Explore – Academic Orientation Program for Refugees at UZH

The application window for Explore – Academic Orientation Program for Refugees at UZH for the 2025/26 program will be open from 1 April to 25 May 2025.

«Explore - Academic Orientation Program for Refugees at UZH» is a semi-intensive program at the University of Zurich (UZH) and is aimed at qualified refugees who want to improve their German language skills at an academic level and get to know the content and demands of studying in Switzerland. Participants attend German courses, academic modules and various information events on higher education opportunities at UZH for at least one semester.

Explore participants attend a German course at UZH with 6 lessons per week. German courses are offered at level B1 and B2-C1. In the German courses, participants improve their German language skills with a focus on their ability to study. In the German course at level B2-C1, the four parts of the Goethe-Zertifikat B2 and C1 exams are simulated, among other things. The Language Center of UZH and ETH Zurich assign students to German courses on the basis of a mandatory oral and written assessment during the application process.

In the first two weeks of the semester, the teachers might reallocate the participants into either of the two groups to ensure that participants take part in the course that suits them best. External language certificates (e.g. TELC or Goethe certificates) are taken into account but are not the sole deciding factor for placement and do not replace an oral or written placement by the Language Center. Certificates from other institutions have no influence on course allocation. The placement results are decisive for course allocation. A self-selected or desired placement is not possible. This ensures that all participants learn in a course that corresponds to their current language level and guarantees effective teaching for all participants.  

Deutsch im akademischen Kontext; B1
Tuesday, 08:30 – 12:00 & Thursday, 10:15 – 11:45

The course is at B1 level. Academic language skils are improved through:

• Expansion of communication competences (vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency)
• Improvement of reading and writing skills
• Expansion of grammatical knowledge

The course provides an intensive training program in all four language skills. Using set phrases, guided discussions, and short presentations, oral skills are trained and developed. Through texts, vocabulary lists, listening texts, and conversations on various topics, both productive and receptive vocabulary is expanded. Practice is conducted to express oneself in various situations of private and social life. Additionally, course participants engage in reading, understanding, and writing texts of various types. In oral and written expression, the focus is on argumentative strategies. Grammatical knowledge is taught at level B1, progressing to B2 during the second semester. The course does not specifically prepare for certification exams.

Deutsch im akademischen Kontext; B2-C1
Tuesday, 08:30 – 11:45 & Thursday, 10:15 – 11:45

The course is situated at the B2 language level. Depending on the proficiency level of the participants, topics at the C1 language level may also be addressed throughout the course. Academic language proficiency is enhanced through:

• Developing communicative competence (vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency)
• Enhancing listening, reading and writing skills
• Expanding grammatical knowledge
• Preparation for the C1 examination

The course provides an intensive training program in all four language skills: The training of these skills is primarily aimed at exam preparation for "telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule" and "Goethe-Zertifikat C1". Additionally, course participants engage in reading, understanding, and writing academic texts. Furthermore, grammatical knowledge is deepened and expanded with the aim of enabling more nuanced speaking, understanding, and writing.

Participants in Explore attend 1-2 regular academic modules at UZH as auditors*. This corresponds to a weekly workload of approximately 2-8 lessons. In doing so, they become familiar with the content and requirements of regular study programs and can expand their subject-specific knowledge. Selected academic modules from the Faculty of Theology and the Studies of Religion, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Business, Economics and Informatics, Faculty of Philosophy, and Faculty of Science are available. Academic modules from the Faculty of Medicine and the Vetsuisse Faculty cannot be attended.

UZH course catalogue

*Auditors can attend individual courses at UZH without enrollment. However, auditors cannot take exams and do not receive ECTS credits.

Participants of Explore attend various information sessions or workshops on higher education opportunities per semester. For the Fall Semester 2024, events with a focus on the following topics are planned:

• Information on the higher education system in Switzerland
• Information on admission to higher education in Switzerland
• Information on financing your studies in Switzerland
• Networking evening with former participants of the program
• Information on starting a career in Switzerland

These events serve as orientation and can be adapted yearly. Participation in the information events is mandatory for all participants of Explore. 

The following requirements must be met in order to participate:

• Residence permit N, F, S, or B (refugee)
• At least a foreign upper secondary school-leaving certificate (Matura)
• Good knowledge of German (at least completed level A2)
• Agreement of the case management office (declaration of consent (DOCX, 72 KB) must be submitted with the application)
• Residence in Switzerland

The fulfillment of the following criteria are an advantage:

• Good level of English
• Realistic academic and/or educational goals at the tertiary level
• Strong abstraction and argumentation skills
• High motivation, independence, and resilience

The number of places is limited. Participation is determined by the Coordination Office Explore.

Program Fees

• The program fees amount to CHF 3000 per semester.
• In the canton of Zurich, the participation fees can be settled via the cost ceiling available to the municipalities as part of the support system for refugees (IAZH) for people with status F or B. Explore is listed in the cantonal catalog of integration programs IAZH (No. B-01-012).
• Applicants from other cantons can inquire with their case manager about possible financing in the frame of the cantonal integration program.  

Please contact us with any questions about Explore via e-mail (refugees@global.uzh.ch), telephone (+41 44 634 65 12), or visit our information desk (PDF, 1 MB) in the main building of UZH.

Location and opening hours of the information desk:

• Wednesday , 09:00–11:00
• Thursday, 09:00–12:30
• University of Zurich (main building), Rämistrasse 71, 8006 Zurich, Room KO2-F-156 (KO2, Floor F, Room 156)

You can find further contact information on our contact page.

We answer the most common questions about Explore in our FAQ.

"Explore - Academic Orientation Program for Refugees at UZH" is a program of UZH. Learn more about the general provisions of Explore here (PDF, 103 KB).

Explore at UZH is supported by: