What is the difference between a practical and a general profile of the study program?

When embarking on your educational journey, it’s crucial to comprehend the distinctions between a practical and a general academic profile. These profiles offer unique approaches to learning and have varying requirements for your diploma thesis. Let’s delve into the key disparities between the two and what they entail for students.

In a practical profile, the focal point of your diploma thesis lies in the realm of application projects. These projects concentrate on tackling specific problems within an industry, utilizing industry datasets, and implementing practical solutions for businesses. Such endeavors necessitate a comprehensive analysis of data derived from real business cases. Based on this analysis, you should be capable of formulating a set of recommendations catered towards practitioners, such as financial managers or managers operating within a specific business domain.

On the other hand, a general academic profile doesn’t place as much emphasis on practical aspects. Nevertheless, your diploma thesis should encompass a well-founded theoretical research component, focusing on the development of knowledge within specific areas and exploring its implications for the thesis project.

Within the practical profile, students are expected to become specialists in data collection, whether from specific companies, organizations, or external resources like the internet and API data sources. Proficiency in transforming collected data into an analyzable format and preprocessing it for further analysis is crucial. Moreover, students pursuing practical profile programs should possess the ability to analyze and interpret data for business purposes. The methods employed in their projects should align with the complexity and specific nature of the industry they are exploring.

Conversely, in the case of a general academic profile, sources of information may include literature reviews and/or empirical sources presented in a format suitable for analysis. Students should employ methods specific to scientific research, including the collection and processing of empirical data pertinent to their chosen fields of investigation.

The objective of a diploma thesis within a practical profile is to yield practical results and propose solutions for business problems or social phenomena. Students should have a clear understanding of the intended recipients of their research, such as managers, entrepreneurs, public decision-makers, or social activists.

In contrast, a general academic thesis primarily focuses on expanding scientific knowledge within selected areas. As a student, you are expected to contribute to the academic community by pushing the boundaries of knowledge as much as possible. The outcomes of your research should be directed towards fellow students, scientists, and researchers at varying levels of expertise.

In addition to the aforementioned distinctions, it’s important to note that a practical profile often requires students to invest more hours in internships. These internships provide invaluable hands-on experience and further enhance the practical skills necessary for the successful completion of the program.

By comprehending these fundamental differences between practical and general academic profiles, you can make an informed decision about the type of education program that aligns with your goals and aspirations. It’s essential to choose a path that suits your interests, strengths, and long-term objectives, enabling you to thrive in your academic journey and make meaningful contributions to your chosen field.

Author: Anna Tatarczak,