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“Through the Pathways project, a unique pathway was created that allowed me to bridge the gap, which was necessary to enroll in a pre-master program at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��,” says Hesham, an Incluusion student. “This support came at a crucial moment when I was starting my new life here in the Netherlands. It has given me the chance to pursue a master’s degree and reshape my future.”

The Pathways project is an initiative of Incluusion, the refugee programme at Utrecht ľ�ϸ���Ӱ��. The project provides refugee students with opportunities to enter bachelor and master programmes more smoothly. Although the project wraps up at the end of 2024, its results and implemented changes will continue to help refugee students long after that.

Students on the radar

Incluusion has direct contact with refugee students and the UU’s academic programmes. Through Incluusion, over 200 refugee students annually participate in UU bachelor courses for free. “These Incluusion courses allow us to identify students, such as Hesham, who want to transition to a UU study programme more quickly,” says Lina Senen, project leader at Incluusion.

Together with the admission committees of master’s programmes, Incluusion examines whether and how someone can (still) meet the admission requirements for a program. “Sometimes students lack certain knowledge or courses. In such cases, we check whether participation in a relevant course through Incluusion can provide a solution.”

Not all students start from the same position. Students with a refugee background may face unique challenges in pursuing their academic dreams. The Pathways Project helps improve equity of opportunity in the admission process by providing customized solutions in collaboration with faculties.

Unique situations, unique information

“The situations of refugee students are often unique,” explains Daphna Berger, senior communications advisor at the Communications & Marketing department. “That is why we have tailored information about studying at UU specifically for this target group.” On the new webpages for bachelor’s programs and master’s programs, refugee students can find information about the different ways to study at UU, how to prepare, and where to get support with choosing a program.

“In addition, we also include practical information. For example, many people do not know that status holders in the Netherlands are exempt from paying the application fee when applying for a program. Nor is it always known that people in the civic integration process can have their foreign diplomas evaluated for free through the IDW (International Credential Evaluation). Finally, we provide specific information about finances for refugee students,” Berger says.

Collaboration within UU

Over the past year, efforts have been made at various levels within UU to raise awareness of the barriers refugee students face and to discuss possible solutions to them. There were meetings with the different Graduate Schools. “The colleagues we talked to so far are eager to think along,” says Berger. “We now know who to contact in the future in certain faculties for questions and advice.” Now that the Pathways project has ended, Incluusion wants to maintain these short lines of communication to continuously coordinate between the various UU departments and keep providing tailored support for refugee students.

Another significant milestone of the Pathways project is that all UU faculties now recognize relevant Incluusion courses as part of the admission requirements for master’s programs. “Previously, this was not always the case, because Incluusion students receive a certificate rather than study credits after completing a course. Achieving this change is a fantastic result,” Senen says proudly.

Customized solutions are also important for bachelor’s programs. For students with a foreign educational background, the International Student Admissions (ISA) team evaluates their admission. In collaboration with ISA, Incluusion launches a pre-check pilot from 2025 onwards. Through this pilot, students receive customized advice about the courses they need to take to become eligible for admission. This gives refugee students clarity about what is expected of them and their chances of being admitted, prior to their application.

“With the Pathways project, UU takes an important step toward making higher education more accessible for refugee students,” Senen says. But what if students are really not admissible, due to their language or academic level? “In that case we guide students toward alternative pathways, such as a preparatory year at Boswell Bèta or a higher vocational education programme (HBO). We really try to help all refugee students on their way.”