The following admission requirements apply to anyone who wishes to enrol at KdG:

• a secondary school diploma
• a minimum level of language proficiency

Do you fail to meet these requirements?

• You may nevertheless request enrolment via the Alternative Admission Procedure (Afwijkende Toelating) of the Antwerp University Association (AUHA).

  The THEA programme allows you to ‘try out’ higher education even if you do not yet meet all the admission requirements.

Do you want more information? Send an email to refugee@kdg.be.

The THEA programme is a flexible programme for refugees and non-Dutch speaking newcomers with higher education prospects. It gives you a chance to give higher education a try while still learning to speak Dutch. This means you can follow the THEA programme even if your language skills are not yet at the CEFR B2 Level.

Steps of the THEA programme

1. Selection:

   The candidates are selected by ATLAS on the basis of their higher education prospects. They follow a study orientation plan with ATLAS in order to get a clear idea about which study programme they would like to enrol in. Of course, they must also fulfil certain criteria (see below). Atlas draws up an agreement with each candidate.

2. Guidance for enrolment to a higher education institution:
   Candidates are referred to the contact person of the higher education institution. This contact person organises an intake interview between the candidate and the student counsellor/study track counsellor of the intended study programme. Mutual rights and obligations are explained.

3. Composition of the programme:
   The participant and the student counsellor/study track counsellor discuss the choice of programme components of the THEA programme. Administrative aspects are also discussed.
4. Participation in the THEA programme:
   The participant takes part in all education and evaluation activities.
5. Definitive enrolment in the most suitable higher education programme takes place after the successful completion of the required language exam.

Requirements for participation:

• The candidate must belong to one of the following categories: holder of a refugee status, holder of a subsidiary protection status, family reunification applicant with refugee status or non-Dutch speaking newcomers participating in a civic integration programme who have sufficient educational prospects and who meet the criteria specified by THEA.
• The candidate meets the qualification requirements for higher education and the relevant documents have been verified by the higher education institution concerned.
• The candidate has achieved CEFR Level B1 in their Dutch language course (equivalent to Level 3 in a language centre affiliated to a university or Level 2.4 in an adult education centre (CVO)) and has registered for the next level.
• The candidate has been selected by ATLAS as a candidate with higher education prospects.
• The candidate has completed a study orientation plan at ATLAS.

Terms of participation:

The programme can be participated in only once and may continue over one or two semesters of a single academic year. The programme consists of a maximum of 12 credits, to be determined in consultation with the study programme. There is no registration fee for participation. A participant cannot obtain any credits and neither can he or she avail of the learning account.

For more information, please contact Ms Eveline Philippaerts from ATLAS via eveline.philippaerts@stad.antwerpen.be or +32 (0)3 338 70 16. 

All refugees are entitled to follow language courses.

• Most higher education study programmes are taught in Dutch. That is why Linguapolis organises an intensive preparatory 1-year Dutch language course for non-Dutch speaking candidates. The objective is to help these students obtain an official language certificate that will allow them to study at a Flemish university college or university. You can apply for a scholarship.
• Besides Linguapolis, a number of other organisations also offer Dutch language courses. Please contact Atlas, Integratie en Inburgering Antwerpen, for more information.
• You may be eligible to receive further language support after you have started your study programme at KdG.

At the time of enrolment, you will have to pay a tuition fee as well as a number of other study costs. If you are a recognised refugee or have subsidiary protection status (or other official status) and you meet the income conditions applicable to Flemish government study grants, you may be able to enrol as a scholarship student.

You are also entitled to additional financial support measures during your study programme, for example:

• Option of paying in instalments or deferment of payment (for study costs incurred at KdG)
• Advance payment of the Flemish government study grant
• KdG Student Services grant: financial assistance for general study costs that does not have to be paid back

Read more about the cost of studying

KdG is there to help you every step of the way. Our lecturers and staff are happy to provide you with the necessary guidance and support.

Contact for asylum seekers and recognised refugees:

refugee@kdg.be