General questions
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Which degree programs are offered at the HSHL?
Practice-oriented and in small groups, the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences offers high-level studies with a clear focus on current and future market requirements. An overview of our study programs can be found here.
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Are all study programs also offered in English?
No, in the majority of courses, German is the language of instruction. Only the study programs Electronic Engineering and Intercultural Business Psychology are offered in English.
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I would like to find out more about a degree program at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL) and/or I have questions about my choice of degree program: Whom should I contact?
You can make an appointment with the International Office. In a personal consultation, you can clarify your questions and obtain information about the contents of the study programs and about studying at HSHL in general. In addition, the General Student Counseling offers you support in deciding on a study program.
- Appointments at the International Office at +49 (0)2381 8789 -134 or internationaloffice@hshl.de
- Appointments at the General Student Counseling at +49 (0)2381 8789 -130 or studienberatung@hshl.de
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Does HSHL offer integrated degree programs?
The Mechatronics and Applied Computer Science and Social Media degree programs are integrated courses of study.
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Do I definitely get a place in a non-admission degree program?
Provided that you submitted your application and the necessary documents on time, you will always be offered a place in the desired program with unrestricted admission.
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Do I have to provide proof of a pre-study internship?
A program-specific pre-study internship is not required in any of the study courses. This does not mean the practical part of the entrance qualification for a university of applied sciences ("Fachhochschulreife") which, of course, must be completed if required by the school report.
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What are the language requirements?
According to the Einschreibungsordnung (enrollment regulation) only the following language certificates are recognized for study programs that are fully or partly taught in German.
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom der KMK (Level 2) - Language Certificate of the Education Ministers’ Conference
- DSH certificate (graduation with at least DSH 2)
- TestDaF (at least level TDN 4 in all four examination parts)
- Examination by a Studienkolleg – A preparatory college to determine the suitability of foreign applicants for admission to studies at scientific universities in Germany.
- Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom des Goethe-Instituts (Goethe-Certificate C2)
- Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
Two study programs at HSHL are entirely taught in English and thus different language requirements apply here. You can find detailed information about the needed language proof on the respective study-program page and in the valid study-program examination regulation (FPO).
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Where can I learn German?
For students who do not need any knowledge of German for their studies, learning the German language is nevertheless of great interest and importance, for example, in order to be able to communicate anytime and anywhere in Germany or for the job market.
At HSHL, the Language Service offers "German as a Foreign Language" courses A1/A2. In addition, the adult education centers (VHS) in Germany also offer "German as a Foreign Language" courses.
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Do I need to apply for a visa if I want to study in Hamm or Lippstadt?
International students often need a visa to enter Germany. Sometimes they also need a residence permit. Whether you need these documents depends on which country you are from and how long you intend to stay.
Source and more information: www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/bewerbung/en/9199-visas -
Health insurance in Germany?
If you want to study in Germany, you will need health insurance. International students are not permitted to enrol at German higher education institutions without it. There are two options depending on where you come from: Bringing your health insurance with you or taking out health insurance in Germany.
Source and more information: www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/bewerbung/en/58221-health-insurance
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Can I get a residence permit?
The residence permit is issued for a limited period of time. It may be conditioned and extended. The period of validity depends on the purpose of the stay. A residence permit for study purposes may be issued for the purpose of university application, for study-related preparatory measures and for studies at a state or state-recognized university or comparable educational institution. Furthermore, a residence permit may possibly also be issued only for attending a language course without further study intentions.
For further information please visit: www.daad.de/medien/deutschland/stipendien/formulare/immigration_and_residence_january_2017.pdf
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What is meant by proof of financial resources?
Before you come to Germany (often when you apply for your visa) you will be required to present proof of financial resources. This document serves as a guarantee that you can afford the cost of studying in Germany; you will be expected to demonstrate funds of approximately 8800 euros for one year. You can provide this proof for example in the form of an income statement for your parents, a security deposit in a blocked account, a banker's guarantee or a recognised scholarship. Contact the German embassy or consulate in your home country for information about the conditions.
Source and more information: www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/voraussetzungen/en/9198-financing
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Expected living costs in Germany?
Living costs are about average in Germany compared to other European countries, that is to say they are significantly lower than in countries like Denmark, Luxembourg or Switzerland, but rather high compared to countries like Poland, the Czech Republic or Italy. On average, a German student has expenses of 794 euros per month. That includes rent, travel expenses, expenditures for food, clothing, learning materials, health insurance, telephone, Internet, radio and TV licence fees, and recreational activities.
Source and more information: www.daad.de/deutschland/nach-deutschland/voraussetzungen/en/9198-financing
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Am I allowed to work?
Earning money while studying is part of everyday life for many students in Germany. Especially for international students, the part-time job is important for their livelihood. However, students who do not come from EU or EEA countries can only work in Germany to a limited extent. Contrary to the majority of Europeans who are practically equal to German students and have free access to the labor market.
Further information and important tips can be found here: www.daad.de/deutschland/in-deutschland/arbeit/en/9148-side-jobs
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Are there any tuition fees?
No, tuition fees are not charged at the HSHL. However, each student has to pay a semester fee per semester. The semester fee supports student service facilities such as canteens and halls of residence. The AStA (the official representative body of the students) also receives part of the semester fee in order to provide services for all students. The semester fee also includes the costs for the semester ticket. Information on this can be found here.
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Where can I find information on scholarships?
International students can apply to numerous organisations for a scholarship, for example to the DAAD, to party-related foundations or business-affiliated institutions as well as the so called "Deutschlandstipendium". You can find information on the various types of scholarships in the DAAD scholarship database, along with suitable offers.
Source and more information: www.daad.de/deutschland/stipendium/en
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What is the semester ticket?
The semester fee includes a so-called "semester ticket NRW". With the semester ticket enrolled students may use public transport services within North Rhine-Westphalia free of charge during the respective semester. Click here for further information.
Enrollment and application
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What are the opening hours of the Campus Office?
Monday to Thursday: 10:00 to 12:00.
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When exactly can I apply? Application period and application deadlines.
Application is possible from April/May and guaranteed until 15.07. Deadline extensions are possible, but not foreseeable in advance.
Deadlines at a glance
- Winter semester: April/May - 15th July of every year for all applicants. Attention! An application for B.Sc. Electronic Engineering is much earlier. You can only apply between December to July 15.
- Summer semester: November/December - 15th January of every year for all applicants.
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How do I apply?
Applications can only be submitted via our online portal. As soon as the application is possible, you will find all necessary information here.
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What are the academic admission requirements?
The application for a study program in Germany requires a so-called Hochschulzugangsberechtigung (HZB - university entrance qualification or higher education entrance qualification). As a rule, this is a school-leaving qualification equivalent to the standard of the German "Abitur" or "Fachabitur".
For more information please refer to our online registration website.
Additional information: There may be other subject-related prerequisites. As soon as these are determined, you will find further information directly on the website of the degree program.
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Are there any enrollment fees?
No.
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Do I need an appointment for enrollment?
No.
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I've studied before: By when must I have submitted the certificate of exmatriculation?
If you do not yet have the exmatriculation certificate, it is possible in exceptional cases that you can hand it in later. For more information, please contact the Campus Office.
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Can I have credits earned in my previous studies recognized?
Study achievements can be recognized upon application. Relevant forms and detailed information are available at the Campus Office.
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My contact details have changed. How can I update them?
You must notify the Campus Office of the change in writing by e-mail to campusoffice@hshl.de.
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I want to accept a place at another university. How can I exmatriculate?
If you decide before the start of lectures not to accept your place of study and inform the Campus Office in writing (e-mail is sufficient; including account details), the entire semester fee will be refunded. If you decide not to continue your studies after the start of lectures, you must apply for exmatriculation and a refund of the semester fee. Both forms are available at the Campus Office. A refund of the fee after the start of the lecture is only possible on a pro rata basis.
Studying at HSHL
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When does the semester start? When do the lectures start?
You can find all dates at a glance here.
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When does my preferred degree program start?
The starting date varies from year to year. For the next semester, you will find all important dates here. Before the winter semester, optional preparatory courses are often held in the bachelor's degree programs. Participation in these preparatory courses is highly recommended in order to establish contacts, for example. They usually start 2-3 weeks before the lectures begin.
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Will there be introductory events for first-semester students?
Yes! For example, the General Student Counseling offers lectures and workshops to prepare you for your studies. In addition, other welcome events are available for you, for example from the International Office, so that you can get to know your new university, your teachers, and your fellow students.
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Are the introductory events obligatory?
The introductory events, such as the ceremonial welcome for first-semester students or the welcome for the degree program on campus, are not obligatory but very important: Here you will find important information and tips on starting your studies so that you are optimally prepared for your first weeks at the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL).
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I was unable to attend the introductory events. Where can I get the information I need?
We prepare handouts with important information on starting your studies. As soon as these are ready, they will be available for download here. If you have any questions about starting your studies, you can also contact the General Student Counseling at studienberatung@hshl.de.
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Where can I get my student ID card?
You will receive your student ID card digitally via the student account ("Studienkonto").
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Where and when do I get my semester ticket?
The semester fee includes a so-called NRW semester ticket, which you can generate online as a PDF file and print out yourself.
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Where can I get information about apartments?
You can find information about accommodation on our website.
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How do I compose my study plan?
The curriculum is published every semester on myHSHL. How to find your personal plan there is explained during the introductory events.
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Where can I find the regulations or the module handbook for my degree program?
All regulations valid at Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences can be found on our German website in the Official Announcements section.
On the page of your degree program, you will find the download links for the corresponding module handbook and examination regulations on the right-hand side. Please note, if you are studying a program taught in German, you will find these documents on the German program website only.
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How and when do I register for exams?
The registration periods for the winter and summer semesters can be found under "All semester dates".
Registration for exams is only possible via the Campus Office Online via myHSHL.
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Studies structures (semester structure, methods of examination)?
Two semesters per year
At German universities, the academic year is divided into two semesters. Most universities offer one summer and one winter semester. A semester consists of two parts: the lecture period during which the courses take place and the lecture-free period (the semester break). Click here to find out when the semesters at HSHL start.
Courses and lectures
There are various types of courses and lectures at German universities:
- In lectures, a professor talks about a specific topic.
- In seminars, the contents are worked out in conversations and discussions between the professor and the students.
- In tutorials, the contents of a lecture or seminar are repeated and deepened.
There are different methods of examination. Which one will end the module is specified in the module manual . These can be either course minutes (written summaries of the results of a recent course or internships), written examinations, presentations (short lectures on a particular topic), seminar papers (written reports on a given topic), and oral examinations.