Starting in winter semester 2002/2003, the University of  Wismar introduced a new degree programme with a practical basis: The dual Bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering. This course was developed in partnership with the Schwerin Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Schwerin Chamber of Skilled Trades and the SAZ (Schwerin Training Centre).

The dual Bachelor’s degree programme aims to counteract the shortage of qualified staff in the plastics and metal processing industry by turning young people into specially-trained engineers with practical experience. These young students also gain the opportunity to enter a highly-qualified profession.

The dual Bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering combines a course of higher education leading to the Bachelor of Engineering degree with vocational training in one of the following professions:
- Process engineer for plastics and rubber technology
- Tool engineer
- Cutting operator
- Technical designer
- Design engineer
- Sheet metal worker
- Industrial mechanic

By optimising the course content and timetables, the total duration of the course has been reduced from 6.5 years to 4.5 years. All necessary examinations are administered under the examination regulations applicable at that time.
A large proportion of the vocational training, comprising practical and theoretical elements, takes place during the first year of study. With the beginning of the second year, the normal study pattern of the University of Wismar starts. Students continue with their vocational training during periods without lectures. After three years – at the end of the third course year –students sit the skilled worker/journeyman examinations of the Schwerin Chamber of Industry and Commerce/Schwerin Chamber of Skilled Trades.

Final qualification: Bachelor of Engineering and certificate of proficiency

Programme Duration: 9 semesters

Start: Wintersemester, 1st July / latest date 1st September

General Admission Requirements:
- Academic standard required to enter a higher education institution, or
- Evidence of completion of a course of education recognised as equivalent by the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
- Contract of apprenticeship with an industrial or trade company

Additional Admission Requirements:
Anyone with a vocational outlook who is interested in joining the dualBachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering must first establishcontact with a company in which the training element may be performed and which may be approached with a view to employment after completion of the course.
The University of Wismar, the Schwerin Chamber of Industry and Commerce and theSchwerin Chamber of Skilled Trades can provide information on companies who have expressed an interest in training and employing Bachelor of Engineering students; they will also support you in establishing such a contact. The list of companies can also be viewed on these pages by following the link below. You may also, of course, take your own initiative in finding a company.
Once a successful application has been made, a contract of apprenticeship is concluded between the organisation and the course participant. This defines the rights and responsibilities of the contracting parties, timeframes, content schedules and the level of remuneration.

Click here for more information on the Dual Bachelor’s degree programme

Curriculum:
3rd to 5th semester
Principles of natural and engineering sciences

6th to 8th semester
Technical training in engineering, compulsory and elective course units

Selection of a specification:
1. Product Development and Plastics
2. Process and Environmental Engineering

Practical training: 
Not less than 12 weeks of practical engineering training at beginning of the 9th semester and continuing during the free period after having passed semesters 7

Thesis semester:
Completion of Bachelor thesis during the 9th semester, preparation time10 weeks

Areas of application:
Students who complete the Bachelor’s degree programme in Mechanical Engineering can enter careers in design, production and management departments of mechanical engineering, tero technology and vehicle manufacturing companies, project planning and engineering offices, the civil service (e.g. materials testing, energy and environmental agencies) and the field of technical inspection.

Department of Mechanical Engineering/Process and Environmental Engineering