My GUIDE - The gateway to your german university

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View of Berlin from above, with the Spree River in the foreground and the television tower in the background
©eyetronic – stock.adobe.com

Studying in Berlin

Berlin offers you 256 degree programmes in English at 47 higher education institutions.

Berlin is the capital of Germany and by far the largest city in the country. It is the country’s political hub that also will cast a spell on you with its numerous cultural events, exciting nightlife, multicultural flair, creative start-up scene, and diverse districts. These endless opportunities attract young people from all around the world to come and study in Berlin.

Studying in the capital of Germany will not be boring. The city’s numerous districts will give you so much to explore. Taking public transportation with your student ticket will get you anywhere you need to go. If you find yourself wanting to take a study break with fresh air you can take the S-Bahn to the Grunewald to hike in the forest, but if you want to stay in the city, numerous parks are at your doorstep, the most famous of all being the Tiergarten right next to the Brandenburg Gate.

Berlin has a unique history that heavily influences its shape and character. The city was reborn after being split apart for 45 years. The past 30 years have seen Berlin flourish into a centre for politics, multiculturalism, start-ups, and techno. It isn't the cleanest city in Germany, but what makes Berlin's character unique is the graffiti that's on display. After you're done with class, head to the Mauerpark to see artworks at the Graffiti Zone which is located at the old east-west border.

Berlin offers a high quality of life and is cheaper than most other Western European capitals. However, compared to the rest of Germany, the rent and living costs are higher. The new airport is still growing but nonetheless will offer you flights to several international destinations.

Life in Berlin

3,760,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    In close vicinity

  • Coast

    Baltic Sea in 230 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Harz in 250 km distance

  • Other countries

    Poland in 110 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Lake Schwielowsee in 37 km distance

    • Königswald nature reserve in 20 km distance

47 higher education institutions in Berlin

Map of Germany

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Berlin

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Berlin. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Berlin are mainly offered in the subject group Economic Sciences, Law, followed by Humanities and Social Sciences and Engineering Sciences. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 12

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 228

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 161

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 172

    Art, Music, Design

  • 197

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 85

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 362

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 197

    Engineering Sciences

  • 124

    Teaching Degrees

Green sun loungers by the Spree River with the Oberbaumbrücke Bridge in the background
©ArTo – stock.adobe.com

You will rarely find a free seat so easily in the party mekka Berlin.

The Victory Column gives a majestic view of the city and today symbolises peace.

Berlin is the largest city in Germany with around 3.7 million inhabitants. As a student, this will have its advantages and disadvantages. You will have all the amenities a big city has to offer, but it will take some patience to find accommodation. While there will be numerous cafes to study in, finding a spot will be difficult sometimes as so many creatives and professionals will also be vying for those places. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of other locations to study.  

If you don't want to hang out with tourists at the TV tower or the Bundestag, then head to lesser-known areas such as Tempelhofer Field, an old airport turned into a huge park space, or Plötzensee, where you can swim on a hot day. Speaking of which, you and your friends can also visit the numerous lakes on the outskirts of Berlin. There are other places to explore outside of the city such as Potsdam, which has numerous Prussian palaces, or head north to the not-so-distant Baltic Sea.

The nightlife will also leave your head swirling with options as each district offers its own set of bars and clubs. Berlin is world famous for its techno clubs but along with it come very long queues. If that's not your cup of tea, then look for concerts, theatres, or art exhibitions. A new "youth culture card" will give students between 18 and 23 years of age 50 euros towards cultural events. This also includes Berlin's vast number of museums, the most famous of which are on Museum Island.

The capital has numerous higher education institutions that offer courses and degrees in many disciplines. Berlin will present you with plenty of opportunities after you are done studying. It is the political capital of Germany, therefore, prospects in this field will also be in abundance. Start-ups have begun spreading throughout the city. Also, if you studied in any creative field, Berlin is a perfect place to start.

A young woman walks through the city
A young woman walks through the cityJan von Allwörden / DAAD

You can find more information at study-in-germany.de

For more information on living and studying in Berlin, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de