Springe direkt zu Inhalt

Refugees Welcome - Helping Refugees Together

Freie Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are cooperating to help refugees prepare for enrollment in degree programs

№ 276/2016 from Aug 11, 2016

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has received 189,000 euros in grant money through the Integra program of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to expand its services for refugees during the 2016/17 winter semester. In cooperation with Freie Universität Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin, the university will be offering four additional German language classes as well as preparatory courses beginning with the 2016/2017 winter semester. The classes are intended to provide targeted support for refugees wishing to enroll in degree programs at a German university.

"By cooperating with Freie Universität and Technische Universität (TU) Berlin, we were able to design a program that accommodates the interests and priorities of refugees wishing to study in a regular degree program, while also consolidating our expertise. Freie Universität contributes in the humanities and business and economics, while TU Berlin contributes in the math and science fields," says Dr. Jochen O. Ley, who heads the Student Advisory Services at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. This cooperation aims to promote integration as well as to give the universities an opportunity to optimize their offerings for refugees and provide more targeted support.

Four Language Courses, Preparatory Courses, and Individual Advising

With funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, as of September an existing German language course at Humboldt Universität will be jointly carried out at the Studienkolleg at Freie Universität Berlin, two new German language courses will be started at Humboldt-Universität in October, and another one will be taught in conjunction with the Studienkolleg at Technische Universität Berlin. In addition, courses taught in specific subject areas will introduce refugees to scholarly work at German universities as well as to specific terminology in each subject.

Refugees who are interested in these courses may sign up in person starting now and until September 16, 2016, during the special office hours for refugees offered at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. These consultations are held in Arabic, German, English, and Farsi every Tuesday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Student Service Center, Unter den Linden 6. Advanced registration and appointments are not required.

The interested individuals who go to these office hours will receive a personal consultation. Their language skills will be assessed, and their certificates will be pre-checked.

Special Programs for Refugees at Universities in Berlin

Since last fall, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin have been offering special programs for refugees who wish to continue their academic education in Berlin. Since then, 1769 refugees have sought advice at one of these three Berlin universities, and 670 have been participating in the special programs.

More Information about the Programs:

Contact for German Language Courses and Preparatory Courses

Press Contacts

  • Christa Beckmann, Head, Office of News and Public Affairs, Freie Universität Berlin, Tel.: +49 30 838-73182, Email: christa.beckmann@fu-berlin.de
  • Susanne Cholodnicki, Office for Press, Public Relations, and Alumni, Technische Universität Berlin, Tel.: +49 30 314-27879, Email: susanne.cholodnicki@tu-berlin.de
  • Ibou Diop, Press and Media, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Tel.: +49 30 2093-2945, Email: ibou.diop.1@hu-berlin.de