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.
Currently, an application for a place in language support for refugees is not possible.
The online form will be published at the beginning of the next application period (1.5.2023).
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.
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 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).
- 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 or for the following reasons: Raising children, caring for care-dependent relatives, personal illness.)
The application periods for 2023 are:
- 15.01. - 31.01.2023
- 01.03. - 15.03.2023
- 01.05. - 15.05.2023 (further periods will be published shortly)
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.


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.

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
- Search engine for integration courses (language course and orientation course)
- Search engine of the professional association for German as a foreign and second language
- 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:
- ARD Mediathek: Information can be found here.
- alpha lernen
- WDRforyou
- 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
- Language Café of the Refugee Counseling and Integration Office
- Tandem partnership, for example through the Center for Higher Education (zhb) at TU Dortmund University. More information about the Tandem method and the program at TU Dortmund University can be found here.
- App "Tandem"
- Groups in social networks (e.g. Facebook)
This overview of additional learning opportunities does not claim to be exhaustive.
Contact
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Eat & Read - Open Afternoon at the IBZ

German Language Café

Informational event: Legal rights for international students

IKC Festival of Cultures

Application Deadline: PROMOS Scholarship for the IEP in the USA, Fall Quarter 2023
Location & approach
The campus of TU Dortmund University is located close to interstate junction Dortmund West, where the Sauerlandlinie A 45 (Frankfurt-Dortmund) crosses the Ruhrschnellweg B 1 / A 40. The best interstate exit to take from A 45 is "Dortmund-Eichlinghofen" (closer to Campus Süd), and from B 1 / A 40 "Dortmund-Dorstfeld" (closer to Campus Nord). Signs for the university are located at both exits. Also, there is a new exit before you pass over the B 1-bridge leading into Dortmund.
To get from Campus Nord to Campus Süd by car, there is the connection via Vogelpothsweg/Baroper Straße. We recommend you leave your car on one of the parking lots at Campus Nord and use the H-Bahn (suspended monorail system), which conveniently connects the two campuses.
TU Dortmund University has its own train station ("Dortmund Universität"). From there, suburban trains (S-Bahn) leave for Dortmund main station ("Dortmund Hauptbahnhof") and Düsseldorf main station via the "Düsseldorf Airport Train Station" (take S-Bahn number 1, which leaves every 20 or 30 minutes). The university is easily reached from Bochum, Essen, Mülheim an der Ruhr and Duisburg.
You can also take the bus or subway train from Dortmund city to the university: From Dortmund main station, you can take any train bound for the Station "Stadtgarten", usually lines U41, U45, U 47 and U49. At "Stadtgarten" you switch trains and get on line U42 towards "Hombruch". Look out for the Station "An der Palmweide". From the bus stop just across the road, busses bound for TU Dortmund University leave every ten minutes (445, 447 and 462). Another option is to take the subway routes U41, U45, U47 and U49 from Dortmund main station to the stop "Dortmund Kampstraße". From there, take U43 or U44 to the stop "Dortmund Wittener Straße". Switch to bus line 447 and get off at "Dortmund Universität S".
The H-Bahn is one of the hallmarks of TU Dortmund University. There are two stations on Campus Nord. One ("Dortmund Universität S") is directly located at the suburban train stop, which connects the university directly with the city of Dortmund and the rest of the Ruhr Area. Also from this station, there are connections to the "Technologiepark" and (via Campus Süd) Eichlinghofen. The other station is located at the dining hall at Campus Nord and offers a direct connection to Campus Süd every five minutes.
The AirportExpress is a fast and convenient means of transport from Dortmund Airport (DTM) to Dortmund Central Station, taking you there in little more than 20 minutes. From Dortmund Central Station, you can continue to the university campus by interurban railway (S-Bahn). A larger range of international flight connections is offered at Düsseldorf Airport (DUS), which is about 60 kilometres away and can be directly reached by S-Bahn from the university station.
The facilities of TU Dortmund University are spread over two campuses, the larger Campus North and the smaller Campus South. Additionally, some areas of the university are located in the adjacent "Technologiepark".
Site Map of TU Dortmund University (Second Page in English)
Interactive map
The facilities of TU Dortmund University are spread over two campuses, the larger Campus North and the smaller Campus South. Additionally, some areas of the university are located in the adjacent "Technologiepark".
