Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) Heidenheim

Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (known in Germany as the DHBW) is the first higher education institution in Germany to integrate academic studies with workplace training. Founded in March, 2009, DHBW traces its roots back to the Berufsakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg which was founded in 1974. It took only a few years for the institution to grow in size, complexity and importance. At present there are 10 campuses spread out over the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg with roughly 35,000 students and about 9,000 co-operating companies.

The University of Cooperative Education expanded much faster than anticipated by the planners. The increasing number of students reflects the growing demand for junior staff with a practice-oriented educational background in business, industry and social institutions.

The typical employer will offer a traineeship to the student with the firm intention of ultimately taking the successful graduate into permanent employment. In fact, almost 85% of our graduates already have a work contract when they take their final exams.