Universität Hamburg at a glance
- City
- Hamburg
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- uni-hamburg.de
Key takeaways
- Universität Hamburg abolished tuition fees from the winter semester 2012/13; you pay a €402 semester contribution for winter 2026/27.
- The semester contribution includes a €226.80 public transport pass.
- International English master's programs have an early window: 15 February to 31 March 2027 for the winter semester 2027/28.
- Fee-based LL.M. and continuing master's programs charge tuition; consecutive programs do not.
- After admission you often have only about 7 days to enrol, so prepare documents in advance.
On this page
Universität Hamburg does not charge tuition fees for its regular (consecutive) programs, including for non-EU students. The university abolished tuition fees from the winter semester 2012/13. You pay a semester contribution of €402 for the winter semester 2026/27, which includes a public transport pass.
Hamburg is the largest university in northern Germany and has a strong English master's offer in climate and earth sciences, physics, data science and AI, economics and Asian and African studies. Below: costs, programs, requirements and the 2027/28 deadlines.
Why Universität Hamburg is good value
- No tuition for consecutive bachelor's and master's programs.
- Semester contribution includes a transport pass worth €226.80 of the total.
- English master's in high-demand fields such as Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Economics and climate science.
- No application fee is mentioned on the international application pages, and master's documents are uploaded as uncertified copies at first.
Tuition fees and semester contribution
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Student body | €19.60 |
| Semester public transport pass | €226.80 |
| Transport pass hardship fund | €4.60 |
| Studierendenwerk | €101.00 |
| Administrative fee | €50.00 |
| Total | €402.00 |
Payment for a winter semester is due by 1 October; the university advises paying at least four weeks earlier so your semester documents and transport pass are ready on time.
Fee-based programs
Continuing master's and LL.M. programs such as European and International Law (MEIL), Law and Economics (EMLE), Law of the Sea, Human Rights and Democratisation, and European and European Legal Studies charge tuition. Check before you apply.
For the visa you need proof of €11,904 per year (€992 per month, in force since 1 January 2025). The DAAD estimates student living costs at €900 to €1,200 per month depending on the city. See our cost of studying in Germany guide.
English-taught programs at Hamburg
Our database lists one English-taught bachelor's, Earth System Physics (B.Sc.), and 32 English master's. Examples:
- Climate and earth: Integrated Climate System Sciences, Atmospheric Science, Geophysics, Marine Ecosystem and Fisheries Science
- Data and AI: Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Intellectics: The Science of AI
- Economics and business: Economics, Innovation, Business and Sustainability (MIBAS), Business Mathematics
- Sciences: Chemistry, Mathematical Physics
- Area studies: African Languages and Cultures, Buddhist Studies, Indology and Tibetology, Languages and Cultures of Southeast Asia, Manuscript Cultures
Bachelor's applicants
German proof is required for bachelor's programs at enrolment unless you are exempt. We could not verify whether the English-taught Earth System Physics program is exempt, so ask the Campus Center before you apply.
Admission requirements
- Master's: a first degree that fits the program profile, plus subject-specific requirements set by each program. There is no university-wide minimum grade.
- English: the level is set in each program's admission regulations (typically B2 to C1). No German is needed for master's taught only in English.
- Documents: degree certificate (or statement of expected completion with transcript and current GPA), school-leaving certificate, language proof, CV and transcript.
- Bachelor's: non-EU applicants compete in a separate quota ranked by converted school grade plus bonus points.
For how foreign grades are converted, read Germany university admission requirements.
Hamburg application deadlines
The university publishes these as standing annual application windows:
| Intake | Programs | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Summer semester 2027 | Master's with summer entry (e.g. Mathematics, Buddhist Studies, African Languages and Cultures) | 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027 |
| Winter semester 2027/28 | International master's list (e.g. Data Science and AI, Economics, ICSS, Physics) | 15 February to 31 March 2027 |
| Winter semester 2027/28 | Other master's (e.g. Mathematics, Business Mathematics) | 1 May to 15 June 2027 |
| Winter semester 2027/28 | Bachelor's, incl. Earth System Physics | 1 June to 15 July 2027 |
Scholarships
Hamburg's International Office points to merit-based Hamburg scholarships and DAAD options. Scholarships are competitive and are rarely awarded to students who are just starting, so plan to fund at least your first year yourself. Read scholarships in Germany for international students.
Working while you study and after graduation
Non-EU students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year; student assistant jobs at the university have no day limit but must be reported. After graduation you can apply for a job-seeker residence permit for up to 18 months. See work and stay in Germany after graduation.
Mistakes to avoid
Do not wait for the May window if your program is on the international master's list; that list closes on 31 March. Do not assume every English master's is free; several LL.M. programs charge tuition. And keep your enrolment documents ready, because you may have only about a week after admission.
Who Universität Hamburg suits best
Hamburg is a strong choice if you want a tuition-free master's in climate and earth system science, data science and AI, economics, or Asian and African studies. It suits organised applicants who can meet the early 31 March window and enrol quickly after admission.
Benefits
- No tuition for consecutive programs
- Transport pass included in the semester contribution
- Strong English master's in climate, data science and economics
- Some programs admit in summer as well
Difficulties
- Early 15 February to 31 March window for the international master's list
- Only about 7 days to enrol after admission
- Only one English-taught bachelor's
- Several law master's charge tuition
Applying from Afghanistan
An Afghan bachelor's degree gives direct access to master's study according to anabin. The Afghan 12th-grade certificate needs Studienkolleg (Feststellungsprüfung) or two years of university study first. National student visas are handled by the German Embassy in Islamabad; see our Germany student visa guide.
How to apply to Universität Hamburg step by step
- 1
Check which window applies
Find out whether your program is on the international master's list (15 February to 31 March) or not (1 May to 15 June).
- 2
Read the admission regulations
Note the English level and subject requirements for your program.
- 3
Apply online
Use the university's online application and upload uncertified copies; certified copies may be requested later.
- 4
Act fast after admission
Enrolment deadlines are often only about 7 days, so have your documents and payment ready.
- 5
Prove funds and get your visa
Arrange €11,904 per year and apply for your visa early. See our documents and legalization guide.
- 6
Pay €402 and start
Pay the semester contribution before 1 October and collect your transport pass.
Never miss the short Hamburg windows: track deadlines for free on FindUniPath, or compare more universities in Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Is Universität Hamburg free for international students?
Yes for consecutive programs. Tuition fees were abolished from winter 2012/13. You pay a semester contribution of €402 for winter 2026/27.
When is the University of Hamburg deadline for international master's?
For master's on the international list, the winter semester 2027/28 window is 15 February to 31 March 2027. Other master's use 1 May to 15 June 2027.
Does the University of Hamburg have bachelor's programs in English?
Our database lists one: Earth System Physics (B.Sc.). Bachelor's applicants generally need German proof, so confirm any exemption with the Campus Center.
Does the University of Hamburg charge an application fee?
No application fee is mentioned on the university's international application pages.
What does the Hamburg semester contribution include?
The €402 for winter 2026/27 covers the student body, a €226.80 public transport pass, a hardship fund, the Studierendenwerk and a €50 administrative fee.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.Universität Hamburg — Semester contribution
- 2.Universität Hamburg — Tuition fees and semester contribution
- 3.Universität Hamburg — Application deadlines
- 4.Universität Hamburg — Master's application for international applicants
- 5.Universität Hamburg — Degree programs
- 6.Universität Hamburg — Degree-seeking international applicants
- 7.DAAD — Side jobs for international students
- 8.DAAD — Career planning after graduation
- 9.anabin — School certificates with university access
- 10.German Embassy for Afghanistan — Proof of financial means