This nine-month university-based further education programme is aimed at migrants and refugees who have already completed training or a degree or part of a degree from their country of origin. It would be an advantage if they already have professional experience in educational or social fields. The contact study programme serves to deepen and expand the qualifications already acquired.

The current round of further education started at all three locations in September 2023 and runs until June/July 2024.

Aims of further education

The aim of further education is to value and promote the educational aspirations of migrants and refugees. The aim is to facilitate access to a professional entry or academic appointment in an educational field of work.

Qualifications, migration and professional experience from third countries are given special consideration in the contact study programme. This consciously incorporates the knowledge and skills from the participants' countries of origin that they bring with them from their studies, training or academic appointments or voluntary work.

At the same time, participants should feel motivated enough to embark on further studies and thus acquire a formally recognised qualification here. It is possible to take up a degree programme in (social) education at certain colleges and universities (in Lower Saxony and the Rhine-Main region) after successfully participating in the contact study programme. Participants are prepared for studying at a college or university in Germany in selected seminars and an internship, including various learning methods and course certificates.

Who can take part?

People from non-EU countries with a history of migration or flight (without German citizenship) can take part in the further education programme. They must have a residence or settlement permit and be permanently resident in Germany. EU citizens can only participate if they are directly related to an eligible person. Migrants and refugees with a residence permit or tolerated stay permit can apply if they can provide proof of participation in a BAMF integration course ("Living in Germany" certificate) or a BAMF job-related German course. Further admission requirements are:

• Study, credits or training in the country of origin and/or
• Professional experience (including voluntary work) in educational, socio-educational or social fields of work and
• adequate German language skills.

Programme content and certificate

The contact study programme takes place over a period of 9 months. The programme content is taught in seminars and workshops and supplemented by excursions. The further education programme concludes with a certificate from the University of Oldenburg.

The curriculum

Financing

Participation in the contact study programme is free of charge. The contact study programme is a further education course, therefore participants are not entitled to BAföG and do not receive a semester public transport pass.