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Information for Refugees

© Universität Bielefeld

German language course for refugees

Students learning in a group
© Universität Bielefeld

You fulfill the academic requirements for studying at a German university? You have already studied in your home country and wish to continue your studies in Germany? You do not yet fulfill the German language requirements for starting your studies?

Our German language centre PunktUm prepares you purposefully and intensely for the German language requirements for studying at a German university.

Application

Our next preparatory German courses will start on 17 March 2025. Please apply between 01 December 2024 and 15 January 2025 via our application form (in German). 

Applicants will be notified of a course allocation from 26 January 2025. Please refrain from making enquiries in the meantime.

Overview

  • Free language course for refugees with certain residence permits
  • Intensive TestDaF preparation course with 24 hours per week
  • Level B2 to C1: Up to the degree of the German exam for university admission
  • Intensive support in terms of tutorials and accompanying programme
  • Enrollment as a language course student
  • Vacant course places can also be given to other international students. Apply here as an international student!

Course places are awarded according to the guidelines and with funds from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MKW).

For the participation, you need:

  • Foreign university entrance qualification
  • At least B1 certificate
  • Proof of residence status and information that you arrived in Germany no more than five years ago
Residence status and refugee background

The programme focuses on people with a refugee background whose entry to Germany was no longer than five years ago.

  • Persons entitled to asylum, persons recognized as refugees or persons entitled to subsidiary protection as well as persons for whom a national ban on deportation has been established as well as comparable persons who have a residence permit (§§ 25 Abs. 1-3, 22, 23 Abs. 1 und 2, 23 Abs. 4, 23a oder 25 Abs. 4, 25 Abs. 5 AufenthG)
  • Persons admitted on the basis of the Mass Influx Directive (§ 24 AufenthG)
  • Persons who have received a rejection in the asylum procedure carried out by the BAMF, but a deportation has been temporarily suspended (Duldung gem. § 60 a Abs. 2 AufenthG)
  • Persons who are in Germany through family reunification if they also have the residence status of "Stammberechtigte" (§§29, 30, 31, 32, 34 Abs. 1, 34 Abs. 2, 36)

Excluded are persons

  • Who are under a latent or immediate obligation to leave the country (§§ 50 Abs. 1 und 60a AufenthG)
  • With a residence permit (§55 AufenthG)
  • With a German educational qualification
  • With a settlement permit
  • With a German citizenship

In order to be able to prove your university entrance qualification, you will need the following documents, which must be submitted in the original language and translated during the history of the application process. Please endeavour to obtain a translation in good time.

  • Abitur certificate
  • List of grades from (German) 'Abitur'
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree certificate
  • Bachelor's or Master's transcript
  • Provisional transcript if the BA/MA is not yet completed and you are still studying abroad
  • Curriculum vitae

Our language courses start in March and September of each year. Our next course dates are

  • March 15, 2024 - August 15, 2024
  • September 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025
  • March 2025 - August 2025
  • September 2025 - February 2026

Application is possible

  • from June 1 to July 15 for the course start in September
  • from December 1 to January 15 for the course start in March

Allocation procedure for September 2024

  • Examination of the application documents: 16 July to 25 July 2024
  • Confirmation and invitation to the enrolment date: 26 July to 7 August 2024

 

As a participant in our language course you will be enrolled as a language course student (non-degree).

For this purpose, the Student Services Contribution has to be paid. The amount of the contribution varies each semester. Please click here to check the current amount.

The collective date for enrolment will take place on 9 August 2024 at Bielefeld University in presence. Please bring a copy and translation of all documents proving your university entrance qualification to the appointment.

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