Part-time study – what options are there?

There are many different reasons why students are not able to study full-time. For many students, only part-time study is an option for personal, professional or financial reasons. We show you which options are available and what the biggest differences are compared to full-time studies.

 

 

Part-time studies

In order to give as many students as possible access to an academic degree, it has been possible for some time to study part-time. Part-time studies can be completed while having a family and a job. Part-time study at a university means extending a full-time course of study by a maximum of twice the number of semesters. The standard period of study is extended and only half of the normally scheduled work must be completed per semester. A bachelor's degree, which lasts 6 semesters as a full-time program, can last between 8 and 12 semesters as a part-time program.

Advantages and disadvantages of part-time studies

It happens again and again that a study is begun in full time and is continued by a change of the life situation as a part time study. You can submit a corresponding application to your university in which you explain the reasons why you cannot continue your studies in the full-time variant.

Quick Tip:

Remember to inform the BAfoG office and your health insurance company if you change to part-time studies.

In the meantime, almost all state universities offer their courses of study as part-time studies. Just ask around!

Part-time study

As the name suggests, a part-time study program is completed in addition to your job. The course of study and the profession pursued do not have to be related to each other. In this way, it is possible to continue to be financially independent and to obtain an academic degree at the same time. As a rule, you study about 15 to 20 hours per week.
With a part-time study you have the opportunity to learn new skills, which will give you better opportunities for advancement and earnings in your profession or even completely reorient yourself professionally. You pursue your studies separately from your job and are completely free in the choice of your course of study.

Dual study

In a dual study program, a mostly very theoretical study program is combined with a practical activity in a fixed training company. You do not count as gainfully employed at this point. With a dual study program, you have to look for a place in a company that will be your practice location in addition to your place of study. With a dual study program, you have fixed practical days in a selected company in addition to the traditional lectures and seminars at the university. The practice location and the course of study should match in terms of content in this case.

For whom is a part-time study useful?

Most male and female students complete their studies full-time. Of course, this has the advantage that you have your bachelor's degree in your pocket after 3 years, if everything goes smoothly.
For those who can't find the time, part-time study can make sense. We have compiled a list of reasons that may speak in favor of part-time studies:

Money, money, money

Every course of study involves costs. This includes not only the costs for the university, such as tuition fees, semester fees or expenses for teaching materials, but also living costs. In addition to full-time studies, it is only possible to have a part-time job to a limited extent, so the income is not excessive either. Therefore, financial reasons can be a reason for part-time study.

Health reasons

If you have an illness or physical limitation that does not allow you to study full-time, you do not have to give up studying altogether, but can study part-time.

Child care, care for family members in need of care

Part-time study offers you a flexible alternative, even if you have children or family members to care for.

For information on part-time studies and what specific procedures and offers there are in this regard, please contact the respective colleges and universities.