Step 2: Application (Application period: 1 December – 15 January)

For many applicants, it is important to know as soon as possible whether or not they have been admitted, so they can begin to prepare for their studies, e.g., start looking for a room or an apartment in Hamburg. The first admissions to Universität Hamburg are issued only after the end of the application period, once the ranking lists have been released.  Here are a few tips to better evaluate your chances of admission during the application period, and better plan your way to studying at Universität Hamburg.

Tip I: Prioritizing applications

After sending your application in the DoSV portal at hochschulstart.de, check your order of preference (priorities) for your applications. The order of preference will initially be assigned automatically after the application is received. If you have only one application, this is automatically listed as priority 1, and you do not need to do anything else. If you have more than one application in the process, you can change the order of your priorities in the DoSV portal on hochschulstart.de until the end of the coordination phase. We do not recommend you try to game the order of priorities list, but simply order them according to your preferred degree programs or locations immediately after you apply, then don’t change them again during the coordination phase.

Tip II: Loss of admission offers

According to coordination rule 3, where 2 admission offers are possible, the admission offer for the lower priority will be automatically canceled. This is another reason why you should manage your priorities carefully. There is potential for misunderstanding in the assumption that if you receive an admission offer, you may have a second offer on the way, and that you have time to choose between the two. This is not the case, as, for example, if you are offered admission for your priority 4 degree and then an offer is issued for priority 3, the offer for priority 4 is automatically withdrawn.

If you do not receive direct admission for your desired degree program, but an offer of admission, as you have other applications in the process and the coordination rules do not allow direct admission, do not wait to actively accept the admission offered to you. Then the other applications will be removed from the process, and the actively accepted offer will become an admission for which you can enroll, and this will give you more time to prepare for your studies.

Tip III: Taking part in the coordinated succession

If the higher education entrance eligibility grade is slightly below the admission restrictions from previous processes, an offer will usually be issued only in the coordinated succession procedure (i.e., moving up the list as other applicants receive their offers). Don’t lose hope, and remember to register for the coordinated succession procedure within 72 hours after the coordination phase has ended. You will receive an automated email from the DoSV portal via hochshulstart.de. The ranking lists will continue to be updated during the procedure.

Tip IV: Lottery procedure

If you are still hoping for admission as part of the succession procedure, we do not advise applying for the lottery procedure. If, for example, you still have an application open in the succession procedure for your preferred degree program, but admission restrictions have not yet been removed, and an application for another degree program is selected in the lottery procedure, you will automatically be admitted via the lottery procedure and all other applications will be rendered invalid. This will therefore also delete the application in the succession procedure, as only one admission is permitted in the DoSV. This is not intended to dissuade you from applying via the lottery procedure, but only to make you aware of potential consequences for the succession procedure.

Tip V: The reliability of previous admission restrictions for measuring the potential success of your application for a university place

Take note of the information on the reliability of previous admission restrictions in our FAQ

If you received notification of deferral or an acceptance letter from Universität Hamburg for a previous application via hochschulstart.de for your chosen degree program at Universität Hamburg, you can also apply for preferential admission when you apply online. This is only possible if you reapply for the same degree program. Submit your special application electronically and in a paper format together with a copy of the notification of deferral or acceptance letter and uncertified proof of the service provided or parental leave by the application deadline to:

You may apply for a maximum of 3 degree programs at Universität Hamburg at the same time via the DoSV procedure. However, you cannot simultaneously apply for different degree programs at Universität Hamburg using different procedures: you must either submit via the DoSV procedure or not.

Be aware that different deadlines may apply at other universities that award places via hochschulstart.de. The deadlines indicated here apply for Universität Hamburg. You can create an online application account in Universität Hamburg’s portal in advance, but can only apply during Universität Hamburg’s application period.

If you already have a STiNE account (e.g., because you are or were already enrolled at Universität Hamburg), use this to apply. Log into STiNE and click on “Applying online.” The online application procedure is otherwise identical.