Information & Advising

Information for a complete study, exchange or visiting students and the summer school at the University of Hamburg can be found here.

Where can I find information about doing a doctorate at Universität Hamburg? Who can answer my questions? Find information and the right contact person to answer your questions.

If you've applied to Universität Hamburg and are now wondering what happens next, the information below can help:

It generally takes two to three months to process visa applications. Universität Hamburg therefore urges you to apply for a student-applicant visa as soon as you've received confirmation that your application has been successfully submitted. This will ensure that you can enter Germany in time to commence studies. You can find more information about this in our information sheet.

The Weclome brochure for new students contains information about the most important steps you need to take beforehand, from registering in Hamburg and getting health insurance to starting your program. 

The City of Hamburg publishes an information brochure (pdf - German only!) for international students. This brochure contains thorough information about residency laws:

• entering Germany
  
• residency rights while studying
  
• employment and internships while studying
  
• employment after graduating
  
• permanent residency in Germany
  

Are you a student at Universität Hamburg who would like to learn a new language? Or refresh foreign language skills from high school? Would you like to know which foreign languages Universität Hamburg has to offer?

The Language compass provides information about language courses, workshops and language-exchange partnerships at Universität Hamburg as well as tips on language acquisition. Just take a look for yourself to see what the Language compass can do for you!

What do I really want to do after I graduate? Many students don't know the answer to this question when they start studying - and it's not important to at that point. But how do they find out?

While studying, you have a few years to think about these questions. In fact, you can treat career orientation as a kind of "minor" subject while pursuing your actual studies. You can find out how to do this with this guide, which provides an overview of various areas of the "subject."

The guide contains detailed information, helpful tips and inspiring ideas. It also provides comprehensive lists of links if you want to do your own research. Just check it out and find out about what you can do to make your own career choices: from collecting and researching to pursuing further qualifications to gaining practical experience and applying!

Information and advising on all matters related to studying

We are a multi-cultural team of experienced tutors studying in the various schools of Universität Hamburg and offer advice and support in various languages (Bulgarian, German, English, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese and more). We help you with your university routine, questions and problems.

International Welcome Week:  The next International Welcome Week will take place from 30 September to 4 October 2013.

During the semester breaks we can answer your questions per email or, if you prefer, make an appointment with you. You can reach our Welcome and Culture Team online. You can also talk to us on Wednesdays, when we host the regular intercultural PIASTA Evening.

Information and advising on all matters related to doing a doctorate

Are you just about to graduate? Are you thinking about pursuing a doctorate? Or have you just started doctoral studies and are searching for a way to finance these? If you have any questions about doing a doctorate, whether you are just seeking general information, looking into funding options or preparing your defense, we are happy to help. Academic faculty is responsible for all subject-related matters but we are happy to help with everything else!

When: By appointment only. Please contact us by email and include brief information about your question or concern. I will get back to you to set up an appointment as soon as possible.

Where: Rentzelstrasse 17
Advisor: Elena Kireva, doctoral student in Romance philology
Contact: piastatut-promotion~AT~uni-hamburg.de
Target groups: doctoral students and prospective doctoral students

Doing a doctorate at Universität Hamburg: step by step
Where can I find information about doing a doctorate at Universität Hamburg? Who can help me further? Find information and the right contact person.

And last but not least: click here to find out about activities for PhD students.

We wish you great success!
Your PIASTA PhD team

How do I plan to study abroad? What exchange programs does Universität Hamburg offer? What kind of funding options are there? Where can I go? What do I need to know? The Foreign Exchange Office in the Department of International Affairs answers these and other questions at their regular information session. All questions welcome!

Going abroad is not only an opportunity to get to know another culture. It can also broaden your academic profile and improve your chances on the job market. Tt is also an extraordinary challenge and you'll learn to see the world - including your own country - from another point of view.

It is important, however, to plan your stay in good time, since many programs have long application procedures (some up to a year!). This is why you should start seeking information in your first few semesters.

The Study Abroad Team holds regular information sessions about studying abroad as well as individual advising hours - both at the Campus Center and directly in the Department of International Affairs.

You can find dates and times at the platform for international affairs.

Merit scholarship programs and stipends for international students
International students and graduates with outstanding academic records can apply for a one-year stipend of maximum EUR 650 per month. You can find information by consulting the platform for international affairs.

Exam stipends for international students
Für die Studienabschlussphase können bedürftige internationale Studierende eine Förderung von maximal 450 Euro monatlich beantragen. Informationen hierzu findest du auf dem International students in need of funding during the final phase of their studies can apply for a maximum of EUR 450 per month. You can find information by consulting the platform for international affairs.

The Department of International Affairs provides free legal advice to international students, doctoral students and graduates. An attorney advises on visa matters, extending residency and work permits and employment in Germany after graduating.

Legal advisor: Att. Björn Stehn
Office hours: 5–7 pm (registration unneccessary, but please arrive by 6 pm at the latest) on the following Mondays:
15 April 2013
29 April 2013   cancelled!
13 May 2013
27 May 2013
10 June 2013
24 June 2013
08 July 2013
Where: Rentzelstrasse 17, Room 002 (ground floor)

The Department of International Affairs offers advice on residency laws and extending residency permits, work permits, working while studying, internships and beginning a career as well as on problems with authorities and difficult personal or academic issues.

Office hours: By appointment only. You can contact us by email or telephone. Just remember to include a brief description of your question or concern. I will contact you as soon as possible to set up an appointment.

You may experience various psychological difficulties while studying. Some students feel an enormous pressure to perform and develop test anxiety or fear of failure, others worry about their career choices and question their major. Still others find it hard to concentrate because they have problems with their partner or family and find themselves dealing with separation anxiety or developing pyschosomatic disorders. What these students all have in common is that they need support so that they can continue to focus on their studies, their search for work and their lives.

We lend an ear for every kind of problem or concern which students want to discuss confidentially. We aim to identify the source of the problem and to work together to find an appropriate solution. Don't hesitate to contact us - even if the problem seems minor!

When:  By appointment only every Friday from 10 am to 4 pm. Please contact me by email or telephone and make sure to include a brief description of your question or concern. I will contact you as soon as possible to set up an appointment. Please note that an appointment may be possible only two or three weeks following first contact.
Where: Rentzelstrasse 17, Room 001 (ground floor)
Advisor: Soheila Safari, psychologist and mediator
Contakc: +49 40 42838-2451 (Fridays only, 10–11 am) or soheila.safari~AT~uni-hamburg.de