German language skills

This information applies to a Bachelor's degree course for the last time for enrollment in the summer semester 2026.

Proof of German language proficiency is required for a Bachelor's degree program if the Abitur was not obtained in Germany (see overview of accepted proofs).

Students who are unable to provide proof of German language skills with their application for a Bachelor's degree program may be admitted to the program on the condition that

• the proof is submitted at the beginning of the course

  or

• a German course is attended at the Hamburg Conservatory during the course of study.

Proof of German language skills is a prerequisite for enrollment. If no B2 certificate (according to the overview) is available at the time of enrolment in the Bachelor's program, proof of registration for the language course is a prerequisite for enrolment. If the confirmation of registration is not available at the beginning of the first semester for enrolment in a Bachelor's degree program, enrolment cannot take place.

This information applies to a Bachelor's degree course for the first time for enrollment in the winter semester 2026/27.

In the case of admission to a Bachelor's degree program, proof of German language skills is required if the Abitur was not obtained in Germany.

Proof is provided by

• Passing the German exam at the HfMT HH

  or

• by attending the German course at the Hamburg Conservatory during the course of studies if the exam is not passed

Proof of German language skills by passing the German exam is a prerequisite for enrollment. If the German exam is not passed, proof of registration for the language course is a prerequisite for enrollment. If the confirmation of registration is not available at the beginning of the first semester for enrollment in a Bachelor's degree program, enrollment cannot take place.

If proof of German language proficiency for a Bachelor's degree program is not available by the specified dates, the Bachelor's degree program can still be started with the German course accompanying the studies. The language course: "German for Musicians" is offered at the Hamburg Conservatory. The language course must be attended alongside the courses of the core module until the B2 certificate is achieved. The curriculum of the Bachelor's degree programs builds on this language course. The course is intended to enable students to obtain proof of good German music-related language skills at level B2 and is a prerequisite for full eligibility to study at the HfMT HH.

During the first two semesters, only courses from the core module, the artistic elective module and the mediation module may be attended. This means that the courses of the music theory and musicology modules can only be attended after the German language certificate has been obtained.

The Presidential Board of the Hamburg University of Music and Drama decides on cases of hardship.

The language course is subject to a fee and must be paid by the student. The fee per semester is currently € 1,410.

If it is only discovered during the course that students are unable to follow the lessons to a sufficient extent despite submitting proof, the requirement to attend the "Sprachkurs: German for Musicians" can also be imposed at a later date.

When applying for a Master's degree program, proof of German language skills is required if the Bachelor's degree (or previously the Abitur) was not completed in Germany.

Proof of German language skills for the Master's degree program is provided with one of the listed certificates. In the Master's degree program, German language skills must be presented at the latest at the beginning of the course.

Students who do not provide proof of German language skills for the Master's degree course can be admitted to the course on condition that proof is provided by the end of the first semester.

Students are then obliged to prove to the university at the start of their studies that they are taking part in a recognized German course.

If proof of German language skills is not provided by the end of the first semester of a Master's degree course, the student will be de-registered.