Biotechnology
Biotechnology cuts across disciplines, encompassing aspects not only of biology and biochemistry, but also of physics, chemistry, process engineering, materials science and IT.
At its core, it centres on harnessing biological processes for technical applications. This degree course in Biotechnology has a broad and generalist curriculum with the aim of doing justice to the rapid progress of scientific insights in the field and enabling their translation into innovative technologies.
Your future career
................................................................................................................................................................................................
Techniques and processes from biotech now find use in almost all sectors, with major areas of emphasis in industry, medicine and agriculture, alongside applications in sub-fields of environmental engineering such as waste disposal and energy generation.
Biotechnologists might work in producing active ingredients for medical therapies using genetically modified cells, in bioreactors, in tissue engineering or the production of biofuels, or in developing and operating biotech systems. They also provide analysis and diagnostic services in medicine and in the pharmaceutical sector, work in supervisory authorities whose remit encompasses environmental and health matters, and forge careers in marketing and sales for medical devices and equipment.
Course content and structure
................................................................................................................................................................................................
The first two semesters of the course involve a grounding in physics, maths, organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry and computer science. Semester 1 also includes required elective modules for training students in key skills and independent study habits.
The third and fourth semesters explore scientific and technical applications in biotechnology, including fluid mechanics, measurement technology, instrumental analysis, electronics, sterilisation technology and biosafety, and applied microbiology, biochemistry and bioreactor technology.
Fifth- and sixth-semester students acquire further key skills in law, business administration and a required elective module alongside additional subject-specific content. There is also a six-month practical phase at this stage, which serves as preparation for students‘ transition to their careers. The course, which concludes with a Bachelor thesis, further incorporates two periods during which you can spend time studying at another institution.
Your interests and skills
................................................................................................................................................................................................
Budding biotechnologists should be excited by the idea of bringing technology and biology (micro-organisms, cell cultures, enzymes) together and applying their scientific competencies and skills; they should also enjoy using computers and want to make a positive difference to society. You’ll need sound prior knowledge of physics, maths, chemistry and biology and you should be keen on advancing that knowledge and acquiring professional skills on the basis of a relatively broad spectrum of subjects.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator
Admission requirements
................................................................................................................................................................................................
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.
Application process
................................................................................................................................................................................................
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
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
................................................................................................................................................................................................
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
Contact the department
................................................................................................................................................................................................
Specifically subject-related queries
Student advisor
Prof. Dr. Birger Anspach
Ulmenliet 20, room S2.24, 21033 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-6253
birger.anspach(@)haw-hamburg.de
Advice on practical experience:
Prof. Dr. Gesine Cornelissen
Ulmenliet 20, room BT 2, 21033 Hamburg
Tel.: + 49.40.428 75-6295
gesine.cornelissen(@)haw-hamburg.de