Fees and funding

The good news is: in October 2012 Universität Hamburg abolished tuition fees. Thus, students only have to cover a semester contribution. 

Apropos semester contribution: it also covers the semester public transport pass that allows you to use public transportation in greater Hamburg all semester long. 

Here comes the breakdown of the semester contribution plus information.

You have to submit proof of health insurance with your application for enrollment. Some of you may continue to be part of their parents' family insurance plan, thus being spared from health insurance costs.

Students older than 25 or with a monthly income of their own that exceeds EUR 505 cannot be insured in the framework of family insurance. You have to buy your own health insurance, if this applies to you. The fees for student health insurance with state insurance agencies are roughly €100 per month (including nursing care insurance).

The Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI), operated by Studierendenwerk Hamburg, gladly helps students and prospective students with all questions and problems related to health insurance and long-term care insurance.

In addition to mere study expenses, there are the costs of living in Hamburg. If you do not  live with your parents anymore, you have to include rent plus utilities, food, clothing, leisure activities as well as all other living expenses.

Without additional costs for further insurances, private vehicles, etc. you ought to expect the following expenses:

• housing: ca. EUR 400–700 per month
• living expenses: ca. EUR 500–700 Euro per month

Advice for international students from countries outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland:

• entry visa: approx. €75
• residency permit: approx. €100 per application

Please be aware: residency permits will only be granted where you can demonstrate that you have adequate financial means for at least 12 months. The Hamburg Welcome Center has more information.

The Zusammenfassung der 22. Sozialerhebung zur wirtschaftlichen und sozialen Lage der Studierenden in Hamburg (2016) (PDF) (Summary of the 21st social survey on the economic and social situation of students in Hamburg)—conducted by the German Centre for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW) for Studierendenwerk Hamburg—provides an overview of income, expenses, and other aspects.

Are you looking for a part-time job? Stellenwerk, Hamburg's cross-University job platform posts attractive job and internship advertisements every day.

Part-time work, an internship, or self-employment—the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs (BeSI) advises you on all aspects of social security.

Students from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland are subject to special regulations for part-time work when studying. Contact the Counselling Centre for Social & International Affairs for more information.

There are several job opportunities in diverse areas of Universität Hamburg. Many of these jobs are offered exclusively to students enrolled at the University. There are often openings for:
For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, stellenwerk.de (want ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

• tutors
• student assistants (in the academic area) and student employees (in the administrative area)
• library assistants
• test subjects for studies conducted in the fields of psychology or in the social sciences

For job ads of this kind, check out departmental bulletin boards, departmental websites, via stellenwerk.de (want ads for Hamburg’s universities), or ask directly in your department.

The most popular and easiest way to finance your studies is BAföG. You can apply for this federal student loan scheme at the BAföG office at Studierendenwerk Hamburg.

Funding is granted based on the applicant’s personal situation. For the regular period of study, half of the funding is granted in the form of a subsidy and the other half is granted as a no-interest loan. You have to start paying back, in income-based installments, when you end your training or studies.

Usually, students from countries outside Germany can only apply for social benefits in special situations.

For more information about the requirements and applying, contact the Studierendenwerk Hamburg BAföG office.

Fellowships, scholarships, and grants are some of the best ways to finance your studies. There are ample offers nationally and internationally. For an overview, see: 

• database (e-fellows career network)
• MyStipendium.de
• Foundations that offer scholarships
• Stiftungssuche des Bundesverbandes deutscher Stiftungen
• Stipendiendatenbank des DAAD für internationale Studierende
• Stipendiendatenbank des DAAD für Auslandsaufenthalte während des Studiums

Look at the Studierendenwerk Hamburg pages for more information about these and for advice on funding your studies.

• Studierendenwerk Hamburg (scholarships)
• Studierendenwerk Hamburg (Stipendien für internationale Studierende)

Universität Hamburg also offers scholarships:

• the Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)Universität Hamburg awards the Deutschlandstipendium to students who are already enrolled. The application call takes place every fall. Funding is not granted for doctoral studies.
• Scholarships and grants for studying abroad
  • Scholarships to study abroad
  • Funding for study abroad (study; internships; language courses; research)
  • Hamburglobal scholarships

• Scholarships for international students
  • You do not need to be a German citizen; you must have been enrolled at Universität Hamburg for at least 2 semesters; you must have a good academic record. (Students from two-year Master's programs and doctoral candidates can apply after completing one semester)
  • Merit scholarships for international students
  • You do not need to be a German citizen; you must have been enrolled at Universität Hamburg for at least 2 semesters; you need the funding to complete your studies.
  • Degree completion grants for international students
• Further scholarships
  • Doctoral funding guide
  • Current application calls for funding for doctoral and early career researchers

See the Bundesverband Deutscher Stiftungen for more information about scholarships and other ways foundations can help you fund your studies.

Regardless of BaföG, you can also take out an individual educational loan to finance your studies. Find further information on the webpages of the Federal Office of Administration (Bundesverwaltungsamt, BVA).

Student loans help to bridge financial squeezes. However, they also bear the risk of getting you into debt. You can apply for loans from the state-owned KfW bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau). In addition several private financial institutions offer so-called education and student loans. We strongly recommend that you get advice at Studierendenwerk Hamburg (student services), before applying for a loan!

• Studierendenwerk Hamburg (student loans, in German only)

Studierendenwerk Hamburg maintains a loan scheme for students in need of financial aid.

Studierendenwerk Hamburg (loans / financing final phase of study, in German only)

Students from Germany are eligible for:

• child benefit
• housing benefit
• housing and heating subsidies (within normal range)
• SGB II (unemployment benefits)
• social benefits for special extenuating circumstances

Students from countries outside of Germany can generally only apply for social benefits in special circumstances.

Studierendenwerk Hamburg (social benefits)