Study opportunities for refugees
Table of contents
Access to university studies
In principle, refugees are allowed to take up university studies, especially recognized refugees (right to asylum, granting of refugee protection, etc.). The same applies to persons whose asylum procedure has not yet been completed or who have "exceptional leave to remain" (in German: Duldung) status.
In general, the universities follow the evaluation proposals of the Central Office for Foreign Education at the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK-ZAB) when examining the university entrance qualification. The decisive factor for determining university access is always the respective secondary school leaving certificate (for undergraduate degree programs) or a first existing vocationally qualifying university degree (for advanced degree programs). On the aforementioned homepage, it is possible to see whether a university access is available with the respective certificate and whether it is a direct or an indirect access.
If the proof of university entrance qualification is not complete or is no longer available, the universities can develop procedures based on the so-called Lisbon Convention, on the basis of which the suitability of the prospective students can nevertheless be examined and evaluated. Since these are so-called individual case decisions, counseling at the university is always required. Further information on the subject of university access for refugees can be found under the following links:
Refugees and study
Study in Germany
Access to the Studienkolleg
If only indirect access to studies can be granted on the basis of qualifications, refugees - like other international students - can prepare for the so-called Feststellungsprüfung (assessment test) at a Studienkolleg. Admissions for this are issued by the universities and are dependent on meeting certain requirements.
TUDIAS-Studienkolleg at the TU Dresden: Integration of refugees into study programs
- Supported by the DAAD -
- Tuition-free preparation of recognized refugees without direct university access for university studies in engineering, natural sciences, medicine or economics in Germany.
- Offers:
- Courses to prepare for the Studienkolleg entrance test in German and mathematics (Brückenkurs Studienkolleg)
- Training at the Studienkolleg in the core courses M, T and W
- Duration: September 2022-July 2023
- Extent: 32 lessons/ week
- Prerequisites:
- Conditional admission from the TU Dresden
- Entrance test in German (level B1+) and mathematics.
- Special characteristics:
- Integration of refugees interested in studying in the regular Studienkolleg courses/ face-to-face classes
- Enrollment at TU Dresden during the training at the Studienkolleg: integration into tutorials in the desired future courses of study.
If you are interested in this opportunity, you can find more information on the Website of TUDIAS or you can contact Ms. Andrea Strützel directly by e-mail or phone.
German language skills
For refugees, too, sufficient German language skills are an important prerequisite for successful studies. Like other international students, they must provide certain proof before they can begin their studies. As a rule, the C1 level is required for direct entry into a German-language degree program. Please inform yourself about the required language skills at TU Dresden. For applicants with an existing university degree, English-language Master's programs may be considered as an alternative. For more information on German course options for refugees, please click here:
Sprache - Bildungskoordination für Neuzugewanderte
Overview of German language courses in Dresden (available in German only)
Free online language placement test for refugees (onSET)
Preparatory German classes for refugees
The Lehrzentrum Sprachen und Kulturräume (LSK) of TUD offers free preparatory language courses especially for refugees that already have german skills at B1 level.
See here for more information about the courses and how to register.
German courses for refugee students from Ukraine (with and without Ukrainian passport) at TU Dresden
Thanks to a short-term special allocation from the Free State of Saxony, the intensive German courses for refugees from Ukraine that began in April can be continued at TU Dresden from July 18, 2022 until December 31, 2022. The intensive courses serve as language preparation for studies and are aimed exclusively at refugee school graduates (with an 11-year school leaving certificate) as well as refugee students who wish to continue their studies in Germany.
In addition, beginner courses will be offered again starting in October. Classes in the intensive courses, with a maximum of 25 students, will be held daily from Monday to Friday in presence.
Those who have already registered and are currently on the waiting list will initially be admitted to the courses. As soon as the modalities for admission to the new courses have been determined, you will be informed by e-mail!
If you have not yet registered and are interested in participating in one of the new courses starting in October, please register here: register online.
You can apply for admission if you have the following requirements:
- Status as a refugee from Ukraine
- 11 years of school attendance/graduation from Ukraine or studies already started in Ukraine
- Residence in Dresden or in the surrounding area of Dresden
- Maximum age of 35 years
Registration for the courses starting in October is possible until Thursday, 22.09.2022 23:59 CET. We will then check the admission criteria mentioned above. If these are met, you will receive an invitation to the entrance test the following week. Language courses are offered for all levels from A1 to C1. Classes start on Monday, 11.10.2022.
Please contact in case of further questions.
Application via uni-assist
Applications for TU Dresden for refugees, as for international students in general, are made via the uni-assist application portal. Please find more information here.
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.
To schedule a consultation or if you have any questions about the special offers for refugees, please contact:
© Michael Kretzschmar
Counseling of international students
NameMs Franziska Strobach
China and Counseling for refugees
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visitor Address:
Bürogebäude Strehlener Str. (BSS), Room 658 Strehlener Str. 22
01069 Dresden
Postal Address:
Technische Universität Dresden International Office
01062 Dresden
Office Hours:
Currently, only limited personal consultation hours take place. Please also use the online chat, which we offer every Thursday, or send us an email. Please send your documents by post or email.
Further information and interesting web pages
- Buddy program by IDA - In Dresden Ankommen
- 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