FAQ: Q&A

On this page we have listed a few of the frequently asked questions. See the box below for an overview.

FAQ

I don't have a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, can I still apply?

The requirement for the MSc IAS is a Bachelor’s degree with 60 credit points (ETCS) from Computer Science. Make sure to provide evidence of modules with computer science content (i.e. detailed transcript of records, module description in a nice and short table as mentioned in the formal requirements) to help the admissions board to decide whether a module can be counted towards the requirement. Please note the admission board will not search for info in an entire module handbook. All courses you list and explain have to be found in your transcript of records.

Can I send my application documents by e-mail?

No, everything has to be send in paper copy by postal mail. Please be aware that your application will only be considered complete once all of the required documents have arrived. Therefore you should plan for enough time for the mail to arrive before the application deadline! If you send separate documents make sure to add your applicant number (Ger: Bewerbernummer (e.g. BW-1812345), to be found at the top of your online application form) somewhere so that the IAS admission board knows who's document it is.

Do I need German translations of all documents?

No. We accept documents in English and German. If your original documents are in another language, you have to provide certified translations of those documents in either German or English.

I have not finished my degree and do not know my overall/final grade yet?

Please make sure by the time you apply that you have 60 ECTS in core CS subjects.

You can apply if you have finished 5/6 semesters and can evidence 150 ECTS credits (or comparable) of your first degree. This must be detectable in your official transcript of records showing the amount of already acquired credits and the number of minimum credits required for completion. The final transcript and graduation certificate have to be handed in for enrolment if you are admitted.

In regards to your overall average grade (preliminary) and/or final grade, please provide a document with a (preliminary) final grade calculated by your university, even if only 5/6 semesters of the studies have been completed. It can be in GPA or the system used in your university, but it should be submitted in numbers. Make sure you send an official document attested by your university as the IAS admission board does not accept self-calculated final grades nor does the IAS admission board calculate final grades for you. If this information is listed in your transcript of records, then you don't need to provide this extra document.

For the translation of your final/average grade into the German grading system and comparison reasons. Please provide your degrees grading scale (minimum passing grade, maximum grade, e.g. in GPA: "1" is usually the minimum passing grade and "4" the maximum grade.) Please provide an official document for your grading scale if it is not evident on your official transcript.

I do not have "standard" BSc but a comparable degree:

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).

I have sent the application, what happens next?

After the deadline has passed, the IAS admission board will meet and rank all applicants that fulfil the requirements based on the selection criteria. The available spaces are then filled according to this ranking and all selected applicants will receive a letter of acceptance. Those applicants have to accept the offer within 14 days. This is done by sending in a matriculation form together with all required documents as certified/attested copies to the University of Hamburg.

All applicants that fulfill the requirements but were not selected for one of the available spaces will be informed and put on a waiting list. They may still receive an offer if one of the previously selected applicants does not answer to the letter of acceptance within the deadline or declines the offer. If the IAS admission board decided that you do not fulfill the requirements, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. There will be no reconsideration of applications.

Read about the details of the admission process and the rejections letters here.