Refugees

We recommend that you first find a safe place and a place to live. Register at the local offices, e.g. Bürgerservice or Immigration Office. The authorities will advise you on how to apply for financial support, find a job or learn the German language.

For further information for refugees, also on the legal aspects, please visit the websites of

• the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Information for refugees from UkraineExternal link)
• the city of JenaExternal link or your current place of residence
• the University of Jena.
• the German Academic Exchange Service, DAADExternal link.

Students of the Jena universities offer a legal advisory service for refugees in Jena (Refugee Law ClinicExternal link) and a migration and social advice service (MAPExternal link).

• The University of Jena offers 203 different study opportunities. Which are the requirements for studying at the University of Jena? When and how can you apply? Please refer to our offers for international applicants de to find out more about requirements and application.
• If you cannot find your desired course in our study programme database, please refer to the Higher Education CompassExternal link to browse through the programmes offered by other German higher education institutions.
• In order to apply for a study programme, you will need certified copies of German-language translations of your certificates.
• If you are not sure yet what you want to study, please see our information on study orientation de.
• Save the date: University Information Days

Admission restrictions

Some study programmes (e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry in the 1st subject-related semester and in higher subject related semesters, study programmes participating in the DoSV procedure) are subject to admission restrictions. This means that the number of study places available is very limited. In order to be admitted onto these programmes, you need to meet very high requirements and pass a selection process, so there is no guarantee to receive a place of study. We are also happy to advise you on alternatives.

If you want to continue your previous studies in a higher subject-related semester, you need to be able to provide proof of your academic achievements to date. A central examinations office will check whether your previous academic achievements can be recognized and credited. There is no guarantee that all achievements can be credited. As a result, your studies might take longer than planned.

German language abilities

Most study programmes offered by the University of Jena are taught in German; some master’s programmes are taught in English. In order to be admitted to a programme, you need a very high level of German language proficiency (DSH-2 [DSH = German Language Test for Admission to Higher Education], corresponding to level B2+/C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). You need to provide a language test certificate to prove your proficiency. It generally takes language learners without prior knowledge about 2–‍3 years to reach that level. The University of Jena offers a preparatory course for the DSH exam (starting from level B1, subject to a fee, application from May).

Migrants may learn basic German up to the level B1 in Integration Courses (find offering institutionsExternal link).

There are many online self learning courses, e.g.:

• Goethe-InstitutExternal link
• Deutsche WelleExternal link
• Deutsch-Uni onlineExternal link

For Ukrainian prospective students and students there are the following offers:

• Free participation in the self-assessment test onSET.
• Free booking of an online self-study course (learning platform Deutsch-Uni Online)
• Free participation in the language test TestDaF
• Free participation in the study aptitude test TestAS

Information on registration and free booking: 

https://www.daad-ukraine.org/de/studieren-in-deutschland/digitaler-campus/External link

Those who assess their German language skills with the onSET will receive a free German course from Deutsch-Uni Online (DUO) for the next higher language level with their registration.

If you are interested in studying towards a first academic degree (Bachelor, Diplom, state examination) or in participating in the auditor programme, please contact Ms Dwars. You can find her office hours in the section International students and applicants on the website of the International Office. We also give advice via email, telephone or zoom (on request). We speak German and English.

If you are interested in obtaining a master’s degree, please contact the Master Service Centre.

If you are interested in doing a doctorate, the Graduate Academy will be happy to advise you.

At-risk and refugee scientists and scholars are supported by the Team Guest Scientist.

Those who would like to continue their academic education in their free time can participate in the university's auditor programme. The auditor programme comprises German-language courses on the basics of an academic subject. No exams can be taken or credit points earned in the auditor programme.

All details on registration, dates, costs, contents and contact for questions can be found at uni-jena.de/en/occasional-students.

Information and advice for students from non-EU states who fled from Ukraine and wish to return to their homecountries:

• Thomas Peter, Caritasverband für das Bistum Erfurt e.V.; Wagnergasse 37, 07743 Jena, 01724500993 or +49 361 5553356,  rb-j@caritas-bistum-erfurt.de, WebseiteExternal link
• AMAHExternal link at Ansole e.V. Jena
• Scholarships for sub-Sahara africans who pursue a Masters programmeExternal link