Guide for Prospective Students and Incoming Exchange Students

If you are from abroad or do not hold a German passport, then you may need a visa before entering Germany. Check this list of countries whether you need a visa to enter Germany. If you need a visa to enter Germany, you must submit a proof of financial resources known as “Finanzierungsnachweis” when applying for a visa at the German embassy.

Click here for more information on visa information for international University applicants and international exchange and visiting students.

First steps

• Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC) provides you with comprehensive and free information and advice services. Contact a service advisor by telephone or e-mail prior to or after your arrival in Hamburg if you need any information on the topic “New in Hamburg”. You can also ask a HWC service advisor for a “Welcome Package“, which you need to collect from the HWC. This package contains useful flyers and brochures such as a city map, information on public transport, activities, important adresses in Hamburg and much more.
• First Steps for New Students (PDF) helps all new students to get started in Hamburg.
• International Students' Guide gives international students an overview about Universität Hamburg, its degree programs, schools and departments, study abroad and exchange programs as well as international student support
• #UHHhilft - University to help refugees contains information for people forced to flee their homelands and discontinue their studies by paving their way towards regular university study.
• The online portal International Guide takes you through the application process and first phase of your studies at Universität Hamburg step by step. To each application period, the portal provides a time line of all steps in the application process and relevant information, allowing you to prepare in an organized fashion.

Online information on the City of Hamburg

• City of Hamburg (HWC)
• City map of Hamburg
• Attractions

Getting around in Hamburg

• Hamburg Public Transport Association (HVV): On enrolling as a student at Universität Hamburg you will automatically receive a HVV Semester Ticket valid in the entire HVV Network, “Gesamtbereich” together with your matriculation.
• The CityBike Hamburg, the bike system “StadtRAD Hamburg”

Activities for students

• PIASTA activities
• Certificate International Competence (CIC)

International students can apply to numerous organisations for a scholarship, for example to the DAAD. You can use the DAAD scholarship data base for your search. There are also party-related foundations or business-affiliated institutions.

International students need to find out about how to cover their living expenses. Studying at Universität Hamburg is tuition-free but you need to pay low semester contributions. Please note that your monthly rent is your largest expense.

The Family Office puts together useful material such as flyers on family support services and coordinates information about the compatibility of work and family. You can also contact the Office of Family Affairs for any queries regarding your family.

Work permit for spouses

Spouses accompanying guest-researchers who want to work during their stay in Germany need a work permit, except nationals from countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Your spouse must inform the German consulate or embassy in your country of this prior to departure for Germany and apply for the respective residence permit that indicates "employment permitted". The processing of a work permit application takes several weeks, so it must be applied for in good time.

Child care

Day Care institutions are rare and eligibility generally depends on the employment status of both parents.

International Schooling in Hamburg

Child allowance

We recommend that you start looking for a place to live in good time, if possible from your home town, as finding accommodation in Hamburg is not only difficult and pricey but also time-consuming. You may choose short-term rentals for the first weeks of your stay in Hamburg until you find a suitable accommodation (check for further info here and here).

How to find an apartment for rent?

You can make an appointment at the Hamburg Welcome to get further information on apartment-hunting. Please check out the Info Sheet 'How to find an apartment in Hamburg' for general information.

1. Housing Offers for ERASMUS and Central Exchange Students

As an ERASMUS or Central Exchange student, please contact your program coordinator in Hamburg and request a housing application form. The deadline is three to four months before the semester starts.

2. Dormitories administrated by the "Studierendenwerk" (Student Union)

The Accommodation Information Center offers assistance with general housing information for students. The DAAD provides an overview of all student residences in Hamburg as well.

The "Studierendenwerk" may offer international students a furnished room in student residences at an affordable price of around 233 € monthly. To be eligible for a room at a student residence, you must be under the age of 35 and enrolled as a student. Apply for a room at: online application. Applications should be submitted in good time as you should expect a waiting time between 3 and 6 months for a room.

3. Shared flats

Shared flats are the most common way of living for German students. Check the platform "WG gesucht" for offers. You can also post your profile and your own ad there. "Zwischenmiete" is a good way to find a room spontaneously, e.g. for half a year.

Caution: Do never transfer money before you have visited the flat and signed the rental contract.

4. Student residences administrated by other landlords

There is a long waiting list for student residences, thus, an application is not a guarantee for a place. We would therefore advise you to contact a few Student Residences administered by the private operators.

5. University run apartment house

6. Hotels and hostels

If you prefer to stay at hotels or hostels at a favorable price for the first few days in Hamburg, check out the Hamburg Booking Website or other platforms such as Jugendherberge.

Additional information

You will have to conclude a binding rental contract to rent a room or an apartment.

You also have to pay a deposit, "Kaution" before moving in which is a security payment the landlord can retain in case you cause damage in the rented room or apartment. Note that aside the net rent, further costs called "Betriebskosten" (e.g. for trash removal, water and heating) and "Nebenkosten" (including electricity, TV, telephone and internet) are incurred.

Broadcasting contribution fees: Each household has to pay one basic flat rate to cover all devices. Each residence pays €17.50 monthly (stand September 2015), regardless of which devices the residence uses, and whether or not any devices are even present in the residence.

You will need a rental agreement or a confirmation of student residence hall to register with the Hamburg Welcome Center  and apply for a resident permit after arrival.

You have to register your address in Hamburg within the first week of arrival to obtain a residence registration certificate, “Meldebescheinigung”. For any questions regarding your residence registration and for a successful application, we recommend that you contact an English speaking advisor at the HWC by phone or e-mail.

Required documents for an application for a residence registration:

• Completed and signed registration form (English completion help here)
• A valid passport or ID for every certifying person
• Confirmation from the landlord "Wohnungsgeberbestätigung" (in German only)
• Rental contract (if available)
• Administrative fee: 11 € (subject to change)

Where to register?

• At your neareast Hamburg registration office (please make an appointment online) OR
• at the Hamburg Welcome Center/HWC (please make an appointment online)

Please make sure to keep the confirmation of registration ("Anmeldebestätigung") and make copies. You will need the confirmation at banks, libraries etc. If you are entitled to receive one, you will also get a tax card at the HWC.

A residence permit allows you to live in a country.

Students from EU-countries enjoy freedom of movement and can enter Germany without a visa.

All students from non-EU countries must apply for and obtain a residence permit. You should first register your residence with the Hamburg Welcome Center before you apply for a residence permit. As of 1st September 2011 an electronic residence permit (eAT) in credit card format replaces the paper form.

How to apply for a residence permit

The documents needed for the residence permit application are listed here. If any of the required documents is missing, your application will be refused. Thus, please always check requirements with English speaking advisors of the HWC before applying. You need to arrange an appointment with Hamburg Welcome Center

You can find more information on Residence permit for students' family here.

Please note:

In individual cases, further documents have to be submitted. Even if all required documents are submitted an immediate issue is, under certain circumstances, not possible because further authorities or institutions may be involved in the application procedure and their positive statement has to be waited for.

For any questions that you may have regarding your planned trip to Germany  you can get in touch with an HWC service advisor by e-mail  to Hamburg Welcome Center or arrange an appointment by phone: +49-40-42854-5001 prior to arrival.

Make sure your health insurance covers sufficient treatment in case of sickness or an emergency. Health insurance is mandatory for every student or employee in Germany.

There are two health insurance systems in Germany: A public health insurance which is governed by the state. For most people (citizens and foreigners) this public health insurance is mandatory. The private health insurance can only be taken out in special cases. Please check beforehand whether you are eligible to choose between the two systems. For more information on both health insurance systems see the Health Insurance Guide. The Yellow Pages (Gelbe Seiten) provide a List of various health insurance companies.

Make sure you obtain a confirmation of health insurance, “Krankenversicherungsnachweis” from the health insurance provider. You will also receive a Health Insurance Card, “Krankenversicherungskarte” which you always need to carry with you. If you become ill, you can directly go to a doctor. Addresses and telephone numbers of doctors are available in the telephone directories of the Yellow Pages (in German). You just need to enter the type of doctor or specialist (for example "Hausarzt") you are looking for in the search field “Arzt" (doctor) and your postal code in the search field "Wo" (where).

List of a few types of doctors

If you need urgent medical care at the weekend or at night, report to the outpatient department, „Ambulanz“ or Accident and Emergency, „Notaufnahme“ in hospital or call a doctor. Emergency doctors are listed in local newspapers under the heading of “Ärztlicher Notdienst” (Medical Emergency Service) or „Notdienst“ (Emergency Service).

We do not make claim that the information given is accurate or exhaustive, and shall accept no liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content of the websites referred to. The information provided is for general informational purposes only. In no event shall any reference to any third party product or service be construed as a recommendation of that third party’s product or service.

An everyday bank account in Germany is called a "Girokonto". Usually, you do not pay any account fees.

Opening a bank account in Germany is straightforward. To obtain a current account, you need to supply the following documents: Required documents:

• Registration certificate (Meldebescheinigung)
• Passport
• Confirmation of enrollment at Universität Hamburg
• If available, a proof of income (pay slip, bank statement or proof of scholarship).

Take the documents to your chosen bank or branch. Ask at the bank or the branch if you could get information from an English speaking customer adviser. Addresses and telephone numbers of banks or branches are available at Yellow Pages Hamburg Banks. “Bank und Sparkassen” (banks and saving banks) has already been entered in the search field „was" (what), then enter the place name or postcode in the search field „wo" (where). Click on „suchen" (search) to look for addresses of a bank near your place.

Once at the local branch, always ask for any potential service charges as they may differ from bank to bank. You may be charged for: opening an account, yearly administrative costs, credit card costs, withdrawal costs from other banks, bank statements printouts. Depending on the bank and the account details bank card should normally be sent by post within a few days.

Bank Terminology Guide

A lot of people speak English here but in your daily life, being able to speak German is valuable, when shopping, when dealing with the authorities, when talking with your neighbors, landlord or future employer. Check out for German language courses in the language institutions named below.

Language courses are generally offered at six different levels from A1 to C2, following the Common European Reference Framework for Languages. The six levels A1 and A2 for basic users, B1 and B2 for independent users and C1 and C2 for proficient users are an interpretation of the classic division into basic (A), intermediate (B) and advanced (C).

In-Class courses

There are a few IDs and documents that you will need to organize your studies at MIN faculty.

• STiNE is the Student Information Network. You will receive your STiNE ID together with your provisional semester documents by mail. You will need it to organize your studies, register for classes and exams and to gain access to course materials. In case you have questions or problems, please turn to the RRZ at Schlüterstraße. They offer personal support.
• Additionally, there is the so-called Universität Hamburg ID, UHH ID. It is linked to your personal email address. Moreover, you can use it to gain WLAN access on campus, to use computers and printers and to login into library research computers. Please note that you have to choose a password yourself. Tip: Set up your account to automatically forward messages to your private email address.
• The academic regulations contain key regulations about program structures and content. They are available online in German.
• On STiNE, you can check the detailed course catalogue of your subject which will be the basis for your course plan. During the orientation module, you will learn how to prepare your course plan according to the academic regulations.

EU nationals who have completed their studies can look for and accept employment in Germany without any restrictions.

They can apply for an 18-month residence permit from the local foreign nationals’ registration office to look for a job that corresponds to their qualifications after earning the master's degree.

Non-EU nationals can apply for an 18-month residence permit from the local foreign nationals’ registration office to look for a job that corresponds to their qualifications. During these 18 months, they may take up any kind of employment to support themselves and fund their job search. If they already found a job that corresponds to their qualifications, they can apply for their residence permit as soon as they have passed their exam.

Read about the rights of residence applicable for graduates and postgraduates here.

• Scholarship Database of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  
  Find information on various scholarships and apply for them here.
  
  
• Study Scholarships - Master Studies

The GAES funds 4 semester of a postgraduate programme for students of specified countries of origin.

• Re-invitation Programme for Former Scholarship Holders (DAAD)

  DAAD offers former scholarship holders funding for their research projects or working stays.

  The deadline varies depending on the country of origin.

• RISE Germany
  
  RISE Germany offers undergraduate student studying at a US-American, Canadian or British University internship in Germany between May 15 and July 9, 2018 for a duration of three month (minimum stay ten weeks). Major is in biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences or engineering.
  
  Deadlines:
  1. The internship database opens between November 1 and December 15.
  2. All applications have to be submitted by December 15 online.
  3. All letters of recommendation have to be submitted by December 22.
  
  
• Study Visits by Groups of Foreign Students
  
  Study trips for groups of a maximum of 15 students accompanied by one university teacher. The groups visit at least two German universities where they participate in the academic programme. Duration of funding: min. 7 days, max. 12 days.
  
  Application deadlines: 1 February, 1 May, 1 November
  Application address: DAAD-Portal

• Studying at Universität Hamburg through ERASMUS
  
  Please note that you can only enroll as an ERASMUS student if your home university has concluded a valid ERASMUS Bilateral Agreement with our university covering the subject you want to study and the period you will spend at Universität Hamburg. You will find a list of our ERASMUS partner universities below which will be updated regularly:
  
  ERASMUS Partner Universities of the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, UHH.
  
  
  

• European Funding Guide
  
  European scholarship database offering a personal funding overview according to your (future) home university and profile.
  Free registration is required.

• Evangelisches Studienwerk: Scholarship for Students
  
  The ESV scholarships are open to protestant students from all disciplines wishing to study at universities of applied sciences or other institutions of higher education in Germany.
  
  Application deadline: 1st March every year for the acceptance for the winter semester
  Application deadliner: 1st September every year for acceptance for the summer semester

• Fulbright Commission: Fulbright Program
  
  The Fulbright Program is aimed at US citizens and facilitates their access to research and studies for two academic semesters at a German university or any other pertinent non-university institution, such as research labs or archives. The 10-month grant period usually starts mid-September.
  
  Application deadline for the Fulbright Study and Research Program 2020-2021:
  8 October 2019

• IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience)
  
  IASTE provides practical training placements for students of natural and technical sciences, agriculture and forestry. Most placements are for 8-12 weeks during the summer. If you wish to undertake a practical training in Germany within the framework of the IAESTE programme, please contact the IAESTE national committee in the country where you are currently enrolled as a student.
  
  Each IAESTE country has its own application deadlines. For more information on the specific application deadlines and process in your country, please visit the countries page.

• Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD): Scholarship Program for students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America
  
  Scholarship for students from Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America who want to acquire a master’s degree or a PhD at a German university or do a post-doctoral research project (2-6 months for established university lecturers) at a German university.
  
  KAAD is working with focus- and partner countries in your region. There are so-called Partner Committees in these countries and applications are channelled via them.

• Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD): Eastern Europe Program
  
  Scholarship for students from a country in Middle-, East and Southeast-Europe, from a Caucasian Country or Central Asia who want to acquire a master’s degree or a PhD at a German university or do a post-doctoral research project (2-6 months for established university lecturers) at a German university.
  
  Application deadline: 15th of January for a decision in March
  Application deadline: 30th of June for a decision in September

• Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes: Scholarships for Students from Germany and EU countries
  
  The Studienstiftung promotes socially involved students from Germany and EU countries with an outstanding academic record. Scholarship holders may be awarded funding for the entire standard period of study, students in BA or MA programs until obtaining their Master’s degree. 
  
  Examinations offices at higher education institutions are invited to submit their nominations between June and July of each year.
  
  Nominations by professors or alumni are welcome at any time. Students may be nominated until the end of their first semester in a Master’s program at the latest.

• Central Exchange Programs of Universität Hamburg
  
  If you are a student at a participating partner university, you can spend one or two semesters at Universität Hamburg.
  
  Applications and nomination letters must be submitted by 1 December for admission to the summer semester and 1 May for admission to the winter semester.

• Freemover
  
  International guest students can also apply as so-called "free-movers", at most two semesters without being part of a specific exchange program.
  
  Deadline: 1 October for winter semesters and 1 April for summer semesters respectively of the year in question. You need a written confirmation from your prospective supervisor by then.

• Merit Scholarships for International Students at UHH
  
  Students with good to excellent academic performance, who do not hold German citizenship and are enrolled at the UHH for at least 2 semesters can apply for a monthly funding of up to 650 Euros.
  
  Application deadlines: 15 April and 15 October

• Cluster of Excellence Quantum Universe

Students with excellent academic performance, who are or will be  following a masters degree within the Department Of Physics or Mathematics at Universität Hamburg, will complete their curricula and participate in freely selectable research projects within the Cluster of Excellence at the same time. For further information please see the scholarship announcement.

Deadline: tba