Refugee student numbers rising as planned

The number of people with refugee status signing up to higher education has nearly trebled in comparison with last year, according to the HRK, Germany’s association of rectors.

A survey of the organisation’s members showed that nearly 3,000 refugees will start a bachelors, masters or PhD degree this winter, compared with about 1,000 last year. Universities have also offered individual advice and mentoring to more than twice as many refugees as the year before, the survey results show. 

Horst Hippler, the president of the HRK, said better advisory systems at universities had created the right framework to help refugees make decisions about education. “Targeted individual advice creates the basis for refugees to choose their degree, pass admissions and clarify support options.”