22.17 Does cooperation with companies or practical training partners—for example, as part of a dual study programme—constitute cooperation with a non-university institution within the meaning of Sections 9 and 19 of the MRVO?

No. Based on recommendations from the German Science Council, the states have deliberately distinguished between, on the one hand, study programme related cooperations with non-university institutions (§§ 9, 19 MRVO) and collaborations with companies/practical partners, such as within the framework of dual study programmes (§ 12, paras. 6, 7 MRVO).

In its report “Assessment and Recommendations on Study Programme Related Cooperations: Franchise, Validation, and Credit Transfer Models” (Drs. 5952-17), January 2017, on p. 9: “By definition, study programme related cooperation, joint, and multiple-degree study programmes, which lead to simultaneous degrees from two or more higher education institutions cooperating on an equal footing, as well as dual and part-time study formats in which subject-specific content is taught exclusively by the degree awarding institution itself.”

• Accordingly, Sections 9 and 19 of the MRVO do not apply to collaborations with practice partners, for example, within the framework of dual study programmes.