Pre-bachelor for refugees

The project

The Pre-bachelor for refugees is a programme run by Hogeschool Utrecht (Tertiary learning institute of applied sciences) since 2016. In addition to academic classes, students receive integrated Dutch language tuition and practical training on adapting to the Dutch university system. Soft skills and intercultural competencies are also built into the curriculum to recognise the importance of social skills, critical thought, participation and independence for healthy student life. A mentoring component matches participants with students in their first, second or third years at the school as a practical method of induction into the academic environment, and to build the participant’s social network.    

The language and integration component of the programme aligns with the mandatory integration exam that all resident permit holders are required to undertake to secure Dutch citizenship. The course is intensive; the Dutch government permits students to retain their social welfare benefits to ensure that living costs are covered and studies are not compromised.
Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, the intake for the academic year 2021-2022 is on hold.  

The programme was a response to the disproportionately high drop-out rate of resident permit holders during their first years of their Bachelor study. Migrant drop-out is inclined to occur when students are underprepared in terms of their Dutch language proficiency, struggle with competing priorities (such as integration obligations or family complications), or struggle to transition from a more familiar education structure to the Dutch education structure. The programme aims to provide a reliable and sustainable path for a resident permit holder to gain a qualification and to successfully complete their mandatory integration requirements.  

The impact of the good practice

The pilot phase of the Pre-Bachelor offered 23 places for beneficiaries of international protection with an ICT background to study ICT, of whom 14 graduated six months later. The programme aimed to deliver a graduation rate of 50%, so evidently they exceeded their target. Since the pilot in 2016, learning trajectories have been expanded beyond just ICT to include teacher training, finance and accounting, and a “general” trajectory to support preparation for all other disciplines. It also has been expanded in the form of support to participants to include mentorship and the development of soft skills/self-empowerment. While originally designed as a six-month programme, participants are now supported for one year.