Joint press release: Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) and German Rectors’ Conference (HRK)

Refugees at university – practice-oriented guide

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Nuremberg, 24.10.2016. A guide called “Access to University and Academic Study of Refugees” intended for people working at universities and associations for student affairs has been published jointly by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) and German Rectors’ Conference (HRK).

The number of refugees wishing to study in Germany is increasing. This poses new challenges for universities and associations for student affairs. Despite many years of experience in the integration of international students, specific questions naturally arise with regard to refugees.

Which legal regulations regarding asylum and residence are applicable to refugees wishing to commence academic studies? Which aspects must be considered with regard to admission and enrolment of refugees? Which study funding opportunities are available to refugees? Is there any assistance for traumatised refugees?

Answers have been collected in an information brochure published by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), German National Association for Student Affairs (DSW) and German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), in association with the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR). This can now be downloaded by people working at universities and associations for student affairs from the web pages of the organisations involved (in German). “Thanks to the excellent cooperation of all the organisations involved, a guide providing comprehensive and effective help with regard to issues related to higher education of refugees has now been created for people working at universities and associations for student affairs,” says Dr. Uta Dauke, Vice President of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF).

The brochure considers all the stages that refugees pass through during their integration in the higher education system, from initial course guidance to final academic study. All significant regulations with regard to higher education, labour and social law are explained and references to related information are provided. The guide is therefore an important instrument for higher education institutions and associations for student affairs for counselling refugees wishing to start or continue university studies.

Integration of refugees is certainly a challenge for universities and associations for student affairs, but the organisations involved clearly focus on the opportunities: admission to and completion of higher education helps refugees to gain a foothold in the job market, while Germany will always benefit from well-educated graduates.