25 Best Universities In Berlin For International Students 2025

Berlin is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in Germany. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 32 universities and colleges in Berlin, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 32 universities in Berlin, Humboldt University of Berlin and Free University of Berlin are the top-performing schools in Berlin. This list covers both public and private institutions in Berlin.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Berlin. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Berlin.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Berlin?

Applying to the universities in Berlin involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Berlin to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Berlin?

Tuition fees at Berlin’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 0 Euros to 31,500 Euros , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 0 Euros to 59,500 Euros. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Berlin!

As we cover the best universities in Berlin for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Berlin for International Students

Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the most renowned universities in the world. Since its establishment in 1810, the institution has undergone several redevelopments and improvements that have led them to become a world-class university widely known to students and professionals across the globe. More so, the university is the home of several elite individuals and Nobel laureates such as Albert Einstein, Karl Marx, and Max Planck. A truly exceptional institution that provides the highest standards of education.

Free University of Berlin (FU) is a quintessential example of an institution founded on the principles of liberty and equity. The university was established in 1948 with support from The US to promote the values of individual expression and free speech. Since its inauguration, FU has developed into an excellent institution of higher learning, focusing primarily on research and technological innovation. The university also places great emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and collaboration which is notable through its numerous cooperation agreements with multitudinous institutions and industries around the globe.

Located in the nation’s capital, the Technical University of Berlin is a public university known for its world-class quality of education and research in various fields. The university aims to impart not only academic expertise to its students but also independence, creativity, social awareness, critical thinking, and other skills that would make them highly adaptable, competent, and socially responsible individuals. TU Berlin is also dedicated to conducting innovative research to help make society better.

The Charity-University Medicine Berlin, founded in 1710, offers an extensive academic and research history in Medicine. Since its inception as a quarantine facility for the bubonic plague, the university has undergone significant improvements. At present, the university has over 9,000 students, 4 campuses, and 17 clinical centers.

University of Applied Sciences for Engineering and Economics, often known as HTW Berlin, has over 20 program offerings for students worldwide. It is considered the largest university of applied sciences in Berlin, covering the areas of business, design, technology, and computing, among others. The university actively participates in various research activities and allows students to enhance their skills through international collaboration.

Until 2021, the Berliner Hochschule für Technik was known as the Beuth Hochschule für Technik Berlin. Both names were abbreviated as BHT. BHT is one of Germany’s most prominent universities for applied sciences. Its history in the field is also rich and substantial, with a background that goes back to 1823. Students have a broad range of majors to choose from, such as business, science, and media.

Berlin University of the Arts is a world-renowned center of excellence. Having been established in 1696, it undeniably has a rich historical background. In line with that, it has produced loads of popular and successful artists.

The Berlin School of Economics and Law, founded in 1971, is one of the public universities in Berlin, Germany. With over 11,000 students, it is also one of the largest in the city. The university offers over 50 degree programs in Business and Economics, Law, Public Administration, and Engineering.

The Hertie School, also formerly known as the Hertie School of Governance, is a top graduate school in Germany that concentrates on public policy, international affairs, and data science. The institution takes pride in its commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in all campus activities. Various events are also hosted by Hertie School, such as research events and training workshops.

ESMT Berlin is the leading business school in Berlin. With a strong focus on leadership, innovation, and analytics, ESMT aims to develop the next generation of business executives through study options at the postgraduate level. Founded in 2002, the school has already proved its academic excellence through thousands of alumni working in top companies around the globe.

Steinbeis University promotes lifelong learning where students can gain a broad knowledge and comprehensive competence needed for their future careers. The university also allows students to expand their own skills through an effective mix of theory and actual practice. Due to its partnerships with numerous research centers and institutes, Steinbeis University has successfully integrated emerging trends into its teaching concept, keeping its students up-to-date with the ever-changing industry standards.

Bard College Berlin is a well-known American-German university in Berlin. It’s a private, not-for-profit higher education institution established in 1999 and was formerly known as the European College of Liberal Arts. The institution offers intensive and transdisciplinary educational training, mainly focusing on humanities and social sciences with English as the language of instruction. It’s a highly international university enrolling individuals with different backgrounds.

SRH University of Applied Sciences Berlin is a private academic institution in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 2019 after the merger of SRH Hotel-Akademie Dresden and SRH Hochschule Berlin. The university specializes in Management, Design and Communication, Popular Arts, and Technology degree courses.

Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin is considered the largest and oldest training institution for tertiary education in social work degree programs. The university is research-intensive, putting heavy emphasis on actual industry experience and training among its students. At present, ASH Berlin is already a prominent association in Berlin, drawing in more international students and partners to the university.

The Berlin-Weissensee Art Academy offers students a wide range of courses that instill in them a strong foundation in the arts. It also offers outstanding research programs that focus on sustainable design and media technology. Multiple facilities are also available on-campus, such as numerous studio workshops where students can hone their skills.

The Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler or Hanns Eisler School of Music Berlin in English is a specialized public institution established in 1950 in Berlin, Germany. It is one of the most prominent music schools worldwide, ranking 28th in the performing arts by the QS World Rankings. A relatively small school of less than a thousand students, its events aren’t all exclusive – they host numerous public events to showcase students’ talents and skills.

Being the leading forerunner in media and design, the MD.H Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences offers high-quality academic programs on campuses in Berlin, Dusseldorf, and Munich. Due to its renown in fields related to media design, graduates from MD.H have landed successful careers right after graduation, and even now, the current graduates have a high rate of employment in the corporate world of media and also in the fields related to fashion showcases.

Known for short as IPU, the International Psychoanalytic University at Berlin is a privately-run institution that is located in the capital city of Germany. As you can assume by looking at its name, IPU Berlin’s primary focus rests on academic programs related to psychology, and due to its specialization, this university has been recognized by the government, which led to program accreditation in 2014. Even though it was founded not too many years ago, this institution would be a great pick if you are looking at academic programs that are related to psychology.

The Ernst Busch Academy of Dramatic Arts is a public university in Berlin, Germany, that offers courses in acting and puppetry. It also has Directing, Dramaturgy, Choreography, and Stage Dance courses. The university was founded in 1951, although its history can be traced back to 1905.

HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management, a specialized private institution in Berlin, was established in 2008. The HMKW stands for its German name, Hochschule für Medien, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft. It comprises five departments and three campuses (Berlin, Frankfurt, and Cologne). A limited number of English-taught programs are available.

One of the excellent institutions to pursue master’s studies is Quadriga Hochschule Berlin. This private institution offers part-time MBA and master’s programs for busy professionals and graduate students who want to pursue higher education while working. Prospective students can design their studies depending on their needs and schedule. Moreover, all its programs are internationally acknowledged, and its professors and lecturers are highly qualified with years of experience.

Berlin Psychological University provides outstanding education when it comes to courses related to psychology and psychotherapy. It is equipped with well-trained instructors and advanced facilities to aid the students in developing their critical thinking and knowledge. The university highly promotes industry experience, which is why it has close relations with multiple health sectors to allow extensive internships and training.

Deutsche Hochschule für Gesundheit und Sport (DHGS) is a private institution established in 2007. It is located in Berlin, Germany. The university is known by several English names such as H:G College of Health and Sports, H:G University of Health & Sports, Technology and Arts, and German University of Health and Sport. DHGS is ranked 346th in Germany, 41st in Brandenburg, and 32nd in Berlin by EduRank.

Since its establishment in 1991, the Catholic University of Applied Social Sciences Berlin (KHSB) has been offering students excellent quality of education in social sciences. The university promotes a positive learning environment, and students are encouraged to work as a team to develop interpersonal skills. Also, in KHSB, lectures are held in small groups, as student-teacher relationships are highly prioritized. It can be assured that studying at the university will be quite reassuring and interactive.

Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin is known as Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (EHB) in German. A prominently religious private institution, the university began its story as a women’s school. Now, it offers health sciences, social work, education, and religion programs for everyone. EHB is ranked 312th in Germany and 22nd in Berlin by EduRank.