International prospective students

Choose your study program and get informed

• Degree programmes at HSB

Check admission requirements

• Academic requirements
• Language requirements
• Other requirements

For some degree programmes, you’ll need more than just a higher education entrance qualification. Additional requirements may include:

• A pre-study internship
• Specific language skills
• An artistic/creative aptitude test
• A completed vocational training, professional experience, or practical work placement
• A training or study contract, or confirmation from a partner organization/company

You’ll find the exact admission requirements on the programme’s individual page.

Keep an eye on deadlines

• Winter semester: June 1 – July 15
• Summer semester: December 15 – January 15

Language requirements

German-taught programmes

We accept the following certificates as proof of German proficiency:

• TestDaF with at least 16 points
• DSH exam at level DSH-2 or DSH-3 (note: not offered in Bremen)
• German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of Ministers of Education – Level II (DSD II)
• Passed “German” section of the university preparatory college exam (Feststellungsprüfung)
• Goethe Certificate C1 or C2
• telc C1 Hochschule

In exceptional cases (e.g. if you studied German language/literature in your home country), you can apply for an exemption from the language requirement.

English-taught programmes

No German required! Instead, you’ll need to provide proof of English proficiency. Accepted options include:

• High school graduation with English as an advanced or basic subject (minimum grade requirements apply)
• University entrance qualification with English grade 3.0 or better
• Recognized tests/certificates, e.g.:
  • TOEFL: minimum 57 (iBT) / 163 (CBT) / 490 (PBT)
  • IELTS: minimum band score 4.5
  • Cambridge First Certificate in English
  • Test at an accredited language center (e.g. FZHB in Bremen)
• Equivalent qualifications or courses
• At least 6 months in an English-speaking country
• Completed professional language training (e.g. foreign language secretary/correspondent)
• English as a native language

Prepare your application documents

• Transcripts and grade overviews
• Degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter
• Any additional required documents

If you have a foreign school diploma or a foreign bachelor’s degree, you must first apply for a preliminary document assessment (VPD) through uni-assist.

The VPD is a certificate from uni-assist that includes:

• Which documents you submitted to uni-assist
• What access to higher education this allows in Germany
• How your grades are converted into the German grading system

Once you receive your VPD from uni-assist, you can apply directly to HSB using it. You must upload the VPD in the CampInO application portal.

Important:

• For bachelor programs coordinated via Hochschulstart, you must register at Hochschulstart.de before applying.
• Processing your VPD usually takes about 4–6 weeks, so plan enough time and apply for it as early as possible—even if you plan to start in a later semester.

Additional notes about the VPD:

• You can apply almost all year round
• The VPD is valid only for the specific university
• It is valid for at least one year
• It is independent of semester and study program

When you do NOT need a VPD:

• If you completed a Feststellungsprüfung at a state-recognized preparatory college, you can apply directly to HSB. Select “Studienkolleg” as your type of university entrance qualification in CampInO.
• You can also apply directly in CampInO if you:
  • Already have a VPD for HSB from a previous application
  • Have another official proof of recognition of your foreign qualification in Germany, such as:
    • Certificate from the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB)
    • Certificate from another authority (must include a calculated overall grade)
• For programs at the International Graduate Center (IGC), apply directly there first, then register in CampInO after acceptance.

You’ve found your desired program – now it’s time to apply!

If you completed your school education outside Germany, you first need to apply for a VPD (preliminary document assessment) via uni-assist.de.

The VPD will show whether you meet the requirements to study at a German university (university entrance qualification – HZB).

Once you meet the admission requirements, you can apply to the Hochschule Bremen:

1. Register at hochschulstart.de
2. Apply directly through the HSB application portal: CampInO

If you do not yet have a university entrance qualification (HZB), you can apply to the preparatory program (Studienkolleg) in Bremen, called :prime. More information is available here: primebremen.de

If your application to HSB is successful, you will receive an admission letter. This document allows you to apply for your student visa.

Depending on your home country, you may need a visa to enter Germany.

• Citizens of the European Union or countries with special agreements do not need a visa to enter Germany.
• Everyone else should contact the German embassy or consulate in their home country to find out the applicable rules and which documents are required for the visa application.

It’s best to schedule your appointment early with the embassy or consulate to apply for your visa.

Documents you should have ready

• Admission letter from the Hochschule Bremen
• Proof of financial resources (approx. €11,904 in a blocked account for 2025)
• Proof of health insurance
• Valid passport
• Completed visa application form
• Motivation letter
• Language certificates (German or English, depending on your program)
• School and university certificates
• Curriculum vitae (CV)

Submit your application with all required documents and attend a visa interview if necessary.

Once you receive your visa, your journey to Bremen can begin!

Depending on your budget, there are generally three types of housing in Bremen:

1. Your own apartment – Renting your own place can be expensive, and you will need to pay for utilities and internet separately.
2. Student dormitory – Affordable shared housing specifically for students.
3. Room in a shared flat (WG) – Live with other students and share costs for rent and utilities.

You can find apartments here:

• https://www.immobilienscout24.de/
• https://www.immonet.de/
• https://www.immowelt.de/
• https://schwarzesbrett.bremen.de/
• www.kleinanzeigen.de
• https://www.bremen-tourism.de/
• https://www.galileoresidenz.de/
• https://www.the-fizz.com/de/standorte/bremen.html
• http://www.bremer-oekumenisches-wohnheim.de/de/home/
• http://www.bremer-backpacker-hostel.de/
• https://bed-and-breakfast.de/
• http://www.agp-privatzimmer.de/de/
• https://www.city-appartements-gmbh.de/
• https://bremen.homecompany.de/de/index
• https://www.airbnb.de/
• https://housinganywhere.com/de/?utm_source=Zwischenmitte
• https://www.bremer-privatzimmer.de/
• q17-bremen.de/apartment/

In student dormitories, you can find both shared flats (WG) and single rooms with a small bathroom and kitchenette. To apply, you need to register with the Studierendenwerk Bremen.

All the information can be found here:
https://www.stw-bremen.de/de/wohnen/studentisches-wohnen

Shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften / WGs)

Probably the cheapest and easiest option is a room in a shared flat (WG). In a WG, you have your own bedroom but share the kitchen, bathroom, and sometimes the living room with other residents. Rent and utility costs are also shared among all flatmates.

You can find WG offers here:

• https://www.wg-gesucht.de/wg-zimmer-in-Bremen.17.0.0.0.html
• https://schwarzesbrett.bremen.de/verkauf-angebote/rubrik/wohngemeinschaftsangebote-verkauf.html
• https://housinganywhere.com/de/?utm_source=StudentenWG
• www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-auf-zeit-wg/bremen/c199l1

To enrol at Hochschule Bremen, you must have sufficient health insurance coverage. Since 1 January 2022, proof of health insurance must be provided through an electronic notification by a statutory health insurance provider in Germany via the Student Reporting Procedure (SMV).

Students from EU countries and countries with social security agreements

• European students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are sufficiently insured.
• Students from countries with a social security agreement with Germany are also covered.
• Important: Your insurance coverage must remain valid throughout your entire studies.
• After arriving in Germany, contact a German statutory health insurance provider to have the necessary electronic SMV notification sent.
• If you take up a (part-time) job in Germany, you will need German health insurance.

Students from non-EU countries

• Students from non-EU countries must obtain German health insurance.
• In some cases, a private insurance from your home country may be sufficient—check with your provider.
• After arriving in Germany, you must request that a German statutory health insurance provider submit the SMV notification to the university.

Health insurance proof for visa application

• You can already obtain German health insurance from abroad.
• The confirmation can be used to apply for your student visa at the German embassy or consulate in your home country.
• Confirm with the insurance provider when the SMV notification will be sent to the university.

Important notes

• Foreign travel or private health insurances that limit treatment costs, coverage, or duration are not accepted.
• Over 30 years old?
  • Students who are older than 30 are generally no longer eligible for student statutory health insurance (exceptions possible).
  • You can either voluntarily remain in statutory insurance or switch to private insurance.
  • Even in this case, you must ensure a SMV electronic notification is submitted by a German statutory health insurance provider.

A German bank account will enable you to manage regular payments, such as rent and insurance, much more easily. Most banks provide free current accounts for students. In order to open a current account in Germany, students require the following documents: 

• Passport
• Student ID or enrolment certificate
• Confirmation of city registration
• Tax ID (will be issued automatically after completion of the city registration)

Open a bank account without residence registration and/or tax ID:

Sometimes you need a current account before you have received the tax ID. Most banks require you to submit a city registration when you open an account. WISE and Revolut are options to open a bank account without the need for a city registration or tax ID. You can open your account right away and submit the city registration and tax ID later.

Important: 
Remember that larger payments will be required at the beginning of your stay (first rent payment, room deposit, personal liability insurance, health insurance, etc.). Make sure that you keep an eye on the balance of your newly-opened bank account.

About one month before the semester starts, we invite you to a webinar to help you prepare for your move to Bremen. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

This year, the webinar will take place on 12 September 2025 at 3:00 PM CET.

Please use the following link to join:
https://hs-bremen.zoom-x.de/j/63238096878

Meeting ID: 632 3809 6878
Passcode: 102245

Under the name “Here Ahead”, the state universities in Bremen offer preparatory programmes for international applicants.

The :prime preparatory programme is designed for students whose school diploma qualifies them for a Studienkolleg (indirect university entrance qualification).

• Students in :prime receive language and non-subject-specific preparation, as well as subject-specific preparation for the entrance examination.
• After successfully completing the programme, students can apply to a university in Bremen.

More details about the programmes and advisory services can be found at aheadbremen.de

Application deadlines for Here Ahead via HSB’s CampInO portal:

• Winter semester: 1 August – 30 September
• Summer semester: 1 February – 31 March

What are Preparatory Studies?

The Preparatory Studies Programme allows you to be enrolled at HSB for up to four semesters (two years) while you prepare for a German language exam at a language school in Bremen.

• With the HSB admission letter, you can first apply for a student visa at the German embassy in your home country.
• After arriving in Germany, you will need to obtain a residence permit promptly.
• Important: HSB does not offer its own language courses as part of the Preparatory Study Program. This program is not part of a regular degree program.
• Only after passing a recognised German exam (e.g., TestDaF with at least 16 points or Goethe Certificate C1) can you apply for a degree program at HSB.

Recognised German courses

To enrol in the Preparatory Study Program, you must take intensive German courses at a language school in Bremen:

• Each semester must run for at least 3 months and include 20 hours of instruction per week.
• Other courses with fewer hours or shorter duration are not accepted.
• Courses must take place in the semester you plan to attend:
  • Winter semester: 1 October – 31 March
  • Summer semester: 1 April – 30 September

Tip: Don’t arrive without prior German knowledge—it is very difficult to reach C1 level within two years.

How to apply for the Preparatory Study Programme

Since your school diploma was obtained outside Germany, you must first apply for a preliminary document assessment (VPD) via uni-assist.

• The VPD verifies whether your school diploma qualifies you for studies in Germany.
• A fee is required for the uni-assist evaluation.
• The VPD is a certificate that allows you to apply directly to HSB and contains:
  • Which documents you submitted to uni-assist
  • Which type of university access you are eligible for in Germany
  • How your grades are converted into the German grading system

Tip: Submit your VPD application early, as processing can take 4–6 weeks.
All information about the VPD process is available on uni-assist.de

Enrolment at HSB

Once your VPD is approved, upload it to CampInO, HSB’s application portal.

Application deadlines for the Preparatory Study Program in CampInO:

• Winter semester: 1 June – 15 July
• Summer semester: 15 December – 15 January

After admission, your admission offer (“Zulassungsbescheid”) will be available in CampInO as a PDF.

• You must accept the offer within the stated deadlines, otherwise it will expire.
• After acceptance, complete the online enrolment in CampInO.
• The “enrolment application” will then be generated, which you must send by post with the required documents within the deadline.

Documents required for enrolment:

• Proof of health insurance
• Proof of registration for an intensive German course (20 hours/week, 3 months/semester)
• Copy of passport
• Copy of residence permit (issued after arrival at the Bremen Immigration Office, BSU)
• Payment of the semester contribution

After passing the German exam

Once you have passed a recognised German exam (e.g., TestDaF 16+ or Goethe Certificate C1):

• The Preparatory Study Programme ends.
• You can then apply for a degree programme at HSB.
• Check the specific admission requirements for your chosen program early (e.g., English skills, internships).
• Apply directly via CampInO, entering the uni-assist calculated grade and your university entrance qualification date.

SOLO (Self-Organized Language Learning and Orientation)

In the SOLO preparatory programme, you attend a language school independently to learn German without additional study preparation or mentoring support.

PALS (Programme for Accompanied Language Learning and Study Preparation)

In the PALS preparatory programme, you receive a mentoring programme (free of charge) alongside your German studies to help you prepare for university.

• PALS requires more effort than SOLO, but it provides better preparation for your subsequent degree programme.

For more information about SOLO and PALS and the application form, visit:
https://www.primebremen.de/de/formular/Anmeldung_VBS_de.php