In Germany cooperative education has a long tradition in the vocational fields of trade, commerce and business.

The Berufsakademie transferred the traditional system of vocational training to the level of tertiary education and integrated activities of the state institutions of higher education and training facilities of the employment sector in a joint effort.

The Berufsakademie concept was established as a new way of practice-oriented education on university level. Especially the integration of companies as active partners into the system of higher education leads to highly qualified graduates. Therefore the Berufsakademie offers an attractive alternative to traditional universities and colleges of higher education.