Application for International Students
You are an international degree seeking student?
As an international degree seeking student at HNU you have gained your university entrance qualification abroad and would like to enrol at HNU to study for a bachelor or master degree. You can find all the information you need on this page.
You are exchange student?
You are an exchange student if you are enrolled at one of our partner universities or at another university abroad. You join us as part of an exchange program (Erasmus+, university partnership, double degree) or as a freemover and study at HNU for one or two semesters without graduating.
Application for international degree seeking students
You have to take care of these processes:
Step 1: Evaluation of certificates by uni-assist
In addition to your application, you must also have your certificate checked and recognised by uni-assist.
You register at www.uni-assist.de
You can start this process at any time regardless of application deadlines - we recommend that you do so as early as possible. In order to proceed with your application beyond a certain point, HNU requires the results of uni-assist.
- There you fill in the necessary information online and upload your documents.
- You pay the fees to uni-assist.
- uni-assist evaluates the documents.
- You must have submitted the test result (VPD) to the university in addition to the application documents by the respective application deadline at the latest.
Important note:
The examination of the certificate by uni-assist does not replace the application to the HNU.
More information:
Please refer to the questions on evaluation of certificates
Step 2: GRE-Test
GRE test:
When applying for the following Master’s programmes
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AID)
- Artificial Intelligence and Health Informatics (AIH)
- Communication and Design for Sustainability (CDS),
- Digital Leadership in Information Management (DLI)
- Digital Transformation and Global Entrepreneurship (DTE)
- International Entrepreneurship, Digitalisation and Sustainability (EDS)
- International Corporate Communication and Media Management (ICM)
applicants who have completed their qualifying degree outside any of the signatory states to the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education in the European Region of 11 April 1997 (Lisbon Convention (opens in a new window)) must submit proof of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test (opens in a new window). The GRE score must comprise at least 153 points in Verbal Reasoning, 153 points in Quantitative Reasoning and a score of 4.0 in Analytical Writing, and must not be more than five years old at the time of application.
Step 3: Application at the HNU
Application:
You apply for your degree programme in the same way and within the same deadlines as regular applicants. You have the same rights and obligations as German students. Information on the procedures and deadlines can be found on the relevant degree programme (opens in a new window) page.
You can find out how to apply for your degree programme on the ‘Application Process & Admission (opens in a new window)’ page.
Application fees:
Applicants from non-EU countries must pay a fee of €50.00 for each application – i.e. per degree programme. Please note that the application fees are payable separately from the uni-assist fees.
Information on the payment obligation and the procedure is provided in the ‘application fees (opens in a new window)’ form. Alternatively, you can access the payment portal directly here:

Step 4: Provide language certificates
In addition to your application, you must also submit the required language certificates by the deadline.
- Acquire language certificate.
- Hand in certificate by the deadline.
More information:
See the questions about language certificates.
Questions about evaluation of certificates
Why do I have to have my certificate evaluated externally?
In view of the large number of school and university systems and grading systems worldwide, we rely on external experts who check for us whether the present certificate entitles the holder to a bachelor's or master's degree course and which German grade the final grade corresponds to.
This task is performed by uni-assist.
How does the evaluation process work?
You register at www.uni-assist.de.
There you fill in the necessary information online and upload your documents.
You pay the fees to uni-assist.
uni-assist evaluates the documents.
uni-assist informs you about the result of the evaluation in a letter (VPD).
You submit the check result (VPD) to HNU (note the application deadlines)
The HNU continues with the further procedure.
How much time do I have to plan for this? Are there deadlines?
The evaluation result (VPD letter) must be available at HNU by the respective application deadline for the degree program at the latest.
Uni-assist may need up to six weeks to review your documents. Especially if you depend on a quick feedback from HNU (e.g. because you need an admission letter for the visa application), you should have your certificate checked as early as possible.
I already have a evaluation for my diploma. Do I still have to run it through uni-assist again?
Have you already gone through the evaluation of your certificate (with grade conversion) from a German institution? Then there is a chance that you will not have to go through the uni-assist process again.
Preliminary review documentation (VPD) issued for other universities cannot be accepted for applications to the Master's degree programmes!
Please send a scan of your certificate and letter of recognition immediately to studium@hnu.de with the request to check whether we can accept this evaluation for your application at HNU.
Can I find out in advance whether I can study in Germany with my school leaving certificate?
Yes, non-binding information on the validity of foreign degrees can be obtained from the anabin database (opens in a new window).
For many countries, the DAAD has prepared the anabin information more clearly and also translated it into English. You can find this information in the DAAD admissions database (opens in a new window).
Questions about language certificates
Which language certificates do I need for degree courses taught in German?
In all degree programmes in which German is the predominant language of instruction, you must provide proof of German language skills for enrolment.
Proof of language proficiency C1 is required for the following degree programmes:
- Business Studies
- Business Studies in Healthcare Management
- Leadership and Management in Healthcare
- Information Management and Corporate Communication
- Management for Healthcare Professionals
- Master Advanced Management
- StartSmart / Orientierungsstudium
- Physician Assistant
- Smart Mobility Management
- Strategic Management and Leadership
- Industrial Engineering
- Business Criminology
Proof of language proficiency B2 is required for all other degree programmes.
You can prove your C1 language level with the following certificates, among others:
- Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH): at least DSH-2
- Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache (TestDaF): at least TDN 4 in all subtests
- Deutsches Sprachdiplom der Kultusministerkonferenz (DSD): DSD II
- Goethe-Zertifikat C 2: Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom (GDS)
- telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule
Which language certificates do I need for degree courses taught in English?
English language skills:
In English-instructed degree programmes, proof of English language skills at level B2 must be submitted with the application.
You can prove the required language level in the following ways:
- an appropriate result in a recognized language test
- Proof of the relevant language skills through the school or university diploma
- Completion of a proven course of study taught entirely in English
German language skills:
Non-native-german speakers must also provide proof of German language skills at level A1 at latest to the end of the first semester.
Exception: Level A2 upon enrolment for applicants to the degree programmes
- Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics (AID)
- Digital Leadership in Information Management (DLI)
- Digital Transformation and Global Entrepreneurship (DTE)
- International Entrepreneurship, Digitalisation and Sustainability (EDS)
Information on entering Germany
Entry for the purpose of taking up studies as well as study visits for individual semesters are possible. This has to be proven with the admission letter of the university. Proof of compulsory physical attendance is no longer required.
Do you have questions about application & admission?
Departments of Studies & Examination
Contact for application & admission
Message to Departments of Studies & Examination
Phone: +49 7319762-2020
Location: Main Building, A.1.20






