Dual Study program

Rebecca:
“For me, a decisive factor was that I wanted to study at a university rather than a university of applied sciences. At BENTELER, you also have the opportunity to continue directly to a Master’s degree. At the same time, you remain flexible if you prefer to enter the workforce straight after your Bachelor’s degree.”

Thore:
“A very clear difference compared to other dual study programs is that the combined study program at BENTELER includes a full vocational qualification with an IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce) certificate. In the end, you don’t just graduate from university, but also gain solid practical training.”

Franziska:
“That gives you an excellent foundation, because you don’t just know things theoretically—you really understand how they work in practice.”

Rebecca:
“I found it very convenient that the practical year only begins after four semesters and not before the start of the program. That way, I was able to get to know the academic side first while already gaining some practical insights and quickly realized that it was the right choice for me.”

Thore:
“The practical year then gave me the opportunity, alongside theoretical knowledge, to gain insights into real processes and better understand how the company operates.”

Rebecca:
“A huge advantage for me was the opportunity to spend three months abroad during the practical year.”

Franziska:
“Especially because BENTELER operates internationally, this gives you real insight into global collaboration even while you’re still studying.”

Franziska:
“What stood out most to me was the sense of community within our combined study group. We attended lectures together, studied for exams together, and also spent a lot of time together privately, which led to strong friendships.”

Rebecca:
“Through the preliminary internship at the training center, we already knew each other before the first semester. That made starting our studies so much easier because you’re not on your own.”

Thore:
“For me, this sense of community continues to this day. These connections helped me tremendously during my studies and made the whole experience much more meaningful on a personal level.”

Rebecca:
“Another highlight for me was getting to know so many different areas of the company. By the end of my studies, I had a very clear idea of where I wanted to go professionally.”

Franziska:
“Whether you prefer to work close to production or in more strategic roles—you really get the chance to explore different areas and figure out what suits you best.”

Thore:
“I wrote my thesis and later my Master’s thesis in my desired department, Manufacturing Engineering. That meant I already knew the team and the processes very well, so I could start working right away. Today, I mainly work in the field of digital transformation, focusing on how we can use artificial intelligence to make our company’s processes more efficient and identify and implement value-adding use cases.”

Franziska:
“I also entered my current field—Strategy and Sustainability—through my Master’s thesis. That way, I already knew that the area was a perfect fit for me both professionally and personally. For example, I work on preparing sustainability reports for BENTELER, reviewing sustainability KPIs, and coordinating and supporting social and ethical audits at various sites.”

Rebecca:
“I wrote my Master’s thesis in the Operational Transformation department, so the transition from studies to my job was seamless and very smooth. Today, I work as a project engineer on several topics and projects simultaneously. I work extensively with Microsoft tools—for example, I have developed SharePoint websites and apps for various use cases and supported the implementation of new shift planning software.”