University of Hamburg Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

The University of Hamburg is considered one of the most prestigious universities in Germany. The university comprises highly qualified faculty members and eminent professors. The university has 27 departments, 16 collaborative research centres, 20 German research foundation (DFG) research units, 40 German research foundation priority programs, 2 research training groups, 1 Helmholtz graduate school, 16 junior research groups, 20 academic centres, and 8 attached institutions.

Its infrastructure is famous in the world. It comprises modern laboratories, libraries, computer labs, and other advanced-level facilities on the campus. The university is famous for its integrated research, student exchange, and study abroad programs. Students from all over the world come to the University of Hamburg to pursue their dreams.

The university has been recognised as a centre of excellence by German Federal and State Governments for the research programs related to climate change, photon, and Nano-sciences, mathematics, quantum physics, astrophysics, cosmology, and manuscript research. The university also contributes towards the holistic development of students and is famous for the sports courts, fitness centres, auditoriums, etc.

Courses Offered

 

What all courses are available to international students?

 

The university offers more than 71 undergraduate, 88 graduate, and vocational programs. There are a total of 8 faculties:

From either of the aforementioned faculties, international students may choose their dream specialisations given below:

Undergraduate Majors	Graduate Majors
Linguistics	Linguistics
Human Movement Science	Human Movement and Sport Science
German Language and Literature	Educational Science
Educational Science	Social and Cultural Anthropology
Social and Cultural Anthropology	History
French	Human Resource Management
History	International Criminology
Classical Philology	Journalism and Mass Communication
Art History	Criminology
Media and Communication Studies	Art History
Philosophy	Philosophy
Political Science	Political Science
Socioeconomics	Sinology
Sociology	Sociology
History of Natural Sciences	International Taxation
Biology	Peace and Security Studies
Chemistry	Business Administration
Computing in Science	Biology
Geography	Chemistry
Mathematics	Economic
Physics	Geophysics
Psychology	Industrial Mathematics
Economics	Food Chemistry
Information Systems	Mathematical Physics
Business Mathematics	Psychology
-	Law
-	Molecular Biology

 

Eligibility & Documents Required

 

What are the eligibility requirements?

 

The University of Hamburg acknowledges students based on their organisational performance and capacity to succeed. The completion of Grade 12 is mandatory for international students to apply to undergraduate programs, and a bachelor’s graduation degree is mandatory while applying to postgraduate degrees. International students must show German language proficiency for undergraduate and graduate programs.

The minimum entry requirements set by the university are as follows:

1. Age requirement: International students should be at least 18 years old of age as per the university’s guidelines.

2. German language requirements: As given below:

Language Proficiency Tests	Undergraduate Programs	Graduate Programs
German language certificate	Level II	Level II
TestDaF	Level III	Level III
Certificate of German language examination for foreign university	Level DSH-2	Level DSH-3
TELC language certificate	C1	C2

3. English requirements: As given below:

English Proficiency Tests	Undergraduate Programs	Graduate Programs
IELTS	5.0-6.5 bands	6.5 bands
TOEFL iBT	78 - 90 (internet-based exam)	78-90

Note: Some courses may have higher or lower score requirements. For more details, please visit the university’s website.

 

What all documents are required during the application?

 

The supporting documents required at the time of application need to be in English or German. You can simply send the documents information to the University electronically with your application.

Documents Required for Undergraduate Applicants:

• German Abitur (higher education entrance eligibility) or Grade 12 certificate
• High school documents
• Academic transcripts
• School leaving certificate 
• English language proficiency proof
• German language proficiency proof 
• Copy of passport
• Financial documents (scholarship letters, bank statements, affidavit, if necessary)
• Letter of Recommendation

Documents Required for Graduate Applicants: 

• German Abitur (higher education entrance eligibility)
• Academic transcripts 
• School leaving certificate 
• English language proficiency proof
• German language proficiency proof
• Copy of passport
• Financial documents
• Letter of Recommendation
• High school equivalency diploma
• The first quarter or trimester grades
• Counsellor recommendation 

Note: Check the university’s official website for more information on applications.

 

Application & Tuition Fees

 

Is there any application fees?

 

The application fee for applying to the University of Hamburg is EUR 75. The amount of application is non-refundable application fee is EUR 75. It takes four weeks to process the application fees. International students can request an application waiver if facing financial difficulties or hardships.

 

What is the fee structure of different courses available at the university?

 

Germany's 16 states abolished the fee for undergraduates and graduate students in the year 2014, including the University of Hamburg. There is no fee for national or international students.

In other words, students can study at the university for free. However, a small fee to cover the administration and other costs per semester is charged from both national and international students.

The estimation of administration and other costs per semester for all undergraduate and postgraduate aspirants is EUR 606.59.

Source: University of Hamburg

 

Scholarships & Financial Aid

 

Is there any scholarship or financial aid available for international students?

 

The University of Hamburg offers Merit scholarships to all full-time degree-seeking (graduate, doctorate, or undergraduate program) international students.  

Merit Scholarship:

The merit scholarship is available to:

• Students who do not hold German citizenship
• Students who are not eligible for federal student loan scheme (BAföG)
• Pursuing a full-time degree and enrolling in a program can apply after two semesters
• Pursuing a master's and doctoral program can apply after 1complete semester. 

Deadline: The application deadline for the scholarship is Apr 15, 2024 (for the funding period of Oct 1, 2024-Sep 30, 2024) and Oct 15, 2024 (funding period of Apr 1, 2025-Mar 30, 2025). 

The maximum amount entitled for one month of the scholarship is EUR 850. The scholarship amount depends on the funding. Individual doctoral researchers may avail of EUR 1,000 per month. The scholarship is awarded for two semesters, i.e., 12 months. 

Note: Please visit the scholarship webpage on the official university website for exact deadlines and more details.

 

Admission Process

 

When do the admissions start?

 

The summer and winter semester applications for undergraduate and graduate students open from early December and early June, respectively. The deadline would be till January and July. 

Decision Plan for UG and PG students	Beginning of Application	Application Deadline
Summer Semester	Early December	Mid-January
Winter Semester	Early June	Mid-July
International Master’s Program	Mid-February	March-end

Note: For accurate closing dates of the respective courses, check the university’s website. International applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible or by the dates recommended for their country/region.

 

What are the steps to the application process?

 

International students can apply through the university’s application portal for all the UG and PG courses by creating an account. To start an international application, new candidates need to register with their details first. Applicants will be able to review and track all their university applications online at any time. The steps to apply for UG and PG courses are as follows:

Step 1: Click on ‘Online Application’ or ‘Online Bewerbung’ to view the application and select the ‘Edit’ or ‘Bearbeiten’ option. 

Step 2: Fill in your information like name, last name, email address, phone number, password, and other required information details. Confirm the status of the application sections as 'OK'. To add the missing information, click on the sections.

Step 3: After finishing the application, click on ‘Check for completeness’ and re-check the information. Click on ‘Submit’.

Step 4: In case the mandatory fields are not completed, you will be notified. Check the information, add the missing details, and click again on 'Check for completeness' or 'Auf Vollständigkeit prüfen’.

Step 5: Overview of the application and check all the details.

Step 6: Click on ‘Submit’ or ‘Senden’.

Note: The university can only acknowledge your application when the status of your application will be sent/received. Applications with the 'Open' status will not be acknowledged. Students are advised to check the university's website for more information.

 

When will I hear from the university after I submit my application?

 

Applications are assessed in line with the university's policies and procedures. Usually, international applicants receive a decision within 2-4 weeks of submitting a complete application. The applicants will receive the decision via email.

 

Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

 

What are the chances to get into this university? 

 

The competition is high in the university and admits more students each year. Some courses require additional interviews and auditions. The University of Hamburg is committed to maintaining a high-quality student body that is best qualified and most likely for succeeding in its meticulous programs. Hence, admission to the University of Hamburg is competitive, and just meeting the basic entrance requirements for the program won’t be enough. 

Apart from this, the university follows a holistic process to choose candidates. Applications are considered individually. A strong record of academics is required to get into the university in the first place.

 

How many Indian/international students are studying at the university?

 

The University of Hamburg has a total of 4,000 international students from more than 100 countries. A total of 43,957 students enrolled in Winter Semester 2019-2020, and 5,239 students enrolled for doctoral programs in Winter Semester 2019-2020.

Source: University of Hamburg

The percentage of domestic students is 87% as compared to 13% of international students, as shown above.

 

Part Time Work While Studying

 

Can I study while working here?

 

International students studying in the university can work on and off-campus. The timing of off-campus includes 20 hours of work per week during a regular session. If a candidate works more than 20 hours per week is considered to be an employee under the social security law of Germany. The work may affect the visa applications for international students. A candidate can work up to 40 hours during breaks and holidays. However, candidates must meet the minimum requirements for working while studying.  

The University of Hamburg also provides maximum monthly funding of EUR 720, and some doctoral programs get EUR 1,000 depending on the courses. 

International candidates should have:

• Legit study permit
• Study program for over six months
• SIN number for identification purposes
• Started the study course

Students can search for employment in the following ways:

• Job search websites
• Contact employers directly
• Listed vacancies on campus portal
• Job searches on LinkedIn

Note: Interested students can check the career centre for off-campus jobs on the university webpage.

For more details, download the Germany Student Visa Guide.

 

Campuses & Accommodation

 

How many colleges and campuses does the university have?

 

The University of Hamburg has only one main campus at Moorweide, which is opposite the Hamburg Dammtor Station. It is made up of 180 properties and it is scattered all over the city and includes the following:

• The main building at Moorweide
• Main campus at Von-Melle-Park
• Library Hamburg
• The Audimax (Auditorium)
• Hamburg University Archive 
• University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf

The campus is scattered in respect of study programs. The Biology department is located at Flottbeck and Computer Science in Stellingen.

 

Is on-campus housing available? How much does it cost?

 

The University of Hamburg offers both on and off-campus university accommodations. It provides 23 housing facilities for 4,000 students. The rooms of the housing facilities are fully furnished, and the price is EUR 230. Students can select their hall preference. Students can choose the living options, single room, double room, suites, studios, etc. The rooms include a bathroom, shared kitchen (varies from room requirements), table and bed. Students are advised to book their rooms three months before moving. 

The off-campus facilities are also available in the university. The university offers listings of private owners near the area for students. In addition to that, Students can check the University's website for numerous communal housing cooperatives, housing companies, and private landlords for housing accommodations.

Some of the online real estate portals for vacancies are:

• Immonet
• Nestoria
• Immowelt
• Immo-Suche

Students can also wish to stay in their apartments, rooms, rental houses or hotels as per the requirements and needs. 

Living Expenses and Other Costs

In addition to study expenses, there is the cost of living, housing, transportation. A student might expect the following expenses:

Expenses	Monthly Cost (in EUR)
Housing Expenses	300-500
Living Expenses	400-700
Transportation Costs	100

Note: While most of the transportation facilities are free of cost in Germany, costs discussed above may change with progressive years.

 

University Contact Information

 

Whom should I contact in case of any doubts?

 

In case of any doubts, international students may reach the university at:

Address: University of Hamburg (Universität Hamburg), Mittelweg 177, 20146 Hamburg, Germany

Website: www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html

Telephone: +49 40 428 380