THE LARGEST NETWORK FOR DUAL STUDIES

• There are more first semester students in dual studies at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) than ever before: over 75 percent more than a year ago.
• Companies are increasingly showing interest and, as industry partners, are now forming the largest educational network for dual studies in Germany together with IU.
• New study programmes and locations are one reason for the growth, above all the virtual campus, which makes dual study possible everywhere.

Erfurt, October 8, 2021 - The winter semester at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is starting with a record: more than 7,000 first-year students are starting their dual studies at the university. That's over 75 percent more than a year ago. The number of partner companies is also on the rise: With currently close to 10,500 industry partners, IU now offers the largest educational network for dual studies in Germany.

 In addition to the continuing high demand for the Social Work, Media Design, Marketing and Tourism Management degree programmes, IU's growth can be attributed to new offerings: Technical degree programmes such as Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Industrial Engineering are attracting great interest. New locations offer the opportunity to study throughout Germany, whether in metropolises such as Munich and Berlin or smaller cities such as Freiburg and Lübeck. IU currently boasts a total of 28 locations and, with Dresden and Duisburg, is now represented in all major German cities. IU's virtual campus has a special significance: students can work at a location of their choice and complete the theoretical part digitally. This way, IU makes it possible to really study dual studies anywhere in Germany and, as industry partners, to employ dual students.

 "Anyone traveling through Germany now meets a dual student from IU International University of Applied Sciences almost everywhere. More and more companies are benefiting from training new specialists and future managers. And students appreciate not only getting a theoretical education, but also applying their knowledge in practice," says Prof. Dr. Patrick Geus, Prorector for dual studies at IU.

A dual study programme offers academic higher education and practical experience in one. Students rotate between an industry partner and campus at short intervals. A company is considered a practical partner if it employs at least one dual student. There are currently around 16,000 dual students at IU. The university helps companies to recruit students for their business and students to find a partner for their practical experience.

ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 
With over 75,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognized educational institution brings together more than 200 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes under its roof, which are offered in German or English. Students can choose between on-campus study, dual study, distance learning and flexible combination models and thus shape their studies in a self-determined way. IU began operations in 2000 and is now represented in 28 German cities. It cooperates with over 10,000 companies and actively supports them in employee development. Its partners include Motel One, VW Financial Services and Deutsche Bahn. Further information at: www.iu.de