Newly arrived students' education needs - opportunities and obstacles

Across Europe, higher education institutions are currently investigating how to better address the higher education needs of refugees. Initiatives notably include special student grants, waiving certain entrance requirements, or offering courses in English alongside the national languages. In Sweden, several initiatives aim to accelerate the insertion of newly arrived refugees into working life. Particular attention is devoted to validation in higher education, and the question of how qualified newcomers can convert their qualifications to Swedish requirements. Recognition of refugees’ prior qualifications is also a crucial point with respect to admissions based on secondary or post-secondary diplomas obtained in the country of origin.

The project Newly arrived students aims to examine the conditions existing at Malmö University both with respect to procedures of admission, as well as possibilities for offering tailored courses adapted to needs among the refugees in the region. The pedagogical implications of providing education to these student populations will be explored, as well as administrative aspects the measures might entail.