FAQs Incoming Mobility
Applying for a semester exchange
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I study medicine at a partner university of the Faculty of Medicine of University of Hamburg. How can I apply for a semester exchange?
If you study medicine at one of our partner universities (e.g. Erasmus+, SEMP), you can apply for a one- or two-semester study mobility within our iMED study program at the Faculty of Medicine of Universität Hamburg. For further information, please refer to Applying for a semester exchange .
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I study medicine at a university outside of Germany which is not a partner university of the Faculty of Medicine of University of Hamburg. Can I apply for a semester exchange?
If you do not study at one of our partner universities, you can apply as a freemover incoming student. For further information, please refer to Applying for a semester exchange .
Applying for a degree program at the Faculty of Medicine
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I am an international prospective student and would like to study medicine. How do I apply for the first semester of the degree program Medicine (iMED)?
For a quick overview, please see the information provided on the website Applying for a Medical Degree .
Universität Hamburg offers a 6-year medical degree program that concludes with a state examination (Staatsexamen). The Faculty of Medicine does not offer bachelor or master degrees in medicine. Furthermore, Universität Hamburg introduced a new medical curriculum in 2012, the integrated medical degree program iMED which differs a lot from the traditional curriculum in Germany.
You can find more information about the medicine degree program iMED and the respective application process on the website Medicine of the Faculty of Medicine as well as on the website Applying of the Campus Center.
Please note that the language of instruction is German. Sound German language skills are essential for your academic success at Universität Hamburg. When enrolling at Universität Hamburg, all prospective students must submit proof of sufficient proficiency in German, e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Further information concerning the language requirements can be found on the website German language proficiency of the Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution of Universität Hamburg. More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
Universität Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft .
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I am an international prospective student and would like to study dentistry. How do I apply for the first semester of the degree program Dentistry (iMED DENT)?
For a quick overview, please see the information provided on the website Applying for a Medical Degree .
Universität Hamburg offers a 5.5-year dentistry degree program that concludes with a state examination (Staatsexamen). The Faculty of Medicine does not offer bachelor or master degrees in dentistry. Furthermore, the University introduced a new curriculum in 2019, the integrated dentistry degree program iMED DENT which differs a lot from the traditional curriculum in Germany.
You can find more information about the dentistry degree program iMED DENT and the respective application process on the website Dentistry of the Faculty of Medicine as well as on the website Applying of the university’s Campus Center.
Please note that the language of instruction is German. Sound German language skills are essential for your academic success at Universität Hamburg. When enrolling at Universität Hamburg, all prospective students must submit proof of sufficient proficiency in German, e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Further information concerning the language requirements can be found on the website German language proficiency of the Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution . More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
The University of Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft .
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I am an international prospective student and would like to study midwifery. How do I apply for the first semester of the bachelor’s degree program Midwifery (iMID)?
Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg) and Universität Hamburg offer the cooperative inter-university degree program in Midwifery iMID (B.Sc.). Academic and practical training are combined in the course structure and content. Upon completing this undergraduate course, you will be awarded an academic qualification (B.Sc.) and a licence to practice midwifery.
You can find more information about the midwifery degree program iMID and the respective application process on the website Midwifery of the Faculty of Medicine of Universität Hamburg as well as on the website Midwifery of HAW Hamburg.
Please note that the language of instruction is German. You may find more information concerning the language requirements on the website Language skills of HAW Hamburg.
More information about the semester contribution which students need to pay as well as how to finance the studies is provided on the website Semester contribution of HAW Hamburg.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please contact the Student Admissions and Registration Office of HAW Hamburg.
Students with refugee experience may receive support through #UHHhilft of Universität Hamburg and through the Centre for Migration Research and Integration Practice of HAW Hamburg.
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I am an international prospective student and would like to study molecular life sciences. How do I apply for the first semester of the bachelor’s or master’s degree program Molecular Life Sciences?
You can find information about the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs Molecular Life Sciences and the application process on the website Further Degree Programs .
Please note that the language of instruction is German. You may find more information concerning the language requirements on the website Language requirements of the university’s Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution . More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
Universität Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft .
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I am an international prospective student and would like to study bioinformatics. How do I apply for the first semester of the Master of Sciences?
You can find information about the master’s degree program Bioinformatics and the application process on the website Further Degree Programs .
Please note that the language of instruction is German. You may find more information concerning the language requirements on the website Language requirements of the university’s Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution . More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
Universität Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft .
Transfer to University of Hamburg
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I started studying medicine abroad and would like to transfer to University of Hamburg. What do I need to consider?
Universität Hamburg offers a 6-year medical degree program that concludes with a state examination (Staatsexamen). The Faculty of Medicine does not offer bachelor or master degrees in medicine. Furthermore, Universität Hamburg introduced a new medical curriculum in 2012, the integrated medical degree program iMED which differs a lot from the traditional curriculum in Germany. This makes a transfer to our university a little difficult and you will likely have to study longer overall.
You can find more information about the undergraduate studies of the Faculty of Medicine on the website Application & Admission .
Medical students from abroad can only transfer to the University of Hamburg for the second part of the medicine degree programme iMED (= first clinical semester, semester 4) or for the third part (= final practical year, semester 11). It is not possible to apply for a another higher semester.
If you started your studies abroad, you will need to have your previous academic achievements recognised as the “First Part of the Medical State Examination” to apply for the second part of the medicine degree programme iMED; or you will need to have your previous academic achievements recognised as the “Second Part of the Medical State Examination” in order to apply for the third part (final practical year) of the medicine degree programme iMED.
Please find more information in this handout and in the following:
- If you are not born in Germany, Landesprüfungsamt für Medizin, Psychotherapie und Pharmazie in Düsseldorf is responsible for the verification of your courses completed abroad.
- If you are born in Hamburg, the verification of your courses completed abroad is done by Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe Hamburg (LPA) . If you are born in another federal state in Germany, the state examination office of the respective federal state is in charge.
Please note that the language of instruction is German. Sound German language skills are essential for your academic success at Universität Hamburg. When enrolling at Universität Hamburg, all prospective students must submit proof of sufficient proficiency in German, e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Further information concerning the language requirements can be found on the website Language requirements of the Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution . More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
Universität Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft
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I started studying dentistry abroad and would like to transfer to University of Hamburg. What do I need to consider?
Universität Hamburg offers a 5.5-year dentistry degree program that concludes with a state examination (Staatsexamen). The Faculty of Medicine does not offer bachelor or master degrees in dentistry. Furthermore, Universität Hamburg introduced a new medical curriculum in 2019, the integrated medical degree program iMED DENT which differs a lot from the traditional curriculum in Germany.
You can find more information about the undergraduate studies of the Faculty of Medicine on the website Application & Admission .
Currently, prospective dentistry students can only apply for the first semester of the dentistry degree program iMED DENT. The application to any higher semester is not possible.
If you started your studies abroad, you can have your previous academic achievements recognised by the state examination office (Landesprüfungsamt). However, at Universität Hamburg, even if your academic achievements are recognised, you will not be upgraded to a higher semester and have to study dentistry for the regular duration of 10 semesters.
You can find more information regarding the recognition process in this handout and in the following:
- If you are not born in Germany, Landesprüfungsamt für Medizin, Psychotherapie und Pharmazie in Düsseldorf is responsible for the verification of your courses completed abroad.
- If you are born in Hamburg, the verification of your courses completed abroad is done by Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe Hamburg (LPA) . If you are born in another federal state in Germany, the state examination office of the respective federal state is in charge.
Please note that the language of instruction is German. Sound German language skills are essential for your academic success at Universität Hamburg. When enrolling at Universität Hamburg, all prospective students must submit proof of sufficient proficiency in German, e.g. Goethe-Zertifikat C1. Further information concerning the language requirements can be found on the website German language proficiency of the Campus Center.
Students pay a semester contribution. You can find more information on the website Semester contribution . More information about financing your studies is provided on the website Financing your studies of the Campus Center.
The website Finding accommodation in Hamburg provides useful information about housing in Hamburg.
For any further questions concerning the application procedure, please refer to the website Advising & Contact of the Campus Center.
Universität Hamburg offers a special program for refugees: #UHHhilft .
Student refugees
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I am student refugee and would like to study at University of Hamburg. How do I apply?
Please refer to the sections "Applying for a degree program at the Faculty of Medicine" or "Transfer to University of Hamburg".
In addition, the Faculty of Medicine offers medical student refugees the possibility to attend as Freemover guest students the iMED study program. The guest stay is limited to a period of two semesters. You can find more information on the website Applying for a semester exchange .
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I am a student refugee and would like to complete a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Please refer to the section "Traineeship".
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I am a student refugee and looking for support. Where do I find help?
The Campus Center of University of Hamburg provides information and advice for prospective students , e.g. regarding the application procedures at University of Hamburg.
In addition, the Campus Center offers academic orientation for international prospective students .
The program #UHHhilft - University to help refugees provides refugees with information, advice, support, lectures, language courses, and subject-specific classes.
On the website Help at University of Hamburg for those affected by the war in Ukraine you can find a collection of information and support services for students affected by the war.
The website Hamburg for refugees sums up general information for refugees (e.g. applying for asylum, reception centres, work and integration, etc.)
If you have further questions, you can contact incoming-students@uke.de .
Traineeships at UKE
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I am a medical student and would like to do a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
The UKE offers different possibilities for medical students to undertake a part of their medical training in one of its various departments. The application procedure depends on the year of study you will be in at the time of the elective. Please find further information on application procedures on our website Applying for medical electives .
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I am a medical graduate and would like to do a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Medical graduates can apply for an observership (hands-off). Undertaking a traineeship (hands-on) is only possible for medical students who are enrolled at a medical school at the time of the traineeship or for graduates who have a German licence to practise medicine (Approbation/Berufserlaubnis). Please find further information on the application procedure on our website Applying for medical electives .
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I am a medical graduate and would like to complete my postgraduate medical training at the UKE. Is this possible?
In Germany, physicians need to have a recognized full or temporary licence to practise medicine. You can find more information on the website of the German Medical Association .
Medical graduates who have finished university studies but still need to complete their mandatory postgraduate practical training, have different options to complete their postgraduate training and/or studies. After completing, graduates can apply to get their full licence to practise medicine at the state examination office.
Option 1: Applying for admission to (a higher semester of) a medical degree program to complete your medical studies and practical training as a student in Germany.
- In a first step, you send the required documents to the licensing authorities in Düsseldorf to have your previous academic achievements recognized. You can find an overview of the documents to be submitted on the website of the Landesprüfungsamt für Medizin, Physiotherapie und Pharmazie Düsseldorf . The recognition process can take up to several months. After your previous academic achievements have been recognized, you can apply to transfer to a German university to complete your studies, incl. the practical training (Praktisches Jahr, PJ). Depending on the recognition of your previous academic achievements, you can apply to transfer to a specific higher semester at a German university.
- You can also choose to apply for the first semester of a medical degree program. After successful admission, you can clarify with the university and the respective state examination office of the federal state, whether some of your past academic achievements can be reconigzed and replace subjects from the medical degree program.
- It is important to know that in Germany, the practical year is an integral part of the medical degree program and takes place in year 6. It comprises 16 weeks in surgery, 16 weeks in internal medicine, and 16 weeks in a subject of your choice. Please find further information about the practical year (PJ) at Universität Hamburg on our website Praktisches Jahr (only available in German).
- This option is recommended by the state examination office for medical professions in Hamburg. If you have further questions, you can contact the state examination office for medical professions in Hamburg .
Option 2: Applying for a temporary medical licence to complete the postgraduate training in a German hospital.
- Physicians who finished university studies abroad, but have not yet completed the mandatory postgraduate training, can complete the postgraduate training in German hospitals if they have a temporary medical licence. The state examination office for medical professions in Hamburg is responsible for issuing temporary medical licences in Hamburg.
- The purpose of this option is to complete a postgraduate internship that meets the legal requirements of the country in which you studied and the issue of your foreign diploma. With your foreign diploma, you can apply for a licence to practise medicine in Germany (Approbation).
- The success of this option depends to a large extend on whether the foreign authorities allow you to complete the postgraduate practical training in Germany and then take the final examinations. In addition, you need to find a hospital that accepts you as postgraduate trainee.
- Based on previous experiences and the rather poor prospects of a successful application procedure for the temporary licence to practise, this option is rather not recommended by the state examination office for medical professions in Hamburg.
Questions regarding the recognition of your foreign diploma?
Please refer to the FAQs for international postgraduates.
Other jobs that do not require a licence to practise medicine
- There might be other jobs in the private sector which only require an academic diploma and not a medical licence (e.g. research assistant for a pharmaceutical company). Therefore, we propose that you get in contact with the Hamburg Welcome Center to discuss your professional opportunities.
- There is also the possibility to start a vocational training, for example in nursing, as an anaesthesiology assistant, surgery assistant, dental assistant, etc. For further information, please check out the UKE career website .
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I am a midwifery student and would like to do a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Traineeships in midwifery are organized by the Center for Obstetrics and Pediatrics . You can find the contact person handling traineeship requests in the Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine on the UKE career website .
Applicants who are not from EU member states, states of the EEA or Switzerland apply through the Department for International Guests .
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I am a dentistry student and would like to do a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Traineeships in dentistry are organized by the different dentistry departments:
Department of Orthodontics
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Department of Prosthetic Dentistry
Department of Periodontics, Preventive and Restorative DentistryYou can find the department’s contact person for medical traineeship enquiries on the UKE career website or you can contact the department's secretary (contacts are available on the department websites in German).
Applicants who are not from EU member states, states of the EEA or Switzerland apply through the Department for International Guests .
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I am interested in nursing and would like to do a nursing traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Traineeships in nursing are organized by the different clinical departments .
You can find the department’s contact person for nursing traineeship enquiries on the Patient and Care Management website .
Applicants who are not from EU member states, states of the EEA or Switzerland apply through the Department for International Guests .
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I am a student/trainee of another health care discipline and would like to do a traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
In addition to traineeship opportunities in medicine, dentistry, midwifery or nursing, UKE offers traineeships for the following occupational groups in particular: pharmacists, psychotherapists, psychologists, social pedagogues and paramedics.
To apply for a traineeship, please refer to the UKE career website . If the area you are looking for is not listed, you can send an unsolicited application to the recruiting team .
Applicants who are not from EU member states, states of the EEA or Switzerland apply through the Department for International Guests.
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I am a student/graduate and would like to do an Erasmus+ traineeship at the UKE. How do I apply?
Erasmus+ supports traineeships abroad for students currently enrolled in higher education institutions in programme countries at undergraduate and graduate level as well as for doctoral candidates. These opportunities are also open to recent graduates.
You can apply for the Erasmus+ support through the international office of your higher education institution. An inter-institutional agreement between your home university and the Faculty of Medicine of Universität Hamburg is not necessary.
To apply for an Erasmus+ traineeship at UKE, you can follow the same application procedures as for traineeships without Erasmus+ support.
Except for final-year clinical electives at UKE, the Erasmus+ Learning Agreement will be signed by the clinical department and not by the Faculty of Medicine.
International postgraduates
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I am a graduate and interested in research possibilities at the UKE. Where do I find more information?
Please find more information about research possibilities on the website of the Dean’s office for Research .
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I am a graduate and interested in pursuing a PhD. How can I apply?
For information about medical or non-medical PhD programs, please visit the website of the Dean’s Office for Research .
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I am a physician or dentist and would like to gain experience as an international guest at the UKE. How can I apply?
The UKE offers different possibilities for international guests, for example observerships (hands-off) or hands-on training in one of its various departments. For further information, please visit the website for International Guests .
The Team for International Guests from the UKE’s Human Resources Department acts as an interface between the candidate and the respective clinic. In case of questions, please contact: international.guest@uke.de .
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I am a medical graduate and would like to complete my medical specialty training at the UKE. How do I apply?
If you want to complete your specialty training in Germany, you have to apply for a job as „Arzt/Ärztin in Weiterbildung“ (medical assistant in specialty training). Job offers for medical assistants in speciality training are published on the website Karriere im UKE (only available in German).
If you want to apply for a job as medical assistant in specialty training and practise medicine in Germany, you will need to obtain a licence to practise medicine (Approbation = full licence, Berufserlaubnis = temporary licence). You can find more information about specialty training in Germany on the website of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer).
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I am a medical graduate and would like to start the recognition process of my diploma to get a full/temporary licence to practise medicine. How do I proceed?
If you want to practise medicine in Germany, you will need to obtain a licence to practise medicine (Approbation = full licence, befristete Berufserlaubnis = temporary licence).
You can find more information about the recognition process of professional qualifications and the competent authorities in Germany on the websites of the German Medical Association (Bundesärztekammer).
- If you have completed your basic medical training outside EU, EEA or Switzerland, please look at this website of the German Medical Assocation for further information.
- If you have completed your basic medical training in EU, EEA or Switzerland, please look at this website for further information.
In Hamburg, the following authority is responsible: Behörde für Arbeit, Gesundheit, Soziales, Familie und Integration in Hamburg - Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe
If you need support during the recognition process, you can find support through the Information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications:
- If you live in Germany: Counselling search
- If you do not yet live in Germany: Service Center for Professional Recognition
You can also contact the Hamburg Welcome Center .
In addition, Marburger Bund (organisation representing the interests of physicians in Germany) provides helpful FAQs .
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I am a medical graduate and would like to complete my postgraduate medical training at the UKE. Is this possible?
Please refer to the explanations given in the section "Traineeship".
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I am a dentistry graduate and would like to start the recognition process of my diploma to get a full/temporary licence to practise dentistry. How do I proceed?
If you want to apply for a job as dental assistant in specialty training or practise dentistry in Germany, you will need to obtain a licence to practise dentistry ("Approbation" = full licence, "befristete Berufserlaubnis" = temporary licence).
General information for international dentists is available on the website of the Bundeszahnärztekammer – Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e. V. (Federal Chamber of Dentists), which is the professional representation of all dentists in Germany.
For more information about the recognition process of your foreign professional qualification as a dentist or dental specialist, please consult the following website Anerkennung in Deutschland .
If you want to work and live in Hamburg, the following authority is responsible: Behörde für Arbeit, Gesundheit, Soziales, Familie und Integration in Hamburg - Landesprüfungsamt für Gesundheitsberufe - Bereich Zahnmedizin .
- This document explains the recognition process for dentists from a non-EU country in Hamburg (only available in German).
- This document explains the recognition process for dentists from an EU country in Hamburg (only available in German).
If you need support during the recognition process, you can find help through the Information portal of the German government for the recognition of foreign professional qualifications:
- If you live in Germany: Counselling search
- If you do not yet live in Germany: Service Center for Professional Recognition
You can also contact Hamburg Welcome Center .
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I am a dentist and interested in advanced training possibilities in dentistry. Where can I find information?
For information about advanced training in dentistry, please visit the website of Zahnärztekammer Hamburg (Hamburg’s Chamber of Dentists), which is responsible for advanced training in dentistry in Hamburg (website only available in German). The Chamber provides an overview of advanced training courses for dentists.
General information for international dentists is available on the website of the Bundeszahnärztekammer – Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Deutschen Zahnärztekammern e. V. (Federal Chamber of Dentists), which is the professional representation of all dentists in Germany.
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I am a dentistry graduate and would like to complete my dentistry specialty training at the UKE. How do I apply?
If you want to complete a specialty training in dentistry ("Weiterbildung zum Fachzahnarzt/zur Fachzahnärztin") or apply for recognition of your specialised title to become a dental specialist in Germany, you will need to obtain a licence to practise dentistry ("Approbation" = full licence, "Berufserlaubnis" = temporary licence).
On the website Anerkennung in Deutschland , you can find the different types of dental specialists in Germany and more information about their fields of work and how to start the recognition process. In addition, please refer to the FAQ "I am a dentistry graduate and would like to start the recognition process of my diploma to get a full/temporary licence to practise dentistry. How do I proceed?"
The UKE offers specialty training in dentistry for licenced dentists in the following specialties:
- Oral surgeon (and Specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery )
- Orthodontist (websites only available in German)
If you have any questions about these specialty trainings, please get in touch with the contact person listed on the website of the respective clinical department.
Vocational training and cooperative study programs at UKE
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I am interested in completing a vocational training or dual study program. Where do I find further information?
The UKE offers various possibilities to complete a vocational training or dual study program, e.g. in health care, management, IT or natural sciences. You can find more information on the website UKE Karriere (only available in German).
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I am interested in a vocational training or dual study program in nursing. Where do I find further information?
The UKE Academy for Training and Career (ABK) offers vocational training in nursing (generalist or with a paediatric focus) at the UKE. You can find more information on the website UKE Karriere (only available in German). If you have any questions, please contact bewerbungABK@uke.de .
The bachelor’s degree program in nursing is administered by HAW Hamburg (Hamburg University of Applied Sciences). It is a cooperative degree programme combining vocational training with a bachelor’s degree. You can find more information on the HAW website .
Jobs at UKE
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I want to apply for a job at UKE, where do I start?
You can find more information on employment possibilities on the website UKE Career . In case of questions, please contact the recruiting team .
For further information on working as a guest physician, please visit this website International Guests If you have any questions, please contact international.guest@uke.de .