The University of Hamburg is a public university in northern Germany with 43,134 students, 187 degree programmes and eight faculties.[1] It is ranked =209th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down 16 places from 193rd in 2026.[2] The university holds University of Excellence status and four Clusters of Excellence.[3]
It has charged no tuition fees since winter semester 2012/13.[4] Every student pays a semester contribution, which rises to €402 in winter semester 2026/27 (€352 plus a €50 administrative fee).[5] German-taught programmes need German proof such as DSH-2 or TestDaF; programmes taught exclusively in English do not.[6][7]
Key facts
| Official name | Universität Hamburg |
| Location | Hamburg, Germany (postal address Mittelweg 177, 20148 Hamburg)[8] |
| Type | State university (public)[9] |
| Founded | 1919, by Hamburg citizens including Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers[3] |
| Students | 43,134 (page does not give a reporting date; the German Wikipedia gives 42,819 for winter 2022/23[9])[1] |
| Degree programmes | 187 programmes in 8 faculties (facts page); “approximately 180” (profile text)[1] |
| Faculties | 8, including the University of Hamburg Business School[3] |
| Professors | 720[1] |
| Excellence Strategy | University of Excellence (Flagship University concept); 4 Clusters of Excellence: CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter; Climate, Climatic Change, and Society; Understanding Written Artefacts; Quantum Universe[3] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | =209th (score 54.8)[2] |
| Tuition fees | None since winter semester 2012/13[4] |
| Semester contribution, winter 2026/27 | €402 (€352 contribution + €50 administrative fee)[5] |
| German required | Proof such as DSH-2, TestDaF or Goethe C1 for German-taught programmes; none for programmes taught exclusively in English[6] |
| Official website | uni-hamburg.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg was founded in 1919 by citizens of the city, among them Senator Werner von Melle and the merchant Edmund Siemers.[3] It has eight faculties: Law; Business, Economics and Social Sciences; Medicine; Education; Humanities; Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences; Psychology and Human Movement Science; and the University of Hamburg Business School.[3]
Its facts page lists 720 professors, 5,796 academic staff (not counting professors) and 5,326 technical, administrative and library staff.[1] The page gives no reporting date and does not state how many students are international, so we do not give a figure.[1]
How is the University of Hamburg ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, the University of Hamburg is joint 209th in the world with a score of 54.8. The ranking aggregator Xuanxiao, which states the edition, shows the same position as a fall of 16 places from 193rd in the 2026 edition.[2]
The university’s own profile says it has been granted University of Excellence status on the basis of its Flagship University concept and is home to four Clusters of Excellence.[3] The same aggregator lists it at joint 129th in the Times Higher Education ranking 2027 and in the 201–300 band of ARWU 2026.[2] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Hamburg?
The facts page counts 187 degree programmes; the profile text says approximately 180.[1][3] The university offers over 100 master’s programmes across its eight faculties, and a number of its international master’s programmes are taught partly or entirely in English.[7] The page gives no exact number of English-taught programmes, so look at the programme guide of the programme you want.[7]
How much does the University of Hamburg cost?
The university states that it has charged no tuition fees since winter semester 2012/13; the semester contribution is still due.[4] The page was last modified on 30 April 2018.[4] Students who began before winter 2012/13 may still have deferred fees.[4]
| Semester | Contribution | Total due (with €50 administrative fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter 2026/27 | €352 | €402 |
| Summer 2026 | €334 | €384 |
| Winter 2025/26 | €334 | €384 |
| Summer 2025 | €293 | €343 |
For winter 2026/27 the €352 consists of €19.60 for the student body, €226.80 for the semester public transport pass, €4.60 for the transport pass hardship fund and €101 for the Studierendenwerk (student services).[5] The university announced the increase to €402 on 23 July 2026.[10] Everyone pays, including students on academic leave; students in several consecutive semesters of leave and students in a special programme (except the Europa-Kolleg) pay the reduced €352.[5]
For rent and living costs in Hamburg, see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.
How do you apply to the University of Hamburg?
Applicants use the university’s own online application portal: you create an applicant account, enter your data and submit electronically. The page does not mention uni-assist, and it says no paper documents need to be sent to the university.[11]
- Recognition: foreign education certificates generally have to be recognised before you apply, and you can request this free of charge through the portal.[11]
- Selection: non-EU applicants are selected by a bonus point system; applicants with German equivalent status, such as EU/EEA citizens, are selected by their grade-based NC value.[11]
- Master’s: every programme requires a completed first degree. Further documents depend on the programme and can include a CV, a transcript and proof of language skills.[7]
We give no deadlines because they change every year and differ by programme; check the page of your programme.
Which language level do you need?
For German-taught programmes you need proof of German at the time of application. The university lists these certificates:[6]
| Certificate | Level accepted |
|---|---|
| DSH | DSH-2 or DSH-3 |
| TestDaF | Total of 15 points, with at least three parts at level 4 and one at level 3 |
| Goethe-Zertifikat | C1 or C2 |
| telc | Deutsch C1 Hochschule, C1, C1 Beruf, C1 Medizin or C2 |
| ÖSD, UNIcert, DSD | ÖSD C1 or C2; UNIcert III or IV; Sprachdiplom II |
Certificates must not be older than three years at the time of application. The page was last updated on 29 June 2022, so confirm the current list with the university.[6] German proof is not required for master’s applicants who apply to a programme taught exclusively in English, who already hold a degree from a German-language university, or who obtained their entry qualification in Germany.[7] B2 and C1 refer to the European scale from A1 to C2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the University of Hamburg charge tuition fees?
What does the semester contribution at the University of Hamburg include?
For winter 2026/27 it includes the student body (€19.60), the semester public transport pass (€226.80), the transport pass hardship fund (€4.60) and the Studierendenwerk (€101), plus a €50 administrative fee.[5]
Do I need German to study at the University of Hamburg?
Do I apply through uni-assist?
The university’s page for international degree applicants describes its own online application portal and does not mention uni-assist.[11]
How is the University of Hamburg ranked?
It is joint 209th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, down from 193rd in 2026.[2]
More about studying in Germany
- Germany: best universities
- Study in Germany: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Heidelberg University
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- TU Darmstadt
- TU Dresden
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
- University of Freiburg
- University of Göttingen
- University of Mannheim
- University of Münster
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Tübingen
Sources
[1] Universität Hamburg: Zahlen und Fakten (page last modified 27 May 2025; no reporting date for the figures)
[2] Xuanxiao: University of Hamburg rankings (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (page without a publication date; latest editions fetched 30 Sep 2026; QS edition 2027 released 18 Jun 2026)
[3] University of Hamburg: Profile text (page updated 20 May 2026)
[4] Universität Hamburg: Studiengebühren (page last modified 30 Apr 2018)
[5] University of Hamburg: Semester contribution (page updated 27 Jul 2026)
[6] University of Hamburg: German language proficiency (page updated 29 Jun 2022)
[7] University of Hamburg: Master’s programs, international applicants (page updated 4 Nov 2026)
[8] University of Hamburg: Imprint (postal address) (page without a date)
[9] Wikipedia (German): Universität Hamburg (secondary source; student figure for winter 2022/23)
[10] Universität Hamburg Campus-Center: Semesterbeitrag Wintersemester 2026/27 (news item of 23 Jul 2026)
[11] University of Hamburg: International applicants, degree studies (page updated 5 Nov 2026)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.