Information for Refugees

Information for Refugees

Refugee students and researchers welcome!

Bielefeld University warmly welcomes you. As a potential employer or your institute of higher education, we support you in your higher education goals and your academic career.

As an institution that participates in societal changes and developments, even to some extent helping to shape them in a variety of ways, we wish to develop sustainable strategies to help people in need. We want to ensure that those who have experienced upheaval in their lives can still reach their study ambitions or continue their work in academia.

This website provides important information on preparatory language courses, study opportunities and a suitable path of applying.

Our aim is to support all people on their further educational path - whether from Ukraine, Afghanistan or any other country. Please get in touch with our contact points in the International Office:

Daily counselling hours at the infopunkt international for students and researchers:
Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Room: infopunkt international in the renovated part of building A, room A0-307

Preparatory German courses

for prospective students with and without a refugee background

Our next preparatory German courses will start on 1 September 2025. You can apply anytime using our online form.

Applications are continously accepted. However, we recommend that you apply early in order to secure your place in the course. Admission will be granted and prospective students informed until 15 July 2025, afterwards a waiting list will be maintained.

Scholarship programme

for students with a refugee background

As part of the NRWege ins Studium - Integration of Refugees at Universities in NRW programme, Bielefeld University awards scholarships to students with a refugee background.

Applications for the NRWege scholarship (duration from September 2025) are possible from 1 July to 1 August 2025. Further information on the requirements can be found here.

TestAS - Aptitude test for university admission

For Ukrainian high school graduates of the school years 2022/2023 with residence according to §24, it is currently possible to apply with a TestAS certificate for a BA study place. Details can be found on the website of the Students' Office under "Application for Bachelor / State Examination".
Click here for details on TestAS and registration.

Helpful links regarding support for students and researchers:
DAAD Ukraine
Handbook Germany
ERA4Ukraine
The Ukraine Network
Higher Education Compass: Database for study programmes
Lviv Center

DAAD programme VORsprung

From now on, Bielefeld University will actively participate as a cooperation partner in the DAAD project, which aims to pave the way for international prospective students with and without a refugee background to successfully complete a STEM degree programme at Bielefeld University. The programme is open worldwide to prospective students who have previous knowledge of German (B 1.2 CEFR) and a previous school education that entitles them to attend a preparatory college in Germany. The application deadline for joining VORsprung in August is 30 June 2025.

Further information and advice on VORsprung can be obtained from the Student Secretariat.

Information for Refugees