Study Destination Guide: Berlin

Berlin is the capital and largest city of Germany and has a dynamic and vibrant student life. The city has become an attractive destination for students from all over the world. Famous for its cultural diversity and artistic scene, Berlin is home to many museums, art galleries, theaters, and concert halls. Important cultural venues such as Museum Island, the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin State Opera House, and the East Side Gallery (an open-air gallery on the East Berlin Wall) are located in the city.

Berlin also offers a vibrant student life for young people. Many universities and colleges are located here, especially prestigious institutions such as Humboldt University, Technical University Berlin, and Freie Universität Berlin. There is also support for students in Berlin, providing affordable housing, transportation, and living costs.

What Makes Studying in Berlin Attractive?

Prestigious universities and colleges: Berlin is home to many universities and colleges. Prestigious institutions such as Humboldt University Berlin, Technical University Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, and Charité University Berlin are located here. You can study in various disciplines at these universities.

A Cosmopolitan Atmosphere: Berlin is home to an international student community. You will have the opportunity to meet and interact with students from different cultures. This offers a rich experience of cultural diversity and tolerance.
Affordable Tuition Costs: Berlin has more affordable living costs than other European capitals. Housing, transportation, and basic living expenses are generally affordable for students. There are also special discounts and support for students. In addition, you do not need to pay high tuition fees at public schools in Germany, as you do at other European universities.
Interesting Cultural Events: Berlin is famous for cultural events such as art, music, theater, and cinema. There are many different venues, such as museums, galleries, concert venues, and theaters. Students can easily access cultural events and have a rich artistic experience.
Entertainment Life: Berlin has a dynamic and vibrant nightlife. There are a variety of bars, nightclubs, and live music venues. The nightlife is especially intense in areas such as Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain. Students have a wide range of options for nighttime entertainment and social events.
Employment and Internship Opportunities: Berlin offers a wide range of jobs and internships. The city is the center of many international companies and start-ups. Students have an advantage in accessing internships or post-graduation employment opportunities.

Berlin is an international city and has a multicultural atmosphere. People from different cultures live together here, and many foreign languages are spoken in the city. This makes Berlin attractive for international students. So what else can you do in Berlin, both as a student and as a visitor?

International Student Organizations Are Waiting for You

There are many international student organizations in Berlin. By joining these organizations, you can meet other students, participate in cultural events, and expand your social network. You can join different activities, such as student clubs, sports teams, and language groups. These organizations and events provide a great opportunity for international students to expand their social network, meet new people, and experience different cultures in Berlin. Students can find these organizations by checking out their university's student societies, social media groups, or university-organized event announcements.

Here are some of the international student organizations in Berlin:

Erasmus Student Network (ESN): ESN is a student organization that promotes social interaction among international students. ESN Berlin offers students a range of activities such as orientation programs, cultural events, excursions, and parties. It also helps connect international and local students.
AIESEC: AIESEC is one of the largest youth leadership organizations in the world. It has many local branches in Berlin and offers leadership experiences, internships, and cultural events for international students.
International Students Association (ISA): ISA is an organization that works to strengthen social connections among international students in Berlin. ISA organizes events, trips, and cultural activities. It also brings together the international student community to share information about Berlin and help each other.
Buddy Programs: Many universities offer international student buddy programs with local students. These programs aim to have a local student mentor an international student and help them learn about the city. These programs provide a great opportunity for cultural exchange, language practice, and social interaction.

Berlin's Most Important Universities

Universities in Berlin generally provide high-quality education. As the capital of Germany, Berlin is home to many universities and colleges. These universities offer a quality education due to factors such as the excellence of their academic units, respected teaching staff, research facilities, and international collaborations. In addition, Berlin's rich cultural and scientific environment can also support your university experience.

Berlin offers many options for international university students. Here are some of the international universities in Berlin:

Technische Universität Berlin (Technical University Berlin): Technische Universität Berlin is a globally recognized university and offers courses in various fields of engineering, science, and technology. It is a university specializing in engineering, science, technology, and management. It offers research-oriented education and is an internationally recognized institution.
Freie Universität Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin is a university offering a wide range of study programs in many disciplines. English-language programs are available for international students. Freie Universität Berlin was founded in 1948 and offers a wide range of programs in many fields, such as social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine. It stands out for the quality of its research and academic excellence.
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is one of Berlin's oldest universities and offers study in a variety of disciplines. Programs are also available in English. Humboldt University was founded in 1810 and is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It has a strong academic reputation in fields such as philosophy, history, linguistics, and the social sciences.
Berlin School of Economics and Law: This is an international university offering courses in business, economics, and law. It offers programs in English. Founded on April 1, 2009, it is a well-respected institution with a modern curriculum.
Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin: One of the most important universities of medicine and health sciences in Berlin As one of the largest medical schools in Germany, Charité combines excellence, research, and clinical practice. With numerous specialized research areas of the German Research Foundation, Charité is one of the most important medical institutions in Germany.

Berlin Living Guide for Students

Berlin is a more affordable option in terms of living costs than other major cities in Germany. However, living costs can vary depending on personal preferences, lifestyle, and accommodation options. Here are some basic living costs that international students may face in Berlin:

Accommodation: Accommodation costs in Berlin generally increase the closer you get to the city center. Students usually opt for accommodation in dormitories, student apartments, or shared houses. On average, monthly rental fees can range from 300 to 800 euros.
Food and Drink: Food costs in Berlin are generally affordable. Students can find affordable lunches at university cafeterias, canteens, or restaurants. It is also possible to cook in a budget-friendly way by shopping at grocery stores. A student's monthly food costs can usually range between 150 and 300 euros.
Transportation: The public transportation system in Berlin is well developed and has a wide network. Students can easily travel around the city by bus, tram, metro, and train. The monthly cost of a public transportation card in Berlin is approximately 80 to 100 euros.
Entertainment and Cultural Events: Berlin is a city rich in cultural events, museums, theaters, and festivals. Museums and some events may have entrance fees, but students are often offered discounted rates. Berlin also has a wide range of cheap or free events, which can be attractive for students.
Insurance and Health Care: Health insurance is compulsory in Germany. International students must enroll in private health insurance or the German health insurance system. Insurance costs may vary depending on the student's age, health status, and insurance plan.

Erasmus+ Program in Berlin

Erasmus+ is an EU program to support education, training, youth, and sport in Europe, implemented by the European Commission and a small number of supporting organizations to provide financial support for activities that increase skills and employability among young people in Europe.

Since 2014, the Erasmus+ Programme has been the integrated version of the various education programs of the European Union implemented in the period 2007–2013, and the budget allocated by the European Union for Erasmus+ activities over a seven-year period is €14.7 billion.

The estimated number of European students benefiting from this program is over 4 million, and they can study, train, gain work experience, and take part in voluntary projects abroad under Erasmus+ EU grants.

The 2021–2027 program focuses on social inclusion, green and digital transitions, and promoting youth participation in democratic life, supporting the priorities and activities set out in the European Education Area, the Digital Education Action Plan, and the European Skills Agenda. The pan-European budget of the Erasmus+ Program for 2021–2027 is €28.4 billion.

How long does Erasmus+ Take?

Your stay in your destination country under the Erasmus+ program can last for a minimum of 2 months (or 1 academic semester or trimester) and a maximum of 12 months, depending on your purpose of departure.

What are the Requirements of the Erasmus+ Program?

The conditions that students who want to study under the Erasmus+ program must fulfill are as follows:

Have the language proficiency required for the Erasmus+ program
applying to a university that offers education within the parameters of the program
To have completed the first year of your undergraduate or graduate studies and to study in one of the departments of your university included in the Erasmus+ program
To have taken a total of 60 credits in one academic year
Not having participated in the Erasmus+ program before
To have an academic GPA of 4.00/2.20 (minimum) for undergraduate students, 4.00/2.50 (minimum) for master's students, and 4.00/3.00 (minimum) for doctoral students