Higher education entrance qualification

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)
• Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
• Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)

Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).

Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

Proof of English skills
Applicants must provide proof of English at the B1 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Pre-course experience
Students on this course are required to complete 13 weeks of pre-course experience. You don’t need to have completed it before you enrol, but you must have done so by the time you complete your second year of study. We strongly recommend that you fulfil this requirement before you begin the degree course.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering ans International Business).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

Higher education entrance qualification
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)
• Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
• Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)

Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).

Find out more at Admission requirements for a Bachelor's degree.

Pre-course experience
We do not require you to have completed pre-course experience for this course.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering and International Business).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

Higher education entrance qualification

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)
• Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
• Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)

Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).

Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

Proof of English skills
Applicants must provide proof of English at the B2 level under  the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Pre-course experience is not required for this degree programme.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering ans International Business).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

Higher education entrance qualification
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)
• Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
• Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)

Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).

Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

Pre-course experience
Students on this course are required to complete 10 weeks of pre-course experience. You don’t need to have completed it before you enrol, but you must have done so by the time you complete your second year of study. We strongly recommend that you fulfil this requirement before you begin the degree course.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering ans International Business).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

Higher education entrance qualification
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)
• Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
• Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)

Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).

Find out more at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

Pre-course experience
Students on this course are required to complete 13 weeks of pre-course experience. You don’t need to have completed it before you enrol, but you must have done so by the time you complete your second year of study. We strongly recommend that you fulfil this requirement before you begin the degree course.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering and International Business).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

The admission requirements are as follows:

• Bachelor's degree (in a related discipline) qualifying the applicant for a professional career or a comparable course of studies, or a university Diplom degree with 210 credit points
• English language skills as demonstrated in Abitur or Fachhochschul transcripts (see Admissons Policy) or accepted certificates: TOEFL test (at least 87 points, Internet-based); IELTS (minimum: Band 5.5 level); CAE, CPE or FCE (minimum C); or certificates of good performance in foreign countries
• German language skills at A2 level, certified by an acknowledged institution such as the Goethe Institute
• Applicants holding a first academic degree (Bachelor, Diplom, etc.) from non-EU-countries: Graduate Record Examination (GRE); further information is available at www.gre.org

Additional documents to be submitted:

• CV
• Statement of motivation

Documents you may submit (optional):

• Letter of recommendation from a university professor
• Proof of particular professional experience

Important note for applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) for courses which require 210 credit points (ECTS) from the first degree: Applicants whose Bachelor's degree consists of 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points during the first semester of their studies. The specific department decides which examinations and courses must be completed. Applicants will then be temporarily admitted and enrolled for one term in order to complete the missing 30 credit points. After the end of the first semester, the department will inform the Student Admissions and Registration Office whether the missing credit points have been acquired and the student may continue his or her studies.

Important note for applicants with 180 credit points (ECTS) who have not completed 20 weeks in an industrial internship during or after their first degree: These applicants can be temporarily admitted and enrolled under the condition that they make up the missing weeks of practical experience within the Master's programme. This will likely prolong the total study time. The details will be determined by the department.

Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
studierendensekretariat (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de

Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions 

The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed

In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am

For general queries about HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours

Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de

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) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.

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.

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

Applications can be submitted during the application period (for winter semester: 1 June–15 July).

More information (in German) about the numerus clausus process and the minimum grades accepted for admission in recent semesters is provided at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

International applicants should also submit their applications online during the relevant application period.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step checklist to guide you through the process: International applicants

We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de.  Applications can be submitted between 1 December and 15 January for the following summer semester. This course does not have a winter semester intake.

You can find more information about the application process here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course. This is also where you can access the online application system during the application period.

More information (in German) about the numerus clausus process and the minimum grades accepted for admission in recent semesters is provided at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

Applications from international applicants should likewise be submitted online during the relevant application period.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step checklist to guide you through the process: International applicants

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.

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

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

The degree course only accepts new students for the summer semester! Application period: 1 December–15 January

The HAW Hamburg Student Admissions and Registration Office is responsible for the application and admissions process.

You can find more information about applying at Applying for a Master's degree course.

Für Fragen zu Voraussetzungen und Ablauf der künstlerischen Aufnahmeprüfung wenden Sie sich gerne an: bewerberservice-design (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de

Higher education entrance qualification and test of artistic aptitude
As well as having a school-leaving qualification that entitles you to enter higher education (the German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife or an equivalent), you’ll need to take a test of artistic aptitude (see below). In exceptional cases, we admit applicants without a higher education entrance qualification who have demonstrated outstanding talent.

Pre-course experience
We do not require you to have completed pre-course experience for this course.

International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering).

You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.

Please note that applicants for this course are required to take a test of artistic aptitude which includes submission of a portfolio of your work. The test takes place each autumn. 

You may only proceed to the formal application stage once you have passed the test of artistic aptitude. We only accept online applications. They can be submitted between 1 December and 15 January for a place in the following summer semester. This course does not have a winter semester intake. You can find the online application system (available only during the period specified above) here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course

Test of artistic aptitude
Dates for portfolio consultation sessions and the registration form for the test are published at Department Design

Applications from international applicants should also be submitted online during the application period.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step checklist to guide you through the process: International applicants

Please note that you need to pass an artistic aptitude test in order to be admitted to this degree course. This involves the submission of a portfolio and takes place each spring. Additional information about the process, deadlines and registration (in German).

The letter informing you that you have passed the aptitude test is not a letter of admission for winter semester!
You can only apply for a study place once you have passed the artistic aptitude test. Applications are accepted from 1 June–15 July: Applying for a Master's degree course

The following documents are required as part of your application to take a test of artistic aptitude for a Master's degree in the Department of Design:

• A copy of your Bachelor or Diplom certificate for a design degree or a similar artistic/creative degree. Alternatively, applicants can submit a letter from their university confirming that they will successfully complete their Bachelor thesis or Diplom exam in the semester in which they are applying.
• An explanation of which minor and which specialisations the applicant wants to take the test for. For the minor in 'Communication Design' applicants can list more than one specialisation.
• A portfolio of artistic/creative and conceptional work which illustrates the applicant's design skills in an appropriate and convincing way. If one of the works submitted has been produced by more than one person, this must be made clear.
• A written and signed statement confirming authorship of the work samples submitted.
• A brief letter of intent outlining your own goals for the Master's degree course, in the form of either a project outline for an artistic/design project or a description of the skills you aim to acquire.

The following documents are required as part of your application for a study place:

• A copy of your Bachelor or Diplom certificate
• Verification that you have passed the test of artistic aptitude
• International applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in the German language via a recognised language test, which should be one of the following: Goethe Institute C1, TestDaF 4, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH2, Deutsches Sprachdiplom issued by the KMK (Kultusministerkonferenz), or Kleines or Großes Sprachdiplom issued by the Goethe Institute.
• Preliminary review documentation (Vorprüfungsdokumentation) from uni assist for international students

The degree course admits students for the winter and the summer semesters. Application periods: 1 June–15 July (winter semester) and 1 December–15 January (summer semester).

Applications for all Master's courses must be submitted online. The online application system is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of the application periods. You do not need to submit hard copies of your application. You can find more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.

Alternatively, you can contact master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de

The degree course admits students for the winter semester only. The application period is 1 June to 15 July.

Applications for all Master's courses must be submitted online. The online application system is only activated during the application period. It is not possible to apply outside of this time. You can find more information at Applying for a Master's degree course.

Alternatively, you can contact master-application(@)haw-hamburg.de

Applications and admissions:
HAW Master's Degree Course Admissions Office
Stiftstrasse 69, 20099 Hamburg (Berliner Tor Campus)
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-9898
master-application (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de

The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed

In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am

For general queries about degree courses:
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstrasse 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours

Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions:
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de

Winter semester: 1 June–15 July
Summer semester: 1 December–15 January

The deadlines for some degree courses are different. You can find more information on the specific degree course page. Please also note that the application deadlines are the final deadlines. Applications received after these closing dates will not be considered.

We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. Applications can be submitted between 1 June and 15 July for the following winter semester and between 1 December and 15 January for the following summer semester. 

You can find the online application system (available only during the application periods specified above) and details about the procedure at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course.

More information (in German) about the numerus clausus process and the minimum grades accepted for admission in recent semesters is provided at Applying for a Bachelor's degree course / Selection criteria.

International applicants should also submit their applications online during the relevant application period.
We’ve prepared a step-by-step checklist to guide you through the process: International applicants