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International Office
Studierende laufen über den Campus. Es ist eine große rote Skulptur in Form von großen Zahnrädern zu erkennen. © Roland Baege​/​TU Dortmund
Preparatory Support for Studies

Language Training for Refugees

German is the language of instruction for the majority of degree programs at TU Dortmund University. Therefore you need to have a very good knowledge of German to take up a degree program, which must be proven by passing a recognized German language examination. The only exceptions to this rule are the English-language degree programs, for which a corresponding proof of English is required.

Language learning financed by support program "NRWege ins Studium"

Since January 2017, TU Dortmund University has been supporting refugees who are interested in studying with language preparation for studies at TU Dortmund University. This is made possible by the support program "NRWege ins Studium", which is funded by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and applied for at the Counseling Services for Refugees under the title Language Training for Refugees.

The Language Training for Refugees includes participation in preparatory German courses at levels B1 - C1, taking the DSH examination, and a supporting framework program.

Applications for a spot in the Language Training for Refugees are currently closed. 

 

 

Important information about the Language Training

FAQs

The language of instruction for the majority of the degree programs is German. In addition, some Master's degree programs are also offered in English. On the following website, you can find a list of all degree programs with an overview of whether they are offered as Bachelor's and/or Master's degree programs and in which language the respective degree program is taught.

Detailed information on language requirements or an overview of recognized language certificates can be found on the website of the Admissions and Enrollment Office.

No, this is not necessary. The Language Training serves to prepare you for your studies; therefore you do not have to be enrolled at TU Dortmund University and will not be enrolled at the university during your participation in the program.

Within the framework of this program, students are prepared for university studies by attending German courses. These courses have the aim to prepare for the DSH examination, the German language certificate Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang ausländischer Studienbewerber (DSH Level 2 or 3).

A certificate of passing the DSH examination level 2 or 3 is considered as a recognized proof of German (see question 2).

The program offers preparatory German courses for university studies at levels B1 - C1. These are intensive courses with a minimum duration of 24 hours per week. The German courses are in-person classes.

Important: Please note that you must take a placement test at one of the cooperating language schools as part of the application process. Should you be classified into the language levels A1 or A2 during the placement test, you will unfortunately not be able to qualify for the program. The result of the placement test is binding.

No, they do not. The preparatory German courses take place as in-person classes at cooperating language schools in the area of Dortmund city. The Refugee Counseling and Integration Office is responsible for assigning students to the respective language schools.

The framework program is an accompanying program designed to support the participants of the Language Training in their learning processes and in their integration into the German university context. Participation in the framework program is obligatory for the participants of the Language Training.

Currently, the framework program consists of regular visits to the German Language Café and participation in interdisciplinary workshops.

For participants of the Language Training, we cover the costs of the German language courses and the participation in the framework program. Likewise, after successful completion of the German courses, the costs for participation in the DSH examination will be covered once. The detailed contents and agreements of the program will be explained to you during the application process and recorded in writing after that.

The following evidence and confirmations must be provided as part of the application process:

  • University entrance qualification (in original language and German or English translation).

    If you are uncertain whether you have a general university entrance qualification which is valid in Germany, you can verify this via the following websites: Anabin, DAAD Zulassungsdatenbank.
     
  • Proof of a refugee background. Please submit your currently valid residence permit for this purpose (copies of front and back).
  • Current residence in Dortmund or the surrounding area
  • Motivation letter in German; alternatively in English if little knowledge of German is available.
     
  • Proof of existing German language skills. Please submit a language certificate (at least A2 level or higher) that is not older than two years.
  • Entry into Germany within the last five years. As part of the application process, you must be able to confirm that your entry into Germany dates back no longer than five years. If you entered Germany more than five years ago, you will unfortunately not be eligible for the Language Training.*
    *Exceptions possible if individuals have already received support under NRWege ins Studium (scholarship, language course or consultation) or for the following reasons: Raising children, caring for care-dependent relatives, personal illness. Please contact us if this applies to you.

It is possible to apply within the application periods. The application periods for the Language Training for refugees for the year 2024 are:

  • 15.01. to 31.01.2024 (course start expected in March 2024)
  • 15.03. to 31.03.2024 (course start expected in May/June 2024)
  • 01.06. to 15.06.2024 (course start expected in July/August 2024)
  • 01.08. to 15.08.2024 (course start expected in September/October/November 2024)

Subject to change without notice.

The application runs exclusively via an online form. The link to the online application form will be published on this website at the beginning of each application period.

Please note that due to the large number of applications, there is no guarantee that you can get a place as participant in the program.

Do you have any questions about applying for a place in the language training? Then do not hesitate to contact the Refugee Counseling and Integration Office.

Please consider our minimum requirements:

  • university entrance qualification (in original language and translation)
    If you are unsure whether you hold the university entrance qualification in
    Germany, you can verify this via the following websites:
    Anabin (DE), DAAD Admissions Database.
  • proof of a refugee background (e.g. front and back of a valid residence permit with refugee status)
  • motivation letter in German; possible in English if no knowledge of German is available
  • if available: German language certificate

Due to the large number of applicants there is no guarantee for a place in the program.

A portrait of a young woman.
Maryna, 22, Participant NRWege Language Training
„Ich bin dem Team des Referat Internationales sehr dankbar, dass es mir die Möglichkeit gegeben hat, meine Integration zu beschleunigen und qualitativ zu verbessern, und dass es mir die Tür zu einer Zukunft in diesem Land geöffnet hat. Dank dieses Programms habe ich als Philologin und Übersetzerin meine Kenntnisse der deutschen Sprache vertieft, was für mich eine sehr wertvolle Aneignung ist. Während des Kurses habe ich viele wunderbare Schüler und Lehrer kennengelernt, bin in die deutsche Kultur eingetaucht und habe meinen Horizont erweitert. Ich bin allen Beteiligten für diese einmalige Gelegenheit unendlich dankbar.“
Ein Porträt einer jungen Frau. Sie hat lange braune Haare, trägt einen grauen Mantel und steht vor einem Gebäude.
Vladyslava, 22, Participant NRWege Language Training
„Durch die Sprachförderung habe ich das Deutschniveau erreicht, das für ein Studium an einer Universität in Deutschland erforderlich ist. In den Online-Workshops habe ich mehr über die Besonderheiten des Bildungssystems in Deutschland erfahren. Das Sprachcafé ist eine gute Gelegenheit, die Deutschkenntnisse zu verbessern, andere Kulturen kennenzulernen und neue Freunde zu finden.“
A portrait of a young man.
Yazan, 27, Participant NRWege Language Training
„Mit der Sprachförderung kann ich mein Ziel erreichen, einen Sprachkurs zu besuchen und die DSH-Prüfung zu schreiben. Durch die Online-Workshops und das Sprachcafé, die ich im Rahmen des Förderungsprogramms besucht habe, habe ich meine EDV-Kenntnisse und meine Sprache verbessert. Das Team der Clearingstelle war auch sehr hilfreich. Sie haben meine Fragen immer beantwortet, alle waren nett und haben mir bei Entscheidungen geholfen.“
A portrait of a woman.
Maryna, 45, Participant NRWege Language Training
„Das Sprachförderprogramm der TU Dortmund hat mir die Tür zur Welt der Universität geöffnet und dafür bin ich unendlich dankbar. Mit der Hilfe der NRWege-Sprachförderung konnte ich mein Sprachniveau auf C1 verbessern und die DSH-Prüfung erfolgreich ablegen. Die Mitarbeiter des Programms waren sehr freundlich und haben mich auf Schritt und Tritt begleitet. Nicht nur die Sprachkurse, sondern auch das Sprachcafé und die zusätzlichen Veranstaltungen, die sich darauf konzentrierten, wie man effektiver lernen kann, waren für mich besonders wertvoll.“

German Language Café

Would you like to practice and improve your German language skillsin a casual setting? Then join us in our German Language Café.

The website of the German Language Café offers you an overview of the upcoming meeting dates, the location details and further relevant information.

Some international students are sitting and standing around a table. They are talking to each other. © Magnus Terhorst​/​TU Dortmund

Further offers for learning German

For people who cannot participate in the Language Training for Refugees or for those who would like to improve their German in addition to the support program, there are further options:

  • Private language schools in Dortmund and the surrounding area
  • Volkshochschulkurse: Information about the VHS Dortmund can be found here (DE).
  • Online language courses (advantage: can be attended flexibly from anywhere in the world)
  • Goethe-Institut
  • Information on language courses and continuing education for immigrants in Germany on the website of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, and
  • Goethe-Institut: Further self-learning offers on the website as well as on the YouTube channel (DE)
  •   Federal Office for Migration and Refugees: The "Ankommen" app
  • VHS learning portal
  • Deutsche Welle:
    • German broadcaster for foreign countries
    • Offers resources for learning German (e.g. podcasts)
  • Other YouTube channels, podcasts and media libraries of public broadcasters:
  • Books: 
    •  Children's books recommended for beginners
    • Books from other countries, which you already know in your native language
  •  Movies and series (preferably with German subtitles)
    • e.g. "Nicos Weg" from Deutsche Welle specifically for learning German
  • Listening to music in German while reading the lyrics

This overview of additional learning opportunities does not claim to be exhaustive.

Contact

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