Advising

Are you new to Hamburg and maybe still looking for a place to live? Do you need to apply for a residence permit? Are you wondering where to get a semester transport pass?

Do you feel a bit uncertain about what you need to do first and what you must remember?

To-Dos for New Students (PDF) provides an overview of to-dos and how to handle them when you start your studies.

To-dos in Hamburg

• accommodation in Hamburg
• registration in Hamburg
• bank account
• health insurance
• residence permits for your studies

To-dos at the University

• enrollment
• uni username
• University email address
• study plan
• First-semester events and activities

If you have any questions, contact the people and addresses listed under the respective to-dos in the PDF.

Legal advice for international students is available online via Zoom. This is not a Zoom info session, but instead a free personal consultation where you can discuss your individual questions and problems concerning residency with Björn Stehn, a lawyer in this field.

Who can register for an appointment?

All Universität Hamburg students, doctoral researchers, and graduates (up to about 2 years after graduation)

What topics can I get advice on?

At the consultation, you can bring any questions you have about topics related to studies and residence law, for example, entry visas, extending residence permits, jobs and internships alongside your studies, changing your field of study, work permits and starting your career after your studies, naturalization, and much more.

How do the registration and consultation work?

Advising sessions will be offered on Zoom until further notice. Nach deiner Anmeldung erhältst du von uns eine E-Mail mit der genauen Uhrzeit für deinen Beratungstermin zwischen 17.00 und 19.00 Uhr. We offer slots on a first-come-first-serve basis. Be ready 15 minutes in advance of your appointment. Unfortunately, it is difficult to determine how long individual advising sessions take. Sometimes sessions are quicker than expected, and you can start your own session earlier. Sometimes sessions are longer, and you will need to wait. In this case, we ask for your understanding and patience.

If you cannot manage your appointment, notify us in good time so that students on the waiting list can take your slot.
You can cancel your appointment through UHH Join or by sending an email to: piasta"AT"uni-hamburg.de

Feel free to contact us if you have questions or problems at piasta"AT"uni-hamburg.de. 

Register for an appointment on UHH Join

Language: German/English

The Writing Center comes to PIASTA!

Do you need support with writing seminar papers, essays, or your final thesis? Whether your underlying argumentation needs work, you’re having troubles getting motivated, you don’t have the necessary academic language, or your research question needs to be refined, we are happy to offer you a consultation at the Writing Center and get you and your writing project back on track!

You can book an appointment on UHH Join for a short writing consultation with a peer consultant from the Writing Center. Consultations are limited to 30 minutes.

Please have your specific questions and/or concerns about your current writing project in mind and bring your text and materials with you so that we can work on them together.

Cancel the appointment in advance if you are unable to attend. This will free up your space for other students. 

Register for an appointment on UHH Join

Note: We offer appointments in German for students who are writing in German and in English for students who are writing in English.

Whether at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of your studies, there are many questions that international students may have.

How do I find my way around a German university? What are the first steps I need to take? What do I need to know when changing my field of study or doing an internship? What type of residence permit can I apply for after graduation?

You may also experience private, financial, or study-related difficulties. Or not everything about your study abroad goes according to plan.

It is important that you read up on important topics ahead of time and seek support if you have a problem.

Maybe your problem seems too small or unimportant for advising? Or you’re not sure who to turn to? If so, advising for international students is the right place for you. Simply send an email to request an advising appointment.

Advisor: Katja Grannis

Office hours: Just send an email to: international-student-support"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
Katja Grannis will reply promptly. Find lots of helpful information on the website for international students.

Target group: international students and Universität Hamburg graduates International doctoral researchers should contact the Welcome Service for International Researchers.

Language: German and English

Scholarship programs for international students and doctoral researchers

With its merit scholarship program, Universität Hamburg supports outstanding international students and doctoral researchers of all subjects and degree levels who have been socially committed and actively involved in an international context. The awarding of a merit scholarship allows recipients to concentrate fully on their studies and gives them the opportunity to develop their skills.

Degree completion grants for international students

Universität Hamburg assists its international students in successfully completing their degrees with degree completion grants.

You are entitled to funding if you

• are already enrolled at Universität Hamburg
• are not a German citizen
• are not eligible for the federal student loan scheme
• are preparing for or are in the final examination phase of your studies
• have no financial support during this phase (proof required).

Office hours and additional information: 

Scholarship programs for international students and doctoral researchers

Degree completion grants for international students

Language: German and English

Universität Hamburg’s Welcome Service supports international researchers, including doctoral researchers, who wish to stay for at least one month at Universität Hamburg.

We provide information, advice, and help with everything you need for your stay and life in Hamburg: entering Germany, health insurance, the housing search, dealing with authorities, and even looking for a suitable kindergarten.

Office hours and additional information: the Welcome Service for International Researchers

Language: German and English

The Certificate Intercultural Competence (CIC) is awarded to students at Universität Hamburg who have devoted time to intercultural issues. The CIC therefore serves as recognition of intercultural involvement and is an additional distinction for students. The certificate encompasses the areas of intercultural training, international experience, intercultural activity, and intercultural studies. During the weekly office hours, interested students can obtain information and tips on how they can acquire the CIC during their studies.

Office hours and additional information:  the Certificate Intercultural Competence (CIC)

Language: German/English

Are you interested in studying abroad during your degree program? Do you have questions like: How do I plan to study abroad? What exchange programs does Universität Hamburg offer? What kind of funding is available?

Are you still unsure what you want to do or do you have specific questions? Get all the answers  from the Outgoing Students Team in the Department of International Affairs!

The Study Abroad Team holds monthly information sessions and weekly office hours for individual advising.

Tip: Plan your trip well in advance as many programs have a long application process—more than a year in some cases!.

Office hours and additional information: studying abroad

Language: German and English