Media Technology
The practice-oriented Media Technology degree course qualifies students as engineers who – in addition to possessing core knowledge in the areas of mathematics, computer science, technology and the natural sciences – are specialised in the areas of light, sound and video engineering using communications engineering and signal processing.
Media Technology graduates carry out technical planning and consulting in the audiovisual area (theatres, studios, film, radio, television), as well as planning, installing, and outfitting media technology systems. These tasks are often undertaken in collaboration with the creative trades. A Bachelor's degree in Media Technology makes it possible to obtain a further qualification through a Master's degree course in Digital Reality (M.Sc.) or Sound – Vision – Games (M.A.).
Your future career
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Communication and multimedia – hardly any other economic sector is developing so dynamically and influencing technological and societal developments so strongly.
Hamburg has significant locational advantages in this area: a creative media branch, a pulsating music economy, several radio and television broadcasters, and a large number companies working in telecommunications and media technologies.
Media technology engineers are responsible for the technical consultation, planning and implementation of audiovisual systems and productions (conference rooms, stages and audiovisual studios, as well as ships and aircraft). The diverse and attractive positions open to media technology engineers range from project managers and conference system technicians to sound designers at systems or event companies, acoustics offices and broadcasters – to name just a few.
Media technology engineers work as both employees and freelancers. Their employers or clients include suppliers and media companies in the audiovisual sector.
Course content and structure
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The degree course runs over seven semesters, one of which includes a practical component.
In the first year, the focus is on foundational courses in engineering (including mathematics, electrical engineering, physics and computer science), which are supplemented by creative subjects.
The second year is dominated by audiovisual media: video, light and sound engineering as well as communications engineering make up the course content.
In the third year students can choose between various advanced technical and creative courses, such as audio technology and production, sound reinforcement technology, video technology and production, event technology, colorimetry and lighting design, dramaturgy, and audio and media design.
The seventh and final semester consists of a 15-week practical component and the Bachelor thesis.
The courses are taught in seminars with roughly 40 participants, and are sometimes complemented with practical small-group exercises in modern media labs and studios. Creative and artistic topics are covered in special courses.
Your interests and skills
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The Media Technology degree course at HAW Hamburg is especially interesting for those who want to work as engineers in an artistic environment: media technology engineers are the interface between creative ideas and their technical realisation.
You’ll need robust knowledge in maths and the sciences from your schooling. Ideally, you'll also be interested in programming and the application of technical skills in the areas of AV production, events, music and film.
Interested – but not quite sure yet whether this is the right course for you? Our self-assessment test can help you make up your mind. Take it here: HAW Navigator
Admission requirements
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Higher education entrance qualification
You can apply directly for this course if you hold one of the following qualifications:
- Fachhochschulreife
- Allgemeine Hochschulreife
- Fachgebundene Hochschulreife (subject-specific HE entrance qualification)
- Meister*in (vocational qualification – master tradesperson)
- Fachwirt*in (certified specialist)
Applicants who do not hold a higher education entrance qualification but have completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung) and at least three years of subsequent work experience can apply under Section 38 of the Hamburg Higher Education Act, which sets out special provisions for these applicants (Besonderer Hochschulzugang für Berufstätige).
Find out more atAdmission requirements for a Bachelor's degree.
Pre-course experience
We do not require you to have completed pre-course experience for this course.
International applicants
If you completed your schooling outside Germany and want to study here for a Bachelor’s degree, you need to hold an academic school-leaving qualification which entitles you to admission to higher education; that is, it needs to be comparable to a German Abitur or Fachhochschulreife. The organisation uni assist will check your certificates from school and any degree-level studies to establish comparability. Please note that you are also required to have proof of German at level C1 – for example, in the form of a TestDaF certificate – in order to apply for all Bachelor's degree courses (except Information Engineering).
You can find more information about HAW Hamburg’s application criteria at International applicants.
Application process
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We only accept online applications. Before applying, applicants must register with www.hochschulstart.de. During the application period (for the winter semester: 1 June–15 July; for the summer semester: 1 December–15 January) you can find the online application and detailed information about the application process on the Applying for a Bachelor's degree course page.
You can find information about the selection process and the numerus clausus (NC) from the previous semester here: Applying for a Bachelor's degree course/Selection criteria
International applicants are also required to apply during the application period.
To make the process easier for you, we have compiled a step-by-step checklist: International applicants
Questions about selecting a course, applications, admissions and degree courses
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Applications and admissions
Student Admissions and Registration Office (Studierendensekretariat)
Stiftstraße 69, 20099 Hamburg (ground floor)
T +49.40.428 75-9898
studierendensekretariat (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact us with your questions about applications and admissions
The Information Point is open at the following times:
Monday–Thursday: 10:00 am–1:00 pm
Friday: closed
In-person office hours:
Thursday: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm
Telephone office hours:
Monday and Tuesday: 9:00 am–10:00 am
For general queries about HAW Hamburg degree courses and course choice
Student Counselling Team (Zentrale Studienberatung)
Stiftstraße 69, 1st floor, room 122
20099 Hamburg
T +49 40 42875 9110
Contact form
Office hours
Contact person for applicants with disabilities or chronic health conditions
Meike Butenob/Dieter Röh
Stiftstraße 69, Haus 3, room 37
Tel. +49.40.428 75-7220
inklusion (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
Contact the department
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Specifically subject-related queries
Student advisory service
Prof. Dr. Edmund Weitz
Finkenau 35
22081 Hamburg
Room U35
T +49 40 428 75-7636
edmund.weitz (at) haw-hamburg (dot) de
