FAQ

No.

This depends on the composition of your particular PPE degree. Each application will be judged on its own merits. In your application, please specify any specialization in one of the PPE fields.

A course qualifies as an advanced course if it builds on introductory courses into general economics, microeconomics or macroeconomics. Examples include courses in Public Economics, Industrial Organization, Political Economy, Financial Economics etc.

You must be able to demonstrate at least a strong focus in one of the participating fields of study. Further information can be found on our website:

• Admission requirements for MSc PEP

Yes. In this case, you must submit your registration for one of the accepted tests (e.g. a print-out of your online registration). The test results must then be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than May 31. Late submission or insufficient test results may result in ineligibility.

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, you must submit your registration for one of the accepted tests (e.g. a print-out of the online registration). The test results have then to be submitted as soon as possible, latest by 31 May.

Delayed submission or insufficient test results may forfeit your admission.

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

• English Language Proficiency Requirement

You are exempt from providing an official language test, if you can proof that your first degree program was completely taught in English (proven by a written confirmation from the university).

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 to a program at the University of Hamburg you must use the online application form on 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 upload your documents and submit the completed form electronically via STiNE.

The application period begins on 15th February. It is not possible to fill in the application form earlier.

No. For legal reasons you must use STiNE for your application.

No. It is necessary to complete the application form in STiNE and upload all required documents with it until 31 March.

No. It is not possible to apply for more than one international program at the same time. 

If you do not understand a particular question regarding the admission requirements or the documents to submit on the application form, please contact the Team for Applications.

After submission of the application form you receive a notice confirming that your application was received.

Yes, please contact STiNE-Support.

If you experience technical difficulties using the STiNE portal, please contact STiNE-Support.

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.

If you are still studying when you apply and cannot yet provide a final certificate listing your grades, please submit your current Transcript of Records confirming your provisional grade point average. You will then need to submit your degree certificate by the end of the first semester of your master’s program.

No. Uncertified copies are sufficient.

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

• Why do you want to study MSc Politics, Economics and Philosophy?
• What makes you a good candidate for the program?
• How does the MSc Politics, Economics and Philosophy fit into your overall career objectives?
• Give a brief glance at your personal background.

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?

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

In general, the letter of recommendation should be drafted by someone who is able to comment on your academic abilities and competencies.

International letter of recommendations: The referee must be be a lecturer (at least PhD level) who teaches full-time at your (or another) university. Emeritus professors are also eligible to write a letter of recommendation. Please note that we do not accept references from postdocs/research fellows.

German letter of recommendations:  The referee must be a (junior) professor. Emeritus professors are also eligible, but emeriti from other status groups are not. Recommendation letters from employees with a doctorate who are permanently employed at the WiSo faculty of the University of Hamburg for teaching and who are not active in research (e.g. postdocs) are eligible, too.

No.

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

If a university does not issue a letter of recommendation and the applicant submits corresponding proof, the letter of motivation is weighted twice.

There are two possible ways to submit the letter of recommendation. Either students upload the letter of recommendation as part of their application documents at the application form or it can be submitted confidentially by using this form:

• Form for submission of letter of recommendation MSc PEP

If your referee prefers to send the recommendation directly to the university, please pass on the link to this form:

• Form for submission of letter of recommendation MSc PEP

In this case, please do not forget to upload a note in the designated field in STiNE. Make sure that the references reach us in time.

Once your application has been reviewed, an acceptance or rejection letter will be made available in your STiNE account at the section “Dokumente” (Documents) An enrollment deadline will be indicated in your acceptance letter - please submit the documents required for enrollment by this date. Detailed information about the enrollment process can be found at the website of the Campus Center.

If you have been admitted, please submit the paper documents required for enrollment to the Application and Admissions Team (Team Bewerbung und Zulassung) by the deadline indicated in your acceptance letter.

Please have a look at the checklist for enrollment into International Master’s Degree Programs provided by the Campus Center.

Enrollment requires submission of certified copies. Here you can find some information about the certification.

If you are not familiar with the German health insurance system, you can find information about health insurance on the website of the Campus Center.

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

Yes, you are welcome to apply next year again.

No. The program only starts in the winter semester.

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.

Since winter term 2012/13 there are no more study fees at the University of Hamburg. Please have a look at the following link to inform yourself about the current semester contribution.

No. Currently, neither the university nor the program are able to provide any sort of scholarships. Please check the general information on financing your studies.

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