It was founded on 28 March 1919, having grown out of the previous General lecture system (Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen) and the Colonial Institute of Hamburg (Hamburgisches Kolonialinstitut) as well as the Akademic Gymnasium.
Universitas tersebut didirikan pada 28 Maret 1919, yang sebelumnya bernama Sistem pengajaran umum (Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen) dan Institut Kolonial Hamburg (Hamburgisches Kolonialinstitut) serta Akademic Gymnasium.