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The University of Hamburg (UHH) is the largest and most diverse research and educational institution in northern Germany. As one of the leading universities in Germany, it offers a broad range of academic programmes combined with excellent research opportunities. With approximately 43,000 students, including 5,000 international students from over 130 countries, the university is characterised by its strong commitment to internationalisation and intercultural exchange. The University of Hamburg offers around 170 degree programmes across six faculties : Law ; Business, Economics, and Social Sciences ; Medicine ; Education, Psychology, and Human Movement ; Humanities ; and Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences. As part of its internationalisation strategy, the university is an active member of several international higher education networks and has signed the Magna Charta Universitatum, the Erasmus Agreement, and the Code of Conduct for international students. Additionally, it maintains an extensive network of academic collaborations with leading institutions at regional, national, and international levels.
The University of Hamburg is also renowned for its strong research focus, excelling in fundamental and applied research. It has a proven track record of securing external funding for individual and collaborative projects, particularly in interdisciplinary research areas. Some of its key research fields include climate science, multilingualism, and diversity in education, which are closely linked to this project. The university operates under the guiding principle "University for a Sustainable Future", emphasising intercultural and multilingual relationships as well as the ability to navigate diversity as core components of its academic and social activities.
An initiative at the University of Hamburg that exemplifies its commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity is #UHHhilft, a project specifically designed to support refugee students in their academic journey. The project was established to facilitate their inclusion into higher education.
UHHhilft offers a range of support services, including academic counselling, language courses, and mentoring programmes, to help refugees navigate the complexities of the German higher education system. The project connects participants with existing university resources and fosters a welcoming environment through community engagement.
Since the winter semester of 2015/16, the UHHhilft project has been dedicated to supporting refugees interested in pursuing higher education at the University of Hamburg. Through weekly tutorials, advisory services at the coordination centre, and informational events, the programme helps refugees navigate the complexities of the German higher education system. These sessions address essential topics such as study requirements, application processes, financial aid options, German language acquisition, and alternative educational pathways.
In addition to academic guidance, #UHHhilft aims to provide mentoring and networking opportunities, ensuring that participants receive both academic and social support throughout their journey.
UHH is a partner of the Erasmus+ AGILE project (Higher education resilience in refugee crises : forging social inclusion through capacity building, civic engagement and skills recognition, 2022-2025), coordinated by UP8, which is the precursor to the EGAL-I project.