Application

University entrance qualification

A German or international university entrance qualification (HZB) as required by Section 18 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG).

If you did not obtain your university entrance qualification in German, you will need to provide proof of your German language skills in addition to your university entrance qualification (more on this under “Upload documents”).

Protection against measles

As some courses are held at the University Medical Center Göttingen during your studies, proof of sufficient measles protection (vaccination or immunity) is required - in accordance with the German Infection Protection Act § 20 paragraph 9 (IfSG).

Please upload your proof (medical certificate) to the HAWK Study Portal together with your enrolment documents.

Applying through the HAWK Study Portal

Applications should be submitted online through the HAWK Study Portal (in German). The portal closes at 23:59 on the final day of the application period.

Enter the required application and enrolment information in the Study Portal.

Information sheet

You will find step-by-step instructions in the online application information sheet.

During the online application process, you upload your application documents to the HAWK Study Portal.

Mandatory documents: all applicants

• Proof of university entrance qualification
• CV in tabular form, including a passport photograph
• Letter of motivation in German outlining the individual motivation for the Orthobionics degree programme (approx. 1 DIN A4 page)

Additional documents with regard to international university entrance qualifications

Translation of the university entrance qualification: If your university entrance qualification is not in German, you upload:

• a copy of the original qualification; and
• a sworn translation of the qualification in English or German

Proof of German language competence: If your university entrance qualification was not acquired in German, please upload one of the following proofs of German language proficiency:

• Level 4 TestDaF issued by the TestDaF Institute
• DSH (German Language Test for University Entrance) Level 2
• Goethe Certificate C2
• telc certificate in German C1 University
• DSD (German Language Diploma of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs) Level 2

If you do not yet have sufficient proficiency in German or are unsure whether your language skills are sufficient, please consult the International applicants page.

Additional documents for specific cases

• Certificate of exmatriculation (if you have previously studied elsewhere)
• Proof of vocational training or practical, extracurricular experience in the broadest professional field (if available)
• Certification of military service, civilian service or voluntary service (if applicable)
• Explanation in writing of your motivation for studying (for second degree applicants)
• Copy of passport and residence permit (if you do not hold German citizenship)
• Evidence of other criteria to be considered

Application for advanced semesters

• Records of achievement to enable you to be assigned to the appropriate level

All applicants who meet the entry requirements will be invited to a selection interview.

• Time: 5 to 14 August 2025
• Duration: 45 minutes
• Place: Göttingen

The selection interview takes place as an individual interview on the basis of the letter of motivation.

Assessment criteria

The interview will be assessed on the basis of the criteria listed below. Each criterion is awarded 0 to 10 points.

• Special interest in the orientation of the degree programme
• Relation to the field of technical orthopaedics
• Assessment of practical skills (craftsmanship)
• Presentation of empathy and social competence; social commitment
• Presentation of the ability to work in groups
• Understanding of the natural sciences in connection with the course of study
• Presentation of professional activity after graduation

The Orthobionics degree programme is admission-restricted. This means that if there are more applicants than places available on the programme, admission will be decided on the basis of the selection criteria.

The overview of selection criteria (in German) gives an indication of the scores that have been sufficient in previous years.

Determining the selection threshold

The various performances of the applicants are awarded with points. A ranking list is drawn up on the basis of the total points. In the event of a tie, the decision will be made by drawing lots.

The following performances will be evaluated. A maximum of 170 points can be achieved.

Communication of results

Successful applicants will be sent a letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK Study Portal.

By enrolling, you accept your place on the programme. To do so, proceed as follows:

1. Letter of admission

Successful applicants will be sent a letter of admission by post. The letter of admission can also be viewed as a PDF on the HAWK Study Portal.

Your letter of admission will outline the enrolment process and specify two deadlines for applying for enrolment.

2. Apply for enrolment online

If you wish to take up your place, the first thing you need to do once you have received your letter of admission is apply to enrol online via the Study Portal – by the first deadline set out in your letter of admission.

3. Upload enrolment documents

Once you have completed the online enrolment process, upload these documents to the Study Portal within the second specified deadline:

• enrolment documents (see information in the portal)
• any other documents specified in the letter of admission

The HAWK can only enrol you once you have uploaded all the documents required for enrolment.

If you do not upload the required documents with your application for enrolment, your application for enrolment will not be considered!