Gefahrenabwehr
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
In the degree programme Gefahrenabwehr at HAW Hamburg, you learn how to recognize, assess, and effectively respond to risks using technical, organisational, and strategic approaches.
The programme prepares you for engineering tasks at the interfaces of technology, environment, and society, combining a scientifically grounded education with practical and future-oriented training.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Mathematics 1 and Mathematics 2 to build quantitative foundations for engineering work
- Physics 1 and Physics 2 to understand physical principles used in safety engineering
- Informatics 1 to gain basic programming and technical problem-solving skills
- Risikomanagement to introduce risk thinking and risk assessment methods
- Chemistry fundamentals and medical biology to support understanding of hazard-related processes
- Psychology and sociology to connect technical safety with human and organizational aspects
- Electrotechnics 1 and Communications and Data Systems for technical communication and system design
- Environmental toxicology and assessment and Measurement technology for practical hazard evaluation
- Crisis management to cover decision-making and response planning in major incidents
- Communication and data systems to document, analyze, and present safety-relevant information
- Chemical safety and Geoinformation systems to support assessment and planning with data
- Preventive fire protection and Logistics and materials management for implementation-focused capabilities
- Risk potentials of technical systems and a second elective module (Wahlpflichtmodul 2) for advanced choice-based depth
- Practice module (Praxismodul) to apply knowledge in practice settings
- Bachelor thesis (Bachelorarbeit) to complete the degree with an independent scientific work component
Curriculum
Gefahrenabwehr (B.Eng.) at HAW Hamburg. Credit table uses Leistungspunkte (LP) as shown in the official Modulhandbuch; programme total is 210 LP (CP).
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Compulsory modules | Mathematik A | 7 | 32 |
| Informatik A | 2 | |||
| Informatik 1 | 1 | |||
| Physik A | 5 | |||
| Grundlagen der Chemie | 5 | |||
| Gefahrenabwehr und ihre soziologischen und psychologischen Grundlagen | 5 | |||
| Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten | 7 | |||
| Semester 2 | Compulsory modules | Informatik 2 | 2 | 34 |
| Informatik 2 Praktikum | 2 | |||
| Physik B | 2 | |||
| Physik 2 | 4 | |||
| Physik Praktikum | 4 | |||
| Statistik | 5 | |||
| Statistik Anwendungen | 2 | |||
| Ing.wissenschaftliches Arbeiten | 2 | |||
| Technische Mechanik 1 | 7 | |||
| Werkstofftechnik | 2 | |||
| Semester 3 | Compulsory modules | Mathematik 2 | 3 | 49 |
| Mathematik 3 | 1 | |||
| Elektrotechnik 2 | 5 | |||
| Zell-/Mikrobiologie und Hygiene | 5 | |||
| Chemische Sicherheit | 5 | |||
| Chemische Sicherheit Praktikum | 6 | |||
| Angewandte BWL und Geschäftsplanentwicklung | 5 | |||
| Geschäftsplanentwicklung | 3 | |||
| Messtechnik | 5 | |||
| Logistik und Materialwirtschaft | 5 | |||
| Projektmanagement | 5 | |||
| Semester 4 | Compulsory modules | Ergonomie und Arbeitssicherheit | 5 | 24 |
| Risikomanagement | 7 | |||
| Umwelttoxikologie und Umweltbewertung | 7 | |||
| Kommunikations- und Datensysteme | 5 | |||
| Semester 5 | Compulsory modules | Umwelttoxikologie und Umweltbewertung (continued) | 0 | 0 |
| Semester 6 | Praxissemester | Praxissemester | 30 | 30 |
| Semester 7 | Compulsory final modules and Wahlpflichtbereich | Wahlpflichtbereich | 10 | 15 |
| Recht in der Gefahrenabwehr | 5 | |||
| Semester 7 | Bachelorarbeit | Bachelorarbeit | 12 | 12 |
| Total | Summen laut Modulhandbuch | 210 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You develop the engineering and applied hazard-management skills needed for roles in crisis management, resilience building, and non-police civil protection contexts.
- You graduate with competence in recognising, assessing, and addressing risks using technical, organisational, and strategic approaches that employers expect in safety-oriented organisations.
- You build job-ready capabilities in data, documentation, and communication through modules like Communications and Data Systems and crisis-related coursework.
- You gain practice-oriented experience via the Praxismodul, helping you move from classroom knowledge to workplace application more quickly.
- You strengthen leadership and advisory readiness by studying how human and organisational factors affect safety outcomes alongside engineering foundations.
Employability rate
Graduates in fields connected to hazard control and safety engineering in Germany typically achieve an employability rate of around 84% and an unemployment rate of about 16%, reflecting steady demand from public authorities, utilities, and safety-focused employers.
Overall, these figures indicate a stable outlook with reliable opportunities for entry and progression in safety, crisis preparedness, and risk management roles.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Higher education entrance qualification equivalent to Abitur/Fachhochschulreife | International applicants must have an academic qualification that corresponds to German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife for direct admission to HAW Hamburg’s Bachelor programmes. The university notes that depending on the certificate and where it was obtained, applicants may need prior recognition of their qualifications before applying. |
| International Baccalaureate (IB) applicants: preliminary review (VPD) | If you hold the International Baccalaureate (IB), you must also submit the preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist as described in HAW Hamburg’s admissions guidance for international applicants. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering & Technology | Direct match | This degree is built around engineering and natural-science fundamentals (for example mathematics, physics, chemistry, risk management, and hazard control-related modules) as shown in the module handbook. |
Language requirements
As an international applicant to this Bachelor programme, you must provide proof of German language skills at C1 level before commencing your studies. You submit your language certificate with your application to HAW Hamburg.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 379 / per semester | Semesterbeitrag for the programme: Semesterbeitrag 379 € inkl. Semester- und Deutschlandticket. |
| Semester fee (breakdown reference) | EUR 397 / per semester | For Wintersemester 2026/27, HAW Hamburg lists a semester contribution of 397,00 € (397,00 €) including Studierendenwerk, Studierendenschaft (AStA), Semesterticket, and administration-related items. |
Proof of financial resources
International students applying from abroad should be prepared to show that they can finance their studies and living costs in Germany. Your visa and residence permit process will require financial proof based on the German requirements for international students.
- Proof of sufficient funds for studies in Germany as required for the German student visa/residence permit process
- Your blocked account or other financial evidence as accepted for the German visa/residence permit procedure
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | June 01, 2026 | December 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 | January 15, 2027 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 | April 01, 2027 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | October - Winter intake | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Register and start the online application during the application period
Apply online during the published application period for the relevant intake (winter or summer). Before submitting, you must register as instructed for Bachelor applications. For international applicants, HAW Hamburg states that international students apply during the same application period.
Prepare proof of admission eligibility for international qualifications
Confirm that your school-leaving and/or higher education entrance qualification is equivalent to German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. If your qualifications are the International Baccalaureate (IB), HAW Hamburg requires the preliminary review documentation (VPD) from uni-assist. If recognition is needed for your specific certificate, follow the recognition guidance before applying.
Submit your German C1 language certificate with your application
Provide a recognized German language certificate at C1 level with your application as required for admission. HAW Hamburg lists several accepted C1-level German tests and certificates; you should submit the one you hold. Make sure the certificate is uploaded correctly within the application process.
Complete the application and monitor your myHAW status
HAW Hamburg processes Bachelor applications submitted online and provides status updates in the myHAW portal. If you receive an admission offer, the offer must be accepted within the stated deadline and you must submit any required documents in the manner and timing described by the university. Keep copies of your submissions for reference during visa/residence steps.