About the university
The University of Hamburg was founded in 1919 and has held German 'University of Excellence' status since 2019. It has 8 faculties, 170 degree programmes and 4 clusters of excellence, including climate research (CLICCS) and Quantum Universe. As a public university it charges no tuition fee, only a semester contribution of €402.
Hamburg runs a set of English-taught master's in computer science (Intelligent Adaptive Systems), business administration, economics, sustainability, climate and ocean sciences, and plant science.
For Indian students, the main draws are a tuition-free master's at an excellence university in a large city, and the English-taught MSc Intelligent Adaptive Systems in computer science. All the English-taught master's below start in October only, with a short application window from mid-February to 31 March.
The university warns that cheap housing in Hamburg is scarce. Studierendenwerk halls start at €310 a month all-inclusive, and the university advises applying at least three months before you move.
- Founded
- 1919, by a democratic vote
- Type
- Public research university; University of Excellence since 2019
- Faculties and programmes
- 8 faculties; 170 degree programmes
- Clusters of excellence
- 4 (including climate research and Quantum Universe)
- Tuition
- No tuition fee; semester contribution €402 (winter 2026/27)
- Intakes
- October for the English-taught master's listed here
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
MSc Intelligent Adaptive Systems
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–1 April
- English
- English at B2, e.g. IELTS Academic 6.5
- Postgraduate
MSc Business Administration (English track)
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–31 March
- English
- C1: IELTS Academic 7.0, UNIcert III or Cambridge C1 Advanced
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters); one-year version for high achievers
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–31 March
- English
- C1 recommended; see the programme's 'How to apply' page for proof required
- Postgraduate
MSc Innovation, Business and Sustainability (MIBAS)
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS)
- Intakes
- October only; apply 14 February–31 March (foreign-degree recognition also by 31 March)
- English
- No IELTS/TOEFL needed; English is assessed through an aptitude test (GMAT Focus 545, GRE 151 Verbal and 156 Quant, or GTEBS 95)
- Postgraduate
MSc Politics, Economics and Philosophy
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–31 March
- English
- C1 recommended; see the programme's 'How to apply' page for proof required
- Postgraduate
MSc Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS)
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 16 February–31 March by email
- English
- C1: IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 90 with 20 in each section (pre-2026 scale)
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–31 March
- English
- English at B2 recommended; no proof required according to DAAD's entry
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €804
- Duration
- 2 years (4 semesters)
- Intakes
- October (winter semester only); apply 15 February–31 March
- English
- B2: IELTS Academic 5.0, TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Cambridge BEC Vantage
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Intelligent Adaptive Systems | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Business Administration (English track) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Economics | 2 years (4 semesters); one-year version for high achievers | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Innovation, Business and Sustainability (MIBAS) | 2 years (4 semesters, 120 ECTS) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Politics, Economics and Philosophy | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Integrated Climate System Sciences (ICSS) | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Ocean and Climate Physics | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
| MSc Molecular Plant Science | 2 years (4 semesters) | €804 | ≈ ₹85,224 |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at University of Hamburg with similar universities in Germany.
Scholarships
- Master's and doctoral students
DAAD scholarships
Value: Monthly stipend; amount depends on the programme
Eligibility: Competitive awards; check the DAAD database for awards open to Indian applicants.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- The English-taught programmes listed here are master's; check each bachelor's programme page for its language of teaching and the German level required.
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the student visa.
Postgraduate
- A relevant bachelor's degree; each programme sets subject credits, for example 60 ECTS of core computer science for Intelligent Adaptive Systems or 24 ECTS of maths, statistics or microeconomics for Business Administration.
- MIBAS accepts a bachelor's of at least 180 ECTS, so a three-year degree can qualify, and needs a GMAT, GRE or GTEBS score.
- The application window for the English-taught master's is short: mid-February to 31 March (1 April for IAS) for an October start.
- Applications go through the university's STiNE portal or the route shown on each programme page (ICSS applications are by email).
- Indian applicants need an APS certificate for the student visa.
Documents
- Bachelor's degree certificate and transcript
- Proof of English (where the programme asks for a certificate)
- GMAT, GRE or GTEBS score (MIBAS)
- CV and motivation letter where required
- APS certificate
- Valid passport
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 for Intelligent Adaptive Systems and ICSS; 7.0 for Business Administration; 5.0 for Molecular Plant Science |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 for ICSS; 72 for Molecular Plant Science (pre-2026 scale) |
| Aptitude test route | MIBAS uses GMAT, GRE or GTEBS instead of an English test |
| German | Not required for the English-taught master's listed here |
Accommodation and living costs
The Studierendenwerk Hamburg offers furnished rooms with all-inclusive rent. Cheap housing in Hamburg is scarce, so apply at least three months ahead; a private search can take several months.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Studierendenwerk hall roomStarting rent, all-inclusive (University of Hamburg housing page) | €310per month | ≈ ₹32,860 |
| Wohnanlage Harburg single room in shared flatIncludes heating, water, electricity and internet (DAAD accommodation finder) | €360per month | ≈ ₹38,160 |
| Deposit, Wohnanlage Harburg | €400–800one-off | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹84,800 |
| Housing estimate in DAAD course entryPlus about €500–€700 a month for other living costs | €400–700per month | ≈ ₹42,400 – ₹74,200 |
Campus and location
The University of Hamburg has 8 faculties, from law and business to medicine and natural sciences, and its own Business School.
- University of Excellence since 2019, with 4 clusters of excellence.
- Strong climate research: the CLICCS cluster and the ICSS and Ocean and Climate Physics master's.
- Semester contribution includes a public transport ticket.
- Optional German courses alongside several English-taught programmes.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Graduates of Hamburg's English-taught master's go into research, business, consulting and technology roles. The figures below are general German rules, not a promise of a job.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Job-search permit after graduating | Up to 18 months | Make it in Germany |
| Work allowed while studying | 140 full days or 280 half days a year (student assistant jobs at the university don't count) | Make it in Germany |
Studying in Germany
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Germany. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Germany
- Public
Often chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Data Science & AI
- Public
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Photo: juhotski, CC BY-SA 3.0 PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Life Sciences
Photo: TU Berlin/Pressestelle/Ulrich Dahl, Copyrighted free use PublicOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Business & Management
Photo: Seeott, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich) (official website, opens in a new tab)
Munich, GermanyOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Law
Photo: Hermann Luyken, CC0 PublicHeidelberg University (official website, opens in a new tab)
Heidelberg, GermanyOften chosen for Medicine & Health Sciences, Life Sciences
FAQs
Does the University of Hamburg charge tuition fees?
No. You pay only the semester contribution, €402 for winter 2026/27, which includes a public transport ticket.
When do I apply for an English-taught master's?
The window is short: usually 15 February to 31 March for the October start (1 April for Intelligent Adaptive Systems). There is no April intake for these programmes.
What IELTS score do I need?
It depends on the programme: 6.5 for Intelligent Adaptive Systems and ICSS, 7.0 for Business Administration, 5.0 for Molecular Plant Science. MIBAS uses GMAT or GRE instead.
Is housing hard to find in Hamburg?
Yes. Studierendenwerk rooms start at about €310 a month but fill quickly, so apply at least three months before you arrive.
Can I work while I study?
Yes, within German student work rules. See our Germany guide for the current limits and the job-search permit after graduation.
Sources
- University of Hamburg: profile (opens in a new tab)
- University of Hamburg: semester contribution (opens in a new tab)
- University of Hamburg: housing (Wohnen in Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Intelligent Adaptive Systems (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: MSc Business Administration (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: MSc Economics (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: MIBAS (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: ICSS (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD International Programmes: Molecular Plant Science (Hamburg) (opens in a new tab)
- DAAD accommodation finder: Wohnanlage Harburg (opens in a new tab)
- German Missions in India: student visa documents (APS certificate) (opens in a new tab)
- Make it in Germany: working while studying (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.uni-hamburg.de (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details