Dual study program in agriculture

The dual study program in agriculture combines agricultural training with a bachelor's degree in organic farming. This allows you to combine theory and practice.

The dual study program is an investment that enables you to work in practical agriculture or close to it later on. In addition, the total training period (at least two years of apprenticeship, three years of bachelor studies) can be shortened to approx. four and a half years. This is a cooperation between the Department of Ecological Agricultural Sciences at the University of Kassel and the Landesbetrieb Landwirtschaft Hessen.

Application to study: After this training year, apply in August for the winter semester for the Bachelor's degree course in Organic Agriculture (via the ecampus portal of the University of Kassel). In the ecampus portal, you will be asked to indicate whether you are a dual student and have the opportunity to upload the relevant documents (e.g. training contract).

Vocational training and final examination in another federal state:
► Consultation with the responsible office for agricultural training in this federal state required
► Information to the study coordination in Witzenhausen

After your second semester of specialized study, you will complete a second one-year vocational training program at a recognized training company in Hesse. During the second phase of training, you will once again be employed by the company as an Apprentice. You may remain enrolled at the same time or withdraw from the program for this period. In total, you must demonstrate at least 24 months of vocational training, with the exam date (final exam) allowed to fall no more than two months before the end of the training period. The requirements for admission to the final vocational exam are:

• Training at state-recognized training companies,
• Training contracts registered with the competent vocational training authority, Proof of successful completion of the training
• Maintenance of a training logbook
• Participation in inter-company training and the intermediate examination.

According to the Hessian School Act, students in the dual study program are eligible to attend vocational school during the second practical phase but are not required to do so. Participation in the inter-company training courses is mandatory. If the scheduled course dates fall outside your practical training hours, you must arrange alternative dates well in advance.

After completing the training period, you will re-enroll as a student in the Bachelor’s program in Ecological Agriculture and continue your studies. The duration of the training and the grade on the final exam will be credited toward the professional internship in the Bachelor’s program.
If you plan to complete the second training period and the final exam in another federal state, please consult immediately with the relevant vocational training authority in that state. In addition, please inform the academic coordination office in Witzenhausen immediately.