Ukraine is an important country of origin among international students in Germany. In the summer semester of 2021, more than 8,200 Ukrainian students were studying at German universities (source: Federal Statistical Office). The universities of both countries are also linked institutionally in many ways: According to HRK´s service “International university partnerships”, there are currently 257 partnerships with Ukraine involving 113 German and 89 Ukrainian higher education institutions.
In 1998, the HRK concluded a framework agreement on higher education cooperation with the Council of Rectors of Ukrainian Institutions of Higher Education, which was renewed in December 2014 due to developments in the European Higher Education Area.
In response to the current war, numerous German universities have launched various support activities for their partner institutions in Ukraine as well as for Ukrainian academics and students. This currently includes:
- public expressions of solidarity
- public discussion events on the war in Ukraine
- readiness to expand support services within the framework of the "Scholars at Risk" network and the Philipp Schwartz Initiative
- specific support for access to study and research opportunities
- psychological support for refugee students and university members
- offers of free guest studies, incl. acquisition of ECTS
- German language courses
- accommodation in guest houses
- Supporting student initiatives for the reception, accommodation and care of people who have had to flee the war in Ukraine with additional resources
- Establishment of emergency funds and bridging assistance for Ukrainian students and teachers who are currently unable to return to their home countries.
The HRK has compiled information on how higher education institutions support refugees who want to study in Germany. On the webpage “Study for refugees,” you will find information about university admission, study-preparation and financial support.
General information about entering Germany from Ukraine and residing in Germany is provided by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (BMI) with respective Frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.) and the help portal “Germany4Ukraine” as well as by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the respective web special offered by the Deutsche Bahn (DB) “Help for refugees from Ukraine” (zugportal.de).
At the request of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Länder in the Federal Republic of Germany (Kultusministerkonferenz; KMK) and supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) expanded its online service for German universities on the impact of the war in Ukraine and for Ukrainian students and researchers heading to Germany, which is linked below, into a National Academic Contact Point Ukraine / Національний академічний контактний центр для України. The HRK supports its member universities as well as the DAAD in bundling and making visible the respective offers of support.
