How to Study in Berlin for International Students

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Berlin, one of the beautiful cities in Germany, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Berlin currently has 32 universities, from which 13 universities are a part of the public sector and 19 universities are private institutions.

Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in Berlin you should definitely check out are Humboldt University of Berlin, Free University of Berlin, and Technical University of Berlin.

Being able to study in Berlin as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in Berlin, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Berlin

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Berlin don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! Berlin University of the Arts, Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin and Berlin-Weissensee Art Academy are some of the tuition-free schools. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Berlin with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Touro College Berlin 9,000 Euros 9,600 Euros
Bard College Berlin 22,100 Euros - 31,500 Euros
International Psychoanalytic University Berlin 9,500 Euros 3,600 Euros - 11,800 Euros
MD.H Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences 8,220 Euros - 10,200 Euros 10,800 Euros
VICTORIA International University of Applied Sciences 7,788 Euros 8,028 Euros
bbw Hochschule – University of Applied Sciences 5,640 Euros - 6,600 Euros 7,140 Euros - 7,620 Euros
HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management 7,680 Euros 8,340 Euros
SRH University of Applied Sciences Berlin 9,000 Euros - 10,200 Euros 10,800 Euros - 12,900 Euros
Hertie School 34,500 Euros
ESMT Berlin 29,500 Euros - 59,500 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Berlin for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Berlin, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.

Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.

In Berlin, English and German are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting DSH for German.

To give you an idea, here are some universities in Berlin and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Touro College Berlin

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Bard College Berlin

Bachelor’s degree

International Psychoanalytic University Berlin

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.

Application Procedure to Study in Berlin

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Berlin have online applications available on their websites, like Humboldt University of Berlin and Free University of Berlin. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Berlin.

Humboldt University of Berlin

Free University of Berlin

Technical University of Berlin

Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.

After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!

The admission process in Berlin differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.

The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in Berlin.

The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.

4. Visa Application for International Students in Berlin

If you’re going to study in Berlin, you will need to apply for a student visa in Germany

In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in Germany. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a German Student Visa .

To start your student visa application in Berlin, you will need to present the following:

  1. Two filled-out and signed national visa forms
  2. Valid passport with two photocopies
  3. Birth certificate
  4. Two recently taken biometric portrait photographs
  5. Proof of financial capability. If you are a scholar, you may present the scholarship certificate
  6. Proof of admission to the university
  7. Original documents of previous education
  8. Curriculum Vitae
  9. Motivational Letter
  10. Travel Health Insurance

Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in Germany is 75 EUR.

After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:

  1. Prepare the required documents and fill up the application form.
  2. Find the closest German Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
  3. Schedule a visa appointment,.
  4. Attend your visa appointment and submit the documents.

For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.

That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in Berlin. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!