Helmut Schmidt University
HSU is one of our most unique partners! Known in German as "Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg" (the University of the Federal Armed Forces in Hamburg), it's primarily home to officers & soldiers of the German Federal Armed Forces.
Exchange students are regarded as "Cadets" on campus and participate in unique student life and social events. Some examples include the annual start-of-term ceremonial ball for soldiers & civilian students, and the weekly campus-wide military training day, where there are no classes and exchange students are invited to join training exercises if they wish.
Hamburg itself, the 2nd largest port in Europe, provides a gateway to coastal Germany. The city is famed for its reputation in the music world; known as the entrypoint for a variety of British bands, including the Beatles, it boasts an extensive year-round offering of musicals, operas, and concerts. In recent years, Hamburg has gained a reputation in Europe for its sustainability practices and deliberately diverse & inclusive city culture.
Key information
Student experience
Gelhausen / HSU
Program details
The information below was last updated on: May 29, 2026
HSU has four faculties: Mechanical Engineering (mechanical, civil, energy, and automotive engineering), Electrical Engineering (electrical engineering, energy studies, telecommunications, and computer science), Humanities & Social Sciences (history and psychology), and Economics & Social Sciences (economics, political science, and industrial engineering).
Most programs at HSU are taught in German and require students to have B1/B2 level German to attend. There is also a German intensive course available before the fall, and German courses students can take during their exchange to improve their language skills.
3 programs are taught entirely in English: Engineering Science (bachelor), Engineering Science: Defence Systems (master), and Digital Governance & Administration (master). There are also individual courses from various subjects taught in English, which change each semester.
Exchange students are permitted to mix and match modules across different faculties, as long as they have the prerequisites. UCalgary undergraduate students with 4th year standing or higher may be allowed to take masters-level courses at HSU.
See HSU's academic information online, or use the course search page (in German).
Students at HSU typically take 24-30 ECTS credits per semester. 6 ECTS = 3 units at UCalgary.
In addition to courses, it may be possible to organize a research internship or work on a thesis paper during your time at HSU. Please contact the UCalgary global learning advisor to discuss.
The academic year is divided into 3 trimesters of 3 months each:
- Trimester 1 "Fall" - early October to the end of December (final exams may run into early January)
- Trimester 2 "Winter" - early January to the end of March
- Trimester 3 "Spring" - early April to the end of June
UCalgary students can choose to attend any trimester, or combine them to attend multiple. Note, both Winter and Spring Trimester at HSU correspond to "winter semester" at UCalgary.
HSU also offers an intensive German program during August/September, which is especially designed for Fall exchange students to support your integration in Germany. All levels of German language are offered, and the program also includes trips, sport events, & cultural activities.
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Costs
Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider.
In 2026, HSU provided the following estimates (costs per month):
- Housing: 300-400€ on campus; 600€ or higher off campus
- Living expenses: 200€, depending on personal preference
Hamburg cost comparison vs Calgary: Click Here
Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.
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Funding
Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree-seeking student at UCalgary while studying abroad, you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are otherwise eligible to receive from the university, as well as student loans.
Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund and the Global Learning Award. Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.
Internal and external funding opportunities for study abroad in Germany, including DAAD awards, the AGEC award, etc. are available on the funding page.
At HSU, exchange students are prioritized for on-campus housing. Exchange students will be sorted to a "Battalion" depending on their faculty. The battalion supervisors make room assignments both for exchange students and all other students.
Housing is available on-campus for approx. 300-400€ per month. Students receive a private, furnished bedroom at minimum; some rooms also have private bathroom, while others are shared. There are typically around 15 students per floor, who share a large kitchen and lounge space.
If preferred, exchange students are allowed to search for off-campus housing instead. HSU does not offer many resources to assist with this search as it is considered the student's choice.
For dining options, it's common that students prepare their own meals in the residence kitchen. There is also a cafeteria on campus that offers affordable and good-quality meals. As of 2026, the costs are breakfast: 3,50€, lunch: 7,50€, dinner: 6,00€, and the cafeteria menu is posted online.
This exchange is open to regular, full-time students at UCalgary, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-). Undergraduate students who wish to attend HSU masters-level courses must have completed at least 4 full years (40 courses) before the start of the exchange.
Preference for this exchange is given to students in the CMSS program. However, interested students in all faculties are welcome to apply.
Students planning to study entirely in English do not need to show proof of German proficiency, although a basic understanding is still recommended. Students planning to study partially or entirely in German must have a command of German at the B1 or B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR), or have completed at least two 300-level or above GERM courses at UCalgary before the start of the exchange.
What's so special about HSU?
As part of getting to immerse yourself in a military university, exchange students are warmly welcomed alongside the soldier and civilian populations at HSU. Every Thursday is dedicated as "Green Thursday", where military students dress in uniform and do physical or theoretical training exercises; exchange students are always invited to join if they want. The battalions also organize many social events on campus, such as barbeques and movie nights.
HSU also offers a top-ranked library and excellent sports and fitness facilities (free for all students), including a large swimming hall and a beach volleyball court. There is a wide range of student clubs: security & military interest groups, sport groups (including unique sports like krav maga and skydiving), student theatre, and even a Formula Racing Club.
Do I need to speak German?
For studies in German, it is required. In daily life, English speakers are able to function fairly well, as it is commonly spoken by students/staff at HSU and locals in Hamburg. However, knowing some basic German will be a benefit to your adjustment, and exchange students are encouraged to improve their German over their time abroad.
What about Accessibility at HSU?
HSU's "Netzwerk der Hilfe" (Network of Help) is a collaborative team that aims to support physical and mental wellbeing, including students with disabilities or accessibility needs. Much information is available only with a HSU student login; please feel free to contact the UCalgary global learning advisor as we can assist with reaching out and gathering information to support your exchange.
For information on general accessibility and support services of campuses across Europe, please check out Inclusive Mobility. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.
Have questions?
The exchange advisor for this program is: Kathryn Bauer
How to Apply
Download the application guide
This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.
Identify three programs of interest
We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.
Check requirements and deadlines
These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.
Start your application
Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!
Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.
International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.
For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.
If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.
Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.