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 also 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 also 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 2021-July 2022
    • Extent: 32 lessons/ week
• Prerequisites:
  • Conditional admission from the TU Dresden (application deadline via uni-assist: July 15, 2021)
  • 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
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.

More information about the courses.

Application via uni-assist

Applications for TU Dresden for refugees, as for international students in general, are made via the uni-assist application portal. There, you first select the semester and the university at which you would like to study. For an application for direct study, you then select the desired course of study. Applicants of the study-preparing German courses for refugees must indicate "ohne Abschluss" in the search mask for the desired degree. Then select the degree program "German course for refugees (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's programs begin in the summer semester. Applications for Master's programs with an aptitude test also have different deadlines:

• Application for the winter semester: 01.04. - 31.05.
• Application for the summer semester: 01.10. - 30.11.

As of January 1, 2020, the  uni-assist portal for cost exemption has been discontinued. Applications from the summer semester 2020 onwards are subject to a fee for refugees as well as for all other international students: the first application in one semester costs 75 EUR, each additional application costs 30 EUR.

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:

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