The integration of refugees at German universities is progressing as expected. An increasing number of refugees are successfully making the transition into their chosen course of study. This is a finding from a survey by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) of its member universities.
New enrolments in the current winter semester have risen to 3,000, almost triple the number for the previous winter semester. This figure represents enrolments for a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree.
Responses from the universities also show that the number of individual consultations provided is continuing to grow. This is consistent with the trend since the surveys began in the winter semester of 2015/2016.
“This growth is logical," said HRK President Prof Dr Horst Hippler. “More and more refugees are now in a position to actually commence a course of study. Tailored individual advice at universities makes it possible to find the right course, deal with admission procedures and clarify general requirements.”
But refugees pursuing undergraduate studies or returning to study still need special support after they enrol. “In order to safeguard student success, the universities must ensure that specific academic support is in place,” Hippler said. “Refugees also need advice on how to fund their living costs, which is a great challenge for them.” A third of the universities also provide supplementary services for female refugees. At 20 to 25 per cent, the percentage of female enrolments corresponds approximately to the proportion of women in the total number of refugees who are deemed able to study according to their age and qualifications.
“All this presents challenging additional tasks for the universities,” HRK President Hippler said. “In order to continue to cope with these tasks as well as they have to date, the existing programmes must be put on a permanent footing and the range of initiatives must be intelligently coordinated.”
Options such as study taster sessions or guest student status are now in considerably less demand. “Participation in services such as these, which do not directly serve as preparation for a course, has almost halved. “This marked reduction indicates that more and more refugees have recognised the value of structured preparation for a full-time course of study,” Hippler said.
For context: The HRK survey is a poll, not a statistical census, since refugee status is not automatically recorded at universities. Statistically, only the type of university entrance qualification (German or foreign) and nationality are recorded.
