Information for Refugees
Financing
Bielefeld University does not charge tuition fees. There is, however, a small social fee that has to be paid each semester. This includes a ticket for free public transport in the city and area of Bielefeld, and on regional trains and buses in North-Rhine Westphalia for the whole semester, i.e. six months.
There are several ways to financing your studies. The best way is to apply for government funding called BAföG. As a registered refugee, you have the possibility to apply for BAföG. You could also apply for a scholarship or finance your studies with a job.
BAföG
Find further information on financing your studies: study-in-germany.de
Scholarships
- NRWege-Stipendium (for students with refugee background)
As part of the programme "NRWege ins Studium - Integration of Refugees at Universities in NRW", Bielefeld University awards various scholarships to students with a refugee background. Details about the scholarship can be found here.
- Hilde Domin Programme (for students and doctoral candidates at risk worldwide)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers the "Hilde Domin Programme" scholarship programme with funding from the Federal Foreign Office (AA).
The Hilde Domin Programme is intended to support students and doctoral candidates at risk worldwide who are formally or de facto denied the right to education in their country of origin to take up or continue their studies in Germany in order to obtain a degree or doctorate at a German university. The long-term goal of the scholarship programme is to enable students and doctoral candidates to study at a university or conduct research in a safe environment so that they can make an important contribution to political, economic and social development after completing their studies or research project.*
The requirements for nominations are
- Possession of educational qualifications that allow access to a university and guarantee the completion of a degree programme or research project sought according to Anabin (note: last degree max. two years ago).
- Admission to a degree programme or confirmation of supervision for a research project at Bielefeld University
- Candidates are not resident in Germany or in another EU country at the time of nomination
- A proven or credible threat to personal well-being or safety (e.g. through physical violence, arrest, denial of civil and educational rights, etc.).
*Excludes subject areas: Human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and law and the countries of origin: EU, EEA, EFTA countries as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the United Kingdom.
Please note: It is not possible to apply for the programme independently. Nominations are made exclusively via the International Office of Bielefeld University. A nomination application can be submitted via the online form (link follows) . Applications will be accepted until 15 August to enable processing by the International Office and subsequent nomination to the DAAD by 15 September.
After successful nomination by Bielefeld University, potential candidates are given the opportunity to apply directly to the DAAD via an online portal. The final selection of candidates is made by an independent selection committee appointed by the DAAD. Both risk and academic performance are assessed as part of the selection process.
Further information on the Hilde Domin Programme can also be found on the DAAD website.
- Bridge Scholarships for Palestinians in Germany (for Palestinian refugees)
Applications and further information can be found here.
- Further scholarship opportunities