Universities of cooperative education
Universities of cooperative education (UCE) are state-approved educational institutions which have a special position next to the normal universities. The courses take three years, in which theoretical and practical learning alternate. That means that a period of university is followed by a period of practical education in a company which is the educational partner of the UCE.
The degree you receive at a UCE used to be a UCE diploma. But in the meantime several UCEs offer the opportunity of dual studies with the bachelor's degree. There are state UCEs in the provinces Baden Württemberg, Sachsen, Berlin and Thüringen; in Hessen, Niedersachsen, Hamburg, Schleswig-Holstein and Saarland they are financed by private investors. A list of the cooperation partners from the corporate sector is usually available from course guidance at the UCE. The course can only be attended by those who already have a corporate sponsorship.