Health Sciences

With a degree in Health Sciences, you will have a versatile skill set and be in demand across a range of sectors. You can work in public sector organisations, in research, or in corporate and medical settings – wherever the focus is on analysing, promoting and safeguarding health in the long term.

Your potential areas of responsibility: The degree programme prepares you to tackle complex issues from various fields of health sciences independently and using scientific methods. You will be qualified for challenging roles in teaching, research, health management, policy and prevention – at regional, national and international levels.

• You will plan and carry out surveys, analyse health-related data and evaluate it scientifically.
• You will understand the significance of climate change and the possibilities for adaptation measures to promote the health of people and our planet.
• You will develop health promotion and prevention measures – for individuals, groups or entire population cohorts – and oversee their implementation and evaluation.
• You will examine the use of medical, occupational and rehabilitative services, as well as their effectiveness.
• You will work on projects and take on management roles in organisations within the health, social or education sectors – for example, at health insurance funds, rehabilitation centres, government departments or NGOs.
• You will be involved in occupational health and safety, environmental protection and consumer protection, or in health promotion in the workplace or in higher education.
• You will contribute to health reporting, epidemiological studies and scientific research – for example, at health insurance funds, pension and accident insurance providers, professional associations or public bodies.

The degree programme prepares you to tackle complex issues in various fields of health sciences independently and using scientific methods. It equips you for demanding roles in teaching, research, health management, policy and prevention – at regional, national and international levels. 

In the first year of study, you will lay the academic foundations – for example in:

• Health sciences and health promotion
• Epidemiology, research methods and statistics
• Sociology, psychology and empirical social research
• Nutrition, human sciences and academic work

In the second and third years of study, you will deepen your knowledge in subjects such as:

• Ergonomics and health economics
• Health management, quality assurance and evaluation
• Health systems and health policy
• Surveillance and health reporting
• Health psychology and education, communication and counselling

Through compulsory elective modules and projects, you can set your own areas of specialisation – for example, in epidemiology, environment and health, counselling or consumer protection.

A 16-week compulsory work placement (which can also be undertaken abroad) is integrated into the programme. We support students wishing to spend a semester abroad at one of our partner universities.

In the sixth semester, you will write your Bachelor’s thesis – often with a direct practical focus.

Are you interested in health, social justice and scientific research? If so, you’re well-suited to this role. Key requirements include:

• An interest in prevention, health promotion and societal health issues
• A curiosity about disciplines such as sociology, psychology, medicine, statistics or economics
• A willingness to think analytically and in an interdisciplinary way
• A passion for practical projects and evidence-based work
• The ability to work in a team, a sense of responsibility and an openness to new perspectives

Do you want to know more than just ‘What makes people ill?’ – and would rather explore ‘What keeps people, organisations and our planet healthy, and how can I help to achieve this – even in a changing world?’. Then Health Sciences at HAW Hamburg is the right choice for you.

Did you complete your secondary education outside Germany?

• If you want to do your bachelor's degree in Germany, you need an academic qualification that corresponds to the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. Here you will find all the information for international prospective students.
• Please note that you must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level.

The following applies to all applicants:

• You are not required to have completed pre-course experience for this course.

Did you complete your secondary education in Germany?
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:

• Fachhochschulreife
• Allgemeine Hochschulreife
• Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
• A similar qualification

You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria

We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de.
During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July; for the summer semester: 1 December–15 January) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.

International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants