The university today held a ceremony to welcome 30 refugees who have enrolled for an orientation year in the winter semester. They are already the second group to take up this opportunity. Over a period of up to three semesters, the university will prepare them to undertake specialised studies at a German university.
A key focus of the orientation year is language acquisition. Course participants therefore spend a large part of their time on intensive language training, culminating in the DSH, the German language examination for university admission. From the very first semester, they also learn the basics of academic work – in specially designed modules offered in German, English and Arabic.
In addition, they can take part in guest student programmes to help them find their academic direction. Furthermore, the university’s and Studentenwerk’s advisory services, as well as various voluntary initiatives, offer a wide range of services and leisure activities to support students and integrate them into campus life.
The university has been offering the orientation year since the summer semester of 2016. It begins at the start of both the summer and winter semesters. Applications are open to those who can demonstrate that they are recent refugees, hold a qualification for university entry and have a basic knowledge of German. Course participants are enrolled as guest students, as this status allows them to access higher education even whilst their asylum application is being processed. Participants in the Orientation Year receive a certificate recognising the work they have completed.
