Campus-Center Forum

I am an Iranian student, who is interested in entering the 'English as a world language' master program in the university of Hamburg.

While completing the Online-application form I have come upon a question :

There is a part, in which I have to confirm the comparability of my bachelor degree. My bachelor degree major is English Literature and I've achieved it from the Allameh Tabataba'i University in Iran. I have checked both my major and my university in the 'anabin' website. My university status was (H+) and my degree has been assessed with (3j), which according to the website should count as recognised.

I am confused regarding the comparability of my degree. Could you please assist me, and inform me if I should select the option, that my degree is comparable or choose the other option on the application form, in which it states that 'my degree is not clearly comparable and is not excluded by a negative catalogue'.


P.S : I have also attached two pdf files which contain my university and degree assessment by the 'anabin' website. 


Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely yours,

Dorsa Esfandiari 

Dear Esfandiaridorsa1379,

1) Since you are writing in English, I would like to make sure that you are aware of the fact that you need German language skills level C1 for the Master's program English as a World Language (ENGAGE) M.A.. Sometimes this admission requirement is overlooked because of the English name of the program.

2) "There is a part, in which I have to confirm the comparability of my bachelor degree."

a) I assume, you are referring to the section visible in my screenshot below.

There is a terminological misunderstanding here. The questions on "equivalence" (see 2c) in this section of the online application form does not refer to the recognition of foreign educational qualifications in Germany or the information available in anabin. Anabin is therefore irrelevant in this context.

"Equivalence" in this context refers to the questions, whether your foreign degree is "equivalent" to the kind of German degrees that qualify for the Master’s program English as a World Language (ENGAGE) M.A..

It is not the applicant who decides whether a foreign degree is equivalent or not, but the responsible selection committee of the department in charge of the master's program at Universität Hamburg. The highlighted question simply asks you to confirm that you understand the special procedures for applicants with foreign degree certificates like you (see below).

b) Make sure you have read the relevant information under "Bewerbung" -> "Ausnahmen" in the application information for English as a World Language (ENGAGE) M.A., because all applicants with a foreign degree have to submit their documents in paper form to the Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik of Universität Hamburg.
The necessary address and all other important information for this step can be found in the application information on page 5.

c) Since you used the term "comparability", which does not appear in our online application form (see screenshot below), I assume that you have selected German as the language in STiNE and then translated this German text into English (perhaps using your browser's translation feature?).

This leads to unreliable results and I would advise you to use the English version of STiNE by switching the language in STiNE and not using any translation software on your side. There is a flag icon in the upper right corner in STiNE where you can choose between English and German (see screenshot).

Best wishes,
Thomas Walter

Dear Mr. Thomas Walter,

I sincerely appreciate your answers, and that you answered my questions thoroughly.

I have the C1 TestDaf degree, therefore I believe I am able to apply for this major with my TestDaf and IELTS degree, as well as my bachelor. My question regarding the "comparability" of my degree was answered as well.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely yours,
Dorsa Esfandiari