University of Hamburg

Hamburg, Germany

QS World 2026 · #191

One of Germany's largest universities, in one of its major commercial and media hubs.

About Hamburg

Hamburg is one of Germany's largest universities by student numbers, based in a major port and media city that's home to many of Germany's biggest publishing houses and shipping companies. It's particularly well regarded for Physics (in partnership with DESY, a major particle physics research centre) and Law.

Why students choose it

  • One of Germany's largest universities by enrolment
  • Physics research partnership with DESY, a major particle physics centre
  • Based in Hamburg, a major commercial and media hub

🎓 Free application support for Hamburg

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to Hamburg — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 33

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€0–€1,000/sem

low tier for Germany — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

German (Bachelor's) — most undergraduate programmes are German-medium and require proof of German proficiency; a small number of English-taught Bachelor's tracks exist. Master's is far more commonly English-taught.

Campus

city campus, Hamburg

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or Hamburg's financial aid office.

Because most German public universities already charge minimal tuition to everyone regardless of citizenship, 'scholarships' here are more about living-cost support than fee reduction.

  • DAAD Scholarships: Germany's national academic exchange service — mainly postgraduate/research-focused, with a smaller number of undergraduate opportunities; covers living costs and sometimes fees.
  • Deutschlandstipendium: A merit-based monthly stipend available to enrolled students (domestic and international alike) at participating universities, funded jointly by government and private sponsors.

Since tuition itself is already low or free at most public universities, prioritise these for living-cost support rather than expecting a tuition-fee scholarship.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Business

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Typical entry: Mathematics helps but usually isn't required recommended

Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Law

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years for an undergraduate LLB (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia); typically a 3-year postgraduate JD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Centralised allocation via hochschulstart.de (Abitur-equivalent GPA + waiting time); some universities add TMS as an extra criterion

Computer Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Germany — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester)
Typical deadline
15 July for Winter semester, 15 January for Summer semester
Note
Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only)

Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

See where Hamburg ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Germany University Shortlist Builder to see whether Hamburg is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Germany university that matches.

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More Germany universities

Hamburg FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to Hamburg as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into Hamburg?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, Hamburg expects around AAB at A Level or 33 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for Hamburg's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on Hamburg's own admissions page before applying.

How much does Hamburg cost for international students?

International tuition at Hamburg typically falls in the €0–€1,000/sem range (low tier for Germany). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not Hamburg's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for Hamburg?

Hamburg follows Germany's typical intake calendar: October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester), with applications generally due 15 july for winter semester, 15 january for summer semester. Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route. Always verify the exact date on Hamburg's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for Hamburg?

Germany universities, including Hamburg, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only). Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

What is Hamburg known for?

One of Germany's largest universities, in one of its major commercial and media hubs. Hamburg is one of Germany's largest universities by student numbers, based in a major port and media city that's home to many of Germany's biggest publishing houses and shipping companies. It's particularly well regarded for Physics (in partnership with DESY, a major particle physics research centre) and Law.

Can I apply to Hamburg with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — Hamburg accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Germany University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against Hamburg and every other Germany university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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