In today’s IT landscape, having a degree and theoretical knowledge is no longer enough. The real competitive advantage comes from practical experience. That is why dual education programs are becoming increasingly popular among university students, allowing them to enter the world of software development or software testing already during their studies.
In this interview, Marcell Székesi, now a medior software developer at FrontEndART Software Ltd., shares his experience. He joined our company as a dual education student from his very first semester. According to him, this model not only provides a strong career advantage but also makes completing university studies easier thanks to the marketable experience gained over three years.
How is dual education different from traditional full-time studies?
“In terms of coursework, it’s not more demanding than full-time studies. However, being able to see practical software development from the start helped me tremendously in understanding the material,” Marci said when answering our first question.
“Since I’ve been in the dual education program from my first semester, I’ve gained a lot of hands-on experience at work. From the very beginning, I could learn the basics of software development and testing in a real production environment, which was a huge advantage when completing university subjects.”
How manageable is it to work in the industry while studying at university?
“I think it’s completely manageable. Thanks to the flexible working hours, I was able to organize my schedule efficiently. Since I worked about 20 hours per week, it wasn’t overwhelming at all.”
“At FrontEndART, they took into account that I was a student. I could work in a supportive environment and gradually received more complex tasks in software testing processes, and I was also able to participate in smaller development projects.”
Marci also added that there is no need to worry about missing out on university life. “I had time for everything a university student needs. In fact, working often helped structure my week. I’m grateful that as a student I didn’t have to rely on random part-time jobs like many of my peers. I could focus on something I was genuinely interested in and knew it would benefit my career later.”
Overall, how would you evaluate the dual education experience?
According to Marci, the three years of work experience gained during the dual program are invaluable at such a young age.
“I think applying for a dual education program was one of the best decisions of my university years. After graduation, finding a job becomes much easier if you have already participated in real projects instead of starting from zero.”
This is especially true in software development and IT. A study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) supports this: 51% of employers expect graduates to have real work experience before hiring them. At the same time, only 15% offer structured internship or apprenticeship programs that would help candidates gain such experience.
Would you recommend it to others?
“Absolutely. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made during university. The professional experience gained over three years is invaluable. By the time I receive my diploma, I already have market-ready knowledge and real project experience, which makes it much easier to start a career in the software industry.”
Marci added: “If someone already has some programming experience before university, whether through hobbies or personal projects, I would definitely recommend it. Dual education provides both theoretical foundations and practical experience, and together these create real value on the job market.”
How does dual education work and how can you apply?
The goal of dual education is to bring higher education closer to the expectations of the labor market. In this system, university students spend a longer period in professional practice, allowing them to gain valuable real-world work experience alongside theoretical studies.
The theoretical part of your studies is completed together with full-time students during the academic semester, while the practical part takes place during your free time, both during and outside the semester, at the chosen company. Based on a student employment contract with the company, you also receive compensation for the practical training period.
To participate, you must first be admitted to one of the relevant programs at the University of Szeged (SZTE), and then sign an employment contract with one of the university’s dual education partner companies. FrontEndART is also among these partner companies.
Although it is not mandatory to start working from the first semester, it is important to know that more than half of the semesters must be completed in dual form during the program.
Partner companies continuously advertise opportunities on their own websites, so it is worth checking them regularly. After successfully reaching an agreement and signing a contract, you can start the dual program from the following semester.
Which programs offer dual education at the University of Szeged?
- Business Informatics BSc
- Computer Science BSc
- Computer Engineering BSc
- Business Informatics MSc
- Computer Engineering MSc
- Computer Science MSc
Dual education programs are available for both state-funded and self-funded students, and they can be pursued in full-time or part-time formats.
Who is dual education recommended for?
Dual education is an excellent opportunity for those who want to gain valuable professional experience in the IT field, whether in software development or software testing, already during their university years.
Marci’s story shows that with the right mindset and motivation, studying and working can be perfectly balanced, while also providing a significant advantage in the job market.