"Free movers": guest students

International guest students can also apply as so-called "free-movers," meaning they can study for one, at most two semesters without being part of a specific exchange program.

After consultation with the department in question, free movers can attend courses and lectures and acquire credit points. To apply as a free mover, you must be enrolled in a program at your home university and a faculty member in a comparable program at Universität Hamburg must act as your supervisor for the duration of your stay.

Free movers cannot attain a degree from Universität Hamburg.

German language skills

Free movers are not obligated to demonstrate sufficient German language skills. Nonetheless, Universität Hamburg recommends that applicants cultivate their language skills in preparation for their studies at Universität Hamburg.

Preparatory German courses for prospective students are not offered at Universität Hamburg. You can find out about local German courses from other providers in Hamburg at Hamburg Course Portal WISY.

If you are already enrolled at the University, Universität Hamburg offers language courses while studying.

If you want to attend classes in English only, please ask your supervisor if this is possible.

Application steps

1. Programs

First, check out the on the guide to academic programs on the pages of Universität Hamburg's individual schools to see whether or not the program you are seeking or subject is offered at Universität Hamburg.

2. Find a supervisor

Then find an academic staff member in the respective program to supervise your studies as a "free mover."

Once you have received written confirmation from your prospective supervisor, you can submit your application as a "free mover."

The written confirmation can also be submitted when you apply for a visa to enter Germany as a student.

3. Submit enrollment application

You can submit an informal enrollment application by the beginning of the semester in question (1 October for winter semesters and 1 April for summer semesters respectively of the year in question).

Please state in your application the semester for which you would like to enroll and in which program you plan to attend courses. Please also include a German mailing address and your email address. If you do not yet have a mailing address in Germany, you can provide the address of your supervisor.

Please also include the following documents or certificates when applying:

proof of current enrollment in the respective program at your home university (a current semester certificate or transcript of records and proof of enrollment)
written confirmation that you have a supervisor from staff of the hosting program at Universität Hamburg for the duration of your stay as a "free mover"
if available, proof that you have sufficient German language skills ("free movers" do not have to submit proof of sufficient German skills, although we strongly recommend that they do so)
if available, proof of sufficient health insurance
(you can also submit this after you arrive in Germany)
your resume
proof of residency (you can submit this after you arrive in Germany)

Please send your application to the address below:

Universität Hamburg
Service für Studierende - Team Bewerbung und Zulassung
zu Hd. Frau Salzwedel
Alsterterrasse 1
D- 20354 Hamburg

Visas

If you want to know whether you need a visa to enter Germany, please check out the list of countries requiring a visa from the Foreign Office.

Please make sure you apply for your visa in good time with the responsible German foreign representatives, as it can take 2 to 3 months to process.

Important information: please note that a three-month Schengen visa ("tourist visa") cannot be extended for study or research purposes in Germany.

More visa information:
Information from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) about entering Gemany and visas
Visas, residency permits and work permits before, while and after you study (pdf)

Enrolling

After you have submitted your completed enrollment application, you will be officially enrolled as of the end of August (for winter semesters) or the end of February (for summer semesters). You will received preliminary semester documents by mail, including a matriculation number at Universität Hamburg, access data for the Studies Information Net (STiNE) as well as additional information about paying your semester fee and your preliminary public transport ticket. All the above will be sent to the German address listed in your application.

Your preliminary semester documents are valid up to four weeks after the semester begins. Thereafter, you will receive final enrollment documents as well as semester documents, provided that all outstanding documents (e.g. proof of health insurance) have been submitted and you have paid your semester fee.

You and your supervisor at Universität Hamburg determine jointly which courses best supplement studies at your home university. At this point, you can register with the appropriate schools with the aid of the course manager.

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Contact

Universität Hamburg - Services for Students

Ms Salzwedel

Alsterterrasse 1

20354 Hamburg

E-Mail: info.zulassung-at-verw.uni-hamburg.de

| Last updated 25 March 2013 by Abt. 2

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