Study opportunities for refugees
Table of contents
Are refugees allowed to study in Germany?
As a basic principle, refugees are allowed to study at a higher education institution, especially if they are recognised refugees, i.e. they have sought asylum or have been awarded refugee protection. The same also applies to people who have not yet completed the asylum procedure or who have been granted "exceptional leave to remain" (in German: Duldung) status.
As a rule, the assessment proposals set out by 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) apply when checking higher education entrance qualifications (link available in German only). The admission to university studies is determined by the secondary school certificate (for undergraduate studies) or a relevant first university degree (for graduate studies). The KMK-ZAB website gives information whether the national higher education entrance qualification/secondary school certificate allows someone to study at a German university, i.e. whether the national certificate of education is recognised as higher education entrance qualification in Germany. In cases where the national higher education entrance qualification/secondary school certificate is not recognised, students might need to have completed a specific number of semesters of university studies in their home country for direct admission to university studies in Germany. This information is also given on the KMK-ZAB website.
If a refugee wants to study but is unable to provide all documents needed for admission or any documents at all, e.g. school certificates or proof of university studies in the home country, their eligibility must still be tested and assessed. The basis for this is the Lisbon Recognition Convention. According to the Convention, “reasonable steps” must be developed to assess the higher education qualification of refugees, even if this cannot or can only partially be proven through documentary evidence. In cases of missing documents we recommend to contact TU Dresden's International Office.
You can find more information about study opportunities on the following websites:
Refugees and higher education
Information for refugees
ACCES TO STUDIENKOLLEG
If direct admission to university studies cannot be granted due to the applicant's qualifications, it is possible to prepare for the assessment test ("Feststellungsprüfung") by taking a preparatory course (“Studienkolleg”) with other international students. The application for the “Studienkolleg” is also processed by the universities and admission is subject to fulfilling specific requirements.
German language SKIlls
For refugees with direct or indirect university admission, having sufficient knowledge of the German language is an important prerequisite for successful studies. In the same way that other international students need to prove their eligibility, refugees must also be able to provide proof of their language level in German. For applicants with a first university degree master's programmes taught in English might be an alternative if the required knowledge of English can be proven. Please find more information here:
Volkshochschule
Beginners' Courses / Bundesagentur für Arbeit
Online placement test for refugees
Mathematics bridging courses for refugees
The TU Dresden now offers the opportunity to refresh and expand basic mathematical knowledge at Abitur 1st semester level. Within the framework of the DAAD Welcome Programme, a tutor from the Faculty of Mathematics will supervise prospective students and offer them individually customized courses. The classes can be held in German and English.
If interested, please arrange an appointment for an initial interview with our tutor. Please send an e-mail to:
Tutor for Mathematics Bridge Course
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.
Applying at TU Dresden
Uni-assist for refugees
Since March 1st 2016, uni-assist offers free applications for refugees. In order to apply for free, please register in the portal for cost exhemption and submit your application online, together with a proof of your refugee status (residence title) as well as your TestAS certificate or a university attestation. You can receive an attestation after a consultation at the international Office at TU Dresden. Following the successful evaluation, free applications will be possible until end 2019. For more information please visit:
Uni-assist application
Applications for the TU Dresden for refugees, as well as for international students in general, must be submitted via the uni-assist applicant portal. There you first select the semester and the university where you would like to study. To apply directly for a course of study, select the desired course of study. Applicants for the preparatory German courses for refugees must enter "without degree" in the search screen for the desired degree. Then choose the course of studies "Deutschkurs für Geflüchtete (BMBF)".
Application deadlines:
- Application for the winter semester: 01.04. - 15.07.
- Application for the summer semester: 01.10. - 15.01.
Please note that only higher semesters and individual Master programmes start in the summer semester. Applications for Master's programmes with aptitude tests also have different deadlines:
- Application for the winter semester: 01.04. - 31.05.
- Application for the summer semester: 01.10. - 30.11.
Tutorial for the application through uni-assist
The TU Dresden offers two tutorials this semester to help refugees with the online application through uni-assist. We offer two appointments:
- Wednesday 15.05.2019 - 2.30 PM
- Wednesday 03.07.2019 - 2.30 PM
If interested please register with an e-mail to: alena.kornishina@tu-dresden.de. The registration message must include your full name and the desired date for the tutorial. You will receive a confirmation with the details (address, required documents, etc.).
Paticipants must register in advance in the uni-assist applicant portal (https://ww2.uni-assist.de/online/?lang=en) and bring all application documents to the tutorial. You can find more information about the application process here.
Please note that there will be no counselling sessions during the tutorials. If you want information about access to higher education, degree programms or preparatory German courses, we recommend to arrange a personal consultation appointment before the meeting.
Preparatory German classes for refugees
General information about courses during the winter semester 2019-20:
- preparatory German classes on levels B1-C1
- Duration: October 2019 to March 2020
- Content: 24 lesson units per week/4 units daily + 2 units of tutoring
- Entrance test before the start of the class
- DSH Exam at the end of the course
- Application deadline: 15 July, 2019
Requirements for the participation in the courses are an eqivalent school leaving certificate with university access for Germany, knowledge of German on B1 level at least and the refugee status.
To schedule a consultation or if you have any questions about the special offers for refugees, please contact:
© Michael Kretzschmar
Counselling of international students
NameMs Rosa Manuela Brockelt
Counselling refugees
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
- work Tel.
- +49 351 463-32327
- fax Fax
- +49 351 463-37738
Further information and interesting web pages
- Buddy programme 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