Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

Registration for vocational high school

The vocational high schools lead to the general university entrance qualification (Abitur) in three years. In Hamburg, students can study three subjects: pedagogy and psychology, technology and economics.

Detailed description

The vocational high schools lead to the general university entrance qualification (Abitur) in three subject areas in three years: education and psychology, technology and economics. The Abitur is equivalent to that at a high school or the upper level of a district school.



The admission requirements are the same as for the two types of schools mentioned above:


You can enter the preliminary stage if you



· were promoted to the upper secondary school


· or an intermediate school leaving certificate from a vocational school or an evening school



with an average grade of 3.0 or better and an average grade of 3.0 or better in German, Mathematics and English


or have obtained a school-leaving qualification equivalent to that of advancement to the preparatory or study level.


· You can enter the study level directly if you have acquired a university of applied sciences entrance qualification in the field of social pedagogy, technology or economics and administration, for example, and have sufficient knowledge of a second foreign language.


· Have your main residence in Hamburg



The one-year preliminary stage is followed by a two-year study stage. This prepares students for a university degree or qualified vocational training.



Depending on the subject profile - i.e. education/psychology, economics or technology - the core subjects taught are German, mathematics and English. In addition, the schools offer French, Spanish, fine arts, music, theater, geography, history, politics/society/economics (PGW), religion, philosophy, physics, chemistry, biology, sports and the seminar subject.



In addition, the vocational high schools offer the following:


- Practical and international projects


- Project work in environmental technology


- Insights into the professional world (work shadowing) through company visits


- Cooperation with universities


- Bilingual teaching


- Support from learning coaches and guidance teachers and much more



Registration: You register directly with the schools. The registration deadline is March 31st.


More information can be found here:



see Vocational High School Brochure under Links

 

Information

Prerequisites

The admission requirements are the same as for the two types of schools mentioned above:



You can enter the preliminary stage if you

  • were transferred to the upper secondary school
  • or have obtained an intermediate school leaving certificate at a vocational school or at an evening school with an average grade of 3.0 or better and an average grade of 3.0 or better in the subjects German, mathematics and English
  • or have obtained a school-leaving qualification equivalent to that of advancement to the preparatory or study level.
  • You can enter the degree level directly if you have acquired a university of applied sciences entrance qualification in the field of social education, technology or business and administration, for example, and have sufficient knowledge of a second foreign language.
  • Main residence in Hamburg

Documents required

To register you need the following documents (please complete):

  • the application letter
  • Copy of the last semester report or certified copy of the final certificate
  • a CV
  • Internship certificates
  • a registration confirmation: Your main residence must be in Hamburg on August 1st. Proof of this (registration confirmation or identity card) must be submitted no later than the first day of classes.

Registration deadline: Registration deadline: by 31 March of each year.



The training begins every year after the Hamburg summer holidays.

Please note

no

Procedure

  • First, check whether you meet the admission requirements for the BG
  • If you are unsure, contact the school whose subject you are interested in, e.g. business. Call the head of department.
  • If you meet the requirements, register directly with the respective school.
  • If you do not meet the requirements and would still like to obtain the Abitur, you can get advice from the school information center on how you can obtain the Fachabitur or the Abitur through vocational training. Or go to the website: www.hibb.hamburg.de

Processing time

Registration deadline: March 31 of each year.

Fees

No

Legal remedies

no

Legal basis

Hamburg - APO-AH | State standard Hamburg | Training and examination regulations for the acquisition of the general higher education entrance qualification (APO-AH) from 25 March ... | valid from: 01.08.2008 (landesrecht-hamburg.de)

Forms and downloads

Links on the Internet

Address and contact information

Hamburg Institute for Vocational Education and Training (HIBB)

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Keywords: High School Vocational training High school diploma and career

Last updated: 08.02.2026