Coordinating Centre for Refugee Integration

Welcome to TU Darmstadt

All prospective and current students with refugee status who either already study at a German university or wish to begin their studies are welcome at TU Darmstadt!

As of October 2015, the Coordinating Center for Refugee Integration (ZKF) prepares and guides current and perspective students with refugee status for university life, serves as the central point of contact for refugees at TU Darmstadt, and takes on a wide-range of internal and external requests.

The ZKF guides and advises on topics such as, but not limited to:

  • University Entrance Requirements & Qualification
  • Learning German
  • Financing Your Studies
  • Networking

Consultation hours

Online and in person consultation hours are held at the following times:

Tuesday 13:00 – 15:00 h

Thursday 10:00 – 12:00 h

If you have any questions and need advice, please click on the following button during office hours and type in the password “ZKF” to enter the virtual waiting room and please wait for your host.

Please note that we might ask you for personal data during the consultation (e.g. name, status, etc.) in order to give you helpful advice.

HessenFonds - Funding period October 2025 - September 2026

The Hessian Ministry of Science and Research, Arts and Culture (HMWK) awards scholarships for particularly talented and high-achieving refugee students, PhD students and researchers within the framework of the “HessenFonds”.

Prerequisites:

  • Eligible for asylum or status as a recognized refugee
  • Generally not registered in Germany for more than four years at the time of the start of funding.
  • The continuous residence in Germany does not exceed five years.
  • Students
    • Enrollment at TU Darmstadt (if you are studying at another university in Hessen, please contact the respective office at your university)
    • high academic achievements
  • PhD students
    • accepted as a PhD student and supervised at a state university in Hessen
    • high academic achievements
  • Researchers
    • guarantee of a research or teaching placement at a state university in Hessen
    • a supporting statement from the same state university in Hessen
    • exceptional achievements in research and/or teaching

Scope of Funding:

  • Students
    • 300 euro / month
  • PhD students
    • 1.200 euro / month
  • Researchers
    • 2.300 euro / month

Funding period:

  • 1 October 2025 – 30 September 2026

Direct application at the Hessian Ministry of Science and Arts is not possible.

Are you interested in applying? Then please contact us: as soon as possible. We are happy to help you and answer your questions.

Our internal application deadline is 31 July 2025.

Information on the HessenFonds scholarship for refugee and at risk researchers as well as PhD students at risk can be found on the SAR website and the HMWK website.

Webseite / Website HMWK

Services for prospective students

Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek, Lesehof mit Freitreppe. Bild: Thomas Ott

Preparatory Courses

ZKF, in close cooperation with the Language Centre of the TU Darmstadt, offers 4 preparatory courses with language focus at different levels. These courses prepare prospective students to acquire the language skills necessary for studying in Germany.

At a glance:

  • Modular structure (10 weeks per module)
  • Teaching of academic language, with technical terminology being taught from the very beginning
  • Daily instruction, 24 hours per week
  • Participation is free of cost

A goal-oriented supporting program, which consists of regular study-related trainings and workshops, cultural events, and in-depth mentoring round out the language offerings.

You need to apply for a spot in our university preparation courses.

Current language course programme

We are currently unable to offer any new language courses. However, you can use the registration form below to send us your contact details to receive the latest information on our language course programme.

Picture: Patrick Bal

Services for Students

The units “Central Coordination Office for Refugee Integration” (ZKF) and “International Student Services” (ISS) are grouped together under one specialised department, thus bringing together students with and without a refugee background at all the various stages.

We summarised important information for you here. On the pages of International Student Services (ISS) you will find further useful advice. Please contact us if you have any specific questions.

ZKF is there for you during your studies. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our orientation programs provide you with helpful information for your start at the TU Darmstadt.

The Kick-Off Days is aimed at all international students. The diverse program supports you in having a successful start in your studies and takes place every October.

The pages of einfachsTUdieren provide comprehensive information for all new students at the TU Darmstadt.

Financing your studies must be well thought out.

Integration Network of Hessian Universities

Universities in Hesse work closely together in a cooperative network to prepare refugees interested in studying for a degree in Germany.

The jointly published information brochure provides an overview of the wide range of offers throughout Hesse.

Please contact the university near you.

Download brochure (opens in new tab)

TU Darmstadt is part of the Integration Network of Hessian Universities
TU Darmstadt is part of the Integration Network of Hessian Universities