IASWiki - User contributions [en]

Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency

2020-11-03T15:42:14Z

7siemund:

The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

=How to provide proof of English language proficiency=

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the following language proficiency tests and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

=Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency=

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency

2020-11-03T15:41:03Z

7siemund:

The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency==

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits in computer science

2020-11-03T15:40:30Z

7siemund:

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

=How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science =

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

=About the self-made structured table=

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

=Common questions regarding the self-made structured table=

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

Application:Main

2020-11-03T15:39:51Z

7siemund: /* Minimum requirements */

== Minimum requirements ==

The [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* '''[[Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits in computer science| 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects]]'''
* '''[[Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency| English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores]]'''

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T15:34:52Z

7siemund: /* Minimum requirements */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* '''[[Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits in computer science| 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects]]'''
* '''[[Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency| English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores]]'''

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T15:34:18Z

7siemund: /* Minimum requirements */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* [[Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits in computer science| 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects]]
* [[Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency| English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores]]

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T15:33:17Z

7siemund: /* Minimum requirements */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* [[Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency| 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects]]
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency

2020-11-03T15:32:31Z

7siemund: Created page with "='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''= The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communica..."

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency==

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits in computer science

2020-11-03T15:31:33Z

7siemund: Created page with "='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable in computer science'''= The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree)..."

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable in computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

60 ECTS credits in computer science

2020-11-03T15:31:08Z

7siemund: Blanked the page

60 ECTS credits in computer science

2020-11-03T15:30:41Z

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T15:29:57Z

7siemund: /* Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable in computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency==

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

=== More questions regarding the application ===
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

===What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?===
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T13:07:49Z

7siemund:

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form, you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your reasons to study this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a significant ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases, that means your degree does not qualify.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

===Desired additional documents===

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

=== Suitable additional documents ===
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

=== Undesired documents ===
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

===Do documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?===
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city centre) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams. They have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Main

2020-11-03T13:07:15Z

7siemund: /* How to send your application */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T13:07:01Z

7siemund: /* Order for the pdf application */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

=== Order for the pdf application===
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T13:04:24Z

7siemund: /* How to send your application */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==How to send your application==

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-03T13:04:04Z

7siemund:

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

=How to send your application=

Include all application documents in one single PDF-document and send the document via e-mail. Follow precisely the following steps to successfully send your final application PDF-document:

*Use the following email address to send your application document. Use it only for your application document: ias-application@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
*Send one single pdf document that includes all your required documents 1-12.
*Only use the following filename for your application PDF-document: Final_IAS_Application_YourFullname_YourBW-number.pdf
*Use the order of documents in your pdf as presented here 1.-12 when compiling the document
*Not more than 9 MB
*Deadline is 31 March (11:59 pm UCT + 2, Central European Summer Time)
*Use only this Email – subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be automatically checked.)
*Use this Email-text and fill in your information accordingly:
„Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master’s program IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number: … Please consider the attached application document as my final and only application to the IAS study program. [Please additionally state whether you have already sent a paper application or whether you are only applying via email. It does not matter how – we just need to know.] Kind regards, your name.“
*You may include extra pages on suitable positions within your application-pdf for explanations and structure. We love neat and structured applications.
*Do not write any extra information in the Email text

The IAS Team will only process applications that follow precisely the above steps. (Check the Filename, Subject, Text, pdf, completeness before sending the email)

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T12:00:40Z

7siemund: /* How to send your application */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form, you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your reasons to study this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a significant ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases, that means your degree does not qualify.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

===Desired additional documents===

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

=== Suitable additional documents ===
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

=== Undesired documents ===
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

===Do documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?===
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city centre) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams. They have nothing to do with the task of the other.

=How to send your application=

Important! Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application, we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T12:00:28Z

7siemund: /* I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form, you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your reasons to study this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a significant ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases, that means your degree does not qualify.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

===Desired additional documents===

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

=== Suitable additional documents ===
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

=== Undesired documents ===
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

===Do documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?===
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city centre) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams. They have nothing to do with the task of the other.

=How to send your application=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application, we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T12:00:09Z

7siemund:

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form, you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your reasons to study this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a significant ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale, you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases, that means your degree does not qualify.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

===Desired additional documents===

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

=== Suitable additional documents ===
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

=== Undesired documents ===
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

===Do documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?===
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city centre) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams. They have nothing to do with the task of the other.

=How to send your application=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application, we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T11:55:17Z

7siemund: /* How to send your application> */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree does not qualify.

=How to send your application=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T11:55:09Z

7siemund: /* 12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. You must have obtained your degree from a recognized higher education institution. Your degree has to be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is sufficient to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T11:53:07Z

7siemund: /* 12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree must have been obtained from a recognized higher education institution. The degree also must be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany. It is a prerequisite for an application for the master course "IAS" that your university degree is recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany:'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is enough to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree usually does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T11:52:54Z

7siemund: /* 12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree must have been obtained from a recognized higher education institution. The degree also must be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany. It is a prerequisite for an application for the master course "IAS" that your university degree is recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany.

'''How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany?'''

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is enough to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree usually does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-03T11:17:05Z

7siemund: /* List of all required documents for application */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS Team runs the IAS Master and also contains the admission board. Your application will be assessed by a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. Make sure that your application is well-structured and precise.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree must have been obtained from a recognized higher education institution. The degree also must be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany. It is a prerequisite for an application for the master course "IAS" that your university degree is recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany.

===How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany?===

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is enough to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree usually does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Main Page

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7siemund: /* About the application and admission procedure */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of information that will help you to gain an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Read carefully and follow the advice. It will significantly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
The following page explains the whole application process, including minimum requirements, application document, the selection process, and important dates.
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

The following page will become relevant once you have submitted your application.
* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-03T11:00:32Z

7siemund: /* About this wiki */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of information that will help you to gain an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Read carefully and follow the advice. It will significantly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
The following page explains the whole application process, including minimum requirements, application document, the selection process, and important dates.
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

The following page will be relevant after you have submitted your application and received an acceptance/waiting list/rejection letter.
* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:57:35Z

7siemund: /* What does this mean for the documents I should prepare? */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency==

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

=== More questions regarding the application ===
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

===What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?===
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:51:22Z

7siemund: /* Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==Common questions regarding English Language Proficiency==

===I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?===
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

===I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?===
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

===My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?===
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

=== Online English Certificates ===

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

=== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ===
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

=== More questions regarding the application ===
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:49:38Z

7siemund: /* About the self-made structured table */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?==
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

==I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?==
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

==My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?==
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

== Online English Certificates ==

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ==
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

== More questions regarding the application ==
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:48:41Z

7siemund: /* Providing acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==How to provide acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS in core computer science ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured and readable table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records can count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?==
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

==I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?==
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

==My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?==
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

== Online English Certificates ==

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ==
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

== More questions regarding the application ==
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:48:19Z

7siemund: /* Self-made structured table */

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==Providing acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==About the self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured and readable table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records can count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?==
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

==I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?==
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

==My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?==
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

== Online English Certificates ==

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ==
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

== More questions regarding the application ==
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:47:54Z

7siemund:

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==Providing acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==Self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured and readable table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records can count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==Common questions regarding the self-made structured table==

===My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?===
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

===What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?===
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

===Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?===
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

===I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?===
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

===I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.===
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

===I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?===
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?==
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

==I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?==
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

==My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?==
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

== Online English Certificates ==

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ==
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

== More questions regarding the application ==
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Application:Minimum requirements

2020-11-03T10:46:36Z

7siemund:

Applicants need a strong background in computer science, or a related field of study since programming and mathematical knowledge are assumed. Moreover, applicants need very good command over the English language to follow lectures and exams. You have to meet the following minimum requirements to apply to the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems.

* A Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field with 60 ECTS credit points acquired in the core field of computer science. These 60 ECTS must be listed in your '''official transcript of records''' or attested by your university in another way.

* Proof of English language proficiency by one of these tests:
CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS (Academic) >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

='''Minimum Requirement: 60 ECTS credits or comparable from computer science'''=

The minimum requirement for the MSc IAS is a completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 ECTS credits in core Computer Science courses; only completed ''university'' courses obtained in a single Bachelor in Computer Science or a single Master in Computer Science or a related field of study count towards the 60 ECTS credits in Computer Science.
Applicants who can only provide proof of 60 ECTS counting courses from 2 or more degrees will be subject to a case by case decision and may be rejected on the grounds of not passing minimum requirement of 60 ECTS in one degree. In the case that you need to count several degree programs together, please contact us before you apply.

==Providing acceptable proof of at least 60 ECTS ==

'''Evidence = Your transcript + self-made table'''

Please submit your '''official transcript of records''' issued by your university and additional documents attested by your university. In addition to your finished courses, your transcript or diploma supplement needs to contain:

* the credit points/hours per module/course
* the total & standard amount of credit points/hours in your degree by which you are allowed to graduate
* the typical length of your degree program in years
* the actual time it took you to complete your degree program
* your grade and grading scale

==Self-made structured table==

You need to provide a well-structured and readable table of all your completed core computer science courses. This table will help the IAS selection committee to identify which of the courses listed in your transcript of records can count towards the required 60 ECTS in core computer science. Your transcript of records needs to match all computer science courses that you listed in your table. Please keep your course/module table short and precise (e.g. name and number of course - it needs to exactly match your transcript; add a short description on computer science content). Please give concise explanations for courses/modules. If the course/module you list does not match your university's '''official transcript of records''', please provide another source of evidence attested by your university, e.g. letter of recommendation and write a comment in your table.

Use this table template to list all of your core computer science courses and read which courses may count:

'''[[Required Documents: Example structure table| Self-made table]]'''

Please do '''not''' send your module handbook/course catalogue instead of a "table". The selection team will not read these. Providing structured proof is the applicant's task - use a highlighter to point to the important information in any document you provide.

==My country does not use the ECTS credit system. How can I estimate whether I fulfil the 60 ECTS credits requirement?==
ECTS stands for European Credit Transfer System. It is a measure for a student's estimated workload per course/module. At Universität Hamburg, a BSc in Informatics/Computer Science has a regular length of 3 years and requires 180 ECTS credits. One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of work. The lecturer sets the number of credits per module. Each regular semester of a full-time student contains 30 ECTS credits. 60 ECTS credits equal one academic year of full-time study of only core computer science courses. Thus you can use the estimation of 60 ECTS AND the estimation of the ratio of at least 33% of core computer science of a 3 year-BSc as a ''rough'' estimate to the amount of workload your completed computer science courses have to fulfil. It is the applicant's task to provide proof of at least 60 ECTS and information on the degree with which the applicant is applying. Please use the table template and provide the information the [[Required Documents: Example structure table| table template]] is asking for if your transcript does not show ECTS.

==What type of course/modules will be counting towards the 60 ECTS?==
Here are some examples of courses/modules which will likely count as core computer science: digital signal processing, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics, software engineering, programming in ..., human-robot interaction, neural networks, introduction to computer science, data mining, image processing, algorithms and data structures, databases...

Modules that do not count as core computer science include maths, engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

==Can I complete courses after applying to make up for missing credit points in computer science?==
No, unfortunately not. You need to have 60 ECTS in computer science at the time of your application. If you do not fulfil this requirement, your application will be rejected by the selection committee on the grounds of not passing minimum requirements.

==I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science. Can I still apply?==
Yes. The requirement for the MSc IAS is '''a''' completed degree (at least a Bachelor’s degree) with at least 60 credit points (ETCS) in core computer science. It is the applicant's task to provide acceptable proof of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science.

==I have not completed my degree and do not know my final grade yet.==
Please make sure that you have 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects displayed in your transcript by the time you apply. You need to have completed your degree by '''15 May'''. If not, you need to provide a statement by your university stating that you will complete your degree within weeks in case you were accepted to the IAS Master's program.
In general, this applies to all applicants:
You can apply if you have completed 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits out of 180 ECTS (or comparable) of your first degree. This means that your final semester can be missing at the time of application. Your situation must be detectable in your official transcript of records, showing the number of credits already acquired and the number of minimum credits required for completion of your degree. Your final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment, in case you are admitted.

In regards to your final grade or your preliminary final grade, please provide an official document by your university stating your (preliminary) final grade. Please also provide the corresponding grading scale. Provide both these documents, even in case you only have completed 5 out of 6 semesters of your degree program. Your grade can be in the GPA system or the system used by your university. In every case, you should submit it as a number. Make sure that you attach an official document attested by your university. The IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated final grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate your final grade for you.

We need to be able to translate your final/average grade into the German grading system. Please provide your degree's grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" is the maximum grade). Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your '''official transcript of records'''.

If you fail to provide official proof of your grade and grading scale, you will receive a less favourable ranking - see selection criteria 2. Ranking behind everybody who has verified their grade and scale.

==I do not have "standard" Bachelor of Science but a comparable degree, what should I do?==
Please submit all documents that can together be counted as comparable to a BSc degree (e.g. in some countries, an associative + 2 years BSc degree).

='''Minimum Requirement: English language proficiency'''=
The selection committee needs evidence of your language level to ensure you can follow complex lectures and communicate well in oral and written form. Students who do not have the required level won't be able to follow lectures, complete homework and seminar papers, or pass oral exams and thus won't be able to complete our program.

====Direct fulfillment of the requirement====

* Sending one of the language proficiency tests in the list and having attained at least the following minimum scores:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1
IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230
Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*of course, the overall minimum level has to be reached, too

Please contact us if you have an international English proficiency test that does not appear on this list.

We might also accept the following evidence - please state your case in a separate letter:
* Native English speaker (evidenced by a copy of your ID or passport of a country with English as one of its official languages)
* Living/studying in an English-speaking country (AUS, NZ, GB, USA) for 3 years or longer (evidenced by an official document, e.g. a confirmation letter by your company or university)

====The following documents can '''not''' replace an international English proficiency test:====
* Your medium of instruction was English
* English courses within your degree without an internationally accepted certificate
* Short exchanges or visits in English-speaking countries
* Essays or papers written in the English language
* Old English proficiency test scores (older than 2 years)

====We can not consider candidates for this program who====
* Hand in a language proficiency test with a score below the levels listed above
* Apply without a language proficiency test and without a '''separate letter''' stating why you do not need an English proficiency test

==I have a language certificate that is not listed on the website, can I send this as proof?==
Please understand that we can only consider internationally established certificates. English certificates from local language schools and universities cannot be verified and thus are rejected. Only the language certificates listed above with sufficiently high scores will immediately lead to the fulfilment of the required language proficiency.

You may send a language certificate that is not listed. However, it is the selection committee's decision, whether it is equal to the certificates listed above. We recommend you provide information about the certificate and state your reasoning.

Recent application periods have shown that applicants without the English certificates listed above and/or an unclear English proficiency are rejected due to a very high number of applications. Thus we recommend you submit one of the English certificates listed above.

==I am a native English speaker. Do I still have to send a certificate?==
If you were born and/or are living in a country with English as one of its official languages, you do not have to provide further evidence. In this case, please submit a copy of your ID or passport. This might also apply if you have been studying or working in such a country for a long time. In this case, you can submit a confirmation such as a letter from your company or university. We still recommend you to provide additional proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

==My previous degree was fully taught in English. Is this sufficient proof?==
No. However, if your degree was obtained in a country with English as one of its official languages (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA ...), and your certificate/transcript states that English was the medium of instruction throughout your entire degree ('''3+ years'''), and your university attests that all modules were taught and assessed in English, the selection committee may accept this as proof of proficiency. However, the selection committee will decide on a case to case basis depending on the country, institution, and use of English in your application. Please provide a document created by you, stating why you are not submitting an English Proficiency Test. We recommend you to provide proof of language proficiency using one of the English language certificates listed above.

== Online English Certificates ==

This year we will also accept English certificates that are tested online. However, please be aware that the chosen certificate has the regular test curriculum and provides the same level of detail regarding the certificate scores. Furthermore, ensure that the online version of the English certificate states all four individual scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) as well as the overall score. For example, the "TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition" provides these scores and fulfils the above-stated requirements. If you are doubtful about a specific online English certificate, please contact the IAS team.

Also notice, that when you apply with an online English certificate:

* Do not use screenshots of the web-page with your test results.
* Do not merely provide web links to the test results.
* University entry tests are not sufficient, an English certificate listed on this page is required.

These are not sufficient, only use the official test results certificate such as a PDF that is provided to you or scan the certificate that you received by post from the testing centre.

== I have a TOEFL certificate. What is the institution code of Universität Hamburg? ==
If you want to submit the TOEFL scores through ETS, the department is Universität Hamburg - Department of Informatics.
DI Code: B406. Usually, there is a considerable delay between the test and the arrival of the scorecard. Please '''ALWAYS''' add a copy of the scorecard/results page to your application documents and inform us via email: ias-info@informatik.uni-hamburg.de of the upcoming arrival of your scorecard from the test centre. If your documents do not arrive on time, your application will be rejected. It can happen that TOELF documents do not reach us.

== More questions regarding the application ==
* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

=What does this mean for the documents I should prepare?=
See [[Application:Required documents| Required documents]] for detailed information.

Required Documents: Example structure table

2020-11-02T17:09:30Z

7siemund: /* Preliminary check of table + transcript service: */

Please see the example below on how to present the detailed structured table of your 60 ECTS in computer science. The structured table is one of the required documents. You will have to send it to us via email. Please make sure you summarize all necessary information in a detailed, but precise and compact way.

Here is the template of the self-made table listing computer science courses:

[https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/wtm/pictures/Example_Evidencing_60_ECTS.ods Ready-to-use-table with a rough transformation of credit hours into ECTS]

[https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/wtm/pictures/Example_Evidencing_60_ECTS.pdf pdf example of selfmade table]

==What courses will count towards the 60 ECTS?==
Here are some examples of course names which will likely count as computer science content:
* digital signal processing
* artificial intelligence
* computational linguistics
* software engineering
* programming in ...
* human-robot interaction
* neural networks
* introduction to computer science
* data mining
* image processing
* algorithms and data structures
* databases
* ...

Modules that '''do not''' count as core computer science include maths, electronics engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics, or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

You have to explain transcript and table entries that do not have a telling name, e.g., "seminar", " (mini-)project", "thesis", "design", any abbreviations. It is up to the selection committee whether to count a table entry as core computer science. Therefore make sure you give an accurate description of the course's computer science content. You need to provide evidence showing that the course majorly includes computer science, e.g., letter of recommendation or a small note prepared by your academic office.

==Checklist for your table==

* The title + number of the course as listed in your transcript of records
* A short explanation of the course's computer science content - more than the course name
* Each course's credits and/or credit hours (has to be a grade-independent number + can be found in your transcript or diploma supplement)
* Your grade for that specific course you are listing (in your degree's grading system)
* the grade needs to be a number and expressed in a way that enables us to compute the average

For ECTS estimation, the IAS Team uses the estimation of contact hours per semester without total workload hours. This is a very conservative estimation of ECTS, but an accurate one:
* Contact hours per week (academic hours with the lecturer present, in-class hours)
* Amount of weeks per semester in which in-class / contact hours take place
* Estimation of the number of contact hours in the semester compared to the German system (see template)
* If your transcript displays ECTS then you do not need to fill in the estimation columns - write a note in your table.

Please add the following information underneath your table:
* State your name
* Name of your Bachelor's program
* The total number of computer science courses you list: How many courses are computer science courses in your degree?

Sum of Credit points
* The total amount of credit hours or credit points of only your computer science courses (appearing in your transcript)
* The total amount of credits/credit hours of your entire degree/program once you finish (the minimum amount of credits or hours you need in order to complete your degree)

Study lengths:
* The actual length of how long you have studied in years so far in your degree/program
* Standard period of study of your study program in years. (For instance, “3.5/4” means that you have done 3.5 years out of 4 years of your program.)

Grading:
* Your final or preliminary grade (needs to appear in your transcript or another official document)
* Your program's grading system: minimum passing and maximum grades (needs to appear in your transcript or another official document)
* Grade average of only computer science courses in the same system as your final or preliminary grade (so we can compare the computer science grades with your overall grade)
* Please do '''not''' translate your grades into the German or GPA system if your transcript does not display that system

'''Highlight information'''

For your application: to make it easier for the Application-Selection-Committee to find the corresponding information in your transcript, '''highlight the subject numbers or names of computer science courses in your transcript''' (or letter of recommendation).
Highlight important information in all other documents, e.g., degree description and grading systems. It saves us lots of time, which we can then spend on properly assessing your application.

'''Official documents'''

All information (credit hours, credit points) has to be found in an official document issued by your university = usually the transcript. If the subjects cannot be found in your transcript, please state in your table where we can find the evidence.

'''More explanation:'''

If you need any other information, please consult the IAS Team via email. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

Before contacting the IAS Team please read: [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] and information on [[Application:Required documents| required documents]].

==Preliminary check of table + transcript service:==

As an extra service: Every year from November to January the IAS-Team offers a voluntary preliminary quick check of whether you meet the minimum requirements. For receiving an answer please provide:

*Evidence of your 60+ ECTS using the IAS table template
*Fill in all the information in the table-template
*Transcript (+highlighted information (see table template))
*Fill in all fields on the cover-letter-form asking for information regarding your personal and academic information on the cover-letter-form. But '''do not''' send a CV, Motivational letter or the STiNE form.
*English Certificate (if you have or information which Proficiency Test you will take)
*via Email ask nicely for a quick check [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ (Contact us here)]
*Note: emails with missing information will be deleted

Required Documents: Example structure table

2020-11-02T17:08:54Z

7siemund: /* Preliminary check of table + transcript service: */

Please see the example below on how to present the detailed structured table of your 60 ECTS in computer science. The structured table is one of the required documents. You will have to send it to us via email. Please make sure you summarize all necessary information in a detailed, but precise and compact way.

Here is the template of the self-made table listing computer science courses:

[https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/wtm/pictures/Example_Evidencing_60_ECTS.ods Ready-to-use-table with a rough transformation of credit hours into ECTS]

[https://www2.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/wtm/pictures/Example_Evidencing_60_ECTS.pdf pdf example of selfmade table]

==What courses will count towards the 60 ECTS?==
Here are some examples of course names which will likely count as computer science content:
* digital signal processing
* artificial intelligence
* computational linguistics
* software engineering
* programming in ...
* human-robot interaction
* neural networks
* introduction to computer science
* data mining
* image processing
* algorithms and data structures
* databases
* ...

Modules that '''do not''' count as core computer science include maths, electronics engineering, mechatronics, electrical engineering, economics, or soft skill subjects unless these soft skill subjects explicitly revolve around computer science.

You have to explain transcript and table entries that do not have a telling name, e.g., "seminar", " (mini-)project", "thesis", "design", any abbreviations. It is up to the selection committee whether to count a table entry as core computer science. Therefore make sure you give an accurate description of the course's computer science content. You need to provide evidence showing that the course majorly includes computer science, e.g., letter of recommendation or a small note prepared by your academic office.

==Checklist for your table==

* The title + number of the course as listed in your transcript of records
* A short explanation of the course's computer science content - more than the course name
* Each course's credits and/or credit hours (has to be a grade-independent number + can be found in your transcript or diploma supplement)
* Your grade for that specific course you are listing (in your degree's grading system)
* the grade needs to be a number and expressed in a way that enables us to compute the average

For ECTS estimation, the IAS Team uses the estimation of contact hours per semester without total workload hours. This is a very conservative estimation of ECTS, but an accurate one:
* Contact hours per week (academic hours with the lecturer present, in-class hours)
* Amount of weeks per semester in which in-class / contact hours take place
* Estimation of the number of contact hours in the semester compared to the German system (see template)
* If your transcript displays ECTS then you do not need to fill in the estimation columns - write a note in your table.

Please add the following information underneath your table:
* State your name
* Name of your Bachelor's program
* The total number of computer science courses you list: How many courses are computer science courses in your degree?

Sum of Credit points
* The total amount of credit hours or credit points of only your computer science courses (appearing in your transcript)
* The total amount of credits/credit hours of your entire degree/program once you finish (the minimum amount of credits or hours you need in order to complete your degree)

Study lengths:
* The actual length of how long you have studied in years so far in your degree/program
* Standard period of study of your study program in years. (For instance, “3.5/4” means that you have done 3.5 years out of 4 years of your program.)

Grading:
* Your final or preliminary grade (needs to appear in your transcript or another official document)
* Your program's grading system: minimum passing and maximum grades (needs to appear in your transcript or another official document)
* Grade average of only computer science courses in the same system as your final or preliminary grade (so we can compare the computer science grades with your overall grade)
* Please do '''not''' translate your grades into the German or GPA system if your transcript does not display that system

'''Highlight information'''

For your application: to make it easier for the Application-Selection-Committee to find the corresponding information in your transcript, '''highlight the subject numbers or names of computer science courses in your transcript''' (or letter of recommendation).
Highlight important information in all other documents, e.g., degree description and grading systems. It saves us lots of time, which we can then spend on properly assessing your application.

'''Official documents'''

All information (credit hours, credit points) has to be found in an official document issued by your university = usually the transcript. If the subjects cannot be found in your transcript, please state in your table where we can find the evidence.

'''More explanation:'''

If you need any other information, please consult the IAS Team via email. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

Before contacting the IAS Team please read: [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] and information on [[Application:Required documents| required documents]].

==Preliminary check of table + transcript service:==

As an extra service: Every year from November to January the IAS-Team offers a voluntary preliminary quick check of whether you meet the minimum requirements. For receiving an answer please provide:

*Evidence of your 60+ ECTS using the IAS table template
*Fill in all the information in the table-template
*Transcript (+highlighted information (see table template))
*Fill in all fields on the cover-letter-form asking for information regarding your personal and academic information on the cover-letter-form. But '''do not''' send a CV, Motivational letter or the STiNE form.
*English Certificate (if you have or information which Proficiency Test you will take)
*via Email ask nicely for a quick check (Contact us here)
*Note: emails with missing information will be deleted

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:59:14Z

7siemund: /* About the application and admission procedure */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of useful information that will help you to get an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Reading carefully and following the advice will greatly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
The following page explains the whole application process, including minimum requirements, application document, the selection process, and important dates.
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

The following page will be relevant after you have submitted your application and received an acceptance/waiting list/rejection letter.
* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Application:Main

2020-11-02T16:58:53Z

7siemund: /* Important Dates */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-02T16:58:41Z

7siemund: /* Important Dates */

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account. The Campus Center Team will then decide how many of the top-ranked students receive a letter of acceptance (around 20 + overbookings) and will provide instructions on how to enrol.

'''Mid-October''' You commence your semester.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Application:Main

2020-11-02T16:57:46Z

7siemund:

== Minimum requirements ==

The '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' are the minimum qualifications required to enter the application process.

* 60 ECTS in core computer science subjects
* English Proficiency Test with sufficient minimum scores

Please do not apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements - Please refrain from asking if you can still apply if you do not meet the minimum requirements by the 31 March. The answer is always ''no''.

==Required documents==
See '''[[Application:Required documents| required documents]]''' for details on the 12 documents you have to include in your application.

==Selection criteria==
Here you will find the explanation of the '''[[Application:Selection criteria| selection criteria]]''' and the selection process of IAS selection committee.

==Important Dates==
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account. The Campus Center Team will then decide how many of the top-ranked students receive a letter of acceptance (around 20 + overbookings) and will provide instructions on how to enrol.

==Statistics over the last years==

Each year, there are around 500 applicants and 20 free places, which we offer only to the top applicants. Make your application worthwhile!

* Of those 500 applicants 100 do not send the application via email or send the application too late. They are rejected.
* Of those 400 applicants 80 do not meet the minimum requirements or miss to provide proof properly. They are rejected.
* Of those 320 applicants 20 do not send a complete application. They are rejected.

As a result, around 300 applicants enter the selection process. You have the chance to be one of the top 20 students who we offer a place on the program; that means there are around 300 applicants with who you compete. Follow the instructions under the required documents to send a complete application. Analyse the selection criteria to provide all the information we need in order to rank you accordingly. Create a perfect application, and you will have a chance of being one of the Top 20.

It's an international Master:

* We receive applications from 35-40 nations around the world.
* Usually* 10%-15% of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance are from Germany.
* Usually* we have a mix 15-20 nations of applicants who receive a letter of acceptance.
* Usually* female and male are close to even.
* Over the past years the Top 1 application was always female :)

*usually means - depending merely on the quality of the application (see requirements, selection criteria).

==What happens with my application after I've sent it?==
See the description of ''[[Admission Process | Admission Process, Dates, Explanations]]''

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:56:01Z

7siemund: /* About the application and admission procedure */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of useful information that will help you to get an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Reading carefully and following the advice will greatly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
The following page explains the whole application process, including minimum requirements, application document, and the selection process.
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

The following page will be relevant after you have submitted your application and received an acceptance/waiting list/rejection letter.
* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:55:49Z

7siemund: /* About the application and admission procedure */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of useful information that will help you to get an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Reading carefully and following the advice will greatly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
The following page explains the whole application process, including minimum requirements, application document, and the selection process.
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

This page will be relevant after you have submitted your application and received an acceptance/waiting list/rejection letter.
* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Admission Process

2020-11-02T16:52:29Z

7siemund:

This page explains the admission and enrollment process. Especially if you have received a letter of acceptance, please read the following information carefully. If you have received a rejection or a rejection with a waiting list option, please redirect to this Page: [[Rejection | Rejection & WaitingList]].

''' Points of contact:'''

To avoid confusion, we would like to explain the two distinct points of contact at the Universität Hamburg that you have to communicate with for the application and enrollment process:

1. '''Your first point of contact is the IAS Team.''' The IAS Team is part of the '''Department of Informatics''', Universität Hamburg. Among other things, the IAS Team and academic advisor are responsible for the application process, selection process, program coordination, program curriculum, questions about the IAS program, counselling of students and applicants regarding study plans, and exams. The IAS Team runs the IAS program and contains the selection committee (a group of professors, post-doctoral researchers, lecturers, academic advisors) who select the applications. Please direct all questions regarding the content of the program, your curriculum, application, website, wiki, and difficulties while studying to the IAS Team. The academic advisor manages the IAS Team. The academic advisor is a researcher and lecturer, who cooperates closely with the academic office at the department of informatics. When contacting the IAS Team, please keep in mind that their main tasks are research and teaching - not administrative tasks. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ Contact the IAS Team]

'''The academic office at the department of informatics for enrolled students''': You should contact the academic coordinator for IAS Björn Hanssen when you have questions regarding module and exam registrations, recognition of credit points, recognition of german lectures or other lectures, transcript, etc.). They are not involved in the application process and will only become relevant once you start studying at Universität Hamburg. [https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/studies/orga/stb.html Contact academic office].

2. '''CampusCenter Team:''' The CampusCenter Team is part of the '''central administration''' of the entire university. The Team for Application and Admission ("Team Bewerbung und Zulassung TBZ") is located at the Campus Center (Main Campus) and part of the central administration (Do not confuse this with the IAS Team and Selection Committee). They are running the online system STiNE, are centrally responsible for processing admissions and handling legal issues for the approximately 44000 students at UHH. The Campus Center provides student documents (student ID card, confirmation documents) and has full control over all formal issues leading to your enrollment (after the Selection Committee of the IAS Team reviewed and ranked your application). Once you are fully enrolled (paid semester contribution), responsibility is partly handed back to the IAS-Team and the academic office at the department of informatics; and to your academic advisor who is the contact for all study issues. The Campus Center is responsible for sending your letter of acceptance/rejection/waiting list and the enrollment process. You will need to send your enrollment documents to the Campus Center once you are accepted!. Please contact the Campus Center for all questions regarding the official enrollment or confirmation of enrollment for a visa. Contact them via the [https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/beratung/info-beratung-online/kontaktformular-campus-center.html Campus Center].

As a rule of thumb - always contact the IAS Team first: [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

=What happens after I send my application?=
'''31 March''' You have sent your application to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics before the 31 of March. In the next step, the IAS Team evaluates your application.

'''Early May''' the IAS Team sends a list to the Campus Center Team (central administration of Universität Hamburg), ranking all eligible applicants.
Once the ranking is done, the enrollment process is happening at the CampusCenter until you are fully enrolled. This also means that we at the department of informatics have no access to the enrollment process in detail and only receive the final list of enrolled students shortly before the start of the semester! Please tell the IAS Team as soon as you have received a letter of acceptance and when you have enrolled yourself for you to receive all informational emails regarding the start of your studies. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ Find the IAS Team contact information here]. The IAS Team will stay in contact with the accepted students after application to ease the transition into your new study program in October/November, e.g. orientation week. The IAS-Team, along with the academic advisors, manages the IAS study program. In general, you should always contact or at least cc the IAS Team (= your academic advisor) first.

'''Mid-May''' Admission notification: The Campus Center will publish the results (acceptance, waiting list, rejection) of the current application period in your STiNE account. The Campus Center Team will then decide how many of the top-ranked students receive a letter of acceptance (around 20 + overbookings) and will provide instructions on how to enrol. Everybody else will receive either a waiting list notification or rejection (missed minimum requirements or incomplete application). For rejections and waiting list, please read this page: [[Rejection | Rejection & WaitingList]].

'''For accepted students:'''

'''Enrollment Deadline:'''
'''25th June! Usually 1-2 weeks after notification:''' For enrollment, the accepted applicants have to follow the procedure stated in their letter of acceptance (that is always the most up-to-date information). For 2020, online enrollment is possible. Check your letter! It is always a good idea to emphasise that you are an international student if it is possible in the new online process - see health insurance section and links in the FAQa.
After sending/uploading the enrollment form and copies of your certificates, the accepted applicants are enrolled and officially a student of Universität Hamburg. Congratulations!

Acknowledgement of enrollment:
The CampusCenter may not send any acknowledgement for receiving your documents (especially if you have sent documents via postal mail). If you need a special acknowledgement for your visa, you need to request it via CampusCenter contact form.
Once enrolled, your place for the Master International Adaptive Systems is secured until the semester starts; even though you might not have received any preliminary semester documents and have not paid the semester contribution. Please read the paragraph about Health insurance.

In the period of '''Mid-August - 30 September''', the CampusCenter will send you an email with your student STiNE login, preliminary semester documents, and will demand the payment of your semester contribution. After you have paid, you will receive your complete semester documents. At this point, you will have arrived at Universität Hamburg and probably will have started studying. Sending the preliminary documents this late is an administrative decision of the central administration (CampusCenter) at Universität Hamburg. Sorry. Sometimes they send the email with preliminary documents only in late September. ''Do not worry''. If you need an acknowledgement of preliminary enrollment for assurance/visa/bank account, please request it, [https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/beratung/info-beratung-online/kontaktformular-campus-center.html CampusCenter Contact Form]. Please also tell the IAS-Team in cc if you have any worries regarding enrollment.

'''Arriving in Hamburg and orientation weeks:'''
'''26 October 2020: ''' The final two weeks of October are welcome/orientation weeks. Please attend. Orientation/Introductory courses for IAS start on 26 October 2020 (see emails regarding Orientation). Additionally, there are online introductory courses organised by PIASTA for all (international) students: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/piasta/veranstaltungen/piasta-welcome.html

'''Semster starts on 2 November 2020'''
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the winter semester will start late (on 2 November 2020). All accepted students who have confirmed their acceptance and enrollment plans with the IAS Team will receive updates via mail asap. Current information for enrolled students will also be published here: [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/information-for-enrolled-students/ Information for enrolled students.] Please, also check https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/newsroom/intern/2020/0131-corona-faq.html for general information about studying at UHH with coronavirus.

The central administration (CampusCenter) manages only the notification whether you are accepted/rejected/put on the waiting list and the formal enrollment and visa issues. Therefore, please notify the [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ IAS Team] right away once you receive a letter of acceptance. Then we can inform you about how/when the winter semester starts in 2020 and provide you with updates on coronavirus-related changes.

=I have received a letter of acceptance ("Zulassungsbescheid")=
Congratulations! You are one of the top 20 of a very long list of applicants. The letter of acceptance is precious for many applicants. The letter of acceptance should tell you how and when you need to enrol yourself. We provide some help for the offline '''matriculation form''' here: see the [[FAQ:Matriculation Form | matriculation form page]]. The central administration's CampusCenter Team Application and Admission manages all enrolment for the entire Universität Hamburg. Please ask the CampusCenter regarding questions on how to enrol.

If you are NOT planning to accept your place, PLEASE waive the acceptance officially - only when you do so before the semester starts we can notify another applicant of their place. * [https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/bewerbung/bachelor-staatsexamen/zulassung-einschreibung/verzicht.html Free your place for somebody on the waiting list]

==I have already sent certified/attested copies for application, do I have to send them again for matriculation?==
Until 2019, yes. In 2020, online enrolment is possible. For 2021 we do not know yet. Please follow the instructions stated in the letter of acceptance. Please understand that the IAS Team (+selection committee) at the Department of Informatics is where you send your application. But the University's CampusCenter Team ("Team for Application and Admission, Ger: "Team Bewerbung und Zulassung") is the place where you send your enrollment documents = central administration of the entire Universität Hamburg. They are two different institutions.

In case you are experiencing any problems while enrolling yourself, then please contact both teams together in one email.

For 2020 your letter of acceptance states this:

To enrol, you will first need to accept your place in the IAS Master. Pursuant to Section 25 subsection 1 no. 1–3 of the University Admission Bylaws (UniZS), you must meet the following requirements:

1. Carefully complete the following form: www.uni-hamburg.de/online-enrollment
Submit this form and attach all of the supporting documents detailed in the checklist www.uni-hamburg.de/checklistmasterinternational
2. Universität Hamburg must receive your complete enrollment application by June 25, 2020. '''This deadline is final; no extensions can be granted.'''

If you fail to meet any of these requirements, your application will become invalid and you will no longer be able to enrol.

If your letter of acceptance states the above, please follow these instructions and follow these links: they should lead you to the online procedure. Please check your letter and contact the CampusCenter, if you are unsure what to do.

==I do not have German health insurance! What do I have to do?==
You can '''only''' get German health insurance once you have a valid address in Germany. The Campus Center Team for Application and Admission is aware of this problem for international students. You need to provide the confirmation of German health insurance once you are in Germany and have accommodation. It is always a good idea to state in enrollment/matriculation form, that you are an international student from outside Europe/Germany (if the online form lets you).

Please check the official information here: [https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/bewerbung/bachelor-staatsexamen/zulassung-einschreibung/krankenversicherung Info of Universität Hamburg ] and [https://www.hamburg.com/welcome/career-profession/study/11872998/health-insurance/ Info of the city of Hamburg]. If you are over 30 years old please also read the section about 30 years and older: [https://www.hamburg.com/welcome/career-profession/study/11872998/health-insurance/ Info of the city of Hamburg] :

Travel health insurance does ''not'' provide sufficient coverage for the duration of studies in Germany.

Please see the FAQ section on [[FAQ:Main|health insurance]].

If the next semester is online - you do not need German health insurance if you are not in Germany.

== Where do I have to send the matriculation (enrollment) documents? ==
The letter of acceptance contains instructions on how to enrol. In 2020, online enrollment is possible.

==How to waive your place (after enrollment)==
In case you are one of the 20 lucky students receiving a letter of acceptance in June 2020 and have enrolled yourself but decided you do not want to start studying the IAS Master, please fill in this form as early as possible:
Please be a fair player; otherwise, people on the waiting list won't be contacted, and the place will be lost. Nobody will be contacted once the semester has started.

* [https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en/campuscenter/bewerbung/bachelor-staatsexamen/zulassung-einschreibung/verzicht.html Free your accepted place for somebody on the waiting list]

==I have visa problems ==
Please contact immanuel.petermeier@uni-hamburg.de from the central administration. Please note that you need to provide detailed personal information (name, program, enrolled, country, problem, application nr) and ask a precise question. Mr Petermeier is responsible for all Internationals of the entire university - it may take a while for him to answer. He has certainly no time to write 1000 emails asking for your full information email by email. You may also use the contact form of the CampusCenter.
Please put the IAS Team in cc. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the IAS Team contact information here].

== Postponing the start of your studies once accepted ==
You may come late during the first semester until 31 March the next year if you pay your semester contribution. That means you miss your first semester (if it is not online). The IAS study program cannot hold your place for longer than that. That means if you want to start in the next year's winter semester, you need to apply again without any better chances than any other applicant of the new application period.

=Statistics 2020 =
Short statistics: Usually, there are more than 400 applications and only 20 open spaces to be filled. Therefore, the requirements for applying are strict with no exception. Even in the coronavirus times, the application number has been >300 from 35 nations for 20 spaces. The Top 30 included 19 nations, 40% women, 60% men.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:51:42Z

7siemund: /* About this wiki */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use the wiki to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

This wiki holds a lot of useful information that will help you to get an understanding of the type of application we are looking for. Reading carefully and following the advice will greatly improve your chance of admission.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:47:16Z

7siemund: /* About this wiki */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use it to:
* make sure that you meet the minimum requirements
* find out about how to prepare your application documents
* answer questions regarding the application and admission procedure
* find out about what to do after you were admitted to the program
* explore useful information about studying at Universität Hamburg

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:37:23Z

7siemund: /* About this wiki */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany. You will need to use this wiki to find out details about how to apply to the IAS Master's program.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:35:55Z

7siemund: /* How to use this wiki */

__NOTOC__
==About this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Main Page

2020-11-02T16:35:38Z

7siemund: /* Information for applicants for the M.Sc. Intelligent Adaptive Systems */

__NOTOC__
==How to use this wiki==
This wiki is a central source of information for (international) students and applicants for the Master's program Intelligent Adaptive Systems at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg, Germany.

==About the IAS Program==
Intelligent systems and robots will become an integral part of our daily lives. To be accepted by people and interact with them efficiently and naturally, they must adapt to changing environments and the users with whom they interact. Intelligent systems will automatically acquire and manage knowledge using various sensors and learn and optimize their behaviour over time. This international Master’s program at Universität Hamburg in Germany aims to provide students with the ability to create intelligent adaptive systems and prepare students for a future market in which intelligent behaviour is considered the standard for computer systems. Here you can find more information about the IAS Program:
* [[IAS_Modules|Curriculum IAS]]
* [[IAS Subject Specific Regulations]]

==About the application and admission procedure==
* [[Application:Main|The application process]]

* [[Admission Process | The process after application: What happens after I have sent my application? Dates + Acceptance, WaitingList, Rejection]]

==Additional information==
* [[FAQ:Main|More information on health insurance, student life, scholarship and life in Hamburg, admission, rejection, link collection]]

==Asking questions about applications, admissions, or the IAS program==
*[https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ How to contact the IAS Team]

==Translations==
Since some documents you receive from the central administration are unfortunately still in German - you can find translated information here in this wiki. Please be aware that most of the documents you receive in German are legal documents and are only legally binding in German. If you have specific questions, please [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ contact the IAS Team.] Unfortunately, we currently can not guarantee that the translations are 100% correct.

Application:Required documents

2020-11-02T15:58:16Z

7siemund: /* Additional Documents */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS team is a team of IAS professors, researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. We like well-structured, precise applications. The admission board and team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree must have been obtained from a recognized higher education institution. The degree also must be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany. It is a prerequisite for an application for the master course "IAS" that your university degree is recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany.

===How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany?===

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is enough to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree usually does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]

Application:Required documents

2020-11-02T15:58:04Z

7siemund: /* How to send your application */

=List of all required documents for application=
To apply for the 2-year Master of Science program Intelligent Adaptive Systems, you need to email your application documents as a single PDF-document to the IAS Team at the Department of Informatics, Universität Hamburg. The IAS team is a team of IAS professors, researchers, lecturers, and academic advisors. There are more than 450 applicants and only 20 spaces on the program. We like well-structured, precise applications. The admission board and team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

 To apply successfully, please make sure that: 

 1. You meet the minimum requirements 

 2. Your application contains all required documents and is in the correct order 

 3. You send your application before the deadline (31 March 11:59 pm UCT+2 every year) 

We do not inform you about received emails. We do not inform you of missing documents, or late applications, or blank pages, or corrupted pdfs. You can not submit missing documents after the expiration of the application deadline. There will be no reconsideration. 

The documents '''do not''' have to be sent as certified/attested copies when applying. Do '''not''' send original certificates since the IAS selection committee will not send any documents back to you. However, please note that in case your application is successful, you will need to send attested/certified copies to the University via postal mail ''within 2 weeks'', so be prepared. You will receive a notification around mid-May about whether you are accepted or not. Official English and German translations of documents are accepted.

Please read the explanations of what documents you have to send and follow the links for more information.

=='''1. Cover-letter-form''' ==
The first page of your application is this pdf-form asking for your personal information. Only use the cover-letter-form provided by us. If you cannot fill in your information with a technical device, please do so by hand (and scan for the final application pdf). Make sure the information is saved and displayable. This document goes on top of your application; it is the first page of your final application pdf.
* Explanation and link to the cover-letter-form: [[Cover-letter-form|cover-letter-form]]

== '''2. The University's general online form (STiNE)'''==
The Universität Hamburg Campus Center (= central administration) requires you to fill out a general and university-wide online form on their platform called STiNE. The STiNE online form should be the second document in your application. Although it is called „online application form“, it is just the way to formally register with the central administration of the Universität Hamburg to inform them that you are planning to apply. Please fill in this form before sending your required documents to the IAS Team. Only after you have submitted this form by clicking on the button „Submit“ in STiNE, you are formally allowed to take part in the application process. Please note that you can only fill in the form during the application period.

Attention: In your application account on the STiNE platform: Select this IAS course: Master, Semester 1 (= start with the first semester), Intelligent Adaptive Systems, Admission restricted Do not click "Freemover". Do not click "Preparatory Course".

* During your registration you will receive a BW - Number (Application Number). Please state this number in your cover letter.
* Submit and '''sign''' the STiNE online form; enclose the form with your application.
* You can find the form in Universität Hamburg's STiNE platform: https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de. Sorry, some parts of the STiNE online form are in German.
* For further clarification, the IAS-Team has prepared a wiki entry regarding the STiNE form: [[online application form|Online form STiNE]].
* For further questions about the STiNE platform please ask the technical support of STiNE. STiNE is a part of the central administration - not the IAS Team's platform, see [https://www.stine.uni-hamburg.de/scripts/mgrqispi.dll?APPNAME=CampusNet&PRGNAME=EXTERNALPAGES&ARGUMENTS=-N000000000000002,-N000339,-A100101e#furtherquestions STiNE support].

After filling in the STiNE form you can send your complete application via email to the IAS Team, enclosing the STiNE form as the second document of your application. [https://www.master-intelligent-adaptive-systems.com/contact/ You can find the email address here]

==''' 3. Curriculum Vitae'''==
Your Curriculum Vitae (table version) needs to include your relevant experience (academic, work, international, private). Please list specific information on your background that is relevant for IAS such as projects on AI or Robotics. Please, '''provide evidence''' of such projects through acquired certificates. Project descriptions, outlining their computer science content are especially important if you want their credits to count for the 60 ECTS in computer science.
Please add your average/overall grade (can be preliminary) and your grading scale to your CV, next to the information of your degree, and provide official evidence for that information.

== '''4. Letter of Motivation'''==
This is the most important document since it accounts for 40% of your ranking score. It has to be written by yourself and in English. The maximum length is 1.5 pages (not more: the selection committee may reject your application on the grounds of the quality of your motivational letter).
In your letter of motivation, you should explain your motivation to study in this particular program. Your letter of motivation should answer the following questions:
* Why are you interested in the field of "Intelligent Adaptive Systems" and what parts of it are most interesting and why?
* Why is this program especially suited to complement the knowledge you already have?
* Why did you choose to study this program at Universität Hamburg?
* How does this program fit your academic and professional future goals?
* How would you avoid a cultural shock?
* Analyze the selection criteria and the IAS curriculum so that you know what else might be important to write about.

The selection committee will give high ratings to letters that show you have made a deliberate choice to study IAS. You need to justify your decision well and explain how studying the IAS Master will bring you closer to your desired goals. The board is looking for students that show high motivation and have a good chance of finishing the program with a high impact on the student's life. Your ability to present a well-connected chain of arguments is a major ability the board is looking for.

Things that affect the rating adversely are, among others, generic letters that are written for multiple applications and letters that are written in bad English or do not follow a good structure. The selection committee wants to read something relevant and precise about you.

== '''5. Proof(s) of English language proficiency'''==
Language proficiency test score with the minimum score:

CEFR/TELC Level >= at least B2 in all categories or C1

IELTS >= Overall band 6.5 + B2 (*with a minimum subscore of 6.0 for Listening, Comprehension, Speaking, Writing)

TOEFL: IBT >= 90 (*with a minimum subscore of 20 for Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing),

PBT >= 575, CBT >= 230

Cambridge >= CAE or CPE

*The overall minimum level has to be reached!

The medium of instruction in a degree is not sufficient proof of English Language Proficiency!
Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for details on the required language certificates and further information.

==''' 6. Transcript of Records'''==
Your degree’s transcript of records, listing all your finished courses with credit hours and grades and your final and or average grade. Please only apply if you can provide at least a transcript that is only missing the final semester.

Highlight the core computer science courses in your transcript that you have also listed on your table.

Please see '''[[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]]''' for detailed information on the requirements for your transcript of records.

== '''7. Self-made structured table of all core computer science courses'''==

To meet the formal requirement, you have to provide evidence of 60 ECTS or more in core computer science courses. Any kind of maths, economics, management, electrical engineering, soft skills courses does not count. Please use this table template and fill in only your finished core Computer Science subjects. Please provide all the information asked for in the table. Please also read the explanation in the wiki. Note, that you have to explain courses with meaningless names like „Project“ or „Thesis“; you have to provide extra proof that the course has a significant computer science content (e.g., via an official module description/ letter of recommendation). Do not send full handbooks. The table has to be precise and well-structured.

Please refer to the listed information under [[Application:Minimum requirements| minimum requirements]] regarding questions about the ''ECTS credit system'', the ''calculation'' of the required 60 ECTS, ''modules/courses counted as computer science'' by IAS selection committee. Please use this [[Required Documents: Example structure table|example]] to provide evidence of your 60 ECTS credits or more.

=='''8. BSc certificates'''==

* If you have finished your degree, please submit a copy of your degree certificate.

* You can apply if you have finished 5 out of 6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. At the point of your application, at least 60 ECTS in computer science must be evident. To prove that you are going to complete your degree soon, you must provide the official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits or credit hours and the number of minimum credits or credit hours required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

=='''9. Diploma Supplement'''==
* Please provide a description of your degree - it is an official document issued by most universities.
** The degree's grading system
** The standard amount of semesters required for completion of your degree
** The description of how many weeks of in-class time with a lecturer present you have per semester
** The description of how your credit systems works, e.g. 1 cp is worth 30 hours of in-class time with lecturer present meaning 2 hours a week for 15 weeks...

=='''10. Your grade'''==
In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) or final grade, please provide a document with your (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5 of 6 or 7 of 8 semesters of the studies have been completed so far. Your grade should be in the grading system your university provides and with which you can provide the grading system. The grade needs to be in numbers, not letters. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS selection committee does not accept self-calculated '''final''' grades. Nor does the IAS selection committee calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records or degree certificate, then you do not need to provide an additional document.

Preliminary grade:
Some transcripts or universities do not provide a preliminary average grade: compute it on your own on a separate document and explain how you did it. If it is not the simple grade average of all grades in the transcript, please provide official proof of what your university or degree rules of computing final marks are.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale the grade you are assigned will be the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade will rank behind the last applicant who had provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript or when the selection committee controls your computed grade.

=='''11. Grading scale'''==
The IAS selection committee needs detailed information about your degree's grading system (alternative names: grading scale/scheme of evaluation/grade classification/range of marks ...). We need this information for our [[Application:Selection criteria| selection process]]. As the IAS selection committee will evaluate and rank all applications, we need the grading scale of your university to make your average or final grade comparable to others. In a lot of cases, official transcripts of records display the university's grading system. Usually, this is a table with all the degree's grades and corresponding information like minimum passing grade and maximum, outstanding or excellent grade, etc. However, if this is not the case for your transcript of records, then please provide this information attested by your university.

Highlight the grading scale, minimum passing grade, and maximum grade in your official documents and state exactly on which page the relevant information can be found, e.g., "the grading scale can be found on the degree description page 4 Section 2.1.1 see highlighted information". The selection committee will not look through your documents if you do not provide help on where to find the information it needs. Please only submit relevant parts of lengthy documents. You may provide a link to the full document so we can control the information. However, the selection committee will not follow links or translate websites to search for information. You need to provide all the relevant information in your application.

Please note: If you fail to provide proof of your grade or preliminary grade and grading scale you will be assigned the worst possible grade - a grade of 9.9 in selection procedures. This means that applications without a grade or grading scale will rank behind the last applicant who has provided a grade. This is also true if you state a different grade/grading scale in the table and cover-letter than in your transcript/official documents or when the selection committee controls your grade computation.

=='''12. Evidence that your university and degree is recognized in Germany'''==
Admission to a Master's degree program at a German university requires an undergraduate degree. Your degree must have been obtained from a recognized higher education institution. The degree also must be equivalent to at least a three year Bachelor in Germany. It is a prerequisite for an application for the master course "IAS" that your university degree is recognized as equivalent to a Bachelor's degree obtained in Germany.

===How to provide proof that your university is recognized in Germany?===

The selection committee's advice: use the anabin database entry for proof. It is cost-free and fast:
* Use the database anabin and screenshot the information about your university
* Your university needs to be recognized with H+
* More information here: [[Desired Documents:Anabin|Anabin]]

If you have difficulties handling anabin, you may use the fee-based service, called Uni-Assist:
* The official recommendation of the Universität Hamburg is that you use the fee-based service Uni-Assist (but you don't need to if you provide the anabin information)
* Request this service around 1 of December - otherwise Uni-Assist might not answer you in time
* More information about [[FAQ:UniAssist| Uni-Assist]]
* Only use Uni-assist if you do not want to look up your University in the database Anabin

Some countries have to get a German authorities endorsement anyway for a visa or application- you may hand this in as additional proof:

An endorsement of recognition from German authorities, including information about the type of higher education entrance eligibility and, if applicable, for a particular subject. The Universität Hamburg accepts the following types of endorsement of recognition:

* APS certificates from the academic review offices of Beijing, Ulaanbaatar, and Hanoi

Please note: For the application to the Master program IAS it is enough to send in your information from Anabin.

If you cannot find information on whether your university is recognized in Germany, the selection committee has to decide case by case whether your degree is eligible or not. In most cases that means your degree usually does not qualify.

=How to send your application>=

!Important: Please follow all 1-12 steps. This includes sending up to 12 documents in one pdf. This '''also includes filling-in the STiNE online form''', see 2. under required documents.

Prepare your application as described on the website and the wiki.

'''For sending your application pdf, follow exactly those steps:'''

* including all of your documents 1-12 in a single pdf document.
* filename of your pdf document = '''Final_IASApplication_YourFullname_Your_BW-number''' !
* use the same order for documents in your pdf as is presented here (1.-12) when compiling the document.
* attach no more than 9 MB
* until 31 March
* Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] (The emails will be sorted automatically)
* only use: ias-team@informatik.uni-hamburg.de
* start your Email text with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. This is my BW-Number. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

Please note, we still do not inform you about missing documents or incomplete applications.

For evaluating the application we will only consider the information provided in this one email: Email - subject [Final IAS Application] [Your Full name, Your BW-number] + Email text starting with "Dear IAS-Team, this is my final application to the Master IAS. I have registered in STiNE. My BW-Number is. Please consider the attached application document as my final application to the IAS study program.....

==I have sent my application already + I received an email confirmation by the IAS Team that it has arrived ==
Then you do not need to do anything.

== Order for the pdf application==
Please add your documents in the following order and produce a single pdf

# Cover Sheet
# Signed Online Form STiNE
# CV
# Motivation Letter
# Language Test Score
# Transcript
# Self-made table
# Bachelor Certificate
# Diploma Supplement
# Grade
# Grading scale
# Anabin information
# everything else

Please highlight important information in your documents, e.g. grading scale, grade, "H+" in the anabin information, finishing date ...

Please carefully check that you have sent all the required documents in due time. The deadline is on the 31st of March. Faxes are not accepted. We do not inform you of missing documents or late applications. Your application is considered incomplete if one or more of the required documents are not received before the deadline via email or if your STiNE form is not submitted online. As a result, your application will not take part in the selection process. There will be no reconsideration of your application. Also, note that we do not inform you about received emails.

One final note from the selection committee: We like a neat, well-structured, precise, and complete application. Think for yourself. Show that you can be a responsible, well-organized student and that you can follow basic instructions.
The selection committee and the IAS team consist of professors, lecturers, advisors, and Post-docs who will teach you once you are accepted.

=Additional Documents=
Generally, all possible documents that support your application (especially as evidence for the arguments used in your motivation letter) can be included and will be taken into account in the selection process. However, only include documents that are relevant to your application. Your selection of documents already shows your ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant content and an unnecessarily large amount of randomly added certificates or documents may have a negative effect on your ranking.

==Desired additional documents==

* Documents that add to the evidence needed for the requirements, e.g. additional proof of language proficiency or higher education courses with computer science content, letter of recommendation
* Evidence of research or professional and/or international experience relevant to IAS studies.
* International experience, e.g. a study exchange shows your ability to adapt to different learning and living environments and should be listed and described as part of our CV.
* The same holds true for professional experience that may show your ability to work in a computer science context.
* Training courses or extensive experience showing a deep understanding of computer science concepts. This will be taken into account for general suitability for the very specific Master program IAS.

== Suitable additions ==
* GRE test or other academic tests showing your ability to study in higher education. Such tests are not required but may be taken into account if provided and if they add to the general story of the application.
* Certificates of contests and competitions can be added if relevant. Please carefully decide whether the certificate can add any additional value to your application.

== Undesired documents ==
* Please do not send full module handbooks as the IAS admission team will not have the time to search for core computer science courses in those handbooks for you. However, please submit your self-made and structured table of modules to be counted towards 60 ECTS in computer science.
* Certificates that don't add additional value to your application are not relevant at all. More is not always better since it may show that you are not able to decide what is relevant for the subject and what is not. Select the certificates that best show your abilities suitable for this particular degree program.

==Do all the documents have to be sent as certified/attested copies?==
No, not for the application at the Department of Informatics - IAS. You can send the required application documents as simple copies. But please be aware that once you have been sent a ''letter of acceptance'' by the CampusCenter (central administration), you have to send certified/attested copies of your language certificate, your university entrance qualification (e.g. high school certificate), and your bachelor's degree certificate to prove the authenticity of those documents together with the matriculation form '''within 14 days''' to the "Team for Application and Admission" (Ger: ''Team Bewerbung und Zulassung'') at the CampusCenter of the Universität Hamburg. Therefore, we highly recommend preparing certified/attested copies of all the relevant documents upfront.
The central administration team (CampusCenter Team for your enrolment, located at the city center) and the IAS Team (for your application and later your studies, located at the Department of Informatics, Hamburg Stellingen) are two very distinct teams and have nothing to do with the task of the other.

More FAQ

* [[FAQ: Q&A| Frequently Asked Questions about the application]]