Study opportunities for refugees
We support you on finding your way to FAU.

There are many reasons for people to flee their country. FAU stands for intercultural diversity, openness and tolerance. We are committed to helping refugees find their way to our university and doing the best we can to support them.
We would like to welcome you to FAU and offer information about studying at our university and our German courses on this website.
FAQs on studying at FAUOur services:
Consultation: Ways to study at FAU (German and English)
Prerequisites and required documents:
- Sufficient knowledge of German or English for the consultation (Level B2)
- Curriculum vitae (listing all schools and universities and online courses starting from primary education to higher education, including the month and year of admission and graduation. The CV should be written in tabular form without omissions).
- Secondary school leaving certificate (original and certified German/English translation)
- Academic achievements with subjects and grades (original and certified German/English translation)
- Certificate of German language proficiency (if available)
- Current residence permit and supplementary sheet (front and reverse of both documents)
- Valid passport (copy of photo ID, if available)
- Degree program you want to study
Please e-mail us the required documents and tell us which degree program you would like to study: students-welcome@fau.de
After we have checked your documents, we will contact you to arrange a consultation. It may take up to two weeks to process your application.
Preparatory German course (DSH course)
With the exception of a small number of degree programs, German is the teaching language at FAU. Therefore, a very good knowledge of German is essential for successfully completing a degree program at our university. An overview of all the recognized language certificates.
The preparatory German course is 20 hours per week (mornings and afternoons) and is partly subsidized for refugees. Courses are held on campus in Erlangen.
Registration
Would you like to register? Please e-mail us the following documents and tell us which degree program you would like to study: students-welcome@fau.de
Required documents
-
- Curriculum vitae (listing all schools and universities and online courses starting from primary education to higher education, including the month and year of admission and graduation. The CV should be written in tabular form without omissions).
- Secondary school leaving certificate (original and certified German/English translation)
- Academic achievements with subjects and grades (original and certified German/English translation)
- Certificate of German language proficiency (if available)
- Current residence permit and supplementary sheet (front and reverse of both documents)
- Valid passport (copy of photo ID, if available)
- Degree program you want to study
What happens after you register?
After we have checked your documents, we will contact you to arrange a consultation. It may take up to two weeks to process your application. Language courses are only offered if there are enough participants. A placement test will take place at the University’s Language Centre before the courses begin (early April for the summer semester and early October for the winter semester). The test determines whether you are admitted to the course. The fee for the placement test is partly subsidized. Applicants do not have a legal right to a place on the course.
Online evening courses in German: For refugees from Ukraine
The online evening German courses allow you to connect and learn from home. The course schedule includes two 2-hour sessions per week for a total duration of twelve weeks.
Courses will be held in April in the summer semester (2023) and October for the winter semester (2023/24) if there is sufficient interest. Courses are funded in full by the PACT4Ukraine Team, and co-financed from the Bavarian “Ukraine Crisis” Emergency Fund.
Would you like to register? Please e-mail us the following documents and tell us which degree program you would like to study: students-welcome@fau.de
Required documents
-
- Curriculum vitae (listing all schools and universities and online courses starting from primary education to higher education, including the month and year of admission and graduation. The CV should be written in tabular form without omissions).
- Secondary school leaving certificate (original and certified German/English translation)
- Academic achievements with subjects and grades (original and certified German/English translation)
- Certificate of German language proficiency (if available)
- Current residence permit and supplementary sheet (front and reverse of both documents)
- Valid passport (copy of photo ID, if available)
- Program you want to study
What happens after you register?
After we have checked your documents, we will contact you to arrange a consultation. It may take up to two weeks to process your application. Language courses are only offered if there are enough participants. A placement test will take place online before the courses begin (early April for the summer semester and early October for the winter semester). The test determines whether you are admitted to the course. The placement test is subsidized entirely. Applicants do not have a legal right to a place on the course.
Orientation program (only for degree programs without admission restrictions)
Do you have a university entrance qualification already and German proficiency at level B2?
Perhaps the orientation program can give you an idea of what you would like to study? You can enroll in degree programs without admission restrictions for a maximum of two semesters to see whether a program is the right choice for you. You also have the right to take examinations during the orientation program. If you decide to enroll in a full degree program later, examinations that you have already taken can be recognized.
The application deadline for the summer semester is March 1. Applications for the winter semester must be received by August 1.
Prerequisites and required documents
- Applicants must meet the formal requirements for university study (the database of the Central Office For Foreign Education can help you to ascertain whether your secondary education qualification is a recognized university entrance qualification in Germany).
- Curriculum vitae (listing all schools and universities and online courses starting from primary education to higher education, including the month and year of admission and graduation. The CV should be written in tabular form without omissions).
- Secondary school leaving certificate (original and certified German/English translation)
- Academic achievements with subjects and grades (original and certified German/English translation)
- Current residence permit and supplementary sheet (front and reverse of both documents)
- Valid passport (copy of photo ID, if available)
- Recognized certificate of German language proficiency, level B2
- An individual consultation session with the study advisors is required beforehand
- Degree program you want to study
How to apply
Would you like to apply? Please e-mail us the following documents and tell us which degree program you would like to study: students-welcome@fau.de
What happens after you register?
After we have checked your documents, we will contact you to arrange a consultation. It may take up to two weeks to process your application.
We are happy to help and guide you.
Student Advice and Career Service (IBZ)
- Phone number: +49 9131 85-23333
- Email: ibz@fau.de
- Website: https://ibz.fau.eu

Frequently asked questions on studying at FAU
What are the prerequisites for studying at FAU?
- Language With the exception of a small number of degree programs, German is the teaching language at FAU. Therefore, a very good knowledge of German (Level C1/C2) is essential for successfully completing a degree program at our university.
- University entrance qualification FAU follows the recommendations on university entrance qualifications from the Central Office for Foreign Education .
Which degree programs are offered at FAU?
Please refer to the list of degree programs offered at FAU:
Are there programs taught in English?
FAU offers a few Bachelor’s degree programs and some Master’s degree programs in English.
When do I need to attend a pre-entry program (Studienkolleg)?
The qualifications you gained from your secondary school in your home country do not necessarily entitle you to study at a German university. In many cases, international applicants have to take an assessment examination (Feststellungsprüfung) at a Studienkolleg or provide proof of previous study periods in their home country before they are admitted to the degree program. The Database of the Central Office for Foreign Education gives recommendations on the recognition of foreign qualifications and can help you to ascertain whether your secondary education qualification is a recognized university entrance qualification in Germany.
How can I apply to FAU?
Where can I get my foreign certificates certified?
How much does studying cost?
Where can I find accommodation?
Where can I find information on scholarships?
You can find more information yourself on these websites:
If I don’t get a place on a German course at FAU, are there other courses where I can learn German?
- Students who are not admitted to the University’s language course can attend a language course at a private language institute.
- Deutsche Welle offers free online language courses.
- There are also more tips for learning German on the DAAD website.
What else does FAU offer for refugees?
As well as individual consultations, we offer an orientation program and German courses that are partly subsidized.