If you finish school in spring 2027, you often start planning your application for the winter semester 2027/28 in the autumn. A university application consists of several parts: the deadlines of each university, the documents and a sequence that runs differently for restricted courses than for open ones. This guide orders the steps and shows which details are documented and where you need to check for yourself.
Short answer: For the winter semester 2027/28 there is no single deadline across Germany. The University of Hamburg gives 15 July for the winter semester on its page, and 31 May for earlier school leavers whose entitlement was obtained before 16 January. Open courses set their own deadlines. The page of each university is decisive. Last updated: November 2026.
The key points at a glance
- Each university sets deadlines for its own programmes, and there is no uniform national deadline.
- Restricted courses often run through the DoSV, while open programmes usually take applications directly at the university.
- According to the University of Hamburg, the winter semester deadline is 15 July, and 31 May for earlier school leavers.
- Documents such as certificates, CV and proofs differ by programme, so check the list of the university.
- Apply early, because server load and queries can slow things down in the final days.
Which deadlines apply for the winter semester 2027/28?
On its page about the procedure through hochschulstart.de, the University of Hamburg names two deadlines for the winter semester. Everyone who is not an earlier school leaver has 15 July as the deadline. Those whose entitlement was obtained before 16 January have 31 May. The page therefore describes the standard, not the exact date for 2027/28. You must confirm the date in the portal and on the website of the university.
| Group | Winter semester deadline per University of Hamburg | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| School leavers 2027 | 15 July | entitlement obtained after 16 January 2027, the deadline calendar of the university |
| Earlier school leavers | 31 May | entitlement obtained before 16 January, keep the proof ready |
| Open programmes | per university | own deadlines on the page of the university |
Under the Hamburg rule, anyone who sits the Abitur in spring 2027 falls under the later deadline. This is the example of a single university: other universities set their own cut-off dates, which are published on their pages and may differ. A list of dates for 2026/27 is in our guide to the deadline calendar (in German), though that guide concerns the previous semester.
Which documents do you need?
Documents differ by university and by programme. Common items include the certificate of the higher education entrance qualification, proof of nationality or residence status for foreign applicants and, where relevant, proof of language skills. For certain subjects, aptitude evidence, portfolios or selection interviews are added. The documents for your subject are listed in the application portal or on the page of the programme.
Prepare the documents early as digital files and observe the required formats and file sizes. For translations of official documents, recognition depends on the rules of the university. A short note in the portal can save a lot of clarification effort.
How the application works
The sequence differs depending on whether the subject runs through the central procedure or directly at the university. For restricted courses, registration in the DoSV portal comes first and the application to the university follows. Open programmes usually require only the university form. The following order serves as a general guide.
- Choose the programme: Check whether your subject is restricted and which procedure it runs through.
- Note the deadlines: Enter the dates of the university in your calendar and set a personal deadline two weeks earlier.
- Collect documents: Obtain missing papers in time, for example translations or certified copies.
- Register or fill in the form: Create the account or complete the online form in full.
- Secure the confirmation: Save the proof of receipt and check the status in the portal after submission.
What happens after you apply?
After submission the university reviews the application. For restricted courses, admission can be decided through a procedure with a ranking, whose rules are set out on the pages of the offices. Open programmes often decide by receipt and completeness. If you receive an offer, check the enrolment deadline immediately, because it is set separately.
If you receive a rejection, depending on the subject you may have options such as a waiting list place or a new application for the next semester. The rules are also set by the university. Do not lose track of any follow-up deadlines. Keep a note of every confirmation you receive, because it is the proof you will need if a query arises later.
Restricted or open: how to recognise your route
Whether a subject is restricted is stated in the study offer of the university and usually in the programme description. There you will find the note on a restriction, the procedure and the deadline. If this note is missing, it is usually an open programme with its own application form. Still check the page of the university, because practice differs between institutions.
Programmes with the same name can be regulated differently. A subject such as psychology or law may be open at one university and restricted at another. Compare by university and study offer, not by title alone.
Common pitfalls before the deadline
A frequent mistake is to confuse the deadline with submitting the application. Many portals also require a confirmation, an upload or the entry of priorities. Read the last page of the form carefully before you treat the process as finished.
A second pitfall is documents with the wrong format or missing pages. A certificate without the grade sheet, or a translation without certification, can delay processing. Check the documents against the checklist of the university before you upload them.
A third point concerns names. Differences between identity card, certificate and application lead to queries. Align the spelling in advance and keep the confirmation of your submission safe.
Frequently asked questions
Is 15 July a nationwide deadline?
No. The date comes from the University of Hamburg for its procedures. Other universities set their own deadlines, which can be earlier or later. For each application the page of the programme is decisive.
Can I still apply after the deadline?
Some universities have follow-up deadlines or waiting list procedures. Whether they exist and how they work is stated on the website of the university. Do not rely on them, but plan with the regular deadline.
How many programmes can I name at once?
In the central procedure, the University of Hamburg says up to twelve applications are possible nationwide. For open programmes the rules of the individual university apply. The guide on multiple applications explains the typical cases.
What if I only pass my Abitur later?
Then the situation can change, because the entitlement often exists only with the certificate. Ask the university whether a provisional application or a later submission of the certificate is possible.
Related guides
- Study places: free places and waiting list procedures explained (in German), the hub of this topic group.
- Hochschulstart: What counts for restricted courses.
- Deadline calendar for the winter semester 2026/27 (in German).
- University waiting time and NC applications
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
