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.
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 TU Dresden. 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.
Tuition fees
Participation in the Studienkolleg Leipzig is generally free of charge.
The Studienkolleg TUDIAS offers free places for refugees through the DAAD-funded Integra project.
Prerequisites for receiving a free place are:
- refugee status
- conditional admission for TU Dresden
- passed entrance test in German (level B1+) and mathematics
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
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, TU Dresden offers the following language courses for refugees:
TU Dresden offers free intensive German courses for refugees with a language level of B1 or higher. In the courses, the participants are linguistically prepared for taking the DSH examination.
Prerequisites for participation are:
- Valid residence status as a refugee in Germany or a residence permit.
- intention to study
- Secondary school certificate
- German language skills / certificate for German language on at least B1 level
The language courses are conducted by the Chair of Language, Literature and Cultural Studies (LSK). Further information about the course and registration can be found on the faculty's website.
Thanks to a special allocation from the Free State of Saxony, the intensive German courses for refugees from Ukraine that began in April 2022 can be continued. 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.
Requirements for participation are:
- Status as a refugee from Ukraine.
- 11 years of school attendance/high school diploma from Ukraine or studies already started in Ukraine
- Residence in Dresden or in the surrounding area of Dresden
- Maximum age of 35 years
Currently all courses are fully booked. Please contact us if you are interested in attending, we can add you to our waiting list.
Exchange Studies
If you have already studied in Ukraine for a few semesters and have German or English language skills at least on level B1, you can apply as a so-called freemover for the exchange study program. This flexible option allows you to be enrolled as a student at TU Dresden for one to two semesters without completing a degree.
Enrollment in the exchange study program can be used for later entry into a study program with a degree at the TU Dresden. You can obtain credits as an exchange student and acquire the required language skills in parallel. After passing the language exam and applying for recognition of your previous academic achievements (from your studies at your home university and those at TU Dresden), you have the opportunity to switch to a regular degree program after one or two semesters.
Contact for inquiries:
Further information also on the application can be found 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
Counseling for refugees
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Visitor Address:
Fritz Foerster Bau, Office 153 Mommsenstraße 6
01069 Dresden
Postal Address:
Technische Universität Dresden International Office
01062 Dresden
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