Career starters today attach more importance to work-life balance, as a study by Mainz University of Applied Sciences shows. But what about the work-study balance of Generation Z, i.e. those born between 1995 and 2010? 40 hours a week plus overtime - that doesn't fit in with a lifestyle in which time for leisure, family and friendships are important.

This applies to both work and study. If you set yourself the goal of a bachelor's degree, the next step is to choose your path. Interested students are spoilt for choice, for example in the field of business administration. They can study full-time in the traditional way, on a dual study programme with or without training, or part-time.

A "normal" degree programme at a university involves a lot of theory and only a few short internships - and no salary. The dual study programme, on the other hand, combines paid work in the company with studying. This is often very stressful - after all, you have to fulfil the requirements of both the company and the university at the same time. There are hardly any recovery phases. If you prefer a less stressful approach and would rather take one thing at a time, you can complete an apprenticeship first. Later on, you can earn a Bachelor's degree while working.

Those who already have an academic appointment and are looking to take the next step in their career, for example a Bachelor's degree in business administration, generally do not take a traditional or dual degree programme. This is because there is either no salary or, in the case of the dual study programme, it is quite low at around a thousand euros on average. Compared to earnings in a regular job, this would mean a significant financial setback. The situation is different with a part-time degree programme: Professionals can work as usual on a full salary and do not have to sacrifice the standard of living they have earned. Even if the study costs and the higher tax rate are taken into account, the part-time option is significantly more worthwhile for employees. This is shown by a rough calculation example over a period of three years:

Dual study programme:
Net salary approx. 30,000 euros

Part-time study programme:
Net salary approx. 80,000 euros
- study costs approx. 15,000 euros
Advantage of part-time study 35,000 euros

Many employers contribute to the costs if their employees study alongside their job. Then the advantage is even greater. In addition to the financial advantage, there are other arguments in favour of studying while working. Compared to the highly structured dual study programmes, you are much more flexible. Most learning takes place online and there are only a few compact workshops. This makes it easy to combine studying, work and leisure activities. In addition, students on part-time degree programmes can incorporate their practical experience directly into their studies. For example, development projects from everyday working life can be worked on together and even counted towards an examination. And while the training provider is fixed for the dual study programme, the university can be chosen freely for the part-time study programme. This model therefore offers the flexibility that is so important to Gen Z.

Study Business Administration part-time at C3L: uol.de/bwl

Contact

Nicola Seitz, T +49(0)441 798-5045, E bwl@uni-oldenburg.de