Academic orientation for refugees

Refugees who are interested in studying at the University of Hamburg are welcome to attend our group advising sessions. After attending Session I and II, it is possible to visit us during our office hours to get individual counseling. Attending the two sessions is also required to gain access to German language classes, organized by the University of Hamburg.

Group advising session I: entrance qualifications, recognition of qualifications & application

Learn all about studying in Germany and the necessary requirements. Furthermore, you will get to know the entrance qualifications at the University of Hamburg, how your certificates from abroad can be recognized and get information about the application process for international prospective students.

Group advising session II: study programs, demands of studying & how to choose a study program

After having attended Session I, you will be informed about the study programs offered by the University of Hamburg for a first academic degree (Bachelor and Staatsexamen). In addition to this, you will learn about details of the Study programs, the demands of studying and how to choose the right study program.

If you are interested in pursuing a master's degree, please attend the group advising session on master's degrees.

In the four weeks before the application deadline (i.e., from mid-June to mid-July and from mid-December to mid-January) as well as in the two weeks before the application deadline for English-language master’s degree programs (from the middle to the end of March), we offer group advising sessions on applying online to Universität Hamburg. We will help you to complete your online application and compile the documents you need to submit. 

For details of the upcoming group advising sessions and to register, please see.

If you still have questions after having attended our group advising sessions I: entrance qualifications, recognition of qualifications & application and II: study programs, demands of studying & how to choose a study program, you can visit us during our open office hour at the Center for Academic Advising (Alsterterrasse 1, Fourth Floor, Room 409). On the fourth floor, there is a waiting room where you can put your name on a list; we will then come to pick you up. 

Please be aware that you can only attend our open office hour after you participated in both our goup advsing sessions or, alternatively, successfully participated in the #UHHhilft program.

Drop-in office hours as of January 6, 2020:

Tuesday 1-3pm

Thursday 10am - 12pm

You can simply drop by during these times—you do not need an appointment. Please show up at least 30 minutes before the end of the office hour .

Please note that our office hour will not take place between Monday, Dec 23 and Friday, January 3. 

On Tuesday, Feb 18, the office hour will not take place due to a university-wide information event for prospective students. 

In the winter semester 2019/20—from December 4, 2019 to January 29, 2020—current participants in the #UHHhilft program can also visit us in the #UHHhilft office (Von-Melle-Park 5, Room 2027) on Wednesdays, between 1 and 3 pm.

Please note that due to work commitments the office may be closed on certain days. We will announce any changes to our office hours on our website. For this reason, please be sure to check the website before coming to the drop-in office hours.

The #UHHhilft program offers information and advice on studying at Universität Hamburg and supports you at every stage of the application process.

You may attend lectures and different workshops, obtain a library pass, and participate in the University Sports program. The prerequisite to participate in this program is proficiency in German at a B1 level or higher.

After the completion of the #UHHhilft program, you can register for a placement test for German language classes. The minimum requirement is B2 level. The German classes are organized by the university and are free of charge.

The program is free. Please register in February for the summer semester (starts in April) and in August for the winter semester (starts in October). We recommend you drop by the #UHHhilft office in person to register. 

 For more information and details of the office hours and address, please see: www.uni-hamburg.de/uhhhilft.

• Information for international prospective students
• Recognition of foreign education qualifications by uni-assist to apply to Universität Hamburg
• Information on proof of German language proficiency to apply to degree programs offered in German
• Overview of all degree programs offered at Universität Hamburg
• Study orientation offers at Universität Hamburg:
• Group advising sessions for prospective students
• Uni Live!—course catalog for prospective students
• Lecture series for all prospective students: The Hows and Whys of Studying
• Lecture2go: videos with talks and lectures
• Information on the TestAS academic aptitude test
• Studienkolleg Hamburg
• Preparing to study: the pre-semester preparatory course in Hamburg

• Study offers at other higher education institutions in Hamburg:
• Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)
• Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW)
• HafenCity University Hamburg (HCU)
• Programs for refugees at other higher education institutions:
• Kompetenz Kompakt at Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW)
• From Camp to Campus at Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)

• Studierendenwerk advisory service on financing your studies
• The official job portal for Hamburg’s higher education institutions: Stellenwerk
• DAAD scholarship database
• Other funding databases: Stipendienlotse and e-fellows
• Deutsche Universitätsstiftung: “Welcome für Flüchtlinge” scholarship program
• Refugee scholarship program established by Bread for the World
• Garantiefonds Hochschule (Higher education guarantee fund) of the Otto-Benecke Stiftung
• Hochform: funding for academics with refugee status from the Walter Blüchert Stiftung
• Horizonte: scholarships for teachers in training with an immigrant background offered by the Claussen-Simon Foundation

• Learn German in Hamburg: Hamburg’s German language course portal
• Free online German courses, financed by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS)
• Overview of specialist language courses in Hamburg
• onSET for Refugeesonline language placement test

• Legal advice on residency rights for refugees: Refugee Law Clinic
• Academic advising: Garantiefonds Hochschule (Higher education guarantee fund)
• Anabin: database of foreign school and higher education qualifications
• uni-assist: review of foreign school and higher education qualifications and grade conversion
• All information on the TestAS for Refugees academic aptitude test
• Higher Education Compass: degree programs and higher education institutions in Germany
• Study in Germany: information for refugees
• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): programs for refugees