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Application

Admission Requirements

1. Primary degree

Applicants must have completed primary studies in one of the following fields of study:

  •     Political Science
  •     Economics
  •     Philosophy

Ideally, though not required, students with an university degree in one of these disciplines already have some knowledge in one or both of the other disciplines.

Please be aware that specialization in one of the above stated fields of studies is a core criterion for admission. Applications which do not show substantial focus in one of these fields (at least 108 ECTS credits, i.e. 60% of their studies) therefore, cannot be considered for admission.

Overall, primary studies must be equivalent to 180 ECTS credits (at least six semesters).

2. English skills

  • 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

Please note that other tests will not be accepted.

For questions concerning the admission requirements and application process also check the FAQ

Selection Process

If there are more eligible candidates (fulfilling the formal requirements for admission as stated above) than study places, applicants will be selected according to a ranking based on the following criteria:

  • Final or current GPA of your first degree: 50%
  • Letter of motivation: 20%
  • Letters of references: 20%
  • Proficiency in the other two respective disciplines of the program (proven through Transcribt of Record), i.e. proficiency in economics and/or philosophy, if your first degree is in politics; proficiency in economics and/or politics, if your first degree is in philosophy; proficiency in philosophy and/or politics, if your first degree is in economics: 10%

Application Period

The application period for admission is every year from February 15 until March 31.

Application Procedure and documents to be submitted

During the application period, please complete the STiNE online application form provided by the admissions office of the University of Hamburg (https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de). After your online application, print out the report of your online application and send this report along with the following documents:

  • STiNE application form, printed out and signed
  • Up-to-date Transcript of Records (uncertified copy, in English or German translation, if applicable). Please note that your transcript should include a GPA*
  • Bachelor degree certificate (uncertified copy in English or German translation, if already available)*
  • Letter of motivation (max. 500 words, in English)
  • Proof of English language skills (uncertified copy)**
  • Two letters of recommendation from university lecturers in your primary degree program. Both lecturers must hold a PhD and must be full-time employees of an institute of higher education.

Chinese applicants are requested to provide an APS Certificate as part of their application documents.

The application documents may be submitted either in German or in English.

 * If you have not finished your primary degree yet, you must submit an official proof of your current GPA (CGPA) along with your application documents. If your transcript of records or Bachelor degree certificate does not specify a GPA please calculate it by yourself in your original grading system and indicate it in the STiNE application form. During the admissions process your declaration will be verified and transferred into the German grading system if necessary.

** Applicants who, at the time of their application, have not passed one of the tests listed, must provide a proof of their registration for the next possible test date (e.g. print out of the online registration). In this case, the deadline for late-submission of the test results will be postponed until May, 31.

Please send your application documents to:

Universität Hamburg
Studienbüro Volkswirtschaftslehre
Program Coordination M.Sc. Politics, Economics and Philosophy
Von-Melle-Park 5, Entrance C
20146 Hamburg
Germany

Important note for applicants

  • Please submit two sets of your application documents. One set must bear your original signature on the STiNE form and original signatures on the letters of recommendation. The second set may consist of copies only.
  • All documents must be sent together as one postal item and in printed form. You may add the letters of recommendation to your application documents. If your referees prefer to send the recommendation separately, they can send it via post or email. In this case, please add a note to your application documents.
  • Apart from the letters of recommendation, do not enclose any original documents, certificates etc., only copies. In case of admission you will be asked to provide legally certified copies of your degree and your proof of English language skills. We, therefore, recommend you to have them ready at the time of your application.
  • Do not enclose any additional expert references, certificates of practical experience, photos, etc.
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