Studies for Ukraine war refugees

Are you a student and threatened by the war in Ukraine? Or you have already had to flee? Then you will find several possibilities at HAWK to continue your studies or to prepare for the continuation of your studies in Germany.

Навчання для біженців з України (Ukrainisch)

Possible without registration:

Counseling services provided free of charge by HAWK open about everything to do with studying

During the "Open Hour" you can get a lot of important information and clarify questions in the languages German, English, Ukrainian, Russian and Arabic.

Online (via Zoom):

Mondays 4pm – 5pm
(Deutsch, English, عربي)
https://zoom.us/j/97856518644 | Password: 095343

Fridays 3.30pm – 4.30pm
(Deutsch, English, українська, русский)
https://zoom.us/j/97856518644 | Password: 095343

In Hildesheim:

Mondays 4pm – 5pm
(Deutsch, English, عربي)
Goschentor 1, room E14

Wednesdays 12am – 1pm
(Deutsch, English, українська, русский)
Goschentor 1, room E14

In Holzminden:

Mondays 5pm – 6pm
(Deutsch, English, русский)
Haarmannplatz 3, room HOA_S22

In Göttingen:

Tuesdays 12am – 1pm
(Deutsch, عربي)
Von-Ossietzky-Straße 99, building A, room 112
Our advisors will help you with individual questions, such as prerequisites for your degree, paths into the program, choosing a degree program, financing, and more. Consultations take place in German or English – either in the office in Hildesheim or Holzminden, by telephone or online via Zoom. If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please email us at hawkopen@hawk.de.
If you have any questions about your specialized studies, various contact persons from the study programs are available to help you. HAWK open helps you find the right contact person and make an appointment. Please feel free to send us an e-mail to hawkopen@hawk.de.

Taking part in an intensive German language course to prepare for university studies

Intensive German courses at various levels (B2 to C1) are offered at HAWK to prepare you for studying in Germany. Courses are 24 hours of instruction per week and take place online. Refugees can apply for a scholarship that allows them to attend a course free of charge. You can find more information here.

Study Buddies – Together at HAWK

At Study Buddies you can meet HAWK students and other prospective students from many different countries. Together you will have good times, socialize and get to know your city and the university better. Taking part is free of charge and you can start at any time. If you are interested, please contact Ms. Annette Rehfus: annette.rehfus@hawk.de More information can be found on the Study Buddies here.

More opportunities

Visiting students

If you would like to participate in courses in your degree program or in the cross-degree program offered by the Individual Profile Studies (IPS), you can register as a guest student at HAWK. These are the prerequisites:

If possible, you have at least an intermediate knowledge of German or English (approx. B1).
Your degree program or a similar program is offered at HAWK. You will find an overview of the study programs offered at HAWK here.
Refugees can take part in the courses as guest students free of charge.
To register, please send the completed registration form, a copy of your residence permit (ID) and a resume to hawkopen@hawk.de. Please indicate how good your knowledge of German and English is (giving us an estimate is fine).
You will then receive an appointment with an advisor from your program of study with whom you will discuss potential courses.
After individual consultation with the instructors, it may also be possible to take an examination.
It might also be possible that there are no suitable courses available, e.g. because there are no courses in English in your degree program, a course is already full or because it is already too late in the semester and it no longer makes sense to join the course.

Exchange studies

You can also enroll in an exchange program at HAWK if you are studying at a Ukrainian university and your program is offered at HAWK. This may result in costs for you (see below)

Prerequisites for exchange studies

You are enrolled as a student at a Ukrainian university.
You are studying a subject that is also offered at HAWK or that fits into a study program offered at HAWK. Here is where you can look at the study programs available.
You speak either English or German.

Documents required

Completed registration form
Digital passport photo
Copy of your passport
Proof that you were studying / have studied in Ukraine up to the beginning of the war
If available: Proof of medical insurance coverage in Germany (e.g. EHIC – European Health Insurance Card)
If obtainable: Transcript of records from the Ukrainian university
If available: Proof of language proficiency in English and/or German

Please send these documents to: incomings.aa@hawk.de
We are happy to answer any questions you may have.

You cannot complete your studies with an exchange study program. However, it is possible, under certain conditions, to transfer to a regular program later so that you can earn a degree.
You must pay a semester fee to enroll as an exchange student.
In addition, you must also submit proof of having medical insurance coverage. Statutory health insurance for students costs approximately € 110 per month (for students under 30 years of age).
Note for people who receive basic social security payments under ALG II (from the Jobcenter): Please check with your contact person at the Job Center to find out whether or not you might have any disadvantages by enrolling in an exchange program.

Regular studies

Of course, it is also possible for you to start or continue your regular studies. To do so, you need German language skills of at least level B2 in all courses of study.

You can find the documents you need for regular studies here.

The following language exams are recognized:

TestDaF = Test German as a foreign language, level 3 or level 4 – depending on the course of studies
DSH = German language test for university enrolment, level 1 or level 2 – depending on the course of studies
telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
German language diploma from the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs, 2nd level
C2 certificate from the Goethe Institut
Some degree programs require special prerequisites for admission (e.g. an internship or aptitude test). You can find the exact requirements in each case on the website of your degree program. For any other questions you may have, please contact HAWK open or the named contact persons of the study programs.

Five Erasmus+ scholarships for refugee students from Ukraine to be awarded

The scholarship includes the following benefits:

Grant of 1,100 euros per month for the period of October 2022 to March 2023
If applicable, special funding for participants with disabilities or chronic illnesses

Who is eligible to apply?

Students enrolled at a recognized Ukrainian university who have fled the Ukraine due to the Russian attack (proof required),
Students who are studying a degree program that is also offered at HAWK
and who have German language skills at A2 level CEFR or higher (proof required).

Important notes:

Please find out more about the range of courses offered at HAWK and check whether your previous studies match our courses so that you can continue your studies here.
The courses take place in face-to-face classes at the HAWK.
The Erasmus+ grant can only be paid to a German bank account.
If you are already registered in Germany and receive social benefits, the Erasmus+ scholarship will count towards your social benefits.
As the recipient of a grant, you must take out student health insurance (approx. 130 euros per month).
As the recipient of an Erasmus+ grant, it will be necessary for you to submit documents and records on a regular basis from the beginning to the end of the grant period. Your diligent cooperation is required.

Selection criteria:

Receipt of the application completed in full by the specified deadline
Higher semesters usually have priority over lower semesters
Consideration of family responsibilities
Consideration of disabilities, chronic and mental illnesses
Consideration of other hardships/special circumstances
Consideration of social commitment

Application:

Application form for exchange students completed in full
Proof of enrollment in the Ukraine (e.g. enrollment certificate, grade transcript)
Proof of German language skills A2 GER, e.g. with a recognized language certificate (telc, Goethe) or by way of participation in a language test at the HAWK Language Center (registration via deutschkurse.spz@hawk.de)
If applicable, proof of other factors to be considered in the selection process

Application deadline: 1 September 2022

Questions and answers

I am not yet in Germany. Can I enter Germany as a student?

Please go here to find out more about how to enter Germany.

I was studying in Ukraine, but I do not have Ukrainian citizenship. Do the regulations also apply to me?

All the opportunities described at HAWK are also valid for persons with another citizenship. For information on entering Germany and financing, please go here or get in touch with us.

Do I have to be able to speak German to study at HAWK?

You can also enroll as a guest student or in an exchange program if you are not able to speak German. If you don’t speak German, you will need to be able to speak English.

However, in order for you to complete your studies, you need to speak German. HAWK offers German courses and will support you in learning German.

Can I get my degree at HAWK?

Yes, you can complete your studies in a regular program. For this you need very good German language skills and some other requirements. You can find more detailed information here.

It might be an option for you to first start as an exchange student. You can then switch to a regular program at a later date (when you can fulfill the prerequisites). It is a very good idea to get counseling services beforehand regarding the financing. To arrange for an appointment, please contact hawkopen@hawk.de.

I fled because of the Ukraine war, but I hadn't yet begun to study. Can I start studying at HAWK?

Yes, for this you must meet the normal requirements for international students. You can find information about this here.

What documents do I need to be able to study in Germany?

In order to enroll in an exchange program, you will need the completed application form, a digital passport photo, a copy of your passport and proof that you were studying in Ukraine. If possible, please also send us a "Transcript of Records" from your university, proof of German or English language skills and proof of health insurance in Germany.

It is a very good idea to get counseling services beforehand regarding the financing. To arrange for an appointment, please contact hawkopen@hawk.de.

You will find the documents you require for a regular study program here.

Can HAWK help me to find a place to stay?

Yes, we are happy to help you find a place to stay. Please let us know as early as possible if you need help finding an apartment/a room.

Will I get financial aid for my studies?

People who have currently fled Ukraine usually receive state support. You can find more information about this here.

Students at HAWK can apply for a Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. For all enrolled exchange students who have come to HAWK due to the war in Ukraine, the university offers flexible solutions for the application period and support with the application documents.

In addition, the HAWK-Zukunftsfonds offers support in the form of smaller amounts for students in financial need.

There are also a few other options for students in financial need. We will be happy to advise you and help you obtain financial assistance. For any other questions you may have, please feel free to contact hawkopen@hawk.de.

Here you can find out more about other options to receive grants (Germany-wide).

Everything is new to me here in Germany. Who can help me to get to know my way around?

HAWK students are happy to help you arrive well in Germany and to find your way around at HAWK.
Write to us at hawkopen@hawk.de or come to the “Open Hour”.

During the "Open Hour", student assistants offer open office hours for you and are available for questions about studying. These take place:

Online (via Zoom):

Mondays 4pm – 5pm
(Deutsch, English, عربي)
https://zoom.us/j/97856518644 | Password: 095343

Fridays 3.30pm – 4.30pm
(Deutsch, English, українська, русский)
https://zoom.us/j/97856518644 | Password: 095343

In Hildesheim:

Mondays 4pm – 5pm
(Deutsch, English, عربي)
Goschentor 1, room E14

Wednesdays 12am – 1pm
(Deutsch, English, українська, русский)
Goschentor 1, room E14

In Holzminden:

Mondays 5pm – 6pm
(Deutsch, English, русский)
Haarmannplatz 3, room HOA_S22

In Göttingen:

Tuesdays 12am – 1pm
(Deutsch, عربي)
Von-Ossietzky-Straße 99, building A, room 112

I need psychological support. Where can I find help?

The Network for Traumatised Refugees in Lower Saxony (NTFN) offers a wide range of support in the form of individual and group talks as well as the referral of therapy places for refugees.

Student Services also offer psychotherapeutic counseling and open office hours for students. There, those seeking help can also find group and online services and points of contact for emergencies.

Information on the offers:

Who can help me with further questions?

HAWK Open offers you counseling for any questions you may have. Please write an e-mail to hawkopen@hawk.de to make an appointment.

You can also attend the open consultation hours called "Open Hour". Students will provide you with information in several languages. The "Open Hour" currently takes place online. You do not need an appointment for this.