Contact for
Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
German Academic Exchange Service
You have taken refuge in Germany? And you would like to begin your studies at TH Köln? Here you will find everything about the necessary requirements and the application procedure. In addition, there are special offers that make it easier for refugees to begin their studies.
The “Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule” (GF-H) (University Educational Guidance Guarantee Fund) supports young immigrants to prepare to pursue university studies in Germany. Refugees and late resettlers have the opportunity to apply to the GF-H Bildungsberatung service (educational advice service) for acceptance onto a sponsorship programme, in accordance with the “Richtlinien Garantiefonds Hochschulbereich – RL-GF-H” (regulations of the University Guarantee Fund).
As a refugee you are allowed to audit lectures free of charge provided that the specific program has the capacity to accommodate additional students. For further information please contact us.
Education and research know no borders. That is why the Education and Science Ministry and NRW colleges and universities support refugees who want to study in North Rhine-Westphalia. This website will help you find the information you need. In addition to general information, it includes the phone numbers and addresses of the responsible advisors at the colleges and universities.
Information provided by the German Academic Exchange Service on various programs and measures offered with universities and partner organizations to support the integration of refugees at German universities.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has compiled important information for refugees on the subject of "Studying in Germany". They are available in German and English. FAQs are also available in Arabic, Urdu, Pashtu and Dari.
30 universities are involved in a wide range of measures in the "NRWege ins Studium" program, which has been funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia since 2017. Pre-study language courses, counseling and support during studies as well as scholarships to finance living expenses provide comprehensive support and ensure academic success.
The University of Cologne wants to give refugees a successful start to their studies. One of the numerous offers is the project "Mathematicsfor Refugees". Within this framework, the University of Cologne offers a weekly mathematics course to provide preliminary knowledge for studying. In addition, a programming course is also offered to introduce students to programming with Java.
Kiron Campus is a free online learning platform for refugees worldwide. In addition to language courses, you can further your education in many areas and network with the large, worldwide community.
KoBAM supports migrants in entering training and employment.
The qualification measure includes intercultural labor market coaching for immigrant teachers and engineers with teaching experience in the STEM field or for specialists in the field of business administration.
A prerequisite for acceptance into German-taught programs is the ability to demonstrate a sufficient command of the German language. Our language center offers language courses in “German as a foreign language” and a preparatory German language course for the German language examination for university entrance (DSH).
Crossborders Köln is an initiative of students of TH Köln, which tries to reduce the language barrier for refugees. The aim is to teach German to refugees in Cologne in a non-traditional way, thus overcoming the first integration difficulties and borders and offering a change in everyday life. The aim of the courses is to impart German language practice in a playful way and thus make fun for both
Conn[ɛ]ction Cologne e. V. aims to increase the opportunities for refugees to participate in social life. Since linguistic understanding is an important prerequisite for this, Conn[ɛ]ction Köln e. V. provides voluntary language support.
Information on the Federal Government's Educational Loan Program - Financial Support for Training and Studies can be found on the website of the Bundesverwaltungsamt (BVA).
The scholarship of the Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst is aimed at students with refugee experience who are studying at German universities.
Brot für die Welt awards scholarships to women who seek protection in Germany because they are persecuted or threatened in their country of origin for political, religious or ethnic reasons. Often the flight means an involuntary interruption of studies and accompanying deterioration of future prospects. This scholarship is intended to give refugee women in particular the opportunity to continue or take up their studies in Germany.
StipendiumPlus' scholarship opportunities are for German students as well as EU students and other international students who are entitled to permanent residence in Germany within the meaning of Article 8 Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG). The applicant student must be enrolled at a public or state-recognized institution of higher education in Germany.
The model project Fem.OS supports the social and professional integration of migrant women in Germany.
A guide for your first weeks in Germany. Understanding how Germany works is the basis for getting on well together. Everyone has the same obligations and has to obey German laws. But everyone has the same rights too. In this app you get to know the rules of this country and learn what you have to pay attention to. Try it! And start right now...
The central information platform for all newcomers to Germany. Here you will find the most important information you need to get started in your new home. In videos and texts you will find answers to your questions about living in Germany with important tips on asylum, housing, health, work and education, as well as on daycare, studies and much more - available in seven languages: German, Farsi, E
The immigration counseling for adult immigrants will be of assistance with questions in regards to learning German, school and profession, accommodation, health as well as family and education.
Grenzenlos in Bewegung - GiB for short - is an initiative of the Sporthochschule Köln that promotes sports and exchange with refugees.
International students will find important information about studying in Germany on the website of the Deutsches Studentenwerk, the umbrella organization of student services in Germany.
Among other things, the Refugee Law Clinic Cologne provides free, student-run legal counseling for refugees.
Backpack is a UC Davis (California) application where refugee students and scholars can upload their documents to prove their academic record.
The Violence against Women Support Hotline - support for women in distress. Affected persons can get anonymous, competent, safe and barrier-free advice at any time.
The pages of the Frauenhaus-Koordinierung e.V. (FHK) provide specialized information, especially for employees of women's shelters or specialized counseling centers and other specialized personnel.
Among other services, bff: Women against Violence provides a search engine that will show you suitable support services in your area.
The Women's Info Network against Violence offers important information on support services for women affected by violence as well as an overview of available places in women's shelters in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Contact for
Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW
Federal Ministry of Education and Research
German Academic Exchange Service
