference.
We’ve enhanced professional development through networking, with 228 teachers joining our internal network of teachers and researchers. Staff participation in international weeks and mobilities has increased, with 85 staff exchanges within the Alliance.
Professors have aligned curricula with industry needs by collaborating more closely with industry partners. This has resulted in 100% of research projects involving external stakeholders.
We’ve increased mobility options, with 23% of students now experiencing mobility. Work-based learning opportunities have improved job placement rates, with 78% of dual graduates in DHBW and 82% in MU continuing work with the same company after graduation.
We’ve introduced real-world projects in curricula to help students develop practical skills, with 4,639 students involved in specific challenges. Our flexible learning options have allowed 1,197 students to benefit from micro-credentials.
Our dual studies programmes have enhanced work-readiness, with a 99% employment rate for DHBW graduates. We’ve increased the number of local business partners to 19,090, strengthening connections between academia and industry.
Our initiatives have driven the creation of 20 spin-offs, fostering economic growth through innovation and entrepreneurship.
We’ve supported regional socio-economic development through dual studies that increase student capacity and improve labour market integration. All our research programmes align with regional smart specialisation areas, enhancing economic impact.
As we continue to grow, we’re committed to expanding our impact across all six categories. We’re developing more dual programmes, creating additional mobility opportunities, and deepening our industry partnerships.
We’re working to establish dual studies as a core educational model in European higher education institutions. Our goal is to be recognised as a global leader in dual education and as a leading research network in this field.
Join us in shaping the future of education, work, and society through the power of dual learning.
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.
Social impact via the Grand Challenges
Grand Challenges R&D publications
Institutions with sustainability assessment
We’ve made progress in addressing Grand Challenges, with six research and development projects or publications related to these global issues. We’re preparing to launch our first dual master programmes focused on Grand Challenges in 2025, and three of our institutions now assess their sustainability efforts.