Leibniz University Hannover: Admission, Semester Fees and the Studienkolleg

Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) is the main research university of Lower Saxony's capital, with 25,378 students on 82 degree programmes in winter semester 2025/26. Lower Saxony charges no general tuition to non-EU students, so the regular cost is the semester contribution of $510 (€453.16) for winter 2026/27, which includes a nationwide Deutschlandticket. German-taught bachelor's programmes accept B1 German at application and C1 by enrolment, and the state's Studienkolleg for applicants without direct university access is based at LUH.

LUH is not the same institution as Hannover Medical School (MHH), the University of Veterinary Medicine (TiHo) or the applied-sciences Hochschule Hannover. If you are looking for medicine or veterinary science in Hannover, those are MHH and TiHo.

Who is LUH for?

International students cluster in engineering: according to LUH's statistics for winter 2025/26, 32% of students in both Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and in Mechanical Engineering are international, compared with 3% in Law. Similar technical options include RWTH Aachen and TU Munich; the guide to universities of applied sciences explains how research universities differ from applied ones.

What students pay

Lower Saxony charges a long-term study fee of $570 (€500) per semester only after a student exceeds the programme's standard duration by more than six semesters. Some continuing-education programmes have their own prices.

Studentenwerk Hannover suggests budgeting about $1,140 (€1,000) a month for living costs. The visa requires $13,520 (€11,904) for the first year, so the minimum first-year budget with two semester contributions is about $14,550 (€12,810). Our guide to free university education in Germany explains what still costs money.

Bachelor's admission: deadlines, VPD and German

Almost all LUH bachelor's programmes start in winter only. Three open-admission programmes also accept first-semester students in summer (enrolment 1 December – 31 March): Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, and Sustainable Engineering.

For applicants with a school certificate from outside the EU:

1. Request a preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist at least 4–8 weeks before the LUH deadline. uni-assist charges $85 (€75) for the first programme in a semester and $34 (€30) for each additional one. Translations made in Russia are accepted only with the translator's signature notarised.
2. Apply on the LUH portal and attach the VPD.
3. Prove German: at least B1 when applying and C1 by enrolment (DSH-2, TestDaF 4 in all parts, telc C1 Hochschule or equivalent).

Our uni-assist guide walks through the portal and document rules.

Without direct access: Niedersächsisches Studienkolleg

Applicants whose school certificate does not give direct access need a one-year Studienkolleg ending with the Feststellungsprüfung. Lower Saxony's college is based at LUH, but you cannot apply to it directly: you apply to LUH for your intended programme and are referred to the college.

An external Feststellungsprüfung without attending the course is possible, but the college warns that it is demanding and can be retaken only once. See our Studienkolleg guide.

Master's degrees and English-taught programmes

Regular master's deadlines are 1 June – 15 July (winter) and 1 December – 15 January (summer). Some programmes set an earlier window for non-EU applicants, six weeks ahead: 15 April – 31 May and 15 October – 30 November. Most master's programmes also require a VPD for degrees from outside the EU.

LUH teaches 13 master's programmes fully in English, including Architecture and Urban Design, Computer Science, Geosciences, IT and IP Law (LL.M.), Mathematics, Nanotechnology, Optical Technologies, Physics, Quantum Engineering and Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, plus seven English-taught tracks such as AI-driven Mechatronics and Robotics. At LUH, "English-language" means only English is required to apply, while "multilingual" programmes require both languages. Compare options in our guide to English-taught master's degrees in Germany.

Housing

Studentenwerk Hannover runs the student halls and takes applications online. Demand exceeds supply, so apply as soon as you are admitted and search for a shared flat in parallel. The Deutschlandticket in the semester contribution covers regional public transport across Germany. Our student housing guide covers rental scams and deposits.

Visa and funding notes

• Apply for a national study visa at the German mission for your place of residence immediately after admission. Applicants invited to the Studienkolleg test can use a student-applicant visa.
• Residents of Russia apply only at the German Embassy in Moscow, booking through RK-Termin; the Consulate General in St Petersburg closed on 18 September 2026. You choose the blocked-account provider yourself: the German Foreign Office no longer publishes a provider list, and according to the embassy no Russian bank can open a qualifying account. A biometric passport has been required since 1 January 2026.
• Living-cost proof is $13,520 (€11,904) per year; see the blocked account guide and the student visa guide.
• DAAD scholarships are open to many nationalities, but Russia designated DAAD an "undesirable organisation" in February 2026, which matters for Russian citizens.

The embassy decides on the visa; LUH cannot influence that decision.

Common mistakes

• Requesting the VPD in late July: uni-assist needs weeks, and LUH will not process the application without it.
• Looking for medicine at LUH instead of MHH.
• Trying to apply to the Studienkolleg directly rather than through LUH.
• Waiting for C1 before applying, when B1 is enough at the application stage.
• Missing the early 31 May deadline that some master's programmes set for non-EU applicants.

FAQ

Is Leibniz University Hannover free for international students?

There is no tuition for non-EU students. Everyone pays the semester contribution of $510 (€453.16) in winter 2026/27, which includes the Deutschlandticket, and the visa requires proof of $13,520 (€11,904) a year for living costs.

What German level does LUH require?

For bachelor's programmes, B1 at application and C1 by enrolment — for example DSH-2, TestDaF 4 in every part or telc C1 Hochschule. English-taught master's programmes require English only.

Do I need a VPD from uni-assist?

Yes, if your school certificate or degree is from outside the EU, for bachelor's and most master's programmes. Request it at least 4–8 weeks before the LUH deadline. Studienkolleg graduates no longer need one.

How do I get into the Studienkolleg in Hannover?

Apply to LUH for your intended programme between 1 June and 15 July (or in winter for the technical T course), hold at least B1 German and pass the college's entrance test in February or August/September. The college decides on admission based on the test.

How is LUH different from MHH and Hochschule Hannover?

They are separate institutions: LUH is the research university for engineering, sciences and humanities, MHH is a medical school, TiHo is a veterinary university and Hochschule Hannover is a university of applied sciences. Each has its own admission rules and fees.

Are there English-taught programmes at LUH?

Yes: 13 master's programmes fully in English, such as Computer Science, Quantum Engineering and Nanotechnology, plus seven English tracks within other programmes. Bachelor's programmes are taught mainly in German.

Sources

• LUH: application periods, application and admission, entrance qualification for international applicants
• LUH: language certificates, Studienkolleg
• LUH: English-language programmes, facts and student statistics, history: founded in 1831 as the Höhere Gewerbeschule
• Studentenwerk Hannover: semester contributions 2026/27, long-term fee, budget
• uni-assist: handling fees, documents from Russia
• THE World University Rankings 2027
• German Embassy Moscow: national visa, study visa checklist (PDF)

Dollar figures use the ECB reference rate of 30 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355), rounded to $1 below $100 and to $10 above. Facts checked on 1 October 2026. Compare more options on our study in Germany page.

If you want to work through your route to Hannover, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, and the university makes the admission decision.

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