FAQ
The Application Process
May I submit a paper application prior to the application period without going through STiNE?
No. For legal reasons you must use the online system for your application. This is only possible during the fixed application period.
What is STiNE?
STiNE is the student information network that provides valuable support to students from their initial application through to completion of studies (and even beyond that as alumni). To apply for a programm at Universität Hamburg you must use the online application form on STiNE (at https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de).
How do I apply via STiNE?
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 electronically via STiNE and upload your documents.
Can I start the application process now?
The application period begins 15 February. The application link will be activated February 15th .
Can I send my application by mail?
No. It is necessary to complete the form in Stine and upload all required documents with it until March 31 2019.
STiNE is not working. Whom can I contact for assistance?
If you experience technical difficulties using the STiNE portal please contact:
uhh.bewerbung-technik[at]rrz.uni-hamburg[dot]de( uhh.bewerbung-technik"AT"rrz.uni-hamburg.de)
For all other questions, please contact:
info.zulassung[at]verw.uni-hamburg[dot]de( info.zulassung"AT"verw.uni-hamburg.de)
I don’t understand a particular question in STiNE. Who can I contact for assistance?
If you do not understand a particular question on the online application form please contact the program coordinator:
application-econ@wiso.uni-hamburg.de( application-econ"AT"wiso.uni-hamburg.de)
I don’t speak German and don’t understand the translation of a question in STiNE. Who can help me?
If you do not speak German please contact the program coordinator application-econ@wiso.uni-hamburg.de( application-econ"AT"wiso.uni-hamburg.de)
Will the receipt of my application be confirmed?
After submission of the contact form you receive a notice confirming that your application was received.
Can I make changes to my application after I have submitted them?
Yes. Please contact the Stine Team. Please note that if you upload your documents more than once, only the latest version of your application documents will be considered.
Is it possible to apply for more than one master’s programme at Universität Hamburg?
No. In STiNE you can only apply for one program.
Admission Requirements
My primary degree was neither in “Economics” nor in “Volkswirtschaftslehre”. Can I apply for your program?
Yes, you can. But the requirements are different. Please visit our webpage for more detailed information.
What, precisely, is meant by "advanced training in Economics"?
Beyond basic training in microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods, you must have passed at least three lectures on advanced topics in economics. These should cover both theoretical and applied issues.
Examples would be:
- International Economics
- Economic Growth
- Industrial Organizations
- Applied Micro - and/or Macroeconomics
- Game Theory
- Philosophy of Law and Economics
- Industrial Economics
- Political Economics
- Behavioral Economics
- Institutional Economics
- International Banking and Finance
- Economics of Health
- History of Economics etc.
A lecture is defined as consisting of approximately 14 units of 90 minutes each and must be comparable in content to the standards of teaching at Univerität Hamburg. For special courses, it is recommended to send course outlines, syllabus and the bibliography for the course along with your application documents.
May I apply if I have not yet taken a test to prove my English language competencies?
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 by May 31.
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.
Do you accept other proofs of English competence besides the TOEFL?
Yes, we also accept
- English language tests:
- TOEFL paper- and pencil test: 580 points with a score of 4,5 in the essay (TWE score)
- TOEFL internet-based test: 92 points with at least 22 points per skill (Listening, Writing, Speaking, Reading)
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - Academics:Band 6,5, Good Competent User, with at least 6,0 per skill
- Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Results A, B, C
- Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Results A, B, C
- Cambridge Higher Business English Certificate (BEC): Results A, B, C
Is there an expiry date for my English language test?
Test results remain valid for two year (counting back from the beginning of the application period on 15 February).
I failed to achieve the required score in the English language test. What can I do?
If the deadline for applications has not yet expired, 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 then have 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.
I have a Bachelor degree from a program that is entirely taught in English (e.g. a program in the UK or US). Do I need an English language test?
If the university is located in the UK,USA, New Zealand or Australia, an official note from your university that your Bachelor program is entirely taught in English would be sufficient.
In all other cases, you must provide additional proof of your English language skills.
Can I substitute the required GRE General or Mathematics Test with a GMAT test?
No.
Can I compensate the required GRE General or Mathematics Test with anything else?
No.
The GRE General or Mathematics test ensures the comparability of applicants with very different backgrounds and thus helps the admissions committee to evaluate all applications as objectively as possible.
Who is entitled to write a letter of recommendation for me?
The letter of recommendation should be drafted by 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. Please note that we do not usually accept references from postdocs/research fellows. If in doubt, please contact application-econ.wiso"AT"uni-hamburg.de.
Do I have to use the form on the program's website for the letters of recommendation?
No. You referee could also decide to write a reference without making use of the form.
What can I do if my referee prefers to forward the recommendation letter directly to the university?
If your referee prefers to send the recommendation directly to the university, s/he can upload it using the following link: www.wiso.uni-hamburg.de/referenceletter-econ. In this case, please upload a note in the required field. Make sure that the references reach us in time.
Question Regarding Documentation To Be Submitted
Must the application documents be uploaded as a PDF? Can I instead submit the documents as a Word document e.g.?
It is absolutely essential to upload your application documents as PDF. If you submit documents in other formats, we may have problems to access them. PDF documents can be created directly from Word documents or most image editing software by using the Adobe PDF function, if installed, or by using free software and the print function.
Please note that the PDF must not exceed the maximum file size of 5 MB. Therefore, please be sure to compress images or image files before converting them into a PDF.
Where can I certify my documents?
Enrollment requires submission of certified copies. Here you can find some information about the certification:
What happens after my application is successful?
A letter of notification will be sent regarding admission. The letter of notification will be made available to you in your user account under Dokumente (documents tab).
The admission offer will become void if
- it is not formally accepted by the date indicated in the letter of notification (14 days after receipt in the main procedure, 7 days after receipt in the succession procedure; cf. §25 of the university admission regulations (UniZS)),
- the formal requirements outlined therein are not met or
- the applicant granted admission does not attend lectures.
You cannot accept a place by email. Instead, you will need to use the template provided or return the enrollment application (attached to the acceptance letter) to confirm. You do not enroll in person.
Please have a look at this page for more information: www.uni-hamburg.de/campuscenter/studienorganisation/formulare-informationsmerkblaetter/informationen-zur-onlinebewerbung-master.pdf
What documents do I have to submit for admission
Here is a Checklist for Enrollment into International Master’s Degree Programs:
What institutions are entitled to authorise my documents?
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 stamp 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 Universität Hamburg authorizations from religious institutions, banks, lawyers, clubs, health insurance agencies etc. will not be accepted.
Who can I contact if my documents cannot be submitted within the given deadline?
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[dot]de to let them know about your intent to accept the offer and as to when your documents can be expected.
Do not forget to indicate your name and the program you want to study.
I have no health insurance yet. Can I still be admitted to the programme?
If you are an international student, and there is no health insurance system in your country, you do not need to have health insurance prior to your arrival in Germany.
In this case contact the admissions office (info.zulassung[at]verw.un-hamburg[dot]de) to inform them about your situation.
If you are not familiar with the German health insurance system you may find the following sites helpful:
Question Regarding Admission/ Rejection
How do I know if I'm rejected?
You will find a letter of rejection in your STINE account.
I have been rejected. Can I apply for next year again?
Yes, you are welcome to apply next year again, if the reason of your rejection is a lack of places.
Question Regarding The Course Of Studies
Is there also admission for the summer term?
No. The program starts only in the winter term.
Can I study part-time?
Yes, you can study this master’s degree part-time. Detailed information about prerequisites, deadlines, the application procedure, and any exceptions is available on the university's Campus Centers website.
It is not necessary to announce that you would like to become a part-time student within the application.
Tuition
What are the tuition fees for the program?
Since winter term 2012/13 there are no more study fees at Universität Hamburg. Please have a look at the following link to inform yourself about the current semester fee: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/studienorganisation/studienverlauf/beitraege-gebuehren/semesterbeitrag.html
Is there a scholarship for the program?
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).