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 “Upload documents”).

Pre-study work placement

You are strongly recommended to undertake a pre-study work placement of several weeks in a social work sector, preferably the healthcare sector.

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

1. hochschulstart.de
2. and HAWK Study 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 (German acronym BID) and an applicant authentication number (German acronym BAN). You will need these to complete your application in the HAWK Study Portal.

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

2. Applying through the HAWK Study Portal

After registering with hochschulstart.de, you will need to apply online through the HAWK Study 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.

During the online application process, you upload your application documents to the HAWK Study Portal.

Mandatory documents: all applicants

• Proof of university entrance qualification
• CV in tabular form, including a passport photograph

Additional documents with regard to international university entrance qualifications

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

• a 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 upload 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 particular suitability (if available)
• Proof of vocational training (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)
• Evidence of other criteria to be considered

Application for advanced semesters

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

Selection criteria
 

The Social Work 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 of admission via the hochschulstart.de portal.

Particular suitability
 

Demonstrating particular suitability improves your average grade and thus increases your chances of passing the selection process.

You can demonstrate particular suitability through a) vocational training and/or b) practical experience.

If you can demonstrate both a) and b), you will be credited for both. In the event of any doubt, the Dean of Studies will decide whether equivalent vocational training or work placements can be recognised.

a) Vocational training

Only vocational training programmes that have not led to a university entrance qualification will be taken into account.

Healthcare-related vocational training includes in particular

• ancillary medical staff,
• healthcare sector administrators,
• social and healthcare training programmes,
• emergency paramedics and
• paramedics.

Qualification as an emergency medical technician with evidence of at least 1,200 hours of emergency service is also recognised.

If you can demonstrate that you have completed healthcare-related vocational training, your average grade will be increased by 0.3.

b) Practical experience

The following occupations and work placements with a minimum duration of 800 hours are recognised as practical experience:

• Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) in the social and healthcare sector,
• unpaid or voluntary work in healthcare organisations, the emergency services or civil protection, including probationary periods,
• unpaid or voluntary work in services for people with disabilities,
• official assumption of responsibilities for someone who needs at least level 2 care (due to significant impairment of their independence),
• work placements in companies or public institutions in the healthcare sector,
• work placements in a healthcare context as part of attendance at specialised healthcare/social sciences technical colleges.

Demonstration of this type of experience will increase your average grade by 0.2.

By enrolling, you accept your place on the programme. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Accept offer on hochschulstart.de

Successful applicants will receive an offer of admission 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 letter of admission from HAWK by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK Study Portal.

Your letter of admission will outline the enrolment process and specify two deadlines for applying for enrolment.

3. Apply for enrolment online

First, apply for enrolment online in the HAWK Study Portal – by the first deadline set out in your letter of admission.

4. Upload enrolment documents

Once you have completed the online enrolment process, upload these documents to the Study Portal within the second specified deadline:

• enrolment documents (see information in the portal)
• any other documents specified in the letter of admission

The HAWK can only enrol you once you have uploaded all the documents required for enrolment.

If you do not upload the required documents with your application for enrolment, your application for enrolment will not be considered!