Frequently asked questions
Content
FAQ on applying
I already study at the University of Hamburg and would like to change my (major, minor, teaching subject). How do I do that?
It is easy to change to another minor if it has no admission restrictions and you do so by the respective deadline (see www.uni-hamburg.de/nebenfach). For all other changes, you must re-apply. Find further information at www.uni-hamburg.de/kv.
FAQ on the DOSV
Application status: why doesn’t it say “valid”?
Your application status at the University of Hamburg only changes from “received” to “valid” after the application deadline. Your application becomes “valid” only after it has been reviewed to determine whether you have completed all mandatory components. This review takes place after the application deadline.
My admission / my admission offer has disappeared. How do I retrieve it?
In the Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure (DoSV), new admission offers might be made during the coordination phase. If the application for which you receive a new offer has a higher priority than the application for which you have already received an offer, the new offer replaces the first one. The deleted offer cannot be retrieved; that place is offered directly to the next person. See www.uni-hamburg.de/dosv for more information about prioritizing your applications.
Does “Admission offer not currently possible” mean I will not be offered a place to study?
“Admission offer not currently possible” means that at the moment, no offer can be made. That may change during the coordination phase or the coordinated succession procedure, if you register for that. Regularly check your status so that you can respond in a timely fashion in case of any changes.I received an admission offer from Hochschulstart. By when do I have to accept?
As a rule, you need to distinguish between the admission offer and the acceptance letter. An admission offer is a notification from the university to the applicant that the all requirements for admission to a program have been fulfilled and a place is available. The offer remains valid until the end of the coordination phase, but make sure you read the coordination rules!
The acceptance letter, on the other hand, is the official document you receive after accepting the admission offer, either by independently accepting the offer or following the coordination rules. Once you receive the acceptance letter, you have seven days to enroll.
I have been admitted. When do I get the acceptance letter?
If you have actively accepted the admission offer at Hochschulstart, or if you received an offer for your only application, you will get an acceptance letter from us. These letters are always uploaded on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings in STiNE under “Documents.” The acceptance period begins only once you receive the acceptance letter in STiNE. The letter also contains enrollment information.
FAQ on the admission
I have been admitted immediately. How do I enroll?
Even with immediate admission, you can enroll only once you have received the official acceptance letter in STiNE. Like all other applicants, you will receive this during the DOSV coordination phase or on the general notification date for your degree program, which you can find in the online application or application information.
I applied. When will I receive notification?
If you applied via the DOSV, you will receive a notification during the coordination phase, which you can read at /dosv. If you have applied only via STiNE, see the online application procedure and the application information for the notification date.
Where can I find my acceptance letter?
Under “Documents” in STiNE. Unless you applied via hochschulstart.de for a program in medicine, dentistry, and/or pharmacy, you will find your acceptance letter on the Hochschulstart website.
FAQ on enrollment
Can I submit proof of health insurance later?
You can submit this after the enrollment deadline without endangering your enrollment.When will I receive proof of enrollment?
The digital proof of enrollment for the semester is sent after all documents have been received, your health insurance status has been clarified, and you have transferred the semester contribution. You will not receive any separate proof of enrollment.I sent my enrollment application. How do I know that everything worked?
It takes up to four weeks to handle your enrollment application. If you have submitted all required proof and the enrollment application correctly and on time, you are provisionally enrolled. You will receive new access data for STiNE via mail.I have not received my permanent semester documents yet. Why is that?
To receive your permanent semester documents, you need to submit all required supporting documents for enrollment; have your insurance provider notify us of your health insurance status; and pay the semester contribution in full. Contact us if you have taken all of these steps and still not received your permanent semester documents. Note that your semester documents will not be sent by post! They are digitally accessible at STiNE under “Documents” or in the ticket portal.