To study at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, you need a university entrance qualification that entitles you to study in Germany. To find out if you have a university entrance qualification, your secondary school leaving certificate and university transcripts will be evaluated. HSHL will only check your documents if you submit an official application during the application period.

However, you can check for yourself whether your certificates are sufficient for studying in Germany by visiting the DAAD and Anabin websites. You can also contact the International Office for advice.

If your research shows that you do not have direct access to higher education in Germany, we will be happy to provide you with information on alternative educational opportunities on your way to studying in Germany (e.g. Studienkolleg).

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences requires a high level of German language proficiency from all applicants as a prerequisite for enrolment in a study program taught in German. According to the current enrolment regulations, one of the following German language certificates must be submitted

• DSH 2 or DSH 3 (Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang)
• TestDaF with at least 4 points in all sections (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache)
• Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
• Deutsches Sprachdiplom Level 2 of KMK
• Feststellungsprüfung of a Studienkolleg
• Goethe Institute GDS (Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom)

HSHL does not offer German preparation courses. We therefore recommend attending a German course in your home country, e.g. at a Goethe Institute, in good time. You can consult the DAAD database Language and Short Courses for information on language courses in Germany.

The above language requirements do not apply to the following two programmes, which are taught in English:

• B.Eng. Electronic Engineering
• M.Sc. Intercultural Business Psychology

In order to enrol in these programs, you must submit certain English language certificates. The certificates accepted by HSHL are listed either directly on the study program's website or in the study program's examination regulations.

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences does not hold entrance examinations. There are also no pre-study internships required. However, depending on the study program, other specific requirements may have to be met. For example, some programs require knowledge of the English language, a certain grade point average (numerus clausus), a minimum grade, or proof of certain study contents in the Bachelor's degree.

Please make sure you check the specific requirements for your desired study program in good time. The International Office will be happy to guide you.

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences offers a wide range of interdisciplinary and practice-oriented Bachelor's and Master's study programs. You can find detailed information on all study programs in our study program overview.

If you are not yet sure which study program is best suited to you and your educational background, you are welcome to seek advice from the International Office or the General Student Counseling.

In cooperation with uni-assist e.V., your application to Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences can be completed online in several steps.
On our website Online Registration and Application, you will find information about the application deadlines, the steps of the application process, the required documents, and much more.

In general, you will need to provide school and university certificates and transcripts as well as proof of language proficiency. Applicants whose educational qualifications originate from China, India, and Vietnam must also submit an APS certificate.

Questions about the application process, documents, and the registration portal can be answered by the Student Services.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible to avoid delays in the visa process and your arrival in Germany.

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences has two campuses. To find out which campus is home to your study program, please visit the relevant study program website.
Campus impressions, addresses, and travel information can be found here.

Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences does not charge any tuition fees. However, all students must pay a semester fee each semester. More information about the semester fee and the included NRW-Ticket can be found here.

The cost of living depends heavily on your personal needs. However, when planning your stay, you should allow for monthly costs of around € 850. You should budget more money for the first few months, as you will often have to pay a deposit and make purchases for your accommodation. You can find more information on this topic on the DAAD website.

When planning your finances, please note that international students from outside the EU cannot work indefinitely while studying in Germany. A part-time job can supplement your budget, but you will not be able to cover your entire living expenses! We therefore recommend that you apply for a scholarship. You can find more information on scholarships and part-time job opportunities below under "Scholarships for International Students" and in our handout "Job Hunting in Germany".

Most international students need a national visa for study purposes to study in Germany. To find out if you need a visa and where to apply, please contact the Federal Foreign Office.

The application process for a national visa often takes several weeks or months. We therefore recommend that you apply for a visa as soon as you receive your letter of admission. Please note: Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences cannot influence or expedite the visa application process at the embassy, consulate, or foreigners' office.

Please read the DAAD's important information on visas. Information on the proof of financial support that you need in order to obtain a visa can be found at the Federal Foreign Office.

Should your arrival be delayed, e.g. due to problems with obtaining a visa, you can start your studies at a later date or in a later semester, as long as you are fully enrolled and have health insurance. For this purpose, you will receive a "visa support letter" with your admission to present to the visa office.

However, you must be aware that a late arrival will make your studies much more difficult as you will miss introductory events and your course of study will be affected. This is because Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences is a face-to-face university, and only a few courses are offered online. Also, exams can usually only be taken on site.

Please also note that you must pay the semester contribution and health insurance fees during your studies, even if you have not yet arrived in Germany.

If a late arrival cannot be avoided, please contact the International Office and the General Student Counseling as soon as you begin your studies to receive assistance.

If you want to study in Germany, you need health insurance. You must present proof of health insurance at the time of enrolment, and you cannot begin your studies without it. More information about health insurance can be found on the DAAD website, further information about the health care system in Germany can be found in our flyer “Healthcare in Germany“. You can also find information on enrolment on this page under "First steps at the university".

Finding accommodation is one of the first, often difficult, tasks that international students have to face at the beginning of their studies in Germany.
To help you with this, we have put together a detailed handout with all the important information, addresses, and useful tips. You can also find further information under Information about your studies.

Please note that Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences cannot provide accommodation and that the search for long-term accommodation often takes several weeks. It is therefore advisable to start looking for accommodation as soon as you have been admitted.

In order to complete your studies successfully, it is particularly important to understand the teaching and learning culture of the country and university where you are studying! Your home country may have a different understanding of how studies are structured, what constitutes good academic research, and what is expected of students.

The following skills, for example, are particularly valued in students: personal responsibility, time management, open communication, and independent thinking.
So that you know what other requirements the teaching and learning culture at the Hochschule Hamm-Lippstadt places on you, we have put together a handout with information and important tips for you.

Once you have received your admission, you can enrol online for your studies at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. The Student Services will inform you about the individual steps of enrolment. Please make sure that you meet the enrolment deadline stated in your admission letter and that your documents are complete. After enrolment, you will receive an email with the university's bank details for payment of the semester fee. The semester fee cannot be paid in cash, only by bank transfer.
Only after HSHL has received your payment you will be able to download and print documents such as your student ID, certificate of study, and semester ticket for public transport.

It is important to us that all students have a good start to their studies. That's why you will find all the relevant information about prep courses, the welcome event for first-semester students, registration to the MyHSHL study platform, and your schedule under Information for your first semester at HSHL.

We also invite all first-semester students to join the "Welcome webinar for international students" and to participate in the workshop "Study successfully", which is conducted each semester and offers basic preparations to get your studies off to a perfect start. Details on both events can be found in the Calendar of Events.

And by the way: If you would like one-on-one support for the start of your studies, register for the International Buddy Program.

Within two weeks of your arrival in Germany, you must register at the Residents' Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) in your place of residence.
If your address changes during your stay, you must inform the Residents' Registration Office and the Student Services at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences of your new address.

If you are not an EU citizen and plan to stay in Germany for more than three months as an international student, you must apply for a residence permit at the Foreigners' Office (Ausländerbehörde) as soon as possible after your arrival. The residence permit is usually valid for one year and must be renewed regularly.

If you need someone to accompany you to the authorities, please contact the International Office.

We recommend that you open a bank account in Germany so that you can easily transfer your rent and semester fees without incurring additional fees. A bank account is usually free for students.

A few weeks after you have registered, you will receive a letter asking you to pay the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkgebühren). Every household in Germany has to pay this fee in order to use public broadcasting services (e.g. television and radio).

International students at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences can apply for various scholarships at the International Office: the STIBET Completion-of-Studies Grant, the STIBET Special-Commitment Grant or the STIBET Equal-Opportunities Grant. These scholarships are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Foreign Office.

Please note the specific funding conditions and application deadlines. You can find all the important information and application forms on study-assist.

The International Office offers a range of free seminars, workshops, and information sessions each semester. Cultural excursions and events such as the International Dinner and a visit to the Christmas Market are designed to promote intercultural exchange and get to know the university location. All dates can be found in the Calendar of Events

Other services, such as the General Student Counseling, the Center for Knowledge Management, the Career Service, University Sports, and the General Students' Committee, also offer great informative and cultural events that you should not miss.

If you would like to explore your campus and the surrounding area beyond the university events, we have listed some recommendations in the "Cultural Activities and Sights" handout.

German language skills are an important tool for the success of your studies. They also play an important role in how comfortable you feel in Germany. If you speak the language of a country, you'll find it easier to get by in everyday life and make friends more quickly. At Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences, the Language Center offers online and on-campus German courses at various levels as well as events like the International Café and counselling to help you improve your German.

For more information and tips on learning German, please see our handout "Learning German".

Many students finance their studies by working part-time. However, students from countries outside the EU need to be aware of special employment regulations. You can find the most important information and tips on finding a job in Germany in our handout "Job hunting in Germany".

The Career Service also offers personal counselling, an application portfolio check, career workshops for international students, and a job portal with current job offers.

As a rule, refugees who wish to study at a university in Germany are subject to the same conditions as all other prospective students from abroad, i.e. there are no special regulations based on refugee status. You can find all the relevant information on university admission under "Important Information for International Prospective Students".

If you have fled your home country and are no longer able to provide certificates or proof of education, please contact the International Office for advice.

The Guest Auditor Program is an uncomplicated and free way of attending courses. It offers the opportunity to attend individual courses, for example, to learn the German language more quickly and to gain an impression of how studying at a German university works. Guest auditors can apply at any time and do not require any special qualifications, certificates, or language skills. Upon completion of the course, guest auditors receive a certificate of attendance. However, they cannot take examinations or receive credit points. Guest auditors do not receive a semester ticket.
If you are interested in becoming a guest auditor, please contact the International Office for advice.