Frequently Asked Questions – PEP-Master

STiNE is the student information network that provides valuable support to students from their initial application to completion of studies (and even beyond that as alumni). To apply to a program at the University of Hamburg you must use the online application form on STiNE (at https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de).

Once you have set up an applicant’s account in STiNE you may log in repeatedly during the application period to complete the application form. You must submit the completed form both electronically via STiNE and in paper by regular mail. Please send the print-out of the STiNE application form along with the required documents to our program coordinator, Yamina Ehrt, at the following address:

The application period starts on February 15, 2010. Please do not submit any documents before as your application may not be processed properly in that case. In the first step of the application process you apply online, then you have to print out the STiNE application form and send it together with the required documents.

No. For legal reasons your must use the online application system and you must apply within the fixed application period. 

If you experience technical difficulties using the STiNe portal, please contact:    

uhh.bewerbung-technik@rrz.uni-hamburg.de.

If you do not understand a particular question on the online application form please contact: Info.zulassung@verw.uni-hamburg.de.

No, but you will receive an email acknowledging the receipt of your application to your email address.

The postage date (date on the postage stamp) applies. Moreover, the application is only regarded as complete if the documents are also received within 14 days after the deadline has expired.

If an application is rejected the submitted documents will not be returned to the applicant.

No. Any application has to be submitted online. This is possible for only one program. But it is possible to note on the application form that you wish to be considered in the application process of another master program, if you are rejected in your preferred one.

No. It is not possible to apply for more than one program at the same time. You can however indicate on your STINe application form up to 3 alternative study programs for which you would like to be considered in case your application to the M.S.c PEP has failed.

If you do that, your application will be included in the selection for late application places - if there are any.

No.

Your need to have had at least a strong focus on one of the fields of studies involved. Please contact the program coordinator if you are unsure about the suitability of your study profile.

We only accept the English language tests that are listed on our website.

Yes. In this case, you must submit your registration for one of the accepted tests (e.g. a copy of your online registration). The test results have then to be submitted as soon as possible, latest until May, 31, 2011.

Please note that your admission (if offered) will remain conditional on the subsequent submission of the required proof of your English language competencies. Delayed submission or insufficient test results may forfeit your admission.

Usually, English language tests remain valid for two years. Within certain limits, we do accept test which are older than that, though. Please contact the program coordinator if you are not sure about the validity of your test.

If the deadline for applications has not passed, yet, you are welcome to try for another test. If there is not enough time for that, send proof of your registration for an English language test along with your application documents. You have then time until May, 31 to submit the results.

Please note that your admission (if offered) will remain conditional on the subsequent submission of the required proof of your English language competencies. Insufficient test results may forfeit your admission.

If the university is located in an English speaking country, an official note from your university, that your Bachelor program is entirely taught in English and would be sufficient.

In all other cases, you must provide additional proof of your English language skills.

The letter of recommendation should be drafted from someone who is able to comment on your academic abilities and competencies. Therefore, the referee  should be a lecturer (at least PhD level) who teaches full-time at your (or another) university.

For German applicants, the referee should be a professor, senior academic or junior professor.

No. You referee could also decide to write a reference without making use of the form.

The letters of recommendation are not part of th admission requirements but the application assessment. Therefore, you can still apply if you have only one letter of recommendation.

Please note that t this may impact on the assessment of your application against the other applications.

For enrollment, all copies of official documents must be notarized. The notary must be legally recognized, and generally can be anyone who holds a public office and possess an official seal. The notarization must contain at least:  

-An endorsement or certification from the notary attesting that the submitted copy matches the original.  
-The notary's signature. 
-An imprint of the notary's stamp.

Please note, the stamp must contain an emblem or official seal, a simple text stamp will not suffice. If the copy contains multiple pages, it must be shown that each page is from the same original document. It is sufficient if only one page bears the notary's endorsement and signature. However, when the notary stamps the document the pages must be arranged so that a part of the stamp is visible on each page. Otherwise, each page must be individually notarized. In the latter case, please make sure that your name appears on every page of the original document. If your name does not appear on every page of the original, the notary must include your name, as well as a reference to the type of document it is, in the endorsement.  If the copy is double sided (i.e. printed on both sides of a sheet), then the notary must make a note of this fact in the endorsement (e.g. “I hereby certify that this double sided copy matches the original”). Otherwise, front and back must be notarized separately. All copies consisting of more than one page should be stapled.  

Recognized notarizing agents: Notwithstanding the provisions of other states or admission procedures, Hamburg does not recognize notarization from Church authorities, banks, lawyers, accountants, unions, insurance authorities, etc.      

The letter of motivation should contain up to 500 words (in English) and could refer to the following aspects:

• Why do you want to study the M.Sc. PEP
• What makes you a good candidate for the program
• How does the M.Sc. PEP fit into your overall career objectives
• A brief glance at your personal background

Please submit the following documents:

1. An up-to-date transcript of records of all exams taken, including your grade point average (GPA) up to this date.
2. A statement of confirmation by the examinations board or examinations office of your university that all requirements apart from certain exams have been met, and that the missing exams will take place by the end of the summer semester (September 30).

In case of your acceptance, you have time until the end of the first semester (31 March) to present your final degree.

The letter should answer the following questions:

• How long have you known the applicant?
• How did you first get to know the applicant? Which of your lectures or seminars did the applicant attend?
• What is your opinion of the applicant’s academic and personal qualification?
• Is the applicant qualified for the program he or she applies for?

No, the letter of recommendation must be written by a university professor, a senior lecturer or a junior professor.

The letters of recommendation may be written by lecturers of your choice from your program of studies.

The letters of recommendation are necessary for application. Please get in contact with your university lecturers.

The letters of recommendation may be written either in German or in English.

No, the letters of recommendation do not have to be submitted in a sealed envelope.

They should be submitted together with the application documents.

Yes, we also accept letters that are faxed or scanned and then e-mailed. However, we do not accept an e-mail as a recommendation letter.

No. Uncertified copies are sufficient. For your transcript you can also use internet print outs from your student account.

If any documents are missing or are not submitted in the correct form, it might impact negatively on the evaluation of your application against all other applications.

Exception: late submission of exam results from the primary degree program, including the final degree certificate and late submission of the English language certificates will not have a negative impact on the evaluation.

For late submission of your  B.Sc. degree (or equivalent), you have time until March 31, 2012. The latest date for submission of your English language certificates is May 31, 2011.

For enrollment, all copies of official documents must be notarized. The notary must be legally recognized, and generally can be anyone who holds a public office and possess an official seal. The notarization must contain at least:  

-An endorsement or certification from the notary attesting that the submitted copy matches the original.  
-The notary's signature. 
-An imprint of the notary's stamp.

Please note, the stamp must contain an emblem or official seal, a simple text stamp will not suffice. If the copy contains multiple pages, it must be shown that each page is from the same original document. It is sufficient if only one page bears the notary's endorsement and signature. However, when the notary stamps the document the pages must be arranged so that a part of the stamp is visible on each page. Otherwise, each page must be individually notarized. In the latter case, please make sure that your name appears on every page of the original document. If your name does not appear on every page of the original, the notary must include your name, as well as a reference to the type of document it is, in the endorsement.  If the copy is double sided (i.e. printed on both sides of a sheet), then the notary must make a note of this fact in the endorsement (e.g. “I hereby certify that this double sided copy matches the original”). Otherwise, front and back must be notarized separately. All copies consisting of more than one page should be stapled.  

Recognized notarizing agents: Notwithstanding the provisions of other states or admission procedures, Hamburg does not recognize notarization from Church authorities, banks, lawyers, accountants, unions, insurance authorities, etc.      

Within 7 days after receipt of your  letter of acceptance in STiNE you must return your matriculation form (Immatrikulationsantrag) together with the following documents:

• an authorised copy of your University Entrance Qualification (High school degree or equivalent)
• an authorised copy of your primary degree or (if not yet available)
• an authorised copy/ original transcript of records
• an authorised copy/ original proof of your English Language Skills.

In case of your admission, you have time until the end of the first semester (March 31, 2012) to present your final degree.

If you are an international student, and there is no health insurance system in your country, you don't need to have health insurance prior to your arrival in Germany.

In this case contact the admissions office (info.zulassung(at)verw.un-hamburg.de) to inform them about your situation.

If you are not familiar with the German health insurance system you may find the following sides helpful: 

• www.internationale-studierende.de/en/on_arrival/health_insurance/

• www.internationale-studierende.de/en/home/

Furthermore, you can contact the International Office of the UHH for more detailed information on health insurance in Germany.

If it is impossible for you to meet the deadline for submission (due to your location) contact the admissions office (Service für Studierende) at info.zulassung(at)verw.uni-hamburg.de to let them know about your intent to accept the offer and as to when your documents can be expected.

Don't forget to indicate your name and the programme you want to study.

Documents can be certified or authorized at every public office with an official seal (e.g. governmental offices, embassies). The authorisation must include:

• an official confirmation that the copy corresponds to the original document (Beglaubigungsvermerk). This can be a stemp or a note in writing
• the signature of the person who authorises the document
• an imprint of the official seal.

N.B. A seal usually contains an emblem.

Also note that, at the UHH authorizations from religious institutions, banks, lawyers, clubs, health insurance agencies etc. will not be accepted.

You will find a letter of rejection in your STINe account.

Please contact the program coordinator for more information on that matter.

No. The program only starts in the winter semester.

Currently, study fees at the University of Hamburg amount to €375 per semester. The fee covers teaching and examinations. Additionally there is an enrollment fee of currently €262,50 also to be paid every semester, covering also public transport in the Hamburg metropolitan area.

Upon WiSe 2012/13 there will be no more study fees at the University of Hamburg. Enrollement fees will remain.

No. Currently, neither the university nor the program are able to provide any sort of scholarships.

Comprehensive information on scholarships available from German funding bodies can be found at the homepage of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service).

Yes. Under certain conditions that is possible. Further information can be  found here.