Information on transferring or changing degree program

You are changing degree program if you are studying or have studied at Universität Hamburg or another higher education institution in Germany or abroad and want to change your subject. This is the case if the name of the degree program or its degree differs from the intended degree program at Universität Hamburg. If you studied outside of Germany, it will not be the same program regardless of name and degree. You also change the program if you are pursuing a teaching degree and wish to change either your teaching subject combination or your teaching degree.

There are two different ways to apply:

• You may apply to a higher subject semester if you have already taken courses in the same or a related degree program.
  Further information on applying
• You may apply as a first year student of your new degree program. You will be subject to the same admission requirements and selection criteria as first-time applicants. Please be aware that periods spent studying at a German university will not count towards the official waiting period. However, any waiting period accumulated before you commenced your studies will be taken into account.

If you are already enrolled at Universität Hamburg, you do not have to withdraw before you apply to change degree program. Please stay enrolled in your current program for the time being. If you are admitted to the new program, your enrollment will be transferred when you are accepted into the new program. If you are enrolled at another German higher education institution, please do not withdraw before you have received confirmation of admission from Universität Hamburg.

You are a transfer student if you

• are enrolled in the same or a related bachelor’s degree program and wish to apply to a higher subject semester at Universität Hamburg
  Information on applying to a higher subject semester
• completed your Grundstudium (foundation studies) at another university and now wish to continue your degree program at Universität Hamburg. This only applies if you are studying law, protestant theology, pharmacy, medicine or dentistry
  Information on applying to advanced studies (Hauptstudium)

You will only continue to receive BAföG assistance if you have an important reason for changing subjects. For details, please contact the BAföG Office or AStA at Universität Hamburg. If changing your degree program depends on continued BAföG assistance, submit an application for a preliminary decision to your BAföG office. This preliminary decision is valid for one year.

If you have a student visa and would like to change your degree program at Universität Hamburg during the first three semesters of your studies, you may do so without notifying the Hamburg Registration Office for Foreigners. If you want to change your degree program after beginning your fourth subject semester, you must always obtain approval from the Registration Office for Foreigners you are registered with first before you apply.

Transferring to another higher education institution to continue your studies in the same subject also constitutes a change that must first be approved by the responsible Registration Office for Foreigners.

Before you apply to change your degree program or higher education institution, Universität Hamburg strongly recommends you speak with the subject advising for your department and the Center for Academic Advising as well as the advisor on legal, social, and personal matters at the Department of International Affairs.

Further information: Visa, residence and work permits before, during, and after your studies (PDF)