Double Degree Social Work (Bachelor)

You are a regular student in the Bachelor’s program of Social Work (full-time or part-time) and have already completed the first two semesters. There is no need of a minimum number of ECTS credits that you must have already completed and there are no language requirements. The precondition is continuous participation in the DDP study modules, which build on each other, as well as an interest in cooperation and exchange in the international student group, even alongside formal studies.

There is an information event every summer semester offered by the program coordinators at TH Köln. Here you will receive detailed information about the program and can get answers to all questions about the double degree program.

Students acquire 120 ECTS at their own university and 60 ECTS at the partner university.

Over the course of four semesters, DDP students from both universities take part in joint courses that are offered specifically for this group. The aim is to enable students to get to know each other intensively and to exchange ideas. These joint teaching units are held in the form of block courses at one of the two partner universities (or as an excursion to a third location). Students do not attend a complete semester exclusively at the partner university; rather, modules must be attended in the form of block courses at both universities in all semesters (see overview).

In some modules, the courses of the partner university are attended together with the regular students, this is the case for the Carinthia students in study module 5 (Law).

Registration for the DDP takes place in the second semester, the program starts in the autumn of the third semester with an international week. This usually takes place at Campus Feldkirchen of Carinthia University of Applied Sciences and gives students from both universities the opportunity to get to know each other.

The first international block week replaces the study module 10.1 in the Bachelor of Social Work for the Cologne students. The practical phase (modules 11 and 12) follows in the 4th/5th semester, which is accompanied by lecturers from Carinthia and Cologne in terms of subject theory and supervision. To evaluate the practical phase, the students from both universities meet for a second international block week in October of the same year at TH Köln.

After the information event, written applications can be submitted to Dr. Roller by May 30 each year. To do so, you have to send her a letter of motivation of no more than three pages via email, in which you explain your interest in the program, how it will affect your course of study and what you hope it will do for your future career prospects. Please state your date of birth, your current address, matriculation number and use your TH Köln smail address in your application.

At the beginning of the program, a Learning Agreement will be signed, in which the course attendance at the partner university and the recognition at the home university are specified.

The examination results are documented at both universities. Registration for the joint DDP courses (block weeks) is not required. For the module examinations, the practical phases and the final thesis, the respective valid administrative proceedings of the universities must be used.

Since in Germany state recognition is linked to practical studies, students from both countries must fulfil the necessary requirements according to the SobAG NRW (Sozialberufe Anerkennungsgesetz NRW). This is organised by the Praxisreferat of TH Köln.

Students write their Bachelor's thesis/final paper at the respective partner university. The reviewers should come from both universities, whereby the first reviewers should be colleagues from the partner university.

Registration for the Bachelor's thesis takes place at the partner university when the student has completed at least 120 ECTS at the home university. As a rule, you hand in the BA thesis in May (at the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences, registration deadlines must be observed); an extension is possible upon application.

You acquire a professional qualification at the TH Köln in Germany and at CUAS in Austria. This enables you to pursue a professional career in both countries. Both German and Austrian students obtain state recognition as social workers/social pedagogues for Germany. Participation in the DDP does not exclude a semester abroad (university or practical studies) in a third country.

Semester fees (or semester contributions) are charged for the duration of the DDP studies at both universities. The costs for accommodation and other travel expenses within the framework of the obligatory excursions are largely covered by the respective higher education institution; however, students must finance a personal contribution by themselves.