Study in Berlin, Germany

About Berlin

Berlin is the capital of Germany and its largest city: according to the statistical office for Berlin and Brandenburg, 3,699,847 people lived there on 30 June 2026. The city is the country's political centre and has a large cultural, media and start-up scene, with neighbourhoods that range from the government quarter in Mitte to the residential districts of Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg.

Students come to Berlin to learn German, to spend a study abroad semester at one of its universities, or to take an English-taught business degree. German is the everyday language, but English is widely used in universities, start-ups and the international community.

Studying in Berlin

Our directory lists 10 schools in Berlin, most of them language schools. Freie Universität Berlin, founded in December 1948, runs two programmes for international visitors: FU-BEST, an intensive academic semester programme that introduces participants to Berlin, Germany and Europe, and FUBiS, its international summer and winter university with German language and subject courses. ESCP Business School, founded in 1819, describes its Berlin campus as a state-recognised university; teaching there focuses on sustainability, entrepreneurship and digitalisation, with a foundation in international management.

For German, the choice is wide. The did deutsch-institut Berlin was founded in 1990, teaches all six levels from A1 to C2 with 20, 24 or 28 lessons a week, is an exam centre for telc and TestDaF and has its own student residence. Sprachenatelier Berlin, in Friedrichshain, is an official telc exam centre for levels A1 to C2. The Akademie für Fremdsprachen also teaches French, Spanish and Italian from beginner (A1) to C2. Other schools in the directory include BWS Germanlingua, Friedländer-Schule and Anda Sprachschule.

Most degree programmes at German universities are taught in German, and most universities require at least level B2. International degree programmes and English-taught postgraduate programmes are exempt from this requirement but ask for proof of English instead. The DSH university entrance language exam has to be taken in Germany, while the TestDaF is offered in around 100 countries.

Cost of living for students

State universities in Germany generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's degrees and most master's degrees; private institutions such as business schools set their own fees. Every student pays a semester contribution of between €70 and €430, which at many universities includes a semester ticket for local public transport.

According to the DAAD, students need between €900 and €1,200 a month depending on the city, and the average student spends €410 a month on rent including utilities. Students from outside the EU must prove €992 a month when they apply for a student visa (DAAD, figure as of 1 January 2025).

Getting around and daily life

Berlin has a dense network of S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains, trams and buses, and many students cycle. The Deutschlandticket, valid on local and regional transport throughout Germany, has cost €63 a month since January 2026; where a university offers it as a Deutschlandsemesterticket, students pay 60% of that price. The climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers.

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need an ID card and must register their address after arrival. Students from countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil or Japan can enter without a visa but must apply for a residence permit if they stay longer than three months; most other students need a national student visa from the German embassy. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa later.

Frequently asked questions

Is Berlin a good place to learn German?

Yes. The city has many language schools; several of them, such as the did deutsch-institut and Sprachenatelier Berlin, are telc exam centres and prepare students for university entrance exams.

Do I pay tuition fees at universities in Berlin?

State universities generally charge no tuition fees for bachelor's and most master's degrees, but every student pays a semester contribution of €70 to €430. Private schools set their own fees.

How much money do I need per month in Berlin?

The DAAD estimates €900 to €1,200 a month for students in Germany, depending on the city. Non-EU students must prove €992 a month for the visa.

Can I study in English in Berlin?

Yes, in international and postgraduate programmes, at business schools such as ESCP and in study abroad programmes such as FU-BEST. Most regular bachelor's degrees are taught in German.