About Duale Hochschule Sachsen
Duale Hochschule Sachsen (DHSN) is a state-recognised university of applied sciences in Saxony, Germany, operating seven study academies across the state. It was established in its modern form as Berufsakademie Sachsen in 1991 and formally became a Hochschule (university) in January 2025 under the Saxon Higher Education Act. All programmes follow the dual model — students alternate between academic study and paid practical training at a partner company, receiving a monthly salary throughout their studies.
The institution enrols approximately 4,200 students across its seven campuses and works with over 10,000 dual practice partners from business, industry, public services, and social organisations. Programmes span three main subject areas: business and economics (Wirtschaftswissenschaften), engineering and technology (Ingenieurwissenschaften), and social and health sciences (Sozial- und Gesundheitswissenschaften), leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Engineering, or Dipl.-Ing. (DH) degrees.
Because admission requires a signed training contract with an approved partner company, the pathway for international applicants differs from standard university admission — candidates must secure employer sponsorship before enrolling. The institution holds the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) across all seven locations and is actively expanding its international partnerships.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1991
- Students
- 4,203
Became a state-recognised Hochschule (university) in January 2025 under the Saxon Higher Education Act
Dual model: students earn a monthly salary from day one — no tuition fees
Seven campuses across Saxony with over 10,000 dual partner companies
Over 90% graduate employment rate with dual practice partners
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) held across all seven locations
New admission route from 2025: vocational qualification holders can enter without Abitur
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees for students. There is no semester fee structure for tuition; a standard Semesterbeitrag (administrative/student services contribution) applies but the amount is not stated on the official site. Students receive a monthly training salary paid by their dual partner company — minimum €440/month stated. Saxony is not one of the non-EU surcharge states (only Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students an additional €1,500/semester); DHSN does not charge additional non-EU fees.
Admission requirements
Admission to all DHSN programmes requires two parallel steps: (1) a qualifying school-leaving certificate (Abitur or Fachhochschulreife), and (2) a signed dual training contract (Studienvertrag) with a DHSN-approved partner company — admission is only possible once this contract is in place. Since January 2025, holders of a completed three-year vocational qualification (Berufsausbildung) may also apply without Abitur. For international applicants whose prior qualification is from India, China, or Vietnam, an APS certificate is required before a student visa application can be submitted to the German consulate. German proficiency is required for all current programmes; no standard minimum is stated on the official site but DSH-2 or TestDaF TDN 4 is the typical benchmark for German university admission. International applicants should contact the international office ([email protected]) early, as securing a German dual practice partner from abroad is the primary admission bottleneck.
Application deadlines
No central application deadlines are published on the official DHSN website. Application timelines are driven by when a student secures a dual partner company contract; prospective students are advised to approach partner companies well before the desired intake (winter semester starts October, summer semester starts April). Contact the relevant campus directly for programme-specific guidance.
Languages of instruction
Primarily German-taught. Some English-language lectures integrated into subject-specific programmes as part of internationalisation efforts. No fully English-taught bachelor's programmes confirmed on official site as of 2025.
Campuses & locations
One of seven state study academies; Erasmus contact: Prof. Dr. Daniel Raabe
State study academy in western Saxony
Hans-Grundig-Straße 25, 01307 Dresden; over 900 students; 12 dual programmes in engineering and business; [email protected]
Headquarters/Rectorate; Hoffnung 83, 08371 Glauchau; largest campus with ~1,051 students; 10 degree programmes; campus library, language centre, dormitories
Schönauer Straße 113a, 04207 Leipzig; [email protected]
State study academy in the Vogtland region
State study academy in central Saxony
Living in Sachsen
DHSN's main administrative seat is in Glauchau (Saxony), a mid-sized town in the Zwickau district. The network spans Saxony's key cities: Dresden (state capital, major tech and engineering hub), Leipzig (largest city in Saxony, strong business and logistics sector), and five smaller cities. Students effectively live in whichever city their practice partner and study academy are located, giving access to a range of urban and smaller-city environments across the state.
Student life & support
Student life at DHSN is shaped by the dual model: students split their time between the study academy and their partner company on a rotation schedule (typically 12-week blocks). Campus facilities vary by location but include libraries, laboratories (including NIIA research labs at Dresden and Leipzig), examination offices, and — at Glauchau — dormitories and a sports facility. DHSN holds the ECHE designation, enabling Erasmus+ exchanges for eligible students (practical placement abroad counts toward the dual programme). Over 90% of graduates are employed by or remain with their practice partner immediately after graduation.
40
Accredited Programmes
40
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
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