FAQ for those affected by the war in Ukraine
Last update: 4 May 2022
The war in Ukraine is also having an impact on Universität Hamburg and its members. This FAQ is regularly updated and provides answers to the most important questions regarding studies, enrollment, and key support services for those affected.
FAQs for students and doctoral researchers from Ukraine and Russia
Last update: 22 April 2022
I am not doing well due to the effects of the war on my life and family. Where can I get counseling and psychological support?
Last update: 14 March 2022
The Psychological Counseling Team at Universität Hamburg offers walk-in consultation hours and individual counseling sessions for students struggling because of the current situation or who have specific concerns about their families in their country of origin. The Psychological Counseling Service website provides more information about their services.
Psyche.net (in German) provides an overview of the counseling and support services for people in Hamburg who are suffering from psychological stress.
I have questions about my residence status and other issues and need support. Who can advise me?
Last update: 7 March 2022
The Department of International Affairs provides advice to international students at Universität Hamburg who have questions about residence.
The Hamburg Welcome Center’s legal counseling service for foreign nationals is available to all students registered in Hamburg who have questions regarding residence law.
I come from Ukraine/Russia and I study at Universität Hamburg. I need to extend my residency permit but cannot provide proof of funding due to the war. What do I do?
Last update: 23 March 2022
If you cannot provide proof that you can cover your living costs when you go to the local immigration office, you should be able to get a temporary permit that is valid for 6 months.
This will give you the chance to look for a job or to apply for benefits.
If you have any questions about your residence permit, contact international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
As a Russian student, will I lose my residence permit?
Last update: 7 March 2022
No. Your residence permit cannot be revoked on the basis of your nationality. The same requirements apply to all international students. As long as you meet the requirements for a residence permit pursuant to Section16b AufenthG (i.e., a full-time study place, sufficient funding, sufficient health insurance, clear progress in your studies), there are no obstacles to having your residence permit for studying extended in the future.
If you have any questions regarding your residence permit, visit the Department of International Affairs’ International Student Services and Mobility page or contact them directly at international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
Due to the war and its ramifications, I have found myself in an emergency financial situation. Whom should I contact?
Last update: 23 March 2022
You can contact Studierendenwerk Hamburg’s Counselling Centre for Social and International Affairs for advice. We will publish information on additional options as soon as it is available.
If you can no longer pay your health insurance, contact your health insurance provider and ask them for a payment deferral. Be aware that deferrals mean that you pay your contributions later. Deferring does not mean that your payments have been waived.
I can no longer pay for my health insurance, because I am experiencing financial hardship due to the war. Where can I get help?
Last update: 22 April 2022
Contact your health insurance provider and ask them for a payment deferral. Be aware that deferrals mean that you pay your contributions later. Deferring does not mean that your payments have been waived.
Contact Studierendenwerk Hamburg’s Counselling Centre for Social and International Affairs to get advice on potential sources of financial support.
As a Russian student at Universität Hamburg, will I be exmatriculated now?
Last update: 7 March 2022
No. The study conditions apply equally to all students.
As a Russian student, am I still allowed to take examinations and to complete my studies with an examination?
Last update: 7 March 2022
Yes. The examination and academic regulations apply equally to all students.
Given the current situation, can I pause my studies and start them again later without issues?
Last update: 15 March 2022
Yes, there are various ways to pause your studies and continue them later. However, you must provide grounds for every interruption. In addition, pausing your studies may have an effect on your German residency permit or your health insurance. Make sure you get advice from uhhhilft-ukraine"AT"uni-hamburg.de before you make a decision.
I have relatives/friends in Ukraine and cannot reach them. Whom should I contact?
Last update: 23 March 2022
Contact the German Red Cross Tracing Service.
FAQs for first-year students and prospective students from Ukraine and Russia
Last update: 4 May 2022
I was studying in Ukraine, and I have had to flee. Can I continue my studies or my doctoral studies at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 8 March 2022
You may continue your studies at Universität Hamburg. As you must apply to study through the usual process, your studies cannot begin until Winter Semester 2022/23.
An application generally has 2 requirements:
- You need a recognized secondary school leaving certificate, which must be recognized by Universität Hamburg before you apply for a study place.
- You must provide evidence of German language proficiency. Information on the level of German required to study at Universität Hamburg and the proficiency certificates we accept is available from the Campus Center.
Doctoral studies are subject to subject-specific rules. The Campus Center web page provides an overview of the general requirements and links to subject-specific information.
I was studying in Ukraine and had to flee. As a guest student, can I temporarily enroll at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 10 May 2022
Students from Ukraine can register for modules at Universität Hamburg as guest students and complete research internships. This offer is geared primarily to students in higher subject semesters, master’s students, and doctoral researchers who intend to continue their studies at Universität Hamburg temporarily. In principle, guest students are unable to obtain a degree at Universität Hamburg.
The following faculties are currently offering refugee students from Ukraine the chance to study as guest students:
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine (excluding dentistry)
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science
- Faculty of Business Administration
Be aware that very good knowledge of the subject and the language used in the course (at least B2 level in German and/or English) is a prerequisite for admission. In general, starting during a semester only makes sense in the case of research internships. For an initial consultation, send an email to uhhhilft-ukraine"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
I am from a third country and was studying in Ukraine. Can I continue my studies or my doctoral studies at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 8 March 2022
You may continue your studies at Universität Hamburg. As you must apply to study through the usual process, your studies cannot begin until Winter Semester 2022/23.
An application generally has 2 requirements:
- You need a recognized secondary school leaving certificate, which must be recognized by Universität Hamburg before you apply for a study place.
- You must provide evidence of German language proficiency. Information on the level of German required to study at Universität Hamburg and the proficiency certificates we accept is available from the Campus Center.
Doctoral studies are subject to subject-specific rules. The Campus Center web page provides an overview of the general requirements and links to subject-specific information.
I am from a third country and was studying in Ukraine. As a guest student, can I temporarily enroll at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 4 May 2022
Studying as a guest student requires excellent knowledge of the subject and language (at bachelor’s level—German). There is an obligatory semester contribution of €335 (as of Summer Semester 2022). Thus, please review carefully and contact us so that we can advise you on whether or not to enroll as a guest student.
Guest students have student status and can take courses in their chosen subject. Furthermore, you will also have access to services like PIASTA, the General Languages program, the University Language Center, the student dining halls, and Universität Hamburg’s counseling services. Be aware that guest students can only be enrolled for a maximum of 2 semesters and cannot obtain a degree. To continue your studies as a regular student, you must apply for a university place.
The following faculties are currently offering refugee students from Ukraine the chance to enroll as guest students:
- Faculty of Law
- Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Medicine (excluding dentistry)
- Faculty of Education
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science
- Faculty of Business Administration
Contact the person responsible in the respective faculty for information on the language and subject requirements and to provide confirmation of support. Be aware that it generally makes sense to take up a guest student place at the beginning of the semester. To take up a place later in the semester, send an email to the relevant contact listed below:
Faculty of Law
martina.lasczewski@uni-hamburg.de (martina.lasczewski"AT"uni-hamburg.de)
Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences
inc.wiso"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Faculty of Medicine
incoming-students"AT"uke.de
Faculty of Education
dilbar.ernazarova"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Faculty of Humanities
erasmus.geisteswiss"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences
- Biology and wood science: rene.koenig"AT"uni-hamburg.de
- Chemistry: studienbuero"AT"chemie.uni-hamburg.de
- Earth system sciences: studienbuero.geo"AT"uni-hamburg.de
- Informatics: studienbuero"AT"informatik.uni-hamburg.de
- Mathematics: erasmus"AT"math.uni-hamburg.de
- Physics: studienkoordination.physik"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Faculty of Psychology and Human Movement Science
- Institute of Psychology: erasmus-psychologie@uni-hamburg.de
- Institute of Human Movement Science: studienbuero.bewegwiss"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Faculty of Business Administration (Hamburg Business School)
international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Find further information on enrolling as a guest student on the Campus Center web pages. If you have any questions, contact international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
I am a Russian citizen and have been admitted to study at Universität Hamburg. May I travel to study at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 7 March 2022
Yes; however, be aware that air traffic between Russia and Germany has been suspended. The German diplomatic mission in Russia can provide information about possible travel routes.
Also bear in mind that transferring money from Russia to Germany has been severely restricted. This particularly affects students who plan on financing their studies privately (e.g., through their family) and receiving monthly payments from Russia.
Do I have to be able to speak German to start or continue my studies at Universität Hamburg, or can I study in English?
Last update: 14 March 2022
Universität Hamburg offers only master’s degree programs in English. See our list of programs and subjects for a list of our English-language master’s degree programs.
Bachelor or Staatsexamen (state examination) degree programs require German-language proficiency, as the majority of courses in these degree programs are taught in German. A high level of proficiency in German (C1 level) is therefore required for successful study. Visit the Campus Center website for information on the language certificates accepted at Universität Hamburg and on opportunities for taking a German language proficiency exam in Germany.
Do I have to be able to speak German or English to enroll as a guest student?
Last update: 2 May 2022
You must be able to follow the classes in terms of the language and the subject matter. The relevant faculty will test whether you meet these requirements when deciding whether to provide confirmation of support. In case of questions, contact: international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Can I learn German at Universität Hamburg before I start my studies?
Last update: 14 March 2022
Universität Hamburg offers German language courses for refugee prospective students. To attend a German language course, you must be part of the #UHHhilft program.
We are currently offering courses from the B2 level, course attendance therefore has a prerequisite level of B1. We do not offer any beginner courses.
Where can I take German-language courses outside Universität Hamburg in order to prepare for my studies?
Last update: 22 April 2022
The Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule program provides advice to immigrants who want to continue their academic education in Germany. Among other things, the program offers German-language courses to refugees who want to prepare to study at a German university. All relevant contact information for the Hamburg office is available on the Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule website.
Information for research and administration staff
Last update: 20 April 2022
What are the rules for dealing with Russian institutions?
Last update: 20 April 2022
The Universität Hamburg Executive University Board has decided to suspend all activities with Russian institutions until further notice.
This includes:
- all research, teaching, and knowledge exchange collaborations occurring pursuant to a formal agreement
- all collaborative activities in research, teaching, and knowledge exchange bound to an individual institution, whether with Universität Hamburg or a Russian partner organization—for example, applying for joint third-party funding, courses, events, joint special events (including summer school programs, guest teaching)
- collaboration on degree programs and collaboration in the field of international student mobility.
No new joint projects will be commenced.
It also does not affect contact between individuals on a personal level; these may continue to be maintained. Universität Hamburg does not advocate the isolation of individual researchers or students.
What are the rules for joint publications?
Last update: 20 April 2022
The joint publication of articles with Russian researchers affiliated with Russian institutions is permitted. However, particular care must be taken with data exchange and data protection that may fall under export control regulations and the current sanctions regime. Consult the University advising services in such cases. Find the contact details for Deptartment 4: Research Management and Funding and for the customs and export control officer are listed under “Whom can I contact if I have further questions?.”
Can individual Russian researchers travel to Germany?
Last update: 20 April 2022
Individual researchers from Russia may continue to come to Universität Hamburg as long as this is not part of an institutional collaboration and when still permitted under the regulatory framework. Data protection must also be particularly considered in these cases.
What is the effect of suspending activities in degree-program-related collaborations with Russian universities?
Last update: 20 April 2022
The Executive University Board has decided to suspend all collaboration with Russia until further notice. This includes all collaboration on degree programs and collaboration in the field of international student mobility.
Specifically, this applies to the partnership with St. Petersburg State University, through which the international business law certificate course and the polar and marine sciences double degree program are offered. These degree programs will be suspended until further notice. Applications to study these courses in Winter Semester 2022/23 will not be accepted.
What should I bear in mind when dealing with Russian and Ukrainian students?
Last update: 7 March 2022
If you notice that they are particularly stressed by the war situation, refer them to the following counseling offices:
- The Psychological Counseling Team at Universität Hamburg offers individual counseling sessions. Register online for an appointment. Be aware that there may be longer waiting times at the moment.
- The Department of International Affairs provides advice to international students at Universität Hamburg who are experiencing residence, social, or personal problems.
There are no changes to how we deal with students with regard to teaching and all other areas of the University. Russian students are, of course, still permitted to attend classes, take examinations, and make use of all other services at the University.
New students from Russia have been admitted for Summer Semester 2022. What do they need to bear in mind when arriving?
Last update: 7 March 2022
Air traffic between Russia and Germany has been suspended. The German diplomatic mission in Russia can provide information about possible travel routes.
In addition, transferring money from Russia to Germany has been severely restricted. This particularly affects students who plan on financing their studies privately (e.g., through their family) and receiving monthly payments from Russia.
Are facilitation measures or special quotas in place for the admission of Ukrainian refugee students to degree programs at Universität Hamburg?
Last update: 7 March 2022
Prospective students, even those who are Ukrainian refugees, can be admitted only in accordance with standard procedures. If you have any questions, use the contact form.
Whom can I contact if I have further questions?
Last update: 17 April 2023
Questions about research collaboration:
Dr. Andreas Petersen (natural and life sciences)
Section Head, Deputy Department Head, Dept. 4: Research Management and Funding
Tel: +49 40 42838-7533
andreas.petersen"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Dr. Corinna Prang (humanities and social sciences)
Section Head, Dept. 4: Research Management and Funding
Tel: +49 40 42838-7952
corinna.prang"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Questions on export restrictions:
Sandro Kopidura
Central Customs and Export Control Officer
Tel: +49 40 42838-6367
sandro.kopidura"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Questions about work-related travel:
Claudia Beckel
Team Head, Team 731: Work-Related Travel
Tel: +49 40 42838-8208
claudia.beckel"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Questions from graduating students:
Immanuel G. Petermeier
International Affairs Advisor, Dept. 3: Studies and Teaching
Tel: +49 40 42838-8911
immanuel.petermeier"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Questions about university-wide partnerships:
Antje Katzschner
Partnership Management, Dept 5: International Affairs
Tel: +49 40 42838-8747
antje.katzschner"AT"uni-hmaburg.de
Questions about student exchanges:
Dr. Torsten Szorbries
Section Head, International Student Services and Mobility, Department 5: International Affairs
Tel: +49 40 42838-7837
torsten.szobries"AT"uni-hamburg.de
Where can staff affected by the war and its effects get counseling and psychological support?
Last update: 7 March 2022
The University’s Center for Health and Workplace Cooperation offers support and counseling to staff experiencing work-related and/or private stress. Visit the Staff Service Portal to learn more about the center’s services.
Psyche.net (in German) provides an overview of the counseling and support services for people in Hamburg who are suffering from psychological stress.