What Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Heidenheim does

Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg (DHBW) Heidenheim is a public dual university headquartered at Marienstraße 20, 89518 Heidenheim, Germany, and is the only dual state university in the Heidenheim, Aalen, and Ulm region. It operates under the supervision of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry for Science, Research and Art as a rechtsfähige Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts, with no parent company and no commercial ownership. The institution serves approximately 2,400 students across 26 study directions in four faculties (Business, Technology, Social Work, and Health), producing 727 graduates in 2025 and collaborating with 900+ corporate dual partners including Voith, Bosch, ZF, Carl Zeiss, Airbus, and Wacker Chemie.

The core product is the dual study model (Duales Studium), which integrates academic instruction at the Heidenheim campus with alternating practical phases at partner companies over six semesters. Students earn a monthly salary from their dual partner during work phases, graduate with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Engineering plus three years of professional experience, and benefit from small class sizes (rarely more than 30 students), industry-experienced faculty, and an international exchange network spanning 50+ partner universities in 35 countries. The technology stack is standard academic infrastructure: Dualis for grade management, Moodle for learning management, TYPO3 for the website, Matomo for analytics, EBSCO for library research, and the proprietary MathX³ online self-assessment tool.

The revenue model is direct public funding from the state of Baden-Württemberg with no tuition fees charged, supplemented by student compensation flowing from dual partner companies to students (not to the university). Distribution occurs through a hybrid model: students apply to companies via the searchable dual partner database, companies reserve study places, and the university delivers instruction. Additional revenue-side channels include the Förderverein support association, sponsored research via the applied research and transfer program, and partnerships with regional industry ranging from global enterprises to mid-market firms. International, research, and health program expansion (including a deepening cooperation with Kliniken Landkreis Heidenheim) are the most active strategic frontiers.

Name

Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Heidenheim

Legal name

Duale Hochschule Baden-Württemberg

Website

https://heidenheim.dhbw.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

DHBW Heidenheim is a public dual university in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, offering over 20 bachelor programs across Business, Technology, Social Work, and Health faculties to approximately 2,400 students through 900+ corporate dual partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

akta.pro primary industry

Cooperative Education (Co-op) Technical Universities (EDAHAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dual/Joint Degree Programs (International) (EDAIABAD)

Keywords

• Dual higher education
• Cooperative university programs
• Vocational bachelor programs
• Engineering education programs
• Academic industry partnerships

Headquarters

HQ city

Heidenheim an der Brenz, Baden-Württemberg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Public Higher Education Funding: DHBW Heidenheim is a public university funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg through the Ministry for Science, Research and Art (Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschung und Kunst Baden-Württemberg). As a government institution, it operates under public law as a rechtsfähige Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts.
2. Student Compensation from Dual Partners: Students receive monthly compensation/salary from their dual partner companies during their studies. This is a distinctive feature of the dual study model where companies pay students for their work periods, making students financially independent during their 3-year studies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

DHBW Heidenheim is a public dual higher education institution delivering the cooperative (duales) study model in the Heidenheim, Aalen, and Ulm region. It offers more than 20 Bachelor's degree programs across four faculties — Business, Engineering, Social Work, and Health — together with Master's programs, alternating theory phases at the Heidenheim campus with paid practice phases at approximately 900 partner companies. Students graduate with a bachelor-level degree and three years of integrated professional experience while receiving a monthly salary from their dual partner.

Product overview

DHBW Heidenheim is a dual university offering integrated theoretical and practical higher education. The institution provides over 20 Bachelor programs and Master programs across four faculties (Business, Technology, Social Work, and Health). The core product is the dual study model (Duales Studium), which combines academic lectures at the Heidenheim campus with practical work experience at approximately 900 partner companies. Key programs include Maschinenbau (Mechanical Engineering) and Mechatronik (Mechatronics) leading to Bachelor of Engineering degrees. Supporting services include the MathX³ online math assessment tool, international exchange with 50+ partner universities, research and transfer projects, library services via EBSCO, learning management via Moodle, and family-friendly university support. Students earn monthly salaries while gaining professional experience, with typical programs lasting six semesters for bachelor's degrees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor Programs (Bachelor-Studiengänge) Over 20 undergraduate dual study programs across four faculties (Business, Technology, Social Work, Health) leading to Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Engineering degrees in six semesters, combining academic study at the university with paid practical work experience at dual partner companies. Targeted at prospective students with Abitur or Fachhochschulreife seeking integrated theory and practice.
• Master Programs (Master-Studiengänge) Postgraduate Master's degree programs designed for working professionals, offering part-time study options that allow students to continue their careers while earning an advanced degree. Targeted at dual graduates and working professionals seeking career advancement.
• Maschinenbau (Mechanical Engineering) Six-semester Bachelor of Engineering dual study program covering fundamentals of manufacturing, mechanics, electrical engineering, and design, with specializations in Construction & Development, Production Technology, and Mechatronics. Targeted at prospective students seeking engineering careers in partner companies such as Airbus, BSH, and VAF.
• Mechatronik (Mechatronics) Six-semester dual Bachelor of Engineering program combining mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, covering Industry 4.0, Internet of Things, robotics, and automation systems. Targeted at prospective students interested in mechatronic systems and embedded systems roles at partner companies.
• MathX³ Self-Assessment Tool Online mathematics self-assessment platform offering three difficulty levels with ten questions each for prospective students to evaluate their math readiness before applying to technical study programs. Available anonymously without registration. Targeted at prospective applicants evaluating study-program fit.
• International Study Abroad Semester (Auslandssemester) Exchange semester program at 50+ partner universities across 35 countries (USA, Canada, UK, France, Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others), allowing dual students to spend a semester abroad while maintaining their dual study structure. Targeted at enrolled students seeking international experience.
• Research & Transfer Projects (Forschung & Transfer) Application-oriented research conducted primarily in cooperation with dual partners, including doctoral projects (Promotionsprojekte) where doctoral researchers work and teach at the university for three years, institute collaborations, and applied laboratory research. Targeted at partner companies seeking R&D collaboration and at academic researchers.
• Study Preparation Courses (Studienvorbereitung) Pre-study preparation programs in mathematics, physics, and computer science to help accepted students transition from secondary school to university-level technical studies. Targeted at newly admitted students needing academic bridging support.
• Language Courses & Workshops (Sprachkurse und Workshops) Language training and workshop programs designed to develop intercultural competencies and professional skills complementing academic studies. Targeted at enrolled students.
• Library Services (Bibliothek) Library resources and research services including EBSCO database access for academic literature searches. Targeted at enrolled students and faculty.
• Family-Friendly University Services (Familiengerechte Hochschule) Family-compatible study and work structures including parental leave provisions, childcare support, parking accommodations for pregnant students, and flexible scheduling options for students and employees. Targeted at students and staff with family responsibilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80%+ of dual graduates have employment directly after graduation
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.

• Studierendenwerk UlmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Studentenwerk Ulm provides student services for DHBW Heidenheim students including cafeteria (Mensa), housing assistance, and child care. Services are available at locations in Ulm, Aalen, Schwäbisch Gmünd, Biberach, and Heidenheim. Children of students can eat free at Mensa locations until age 10.
• Förderverein der DHBW Heidenheim e.V. (DHBW Heidenheim Support Association)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe support association (Förderverein) of DHBW Heidenheim promotes the university and provides additional educational opportunities including the AdA (Ausbildung der Ausbilder) certificate for students.
• Duale Partner (900+ Companies)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOver 900 companies and organizations serve as dual partners, providing practical training positions for students. Examples include Voith, Bosch, ZF, Carl Zeiss, Airbus, BMW, and many SMEs. Students alternate between theory phases at DHBW and practice phases at partner companies, receiving monthly compensation.
• International Partner Universities (50+ in 35 countries)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerDHBW Heidenheim has partnerships with over 50 universities in 35 countries for study abroad semesters. Partner countries include USA, Canada, UK, France, Spain, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and many others. Programs cover BWL, Technik, Informatik, Gesundheit, and Soziale Arbeit.
• Kliniken Landkreis Heidenheim gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Kliniken Landkreis Heidenheim gGmbH and DHBW Heidenheim have strengthened their cooperation in health study programs. Dr. Dennis Gnannt (Klinikgeschäftsführer) and Prof. Dr. Martina Klärle (DHBW President) signed an agreement to expand collaboration in Gesundheitsstudiengänge (health programs).
• Landeszentrum Barrierefreiheit (LZ-BARR) - SchlichtungsstelleminorOthersThe state center for accessibility (Landeszentrum Barrierefreiheit) provides the arbitration service (Schlichtungsstelle) for accessibility complaints related to DHBW websites and services, as required by the L-BGG accessibility law.
• Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbHsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAirbus Helicopters serves as a dual partner for the Maschinenbau program. Alumni include Dominik Karl (now CEO & Founder of Oceanmata) and Maria Sachs who completed their dual studies at Airbus Helicopters.
• BSH Hausgeräte GmbHsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBSH Hausgeräte GmbH serves as a dual partner for Maschinenbau at their Giengen location. Alumni Julia Schilling now works in Fertigungsplanung global at BSH.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Hochschule Aalen: A traditional public University of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschule) located in nearby Aalen, offering comparable engineering and business bachelor's programs without the dual model. It competes for the same regional student pool and local employer partnerships.
• Hochschule Esslingen: Public University of Applied Sciences near Stuttgart offering engineering, business, and IT bachelor's programs with practical orientation. While not a dual university, it competes for technical students and partner companies across Baden-Württemberg.
• Technische Hochschule Ulm: Public technical university in Ulm, part of DHBW Heidenheim's regional catchment area (Heidenheim/Aalen/Ulm), offering non-dual engineering and business programs. It competes for the same prospective students and overlapping employer relationships.

Direct peers

• DHBW Karlsruhe: DHBW campus in Karlsruhe delivering the same cooperative bachelor's model with similar technical and business programs, overlapping employer base, and shared brand, providing direct structural comparability.
• DHBW Ravensburg: Another DHBW campus operating the same dual cooperative model in the Lake Constance region, with similar program mix in business, engineering, and health, and overlapping partner employer base in Baden-Württemberg.
• DHBW Mosbach: Another DHBW location offering the same dual cooperative study model with similar faculty structure, comparable student scale, and overlapping partner industries, making it a near-identical operating peer.
• DHBW Mannheim: DHBW campus in Mannheim operating the same dual study framework with comparable programs in business, engineering, and health, competing for partner companies and student applicants in the same regional employer market.
• DHBW Lörrach: Another DHBW location operating the same dual model with cross-border emphasis given proximity to Switzerland and France, similar size and program structure, making it a close operating peer.
• DHBW Stuttgart: The largest and flagship campus of the DHBW system, also a dual cooperative state university in Baden-Württemberg offering the same theoretical-plus-practical bachelor's model with its own network of dual partner companies across Business, Engineering, and Health faculties.

Emerging players

• Northeastern University: US-based research university and pioneer of the cooperative education (co-op) model that alternates classroom learning with paid workplace experience. Functionally comparable to DHBW's dual model in integrating employer-led practical training into degree programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/PrBAHDH
• Facebookde-de.facebook.com/DHBWHEIDENHEIM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dhbw-heidenheim
• Instagraminstagram.com/dhbwheidenheim
• TikToktiktok.com/@dhbwheidenheim

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University Heidenheim