FAQs Bonus point system

The bonus points system is a scoring system used by the University of Hamburg to select applicants from non-EU countries for Bachelor's, State Examination, Diploma, Baccalauréat, and Master's programs. An overview can be found under bonus point system.

The more points you have, the higher your chances of securing a study place.

You can earn bonus points in the following areas:

- Average grade HZB – up to 30 points
- Language preparation for studies – 15 points
- Subject-specific preparation for studies – up to 12 points
- Scholarship – 1 point
- Social criteria – 1 point

In total, a maximum of 59 points can be earned. Other proof than those specified in the bonus points system cannot be considered in the selection process for applicants from non-EU countries.

You belong to the Non-EU quota if both of the following apply:

- You hold citizenship of a non-EU country
- You obtained your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) in a non-EU country

Exceptions can be found under Application Process for International Students.

No.

Master's programs have their own selection procedures and do not use a bonus points system.

All information regarding the requirements and application procedures for Master's programs can be found under Admission Requirements and Applying for Master's Programs.

First, your higher education entrance qualification (HZB) grade must be converted into the German grading system. Information about the recognition process at the University of Hamburg can be found under Recognition of Foreign Qualifications.

In the bonus points overview, you can see how many points your grade corresponds to.

You enter the bonus points in the online application.

All documents proving the bonus points you entered must be uploaded within enrollment:

Winter semester: from the end of July
Summer semester: from the beginning of February

Without valid documentation, the bonus points will not be considered—missing documents may result in losing your study place.

In general: the more points you have, the better your chances of receiving a study place.

In the overview of the point values, you can see how many points were required at minimum for admission in previous years.

The point value in the table indicates the minimum number of points that had to be achieved to receive an offer of admission.

If a study program does not appear in the table, this means that there was no cutoff value for that program in the past six years and all Non-EU applicants were admitted.

A “–” indicates that in that particular year there was no cutoff value and all Non-EU applicants for that program were admitted.

The basic language requirements for studying at the University of Hamburg are fulfilled once you provide one of the certificates listed under German language requirements at the time of enrollment.

To receive bonus points, however, you must demonstrate even higher proficiency in German—using one of the certificates listed in the bonus points table. Only the certificates explicitly mentioned there can be considered. Other documents or conversion tables, for example from certain Studienkollegs that claim equivalence to DSH-3, cannot be accepted. Only the original certificates (DSH certificate, TestDaF certificate, Feststellungsprüfung certificate, etc.) with the result specified in the bonus points table can be considered for awarding bonus points.

Please note that it can take two to six weeks after the exam to receive your certificate. Plan your German exam so that your certificate is available on time for enrollment (Winter semester: from the end of July, Summer semester: from the beginning of February).
Language certificates must not be older than three years, counted from the first day of the application period for the respective semester (June 1 for winter semester, December 1 for summer semester).

German language certificates that count for bonus points:

• DSH certificate: You receive bonus points only for a passed DSH exam at the DSH-3 level.
• TestDaF: Both paper-based and digital versions are accepted. The four test sections cover reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Each section is graded as TDN 3, TDN 4, or TDN 5. To receive bonus points, you need a minimum total of 18 points.
• Feststellungsprüfung: To receive bonus points, the subject “German” in the Feststellungsprüfung at a state-recognized Studienkolleg must be passed with the grade “very good.” A list of recognized Studienkollegs is available at www.studienkollegs.de/Kontaktdaten. A “good” grade that is declared equivalent to DSH-3 by a Studienkolleg is not accepted—you need an official DSH-3 certificate from a passed DSH exam.
• Telc Deutsch C1, Goethe C1, or ÖSD C1: You receive bonus points only with the grade “very good.”
• Telc Deutsch C2, Goethe C2, or ÖSD C2: You receive bonus points regardless of the grade.
• The German Language Certificate for University Entrance (DSD II) cannot be considered for bonus points because no individual grade is awarded, and therefore excellent performance cannot be documented.

Further information on German exams is available on the website of the University of Hamburg's Language Center.

Bonus points are awarded based on the overall grade in the Feststellungsprüfung. The grading scale is as follows:
“Very good” = 1.0 – 1.5
“Good” = 1.6 – 2.5
“Satisfactory” = 2.6 – 3.5

Only Feststellungsprüfungen from state-recognized Studienkollegs are taken into account.

Information about the application and selection process at Studienkolleg Hamburg can be found under Application Studienkolleg Hamburg.

The preparatory course (Propädeutikum) is no longer offered by the Studienkolleg.

However, previously completed Propädeutika are still recognized for bonus points. Here as well, the overall grade must fall within the following scale:
“Very good” = 1.0 – 1.5
“Good” = 1.6 – 2.5
“Satisfactory” = 2.6 – 3.5

If you can provide proof of at least 30 credit points earned at a state-recognized German university, you may receive bonus points depending on your overall grade average.

The same grading scale applies:
“Very good” = 1.0 – 1.5
“Good” = 1.6 – 2.5
“Satisfactory” = 2.6 – 3.5

Study programs in which no credit points or no grades can be documented cannot be considered for bonus points.

Proof of your credit points through your grade report/transcript of records must be available at the time of enrollment at the University of Hamburg (Winter semester: from the end of July, Summer semester: from the beginning of February).

The TestAS is an aptitude test for university studies and consists of two parts: the Core Test and the subject-specific module. There are different subject-specific modules. You can find out which module you need for your intended degree program under TestAS Uni Hamburg.

The TestAS is available in two versions: paper-based and digital. You may choose which version you want to take. Since the scoring systems are different for the paper-based and the digital TestAS, both systems are shown in the bonus points system.

For the paper-based TestAS, for each of the two test parts:
• 106–111 points = 1 bonus point
• 112–117 points = 2 bonus points
• 118–130 points = 3 bonus points

For the digital TestAS, for each of the two test parts:
• 130–159 points = 1 bonus point
• 160–189 points = 2 bonus points
• 190–200 points = 3 bonus points

You may take the TestAS multiple times if necessary.

If you take the TestAS several times, you can only submit one complete TestAS result for bonus points. This means you cannot combine, for example, the Core Test result from TestAS attempt 1 with the subject-specific module result from TestAS attempt 2.

Current TestAS dates can be found under TestAS Dates.
The TestAS dates at the University of Hamburg Language Center can be found under TestAS Language Center.

Scholarship

You receive 1 bonus point if you are awarded a scholarship from an institution listed on the positive list.

Proof required: current scholarship certificate for the ongoing or upcoming semester (to be uploaded during enrollment).

Social Criteria

If you meet one or more of the criteria listed below and can provide proof, you receive 1 bonus point.

• Program #UHHhilft: After successfully completing the University of Hamburg’s program for refugees #UHHhilft (Proof: participation certificate).
• Country of origin: If your home country does not offer educational institutions for your intended degree program or has no or very limited tertiary education opportunities due to its general level of development. Proof: indication of the country where you received your school education in the online application.
• German-speaking minority abroad: Proof required through a short informal statement and indication of nationality in the online application.

Asylum, protection, or refugee status: If you are recognized as entitled to asylum, as a person eligible for subsidiary protection, or as a recognized refugee. Proof must be provided through the residence permit, which must be uploaded during enrollment. The following residence permits can be considered:

• §22 Residence Act
Admission from abroad for reasons of international law or urgent humanitarian reasons
• §23 Paragraphs 1, 2, and 4 Residence Act
Admission based on special political interests; resettlement of persons seeking protection
• §24 Residence Act
Temporary protection
• §25 Paragraph 1 Residence Act
Persons entitled to asylum under Article 16a of the German Basic Law / Geneva Convention
• §25 Paragraph 2 Residence Act
Recognized refugees under §3 Asylum Act and persons eligible for subsidiary protection under §4 Asylum Act
• §25 Paragraph 5 Residence Act
Residence granted for humanitarian reasons; departure not possible for legal or factual reasons.

Family members (parents, children, spouses) joining recognized asylum beneficiaries, refugees under the Geneva Convention, or persons eligible for subsidiary protection must additionally provide proof of the residence permit of the primary beneficiary (the first family member who entered). Relevant sections: §29 Paragraph 2, §30, §31, §32, §34 Paragraphs 1 and 2, and §36 Residence Act.

• Temporary residence certificates under §81 Paragraphs 3 and 4 Residence Act, showing recognized asylum, subsidiary protection, or refugee status under the Geneva Convention.

The following documents are not sufficient for receiving bonus points:

• Individuals with BÜMA/arrival certificate (registration of intent to apply for asylum under §63a Asylum Act)
• Asylum seekers (ongoing procedure – temporary residence permit under §55 Asylum Act)
• Individuals with a tolerated stay (temporary suspension of deportation – “Duldung” under §60a Residence Act)
• Individuals with deportation protection under §60 Paragraphs 5 and 7 Residence Act (residence under §25 Paragraph 3 Residence Act)