Application

University entrance qualification

A German or international university entrance qualification (HZB) as required by Section 18 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG).

If you did not obtain your university entrance qualification in German, you will need to provide proof of your German language skills in addition to your university entrance qualification (more on this under “Submit documents”).

Pre-study work placement

A pre-study work placement of at least 8 weeks. You must demonstrate that you have completed at least 4 weeks of work placement before commencing the degree programme. Proof of having met the pre-study work placement requirement in full must be submitted by the end of the 2nd semester at the latest.

The pre-study work placement can be waived in whole or in part if the necessary preconditions are met. Further details can be found in the admission regulations and the work placement regulations.

Applicants must apply online through two portals (in German): 

1. hochschulstart.de
2. and the HISinOne portal

1. Registering with hochschulstart.de

hochschulstart.de is an online platform that coordinates the allocation of admission-restricted degree programmes in Germany.

In the hochschulstart.de portal, enter your master data such as name, address and date of birth. You will then be assigned an applicant ID and an applicant authentication number (German acronym BAN). You will need these to complete your application in the HISinOne portal.

Important: If you are admitted to the degree programme, please accept it on hochschulstart.de!

2. Applying through the HISinOne portal

After registering with hochschulstart.de, you will need to apply online through the HAWK "HISinOne" application portal. The portal closes at 23:59 on the final day of the application period.

Information sheet

You will find step-by-step instructions in the online application information sheet (in German).

Applicants with a German university entrance qualification can upload their application documents to the HISinOne portal as part of the online application process.

Applicants with an international university entrance qualification should use the "Application for Admission" PDF file, which can be downloaded from the HISinOne portal after completing the online application. This Application for Admission must be sent to HAWK by post, together with the required documents.

Mandatory documents: all applicants

• Proof of university entrance qualification
• CV in tabular form, including a passport photograph
• Proof of work placement (proof of at least 4 weeks' work placement must be provided before commencing your studies. Proof of having met the pre-study work placement requirement in full must be submitted by the end of the 2nd semester) or proof of activities attracting credit

Additional documents with regard to international university entrance qualifications

• Application for Admission (for a place on the degree programme), which can be retrieved from the HISinOne portal after completing the online application

Translation of the university entrance qualification: If your university entrance qualification is not in German, you must submit:

• a certified copy of the original qualification; and
• a sworn translation of the qualification in English or German

Proof of German language competence: If your university entrance qualification was not acquired in German, please submit one of the following proofs of German language proficiency:

• Level 4 TestDaF issued by the TestDaF Institute
• DSH (German Language Test for University Entrance) Level 2
• Goethe Certificate C2
• telc certificate in German C1 University
• DSD (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) Level 2

If you do not yet have sufficient proficiency in German or are unsure whether your language skills are sufficient, please consult the International applicants page.

Additional documents for specific cases

• Certificate of exmatriculation (if you have previously studied elsewhere)
• Proof of vocational training and/or extracurricular activities relevant to your studies (if available)
• Certification of military service, civilian service or voluntary service (if applicable)
• Explanation in writing of your motivation for studying (for second degree applicants)
• Copy of passport and residence permit (if you do not hold German citizenship. Copies do not need to be certified)
• Evidence of other criteria to be considered

Application for advanced semesters

• Records of achievement to enable you to be assigned to the appropriate level

The Architecture degree programme is admission-restricted. This means that if there are more applicants than places available on the programme, admission will be decided on the basis of the selection criteria.

The overview of selection criteria (in German) gives an indication of the scores that have been sufficient in previous years.

Communication of results

Successful applicants will be sent an offer via the hochschulstart.de portal.

By enrolling, you accept your place on the programme. To accept your place:

1. Accept offer on hochschulstart.de

Successful applicants will be sent an offer via the hochschulstart.de portal. If you wish to accept your place, go to hochschulstart.de.

2. Letter of admission

Once you have accepted your offer on hochschulstart.de, you will be sent a HAWK letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK HISinOne portal.

Your letter of admission will outline the enrolment process and specify two deadlines you will need to meet.

3. Apply for enrolment

First, apply for enrolment online in the HISinOne portal – before the first deadline set out in your letter of admission.

Once you have completed the online enrolment process, you will be able to retrieve your "Application for Enrolment" PDF from the portal. Sign the application and send it by post to HAWK, together with the documents specified in the application – by the second deadline set out in your letter of admission.

Important: If you do not enrol, your place will be allocated to someone else!