Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, no (for a primary degree in PE or in PPE check the next question). The program requires a primary degree in at least one of the three participating disciplines – Economics, Political Science, or Philosophy. For detailed information on the admission requirements, please visit our program website.

This depends on the composition of your particular PE or PPE degree, as programs vary significantly between universities. Each application will be assessed on its own merits. In your application, please make sure to specify any specialization in one of the three fields.

A few courses alone are not sufficient. You must be able to demonstrate at least a strong focus – ideally a major or specialization – in one of the three participating fields of study. For detailed information, please visit the admission requirements for MSc PEP.

No – your GRE results also serve as evidence of the English language proficiency required for the program. For more information, see Why is the GRE an admission requirement?.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test is a standardized, internationally recognized admissions test used by graduate programs around the world. It assesses verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills – abilities that are considered essential for success in advanced academic programs such as the MSc Politics, Economics and Philosophy.

Yes – the GRE General Test is required for all applicants. It ensures the comparability of applicants with different academic backgrounds and helps the admissions committee evaluate all applications as objectively as possible.

Please note that applications without GRE results will not be considered for admission. For information on minimum score requirements, please see Minimum GRE Score Requirements.

The GRE provides a standardized, internationally comparable assessment of key academic abilities. The Quantitative Reasoning score reflects your prior knowledge in mathematics and statistics which is required for the program’s rigorous coursework. The Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing scores additionally serve as indicators of English proficiency and the ability to engage with academic texts.

Please upload your GRE Test Taker Score Report as a PDF via the online application portal STiNE. Please note that submission through official ETS reporting services is not possible and not required.

Please check the admission requirements to get information about the required GRE scores. 

Applications without sufficient GRE scores cannot be considered. For more information on the GRE requirement, see Is the GRE mandatory?.

Yes – if the application deadline has not yet passed, you’re welcome to retake the GRE and upload your new results via the STiNE online application form. Please note that the GRE can only be retaken in accordance with the applicable waiting periods – for details, consult the GRE website.

All test results must be submitted by 31 March via STiNE, as only complete applications received by the deadline can be considered. Applications with insufficient scores or results submitted after the deadline cannot be considered. Unfortunately, no exceptions can be made.

GRE scores are actively considered in the selection process. If the number of applicants who meet the admission requirements exceeds the number of available places, applicants are ranked based on GPA, and GRE scores (Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing).

Yes – both the at-home and test center versions of the GRE General Test are accepted and considered equivalent.

No – the GRE General Test is the only accepted test. Other tests such as the GMAT or the GTEBS are not accepted as substitutes. For more information on why the GRE is required, see Why is the GRE an admission requirement?.

No - the GRE General Test is a mandatory requirement for all applicants and cannot be substituted by academic achievements, professional experience, or any other test. Applications submitted without GRE results — or with scores below the required minimums — will not be considered for admission.

STiNE is the University of Hamburg’s online Student Information System, supporting you from the initial application through to graduation.

All applications must be submitted electronically via STiNE, the University of Hamburg’s online application system. Once you’ve set up an applicant account, you can log in at any time during the application period to complete your form. Please upload all required documents and submit the completed form by 31 March.

No – all applications must be submitted electronically via STiNE, including all required documents, by 31 March.

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

If you have questions about the admission requirements or the documents to be uploaded, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Admissions Team(application-pep"AT"wiso.uni-hamburg.de).

Yes – after submitting your application, you’ll receive a confirmation that it has been received. Please note that this confirmation only acknowledges receipt – it does not indicate whether your application is complete or meets the admission requirements.

Yes – please contact our the Campus Center to make changes to a submitted application. Please note that changes can only be made before the application deadline of 31 March.

Please contact our STiNE Support for assistance with any technical issues.

Yes – all application documents must be uploaded as PDF. Documents in other formats may not be accessible.

PDF files can be created directly from Word documents or most image editing software using the print function or a free PDF converter. Please ensure that each PDF does not exceed 5 MB – compress images before converting if necessary.

The grading scale refers to the system used to evaluate academic performance, which varies significantly by country and institution. To allow the admissions committee to accurately assess your achievements, please provide the following information:

• The numerical range: the highest and lowest possible grades (e.g., German grading system: 1.0 to 5.0, French Grading system: 20 to 0)
• The passing threshold: the minimum grade required to pass a course (e.g., German Grading system: 4.0, French Grading system: 10)

If your transcript does not explicitly explain the grading scale, please submit an official document from your university that defines these values.

If you’re still studying at the time of application and cannot yet provide a final degree certificate, 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.

Please ensure that your grading scale is visible on your Transcript of Records or degree certificate. For more information, see What is meant by “grading scale”?.

Once your application has been reviewed, you’ll receive an acceptance or rejection letter in your STiNE account under “Documents”. Admission and rejection letters are published on a set date — check STiNE for details.

Congratulations! Your acceptance letter will include an enrollment deadline. Please submit the documents required for enrollment to the Admissions Team by that date. Detailed information about the enrollment process can be found on the Campus Center website. For a full list of required documents, see What documents do I have to submit for enrollment?.

Please refer to the checklist for enrollment into International Master’s Degree Programs for a full list of required documents.

Yes, you’re very welcome to apply again next year. Please check the program website regularly for up-to-date information on application requirements and deadlines for the following intake.

No – the program starts in the winter semester only.

Yes – you can study this master’s degree part-time. Detailed information about prerequisites, deadlines, and the application procedure is available on the Campus Center website. You do not need to indicate in your application that you intend to study part-time.

There are no tuition fees at the University of Hamburg. However, a semester contribution is required. For current information on the amount and what it covers, please see the Campus Center website.

Unfortunately, neither the university nor the program currently offer scholarships. For general information on financing your studies, please visit the Campus Center website. Comprehensive information on scholarships from German funding bodies is available on the DAAD website (German Academic Exchange Service).