Recognition of foreign qualifications

This page targets prospective students and applicants who did not receive their educational qualifications in Germany. In some cases, this may include prospective students of German nationality. This page also targets applicants to the preparatory pre-semester course for applicants from non-EU countries.

If you would like to apply to study at Universität Hamburg but have not received your university entrance qualification in Germany, please take time to read this information, which will assist in making your application successful.

There are five steps in the application process:

Through the year:

1. Your university entrance qualification, acquired abroad, needs to be reviewed by uni-assist e.V. in Berlin.
2. You should inform yourself about the subject you would like to study.
3. You are learning German and will acquire proof of sufficient German language skills by the time your studies commence.

The application period:

4. Fill out the online application.
5. Submit the printed-out online application.

1. Reviewing your university entrance qualification

For recognition of a university entry qualification (HZB) acquired abroad, you need, as a rule, preliminary inspection documentation (VPD) from University Application Services for International Students (uni-assist e.V.).

If you belong to one of the following applicant categories, you do not require a VPD and can go directly to step 2:

• Graduates of a German Studienkolleg (preparatory course) with a corresponding certificate for the assessment test
• Applicants with a note of recognition including a converted HZB grade issued by an governmental authority
• Participants of a preparatory course in Hamburg who have already received their VPD for their application to the preparatory course

a) How do I get preliminary inspection documentation?

Please download the the PDF form and fill it in. You can also fill it out electronically and then print it.

b) What documents do I need to submit to uni-assist?

• A certified copy of a certified translation of your foreign university entrance qualification certificate (the translation can only be taken into consideration if it has been done by a certified translator or if has been authorized by a public office or official)
• A certified copy of the original transcript of records

c) What expenses are involved?

After you have submitted your documents to uni-assist, you need to transfer 43 Euros (for EU applicants) or 68 Euros (for non-EU applicants)  to uni-assist (see www.uni-assist.de/bank-account.html).

d) How long does this procedure take?

As a rule, uni-assist needs approximately four weeks to process your application. Please make sure that you apply for your VPD early enough to apply by University deadlines (15 January for summer semester, 15 July for winter semester).

You can find out which grade in the German grading system corresponds to the grade of your university entrance qualification in the VPD, which you will receive by mail. The date of your university entrance qualification is also noted. Proof of your university entrance qualification also informs you as to whether you may study all subjects (general university entrance qualification) or only certain subjects (subject-specific university entrance qualifcation).

You can apply immediately for the right subject on the basis of all of this information!

2. Information about your subject of choice

Before you apply, you need to find out exactly which subject (e.g. German studies, mathematics, education etc.) you would like to apply for and which degree you would like to acquire (e.g. bachelor's, master's,  Diplom). You can find more detailed information on the page academic programs and subjects.

If you have applied for a preparatory pre-semester course or are thinking of doing so, please take a look at the website on the preparatory pre-semester course.

3. Required German language skills for specific subjects

By the time you start studying, you need to prove that you have sufficient German language skills. Please prepare for mandatory German exams in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, Universität Hamburg does not offer any preparatory German courses for prospective students. You can find more information on this subject on the page language skills.

4. Filling out the online application

When you have your VPD, you can fill out the online application. If you would like to apply for summer semester, please send your application electronically shortly before 15 January; for winter semester, please send it shortly before 15 July.

5. Submitting the application print-out and VPD

After you have filled on the online application electronically and sent it, you need to print it out and send it along with your preliminary inspection documentation (as a copy - please keep the original!) or other proof of your university entrance qualification by either 15 January or 15 July to Service for Students at Universität Hamburg.

Applicants from non-EU countries can (but must not) enclose a print-out of the following documents in their application:

• Proof of required German language skills. If you have already submitted proof upon application, you will receive bonus points in selection procedures. More information (PDF)
• TestAS Certificate, uncertified copy. More information (webseite)

Address: Universität Hamburg, CampusCenter, Service für Studierende, Team für Zulassungsangelegenheiten, Alsterterrasse 1, 20354 Hamburg

Contact and other questions:

If you have other questions on about applying online, you can contact us by e-mail or visit during our office hours (see Contact page of CampusCenter for office hours).