The initiative for a dual study model came from Daimler-Benz, SEL and Bosch more than 40 years ago. In the early 1970s, the "Stuttgart Model" was born, which was taken up by the state government of Baden-Württemberg and led to the start of the first vocational academies in Stuttgart and Mannheim in 1974. The dual model of practice-integrated studies was offered from the start.

At its nine locations and three campuses, the DHBW, in cooperation with over 9,000 selected companies and social institutions, offers a large number of nationally and internationally accredited Bachelor courses in the fields of business, technology and social affairs.

Work-integrating and part-time master’s courses  are also part of the DHBW's offering. With currently over 34,000 students and 145,000 alumni, the DHBW is the largest university in Baden-Württemberg.

The dual principle is also reflected in the research at DHBW Ravensburg - it is application and transfer-oriented , especially in cooperation with the university's dual partners. The cooperative research integrates the DHBW in professional and scientific networks and makes a valuable contribution to knowledge creation. Furthermore, it offers practical added value for the partners and in this way also serves to further develop teaching.