Cybersecurity Course in Hamburg in English, 100% Free with a Bildungsgutschein

Live in Hamburg, prefer to study in English and want a way into cybersecurity? This program is taught in English (or German) and runs fully online, so you learn from home. It lasts 6 to 14 months, depending on the modules you choose, and prepares you for certificates, such as CompTIA and Microsoft. If you are eligible, a Bildungsgutschein pays the tuition. You do not need a technical background. Below you find how funding works in Hamburg, what you learn, what junior roles pay and where to meet the local security community.

Check your eligibility here

Can I do a cybersecurity Weiterbildung in English with a Bildungsgutschein?

Yes. A Bildungsgutschein can pay for a course in English in Hamburg. Cybersteps and the program are AZAV-certified, which is the approval a provider needs before the Agentur für Arbeit or the Jobcenter can fund its courses. So the program, also in English, can be fully funded if you are eligible.

English at B1 level meets the language requirement. The other conditions still apply:

• You have a registered residence in Germany.
• You are registered as a job seeker, or you are in the process of registering.
• You are not a university student. Students generally do not qualify.

The Bildungsgutschein is a discretionary decision. In most cases there is no legal claim to it . Your caseworker decides whether the course clearly improves your chances on the job market, so good preparation matters. The next section shows how to prepare.

To compare English-language options across Germany, read our guide to Bildungsgutschein courses in English.

How to get the Bildungsgutschein in Hamburg, step by step

1. Register as a job seeker

You can register with the Agentur für Arbeit online, by phone (0800 4 5555-00) or in person. The Agentur für Arbeit Hamburg is at Kurt-Schumacher-Allee 16, 20097 Hamburg. Book an appointment before you go.

If you receive Bürgergeld, your contact is the Jobcenter team.arbeit.hamburg. It has local offices in these places: Altona, Barmbek, Bergedorf, Billstedt, Bramfeld, Eimsbüttel, Harburg, Lokstedt, Mitte, Mümmelmannsberg, Nord, Osdorf, Rahlstedt, St. Pauli, Süderelbe, Wandsbek and Wilhelmsburg. Young adults go to one of seven Youth Employment Agency offices. The Jobcenter’s English location search shows which office is responsible for you. Its ServiceCenter takes calls on +49 40 2485 1444.

2. Apply to Cybersteps

The online application takes about 2 to 3 minutes. You then speak with an admissions advisor and do a 30-minute online assessment. Cybersteps prepares a package for your first meeting, with documents and job postings that show the demand for cybersecurity staff.

3. Book your appointment

At the Jobcenter, you can write to your case manager through the Agentur für Arbeit job portal, call the hotline of your office or book through the ServiceCenter. At the Agentur für Arbeit, book an appointment by phone or online. Many appointments can be done online or by video call. Not every caseworker speaks English. If your German is limited, bring someone who can translate.

4. Prepare what to say and bring

Bring an updated CV, your certificates, proof of earlier jobs or internships and your recent job applications. Add the course outline and the name of the provider you chose.

The Jobcenter looks at one question above all: does the course significantly improve your chances of finding work? Explain in simple words why cybersecurity fits your plans and how the training leads to a job. If your German is below B1, say so openly and explain that you plan to work in English. A Bildungsgutschein is possible without German, but it can be harder to get.

5. Wait for the decision

Apply before the course starts, because the Jobcenter says the voucher cannot be added afterwards. A decision can come right away or take a few weeks. A Bildungsgutschein is valid for three months. In that time you send it to Cybersteps, sign the training contract and start the course.

6. If your request is rejected

Ask for the reasons in writing. You can file an appeal (Widerspruch). The rejection letter states the deadline, so check it on the day it arrives. Add new evidence, for example more job postings or a clearer reason for your career change. Cybersteps helps you with the appeal.

More details are on our Bildungsgutschein page and in the step-by-step Bildungsgutschein guide.

What you learn

Four modules build on each other. Each one prepares you for a recognised certification, and exam vouchers are included.

• Module 1, IT and security basics. You learn how networks, Windows, Linux and encryption work, and you write first scripts in Python. Terminal work and Wireshark start early. Exam: CompTIA Tech+.
• Module 2, attackers and defenders. You try social engineering and web attacks, break into practice systems based on Windows, Linux and Active Directory, and watch for attacks in a SIEM. You also get an introduction to governance, risk and compliance (GRC). Exam: CompTIA Security+.
• Module 3, cloud security. You secure Microsoft Azure with identity management in Entra ID, infrastructure code in Terraform, monitoring in Microsoft Sentinel and protection of Microsoft 365. Exams: AZ-900 and either AZ-104 or SC-200.
• Module 4, your specialisation. You work through realistic company scenarios, learn the basics of ISO/IEC 27001 and NIS2 and pick a track, such as SOC, penetration testing, GRC or application security. Certificate: IHK Cyber Security Advisor or PECB ISO/IEC 27001.
• AI in security. Weekly AI sessions show how AI tools help with scripts, automation and analysis.
• Career training. CV and LinkedIn workshops, interview practice and job search coaching run next to the technical modules.

See the full breakdown on the syllabus page.

Cybersecurity jobs and salaries in Hamburg

Typical junior roles

• SOC analyst. You watch alerts, separate real attacks from false alarms and start the first investigation. See what a SOC analyst does.
• IT security administrator. You look after firewalls, access rights and virus protection in a company.
• Junior penetration tester. You attack systems with permission to find weak points before criminals do.

According to StepStone (2026), a Junior Cyber Security Analyst in Hamburg earns a median of €52,500 gross per year. The range is €44,900 to €61,600. These are statistical estimates, not offers for specific jobs. Our cybersecurity salary guide explains more.

These organisations advertised cybersecurity jobs for Hamburg in 2026:

• Airbus: Advertised a Cyber Security Evaluator role in Hamburg. The role only requires English.
• Deloitte GmbH: With an advertised entry-level role in Consultant Data Leakage Prevention Engineer, Deloitte is known as one of the big four largest international professional services and accounting networks in the world and English is its main business language.
• Ehrhardt + Partner Group (EPG): Application Security Engineer. Logistics software company with an Application Security Engineer position in Hamburg. No German language skills are required.
• Bauer Media Group: Information Security Officer. Hamburg-based role focusing on information security management. The position only requires English fluency.
• Nordex Group: Project Manager Software & Cybersecurity. Position in Hamburg combining software management and cybersecurity oversight, with English as the sole language requirement.

Meet people before you apply: The OWASP Hamburg Stammtisch meets about every two months. The meetings are free and open, and you do not need to be a member. Talks cover application security and information security in general.

Why Cybersteps

• Classes in English or German. You choose the language when you apply. Live sessions are small and led by instructors with military and industry backgrounds.
• Reverse classroom. You prepare with videos and readings, join a live session with demos and questions, and then practise in labs. A weekly 1:1 meeting with a mentor keeps you on track.
• A laptop for your training. Students in the 6 to 14 month program receive a laptop. You can keep it after 6 or more months in the program. The conditions are on the syllabus page.
• A 2-month internship. Students who complete the full 12-month program and meet the basic requirements are placed at a partner company in Germany or Europe, matched to their interests and specialisation. Since many jobs ask for relevant experience, this would give you a slight head start in your job search in Hamburg.
• Online, with job search support for Hamburg. All classes run online, so you study from home without commuting. The same program is open to students in every German city. Job search help works online as well: CV and LinkedIn workshops, interview practice, coaching on job boards and salary talks, and mentor support that continues after the program ends.

See all details on the program page.

FAQ

What English level do I need?

You need English at B1 level or higher. That is also the level the funding rules ask for, and it is enough to follow the live sessions and labs. You do not need any cybersecurity knowledge or programming experience. Basic computer skills and the wish to learn are enough to begin, because the first module starts with the foundations.

Do I need German to get a cybersecurity job in Hamburg?

It depends on the employer. Some Hamburg companies post security roles in English, for example Ehrhardt + Partner Group. Almost all other ads we reviewed were in German, and some ask for strong German. You can join the course without German. Learning it opens many more doors, and your mentor helps with the job search.

Can I do the course part-time?

No, the program is full-time. Your days are filled with live classes, guided practice and review sessions on a fixed schedule. That does not combine with a job or a university degree. It suits people who can make the training their main focus until they finish.

How long does it take?

The program takes 6 to 14 months, depending on the modules you choose. The full path is 12 months of training plus a 2-month internship. People with IT experience can start with a later module and finish sooner. Your admissions advisor helps you choose the right length.

What if I am not registered as unemployed yet?

Register as a job seeker first, with the Agentur für Arbeit or, if you receive Bürgergeld, with the Jobcenter team.arbeit.hamburg. You can apply to Cybersteps at the same time. Being registered, or being in the process of registering, is a condition for the Bildungsgutschein. You can also qualify if you are at risk of unemployment.

What is the best cyber security bootcamp in Hamburg?

The best choice depends on your goal. Bootcamps usually run 2 to 4 months and suit people who need a quick start. A 6 to 14 month Weiterbildung goes deeper, includes certifications and exam vouchers, and can be paid by a Bildungsgutschein if the provider is AZAV-certified. Compare length, certifications, funding and career support before you decide.

How to choose cyber security training in Hamburg?

Start with the AZAV certification, because the Agentur für Arbeit and the Jobcenter fund only certified courses. Then check the curriculum for recognised certifications and hands-on labs. Ask about the teaching language, live sessions, career support and an internship. Finally, ask your caseworker whether the course improves your job chances.

Ready to check if you qualify?

The application takes 2 to 3 minutes. An admissions advisor contacts you and explains the next steps.

Check your eligibility here

Sources

Salaries

• StepStone, Junior Cyber Security Analyst, Hamburg (Mediangehalt €52,500, range €44,900 to €61,600, page footer 2026)

Employers

• Job als Consultant Data Leakage Prevention Engineer (m/w/d) | Deloitte GmbH 
• Careers | Airbus 
• Application Security Engineer (m/f/d) | Ehrhardt + Partner Group (EPG) | 1284 
• Information Security Officer (m/f/d) Stellendetails | Bauer Media Group 
• Project Manager Software & Cybersecurity (m/f/d) Job Details | Nordex Group 

Jobcenter and Agentur für Arbeit

• https://team-arbeit-hamburg.de/our-locations/?lang=en
• https://team-arbeit-hamburg.de/weiterbildung/?lang=en
• https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/vor-ort/hamburg
• https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/karriere-und-weiterbildung/bildungsgutschein)

Meetups

• https://www.meetup.com/owasp-hamburg-stammtisch/