Academic orientation for international prospective students
Information and advising for international prospective students
The Center for Academic Advising offers several options to learn more about studying at Universität Hamburg.
Group advising for international prospective students on studying and applying
International applicants who are interested in studying at the University of Hamburg are welcome to attend our group advising sessions. After attending a group advising session, it is possible to visit us during our office hours to get individual counseling.
Group advising session: entrance qualifications, recognition of qualifications & application
Learn all about studying in Germany and the necessary requirements. Furthermore, you will get to know the entrance qualifications at the University of Hamburg, how your certificates from abroad can be recognized and get information about the application process for international prospective students.
Details of the upcoming group advising sessions and registration form
If you are interested in pursuing a master's degree, please attend the group advising session on master's degrees.
Drop-in office hours for international prospective students
Please contact us via email to studienberatung-international"AT"uni-hamburg.de or get in touch with us by joining our office hours.
During our virtual office hours in Zoom, we offer individual one-to-one counselling. You will enter a waiting room first. We will call on you to enter the meeting room as soon as possible.
In Zoom, we will be available through the following link:
Tuesdays 1-3pm:
https://uni-hamburg.zoom.us/j/96599374301?pwd=Y0YxVGhpbUtoVCtXUXFJZm1JYm1nQT09
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Zoom office hour had to be cancelled.
Thursdays 2-3:30pm:
Face-to-face consultation hours, taking place in Campus Center, 3rd floor, Alsterterrasse 1.
Useful links on applying, studying, and advising
Application and academic orientation
- Information for international prospective students
- Information on proof of German language proficiency to apply to degree programs offered in German
- Overview of all degree programs offered at Universität Hamburg
- Study orientation offers at Universität Hamburg:
- Group advising sessions for prospective students
- Uni Live!—course catalog for prospective students
- Lecture series for all prospective students: The Hows and Whys of Studying
- Lecture2go: videos with talks and lectures
- Information on the TestAS academic aptitude test
- Studienkolleg Hamburg
- Preparing to study: the pre-semester preparatory course in Hamburg
Financing your studies
- Studierendenwerk advisory service on financing your studies
- The official job portal for Hamburg’s higher education institutions: Stellenwerk
- DAAD scholarship database
- Other funding database: e-fellows
- Deutsche Universitätsstiftung: “Welcome für Flüchtlinge” scholarship program
- Refugee scholarship program established by Bread for the World
- Garantiefonds Hochschule (Higher education guarantee fund) of the Otto-Benecke-Stiftung
- Hochform: funding for academics with refugee status from the Walter-Blüchert-Stiftung
- Horizonte: scholarships for teachers in training with an immigrant background offered by the Claussen-Simon-Foundation
Learning German
- Learn German in Hamburg: Hamburg’s German language course portal
- Free online German courses, financed by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)
- Overview of specialist language courses in Hamburg
Miscellaneous
- Academic advising: Garantiefonds Hochschule (Higher education guarantee fund)
- Anabin: database of foreign school and higher education qualifications
- Legal advice on residency rights for refugees: Refugee Law Clinic
- Higher Education Compass: degree programs and higher education institutions in Germany
- Study in Germany: information for refugees
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): programs for refugees
Special offers for refugees
The #UHHhilft program allows refugees interested in studying to familiarize themselves with Universität Hamburg over a longer period of one to two semesters.
The Plausibility Check Procedure supports prospective students with a refugee background who were not able to bring proof of their educational qualifications.
#UHHhilft
The #UHHhilft program offers information and advice on studying at Universität Hamburg and supports you at every stage of the application process.
You may attend lectures and different workshops, obtain a library pass, and participate in the University Sports program. The prerequisite to participate in this program is proficiency in German at a B1 level or higher.
After the completion of the #UHHhilft program, you can register for a placement test for German language classes. The minimum requirement is B2 level. The German classes are organized by the university and are free of charge.
The program is free. Please register in February for the summer semester (starts in April) and in August for the winter semester (starts in October).
For more information and details of the office hours and address, please see #UHHhilft.
Plausibility Check Procedure for Refugees Applying without Proof of Higher Education Entrance Eligibility (HZB)
Refugees applying to Universität Hamburg without proof of higher education entrance eligibility (HZB) must go through a procedure verifying the plausibility of their educational background. You can find further information under Plausibility Check Procedure.