First Steps at the Leibniz University Hannover
The application procedure at Leibniz University Hannover
On this page you will find all important information about applying for a master’s degree programme for prospective students from Non-EU countries:
You count as a non-EU applicant if you completed your Bachelor's degree in a non-EU (or non-EEA) country AND your nationality is a country outside the EU (or EEA).
You can only apply for some master's programmes at Leibniz University Hannover with preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist!
You must apply for this to uni-assist at least eight weeks before the application deadline for the study programme expires - take this into account when planning your application!
Admission requirements
You must usually submit proof of having completed a bachelor's degree in a related subject. The admissions committee will decide whether or not the bachelor's degree is related to the subject concerned.
Some degree courses call for specific requirements, such as a letter of motivation, an expert opinion or internships. You can find out which supporting documents are required for the master's degree you wish to take in the relevant admission regulations or at the end of the online application.
Minimum grade / entry grade
There is no minimum grade / entry grade for the master's application. Notwithstanding the currently valid admission regulations for master's programmes, the minimum grade of 2.5 is no longer applied. The admission regulations will be revised in this regard.
Language certificates
- Evidence of adequate knowledge of German
Applicants who have a German higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) or a German bachelor’s degree need not provide evidence of their German language proficiency. All other applicants must provide proof of the language level specified in the admission regulations for enrolment. - Evidence of adequate knowledge of English
Some postgraduate degree programmes may be pursued in either German or English language. Applicants must provide evidence of proficiency in either English or German, depending on their chosen strand. For the application for an English-language master's programme, only English language skills (and no proof of German language) have to be provided.
Application papers and documents
Please prepare the following documents for your application and scan them:
- University entrance qualification (e.g. high school diploma)
- Bachelor's degree certificate (if it already exists).
- Complete and up-to-date transcript of records from previous studies with details on the credit points and the average grad.
- A tabular curriculum vitae
- Proof of language skills
- For applicants from China, India and Vietnam (except Macau and Hong Kong): APS
- Possibly further programme-specific documents. All further documents that may be required will be listed at the end of the online application.
- A preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist, if your desired study programme requires it.
Allocation of places
First of all, your documents will be formally reviewed. The actual selection procedure then takes place. This involves the individual examination of each application by an admissions committee, i.e. a group of professors and staff from the degree course concerned, which then decides which candidates will be admitted.
- For master's degree programmes with unrestricted admission, all applicants who fulfil the admission requirements will be admitted a university place.
- For master's degree programmes with restricted admission, places shall be allocated according to the university’s own selection procedure, if there are more applicants fulfilling the admission requirements than there are places available.
For which programmes do I need a VPD?
You apply for all degree programmes directly via the LUH online portal. For some degree programmes you must first request for a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist before applying.
In order to find out which study programmes require a VPD, please refer to our range of studies or to the following lists:
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Programmes without required VPD
Early application period
Winter semester 15.04.-31.05.
Summer semester 15.10.-30.11.- Meteorology, M.Sc.
Regular application period
Winter semester 01.06.-15.07.
Summer semester 01.12.-15.01.- Biochemistry, M.Sc. (application via MHH)
- Master’s Teacher Training Course for Grammar Schools, M.Ed.
- Master’s Teacher Training Course for Technical Education, M.Ed.
- Master’s Teacher Training Course for Technical Education for Engineers (LBS-SprintING), M.Ed.
- Master’s Teacher Training Course for Technical Education, Second Teaching Subject
- Master’sTeacher Training Course for Grammar Schools, Third Subject
- Nanotechnology, M.Sc.
- Special Needs Education for Schools, M.Ed.
- (Application only for the winter semester)
- Special Needs Education for Schools, Second Subject
(Application only for the winter semester) - Water and Environment (distance learning), M.Sc.
- (Application only for the winter semester)
Special deadline:01.12.-15.01. for the following winter semester
- Water Resources and Environmental Management, M.Sc.
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Programmes with required VPD
Early application period
Winter semester 15.04.-31.05.
Summer semester 15.10.-30.11.- Biomedical Engineering, MSc.
- Civil Engineering, M.Sc.
- Computational Methods in Engineering, M.Sc.
- Computer Engineering, M. Sc.
- Computer Science, M. Sc.
- Economic Geography, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Economics and Management, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Educational Sciences, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Environmental Engineering, M.Sc.
- Environmental Planning and Territorial Development, M.Sc.
- European Legal Practice LL.M Joint Degree
- Geodesy and Geoinformatics, M.Sc.
- Geosciences, M.Sc.
- Landscape Architecture, M.Sc.
- Mathematics, M.Sc.
- Mechanical Engineering, M.Sc.
- Mechatronics and Robotics, M.Sc.
- North American Studies, M.A.
- Optical Technologies, M.Sc.
- Philosophy of Science, M.A.
- Physics, M.Sc.
- Political Science, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Production and Logistics, M.Sc.
- Quantum Engineering, M.Sc.
- Religion in the Public Sphere, M.A. (optional Double Degree)
- Special Needs Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Sustainable Engineering, M.Sc.
Regular application period
Winter semester 01.06.-15.07.
Summer semester 01.12.-15.01.- Architecture and Urban Design, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Atlantic Studies in History, Culture and Society, M.A.
- Chemistry, M. Sc.
- Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, M.Sc.
- Engineering and Business Administration, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Industrial Science, part-time, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - IT and IP Law (LL.M)
(Application only for the winter semester) - Modern German Literature, M.A.
- Molecular Microbiology, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Landscape Sciences, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Life Science, M.Sc.
- Plant Biotechnology, M.Sc.
- Power Engineering, M.Sc.
- Science and Society, M.A.
- (Application only for the winter semester)
- Sociology, M.A.
(Application only for the winter semester) - Sports Science, M.Sc.
(Application only for the winter semester)
Special deadline:
01.12.-15.01. for the following winter semester
- Energy Technology M.Sc.
Important notes for the application for a VPD study programme
If your desired study programme is on the list of VPD programmes, you will need a VPD from uni-assist to apply. In this case, we will not process an application without a VPD!
An application for a VPD degree programme without a VPD for the LUH is only possible in the following cases:
- If you already have a valid VPD from uni-assist for the desired study degree (master's VPD)
- If you have already received admission from LUH for the desired study programme
- If you are currently a student at LUH
- If you are recognized as a refugee in Germany
- If you have obtained a school or university degree in the EU or in the European Economic Area
- If you have an European citizenship
- If you are applying for a higher semester as a continuing student and have already started exactly the same degree programme at a German university (continuing students who started their studies abroad or at a German univerity of applied sciences need a VPD)
Application with existing Pre-examination Documentation (VPD)
If you already have a VPD from uni-assist, you can, under certain conditions, apply directly via the Leibniz University Hannover online portal without having to get a VPD via uni-assist.
- I have a VPD for another university. Can I use this to apply to Leibniz University Hannover?
Yes, we also accept pre-examination documentation issued for other universities for applications for the 2025 summer semester. However, a VPD for an advanced technical college will not be accepted. Please note that from the application for the winter semester 2025/2026 we will only accept VPDs that were issued for the Leibniz University Hannover! - I have a VPD for a bachelor's degree programme. Can I also apply for a master's degree programme at Leibniz University Hannover? (And vice versa)
Applications for undergraduate programmes are possible with both a VPD for bachelor's and a VPD for master's programmes. Applications for master's degree programmes are only possible with a VPD for master's degree programmes. - I already have a valid VPD. How long does this remain valid?
Leibniz University Hannover accepts your VPD for up to three years after it was issued for the 2025 summer semester application. Please note that from the application for the winter semester 2025/2026 we will only accept VPDs that are not older than two years!
How do I apply for a VPD?
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Step 1: Register with uni-assist
First of all, you need to register with uni-assist.
To do this, you have to answer some basic questions e.g. about name, address, date of birth, etc. Please register on the website https://my.uni-assist.de and fill out the online application.
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Step 2: Search for degree programmes and create an application
You can now select the relevant study programme and create an application in the uni-assist portal. At the University of Hannover you must apply for preliminary examination documentation (VPD) via uni-assist for all undergraduate programmes (Bachelor or state examination) and for selected consecutive programmes (Master).
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Step 3: Upload the necessary documents
After creating the application, the required documents must be uploaded electronically to the uni-assist portal. This includes, for example, certificates, CV and your passport.
It is not necessary to send certified copies of your certificates to uni-assist. But please be sure to upload scans of your original documents and scans of the translations.
Leibniz University Hannover reserves the right to request certified copies for later enrolment. Therefore, please have certified copies of your documents ready.
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Step 4: Check application and send it electronically
Please check all your information carefully. If all details are correct, you need to pay the processing fees and submit your online application.
Please apply for the VPD in good time! Once your application has been completely submitted electronically and the processing costs have been received, uni-assist's processing period begins. It can take up to eight weeks for your application to be processed by uni-assist and for you to receive the VPD.
Your digital application will be checked by uni-assist. You can log in your online account at uni-assist to view the processing status and check whether the money has been transferred successfully. uni-assist will also notify you by email when your application documents have been received.
- If you have a university entrance qualification, you will receive a VPD from uni-assist by email. If there are uncertainties about your university entrance qualification and the decision is at the discretion of the university, you will receive a so-called replacement certificate from uni-assist. With the VPD (or the replacement certificate) you apply directly to Leibniz University Hannover in the next step.
- If you do not have a university entrance qualification, you will receive relevant information from uni-assist. In this case, you unfortunately cannot apply to Leibniz University Hannover.
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Step 5: Apply via the Leibniz University application portal
If you have received the VPD from uni-assist, apply for the desired study programme directly via the LUH application portal and within the application deadline. Please remember to upload the VPD together with the rest of the required application documents. It is not possible to submit the VPD after the application deadline has expired.
The following applies to undergraduate degree programmes (Bachelor):
- You can only apply for one undergraduate degree programme of study at Leibniz University Hannover.
- You can apply for LUH's bachelor's degree programs with restricted admission and for the preparatory college between June 1st. until July 15th apply.
- If you do not receive a place on a bachelor's degree programme with restricted admission, you can still enrol in an admission-free bachelor's degree programme directly at the university until September 30th.
The following applies to consecutive degree programmes (Master):
- You can apply for several master's programmes at Leibniz University Hannover.
- Please note the different application deadlines for our master's degree programmes.
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Note: Application costs for uni-assist
Costs for the application via uni-assist:
The costs for processing your application are € 75 for the first request and € 30 for each additional request in the same semester. A new request in the following semester costs € 75, each additional request in the same semester costs € 30.
You can pay by bank transfer or credit card. You can find detailed information on payment at https://www.uni-assist.de/en/how-to-apply/pay-all-fees/
Please note: the full contribution must be received by uni-assist before you can submit your request ! You may have to pay additional transfer fees from your bank.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about your request please email us at: studienberatung@uni-hannover.de
Application for refugees
Persons who are officially recognised as refugees in Germany do not need a VPD from uni-assist in order to apply at Leibniz University Hannover. Please find more information on the information page for refugees.
Applications from China, India and Vietnam
Applicants with school or university certificates from China (except Macao and Hong Kong), India and Vietnam have to submit an individual APS certificate with their application.
APS checks the applicant's qualification for admission to higher education and the academic credits of applicants wishing to study in Germany. A group APS will not be accepted.
Applicants from India do not need to submit an APS,
- if you already live in Germany and are no longer going through the visa process,
- if the highest-quality university degree relevant to the assessment comes from a country other than India,
- if there is proof that you have already passed an assessment test,
- if you already have a scholarship from Germany or the EU.
Link to the LUH onlineportal
You have read all the tips for applying on this page well and have no more questions? Then we look forward to your study application!
It is not yet possible to apply for some master's programs, that also start in the summer semester, because they have a later application period (December 1st - January 15th).
After applying
Once the selection procedure has been completed, you will receive a written notification of acceptance or rejection. If you are offered a place, you must accept the place within a specified period and subsequently submit any documents that may be missing. Only then will you be enrolled on the master's degree programme.
Important information on visa
Many international students need a visa to study in Germany. Please contact the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) for information about visa requirements.
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a) Visa for purpose of university application
Those who have not yet received admission to a university and who must first meet the requirements for entry to higher education, e.g. by attending a German course, may apply for a visa for the purpose of university application.
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b) Student visa
Those who have already been admitted to a university or a preparatory foundation course usually require a student visa. Any international applicants and students requiring further information or support should contact the International Office.
Winter semester 2024/25
- For the winter semester 2024/25 the application is possible from 15.04.2024 - 31.05.2024 for all master''s programmes that also start in the summer semester and have an early application deadline for applications from non-EU countries.
- For the winter semester 2024/25 the application is possible from 01.06.2024 - 15.07.2024 for all master''s programmes that also start in the summer semester and have no early application deadline for applications from non-EU countries.
- For students resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester) the application is possible from 15.04.2024 - 31.05.2024.
Summer semester 2025
- For the upcoming summer semester the application is possible from 15.10.2024 - 30.11.2024 for all master''s programmes with an early application deadline for applications from non-EU countries.
- For the upcoming summer semester the application is possible from 01.12.2024 - 15.01.2025 for all master''s programmes with no early application deadline for applications from non-EU countries.
- For students resuming their studies and transfer students (application in a higher semester) the application is possible from 01.12.2024 - 15.01.2025.
Additional information
Learn about studying at Leibniz University Hannover on social media:
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover
Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover