Studying abroad Studying abroad

Application requirements:

HAW Hamburg students who will be in at least the fourth semester of their Bachelor's studies or the second semester of their Master's studies at the time of the exchange are eligible to apply.

You need to have good grades at the time you apply (and afterwards):
- Average grade of at least 2.3
- Average grade of at least 2.7 for engineering students

Where possible, you should study during the standard study period. If you still need to complete one or two exams, this is not necessarily a problem. Explain the reasons in your application. You also need to have very strong English skills.

A high degree of personal engagement at HAW Hamburg is also desirable – for example, in the WeBuddy programme, or as a tutor during an orientation unit.

Requirements during your stay:

You are required to study full time. This generally means that you need to successfully complete four courses. You should choose courses in Australia that can be recognised as credit points towards your degree at HAW Hamburg.

HAW Down Under information sheet (in German only)

A study semester in Australia always takes place in summer semester (mid-February–mid-June). Exception UNSW: It has a trimester system. You have the option of taking either Term 1 + Term 2 (February-end August; four courses: 30 ECTS) or Term 1 (February-mid May; three courses: 22.5 ECTS). Please indicate which option you would like to choose when applying.

The exchanges with the partner universities are reciprocal, which means that student exchanges take place on a one-to-one basis. The decision about how many places will be offered and which departments will be included in the next round is made in early May. An overview of the places available will be provided on this page.

The application deadline is 15 June. Personal interviews take place shortly afterwards.

We recommend that you speak with the student exchange coordinator (SEC) in your faculty to prepare for this application.

The paperless application process takes place via the Mobility Online application portal.

Yes. You can only apply to attend those Australian universities where your faculty or degree course is listed.

Applicants for Australia must have very good English skills. Please use the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) language certificate as proof of your language skills for the internal application process. You should have a rating of at least *** in each area. English native speakers do not have to submit a language certificate (just a letter explaining the situation). 

Who can complete the DAAD language certificate:

You can complete a language test at the Hamburg School of English in Eppendorf. The test costs approximately €40 and can be completed at short notice (tel.: 040 480 2116). The language school then completes the DAAD certificate.

IMPORTANT: If you are selected, you will need to submit the results of a TOEFL or IELTS test at almost all of the universities before you can be nominated. The following scores are required:

- Curtin: TOEFL (min. 90 points) or IELTS (min. 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each area)
- Deakin: Level B2 DAAD language certificate is sufficient.
- Griffith: TOEFL (min. 71 points*) or IELTS (min. 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each area)
- Murdoch University: Level B2 DAAD language certificate is sufficient.
- UNSW: TOEFL (min. 90 points) or IELTS (min. 6.5)
- Sydney: TOEFL (min. 90 points) or IELTS (min. 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each area)

* Please note that you should have at least 85 points if you do not want to have language difficulties during your stay.

You are required to study full time. This generally means that you need to successfully complete four courses. You should choose courses in Australia that can be recognised as credit points towards your degree at HAW Hamburg.

Unfortunately not. The places are in high demand, and we want to give as many students as possible the chance to participate in the programme.

Yes. You must have successfully completed at least one semester at HAW Hamburg by the time of the exchange.

The exchanges with the partner universities are reciprocal, which means that student exchanges take place on a one-to-one basis. This is because the Australian tuition fees need to be covered. In order for a German student not to have to pay tuition fees in Australia, an Australian student needs to do so. What this means is that an Australian student has to study in Hamburg and leave his or her place in Australia free for a semester, while still paying for it, so that the credits he or she completes in Hamburg can be recognised.

Because the partnerships are relatively new and Australian students are not as mobile as European students due to the high (tuition) costs, the spaces are limited (for the time being).

But for later job applications, there will also only be one job and many applicants. So, write an excellent application and try your luck!

Unfortunately, a semester abroad in Australia is not cheap. The cost of accommodation in particular is very high relative to Hamburg. Living expenses are also higher. It is not unusual that students need to plan to have €10,000 for one semester. Please read the reports from other students who have spent a semester abroad to get a better picture of what's involved, and apply well ahead of time for scholarships and BAföG for study abroad.

More information about scholarships and funding.