Study opportunities for refugees
Table of contents
Access to university studies
Refugees can take up university studies regardless of their residence status. The prerequisite is a university entrance qualification and proof of the corresponding language skills required for the course of study. When examining the university entrance qualification, the TU Dresden follows the assessment proposals of the KMK-ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany).
You can find the range of studies offered by TU Dresden in our study information system (sins). Here you will find important information about the study program, degree, deadlines and admission criteria.
Whether you have a university entrance qualification in Germany depends on your previous education. You can check on the DAAD's admissions database whether you have a university entrance qualification or whether you still have to attend a preparatory college
The application at TU Dresden is done via uni-assist. Information on the application process and on documents to be submitted can be found on our website.
Yes, an application is also possible if proof of your academic career is incomplete or no longer available due to the circumstances in your home country. Please include this information in your application via uni-assist.
Further general information on the topic of university access for refugees can be found at the following link:
Access to a preparatory college
If only indirect access to studies can be granted due to your previous educational background, refugees - like other international students - can prepare for the so-called Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test) at a preparatory college (Studienkolleg). The application for a place at the preparatory college takes place with the application for a program at TUD Dresden University of Technology. It is not possible to apply directly to a preparatory college. Further information be found on our page on study preparation, as well as on our information page on the application process via uni-assist.
German language skills
In general, proof of language skills at C1 level is required for direct entry into a German-language degree program. Please refer to our information on the required language skills at the TU Dresden. For applicants with an already existing university degree, English-taught Master's programs can be considered as an alternative.
Currently, TUD Dresden University of Technology offers the following language courses :
All information about the German courses for refugees can be found here.
The TU Dresden offers its future international students the possibility to prepare for the DSH (German Language Proficiency Test for Admission to Higher Education) within the framework of a preparatory semester/ propaedeutic course (Propädeutikum).
Prerequesites for the participation are:
- direct university entrance qualification. (Please check here)
- B2 language certificate or B1 language certificate in combination with the proof of attendance of a B2 course
- successful application via uni-assist for a course of study at Dresden Technical University
Please find more information on our DSH-course on our website.
You can find more information about German course offerings for refugees here:
- Overview of offers by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (Bamf)
- Educational counseling through the Garantiefonds Hochschule
- Information page of the city of Dresden
Funding opportunities and scholarships
Hilde-Domin Program for students and doctoral candidates
The program supports students and doctoral candidates from all over the world who are formally or factually denied educational or other rights in their country of origin. It offers the possibility to start or complete a study or research degree at a university in Germany.
To receive a nomination for a scholarship within the DAAD Hilde Domin Program, TU Dresden must ...
1. review whether you are in possession of educational certificates that enable entrance to a higher education institution and warrant the pursuit of a desired higher education qualification here at TU Dresden.
2. review your prove or credible demonstration of a threat to your personal well-being or safety (e.g. physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.)
DAAD nomination requirements can be found on the following website:
https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/hilde-domin-programm/
If you have any questions regarding the application, please contact the International Office.
In 2024 the STIBET I Scholarships: Special funding for refugees from Ukraine are included within the call for STIBET I Scholarships for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities.
These scholarships are especially aimed at refugee students from Ukraine!
Generelly the STIBET I Scholarships for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities can be used to support students with special challenges and life circumstances (e.g. due to a refugee background: refugee students from Ukraine and other war and crisis zones, due to health restrictions or disability, due to special care situations of their own children or due to family members in need of care).
Information on the scholarship, the application process and deadlines can be found at:
STIBET I: Scholarship for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities
The Scholarships for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities can be used to support students with special challenges and life circumstances (e.g. due to a refugee background: refugee students from Ukraine and other war and crisis zones, due to health restrictions or disability, due to special care situations of their own children or due to family members in need of care).
The aim of awarding scholarships is to ensure that international students have a fair chance of success, taking appropriate account of unequal socio-cultural starting situations.
Information on the scholarship, the application process and deadlines can be found at:
STIBET I: Scholarship for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities
Please also check our page for scholarships for applicants and students from abroad.
Guest Students
Asylum seekers have the chance to attend classes at TU Dresden as so called guest students if they do not yet fulfill all requirements for regular studies.
Information for Guest Students
Asylum seekers may also attend selected courses at the Biotechnology Center of TU Dresden (BIOTEC). Please contact the Center directly.
Further information and interesting web pages
- Buddyprogramm for refugees from Ukraine
- Refugee Law Clinic Dresden
- Further information by the DAAD
- Information regarding recognition of foreign qualifications in Gemany, also available in Arabic
- WE-CARE Point of Contact