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 Germany and the EU:
You count as an EU applicant if you completed your Bachelor's degree in Germany or an EU (or EEA) country OR your nationality is a country within the EU (or EEA).
Checklist application (PDF)
Planning your Master's studies
Many students at the end of their bachelor's studies ask themselves
- "Should I proceed with a master's degree programme?" and if yes,
- "Which master's degree programme is right for me?"
Deciding which master's programme is the right one is often as difficult as choosing the right bachelor's programme before. If you are still unsure about your master's choice, you can find information under “Planning your Master's studies”.
Application dates
You must apply within the specified application period. Attention: Not all master's programmes at Leibniz University Hannover have the same application deadlines.
For the the master's application, the application period generally is
- June 1st – July 15th of the year for the winter semester
- December 1st – January 15th of the year for the summer semester
But some (few) master's programmes have an early deadline for all applicants:
- April 15th – May 31st of the year for the winter semester
- October 15th – November 30th of the previous year for the summer semester
Please check which application deadline applies to you and whether there have been any recent changes to the application deadlines for your desired study programme.
Admission requirements
You must usually submit proof of having completed a bachelor's degree in a related subject. In case of doubt, 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) need not provide evidence of their German language proficiency. All other applicants need to obtain level C1 for enrollment for almost all Master's programmes. - 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.
Online application and application papers and documents
At Leibniz University Hannover you apply online for a master’s study place. You apply via our online application portal, that can only be viewed online within the application period. As soon as the application period begins, you will find the corresponding link on this page.
At the end of the online application, you will automatically be forwarded to a cover letter (the so-called application for enrollment). Sign this application for enrollment (handwritten or digital) and put it together with the required documents into one PDF document, which you can then upload using the upload link provided. If the upload is successful, a green check mark appears at the bottom of the screen with the word "uploaded"- no additional confirmation email will be sent!
The required documents include:
- University entrance qualification (e.g. high school diploma)
A university entrance qualification is not required if you are currently studying at Leibniz University Hannover. - 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 curriculum vitae
A CV is not required if you are currently studying at the LUH. - Proof of language skills
- For applicants from China 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.
At the end of the online application, all required documents are listed and must be uploaded as a scan of the original documents by 11:59 p on the last day of the application deadline the latest.
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.
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.
Step by step instructions
Link to the online application portal - summer semester
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 no longer possible to apply for the Master's programme Optical Technologies, as it had a previous application period (15th October - 31st November).
Winter semester 2023/24
- An application is no longer possible. Shortly before the start of the semester there may be a lottery procedure for remaining places.
Summer semester 2024
- For the upcoming summer semester, the application is possible from 15.10.- 30.12.2023 for the master's programme Optical Technologies.
- For the upcoming summer semester, the application is possible from 01.12.2023-15.01.2024 for all master's programmes, that accept applications for the summer semester.
Winter semester 2024/25
- For the winter semester 2024/25 the application is possible from 15.04.2024-31.05.2024 for the master's programmes Optical Technologies and Energy Technology.
- For the winter semester 2024/25 the application is possible from 01.06.2024 - 15.07.2024 for all other master's programmes.
Additional information
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Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover


Welfengarten 1
30167 Hannover