Academic calendar
The academic year at HAW Hamburg is divided into two semesters. The classes in the winter semester run from October to the middle of February (incl. exam period), and the classes in the summer semester run from April to the end of July (incl. exam period).
NOTE: This information is for international exchange students who plan to study for one or two semesters at HAW Hamburg.
Summer semester 2023
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| 6–12 March 2023 | Hamburg Welcome Week |
| 13 March 2023 | Start of classes |
| 7–10 April 2023 | Easter holidays |
| 1 May 2023 | Public holiday |
| 18 May 2023 | Public holiday |
| 29 May 2023 | Public holiday |
| 30 June 2023 | Classes end |
| 2–15 July 2023 | Examination period |
| 16 July–31 August 2023 | Semester holidays |
Winter semester 2023/24
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| 1–8 October 2023 | Hamburg Welcome Week (planned) |
| 9 October 2023 | Start of classes |
| 31 October 2023 | Public holiday |
| 25 December 2023–6 January 2024 | Christmas holidays |
| 25 Januar 2024 | Classes end ** |
| 28 January–17 February 2024 | Exam period |
| 18 February–1 April 2024 | Semester holidays |
Summer semester 2024
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| 29 March–1 April 2024 | Easter weekend |
| 2 April 2024 | Start of classes (including Welcome Week) |
| 1 May 2024 | Public holiday |
| 9 May 2024 | Public holiday |
| 20 May 2024 | Public holiday |
| 5 July 2024 | Classes end |
| 8–27 July 2024 | Examination period |
| 28 July–30 September 2024 | Semester holidays |
Hamburg Welcome Weeks: This is an orientation programme for international exchange students and international first-year students to help you to get to know Hamburg and the other new students.
** First/last day of classes: In most departments the higher-level classes will start in the first week of the semester; in some departments the first week of the semester may just be an orientation week for the new freshmen. Some classes can run slightly longer because of this. Please check with your Student Exchange Coordinator for the exact dates.
Public holidays: On public holidays shops, banks and post offices are shut in Germany. These are good times to travel for short trips during the semester, but please be aware that there is increased traffic on roads, in trains and at airports as Germans use these days for long weekends or short breaks.
