Universität Hamburg

Universität Hamburg offers more than 170 degree programs (taught in German), including African Studies, Anthropology, Archaeology, Biological Sciences, Business, Chemistry, Computer Science (including Interaction Design), East Asian Studies, Economics, French, Geography, Geophysics & Oceanography, German, Industrial Engineering, Italian, Earth Science, History, Law & Society, Linguistics, Mathematics, Media and Communication Studies, Molecular Biology, Music, Nanoscience, Slavic Language and Cultural studies, Spanish, Religious Studies, 

Unique programs are also offered here, such as Bioinformatics, Eastern European Studies, Finno-Ugric/Uralic language, Forestry, Medieval Studies, Sign Language, and Special Needs Education.

For a detailed list of programs, please visit the Degree Programs page. More information can be found here. 

There are also a very limited number of English courses available at the Masters level as well as research opportunities for undergrad, Master's and PhD students (funding available, see MITACS GlobaLink funding).

Students at Hamburg typically take 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits per semester. 6 ECTS = 3 UCalgary units (1 half course equivalent). 

Hamburg has 2 semesters, Winter and Summer. Winter semester typically runs from early-October to the end of March (classes end mid-Feb), and Summer semester runs from early April to the end of September (classes end mid July), though it may be possible to finish in late Feb or late July. 

The summer schools (see "Academic information" section above) run in July.

On-Campus Options

There are some spaces set aside for exchange students in campus housing but they cannot guarantee everyone will be placed. Early application and also looking in the private sector is reccomended. Studierendenwerk Hamburg has 23 dorms that can accommodate up to nearly 4000 students under 35 years of age, and costs between €230 to €350 per month, not including a €300 security deposit. A limited number of rooms in student dorms are available for exchange students (housing form is submitted at the time of application). The dorms include independent rooms measuring between 10 and 13 square metres, with shared kitchens, common rooms, and laundry facilities. However, the dorms are a popular option and students may be subjected to wait-lists if applying 3-4 months in advance and are recommended to list as many rooms as possible to find accommodation more quickly.

Besides the dorms, there are also 12 other student residences with an additional 1600 beds, provided by outside organizations, with similar costs. Applications are made directly to the specific residences. Because housing choices can be competitive, students are recommended to be researching their options before their acceptance letter from Hamburg arrives.

Off-Campus Options

Wohngemeinschaft (WG) are shared apartments, where you have your own room and share bathroom/kitchen facilities with other students or young professionals.

Zwischenmiete housing is another option - in Germany, this is a student sub-letted apartment. If students do not need their room for a short period (for example, if they are going abroad), they can temporarily lease it to someone else.

To search for either of these types, enter the search words “WG Hamburg” (housing share Hamburg), “Hamburg Wohngemeinschaften” (Hamburg housing shares), or “Wohnungssuche Hamburg” (housing search Hamburg) in a search 
engine for a list of links to online housing exchanges. Alternatively, enter “Kleinanzeigen Hamburg” (classified ads Hamburg) for links to classified ads for private housing.

Additionally, SAGA offers a housing search option for other properties, and the university bulletin boards are a good place to look as well. 

Note: Beware of fraud! Never transfer money in advance for an apartment sight unseen or without having signed a contract! You can always view an apartment once you arrive (there should be no charge associated).

Summer Schools

Accommodation is offered at the B&B Hotel Altona (inlc. breakfast). Two awards are available that cover 50% the program fee, which includes accommodation, public transportation, extracurricular activities and some meals

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

Courses at Hamburg are primarily taught in German - as such, applicants should have a command of German at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) at a minimum, or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in German. Certification of language proficiency will be required. Students do have the opportunity to take German language courses during their stay. 

Videos:

To learn more about Universität Hamburg please click here.

Do I need to speak German?

For studies in German it is required, but for English studies it is recommended that you have at least a basic knowledge - because of the limited nature of English courses at this institution however, most students will need to speak and write in German. Most native English speakers are able to function fairly well in German society with a basic knowledge of the language for shopping and eating out, etc. but it can be more difficult in terms of navigating housing or filling out forms.

Is there a Pre-Semester German Language Program?

Yes! Hamburg offers a variety of pre-semester and semester-long German courses for free or at low cost - for more information please visit their Language courses page. 

For more information on opportunities to learn German in Hamburg as well as resources about living and studying in Germany, check out this link: https://www.studying-in-germany.org/learn-german/language-schools/learn-german-hamburg/

What's so special about Hamburg?

The city of Hamburg is the 2nd largest port in Europe, and provides an excellent gateway to coastal Germany, Scandinavia, and the rest of Europe. It is well-known for its reputation in the music world - known as a place where a variety of british bands, including the Beatles, got their start, and is famed for its extensive offering of musicals and operas. 

Student Tips: "The transit was amazing, like in most of Western Europe; very well connected cities make for easy commutes. The city was also very bike-friendly and most of the locals used this as their main mode of transportation. They had music coming through every night of the week, and there are lots of museums as well, which made for fun trips on the weekends."

What supports does UHamburg offer?

The University of Hamburg provides supports for those with accessibility needs, chronic illnesses, and counselling needs, as well as for students with children. 
Link to Office of Affairs for Students with Disabilities or Chronic Diseases
Link to Centre for Counselling and Academic Advising Supports
Link to Studying as a Parent

For information on accessibility of campuses across Europe, ESN has created "Inclusive Mobility" which allows you to check the accessibility of universities and cities across Europe. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.

Student Tips: "Their cafeteria was amazing for offering fresh, healthy, and affordable food! Mac Hall doesn’t even come close to their cafeterias."