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Kühne Logistics University


About

Kühne Logistics University – Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung (KLU) – is a private university located in Hamburg’s HafenCity. KLU is one of the very few private universities in Germany entitled to confer their own PhDs. The independent, state-certified university’s major research areas are Sustainability, Digital Transformation, and Value Creation in the fields of Transport, Global Logistics, and Supply Chain Management. 2020 KLU celebrates its 10th anniversary under the motto "10 years of award-winning teaching and research".

Kühne Logistics University – Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Logistik und Unternehmensführung (KLU) – is a private university located in Hamburg’s HafenCity. KLU is one of very few private universities in Germany entitled to confer their own PhDs.

The independent, state-certified university’s major research areas are Sustainability, Digital Transformation, and Value Creation in the fields of Transport, Global Logistics, and Supply Chain Management. In 2020 KLU celebrated its 10th anniversary under the motto "10 years of award-winning teaching and research".

The 2019 ranking of the Wirtschaftswoche identifies KLU as one of the strongest research universities in the field of Business Administration in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Out of 200 competing universities, KLU reaches the top 20 in the overall ranking and scores No. 2 among all private universities. In terms of research output per professor, KLU faculty is ranked No. 7 in the overall ranking and No. 1 of all private universities. In the latest CHE University ranking, KLU obtained the highest marks for all major criteria. Learn more about our ranking results here.

With one BSc and three MSc degree programs, a structured doctoral program, and a part-time MBA, KLU offers its 400 full-time students a high level of specialization and excellent learning conditions. KLU has an international team of 24 professors who teach in English. In open, tailor-made management seminar series, industry specialists and managers alike benefit from the application of academic findings to practical issues.

Below you find the 6 steps which lead you to be a student at KLU.

  1. You apply online.
  2. You receive your admission kit.
  3. You return your signed study agreement.
  4. You receive a welcome e-mail from Student Services including the link to our student intranet.
  5. You follow the enrollment guide in the student intranet and send the required documents to Student Services.
  6. You start at KLU. On-campus you will receive your student ID card & enrollment certificates.

Welcome on board! We are very much looking forward to getting to know you.

As an international student, you will have to get a visa and residence permit for the period of your studies in Germany. All new residents of Hamburg have to register within one week after moving in - it doesn’t matter whether you are an international or a German student.

Applying for a residence permit takes quite some time and preparation. To make your planning easier and provide some orientation please find below our overview on what you have to do if entering the country for the purpose of the study. Not all steps apply to everyone but depend on your nationality amongst others.

The detailed information below will help you through the process of visa application, registration, and application for a residence permit in Hamburg.

Visa process overview

Non-EU applicants, please note: The visa process takes up to two months, starting on the date of acceptance by KLU. Please keep in mind that there are a lot of other organizational matters to deal with when planning your study abroad. We recommend non-EU applicants apply at KLU five months before the commencement of studies and apply for a visa right after having received acceptance by KLU.

StepsWhatWhen
1Apply for a student applicant visa/student visa in your home country, if appl.Right after having received acceptance by KLU
2Register in Hamburg (all students/residents, regardless of your nationality)Commencement of your studies
3Apply for residence permit, if appl.Max. 90 days after you have arrived in Germany
4Extend your residence permit until the end of your studies, if appl.During your studies at KLU
5In case you move within Hamburg or Germany: always register your new address (all students/residents, regardless of your nationality)During your studies at KLU

Visa details

In general applicants for university studies have to apply for a student visa in order to enter Germany and study in Germany.

This does not apply for:

  • Citizens of EU,
  • Citizens of other European countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland),
  • Citizens of Andorra, Australia, Brazil, Canada, El Salvador, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Republic of South Korea, and the United States of America may apply for a residence permit ("Aufenthaltstitel") after arriving in Germany.

Nationals from the countries mentioned above do not require a visa to enter Germany. Applicants from all other countries need a visa for entering Germany and studying in Germany. A tourist visa does not entitle the holder to register as a student. Visa applications must be made well in advance at the local German embassy or a German consulate.

There are two kinds of applicable visas:

  • Student applicant visa,
  • Student visa.

The following documents have to be presented:

  • Visa Application,
  • Valid passport,
  • 1 biometric passport-sized photo,
  • KLU admission letter,
  • Proof of sufficient funding (bank statement e.g.),
  • Proof of health insurance valid in Germany.

For details on visas, please contact the German embassy or consulate in your country.

Registration & Co.

After arriving in Hamburg, you will need to register at any service center in Hamburg or the Hamburg Welcome Center (HWC). It doesn’t matter whether you are an international or a German student – all new residents of Hamburg have to register within one week after moving into a new apartment or room.

KLU students find all relevant information and forms in the student intranet by KLU.

Residence permit

In order to be allowed an extended residence in Germany, non-EU citizens have to apply for a residence permit immediately upon migrating to Germany. It is essential that you always have a valid residence permit during your stay in Germany. As a rule, this permit can be extended as long as your purpose of stay is still valid.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides detailed information about residence permits.

KLU students find all relevant information and forms in the student intranet by KLU.

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  • Hamburg

    Kühne Logistics University - KLU Grosser Grasbrook 17

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Kühne Logistics University