Whether you’re an artist, history buff, budding entrepreneur, or someone simply looking for an adventure, study abroad in Berlin is right for you! ☆ Why? Because Berlin is an affordable European city with a vibrant international youth culture, a thriving arts scene, and an impressively effective transportation system. Over the past century a host of creative, innovative, and economic breakthroughs have transformed Germany’s once demolished and divided capital into a multidimensional cultural hotspot.
Hip, artsy, and unlike anywhere else in the world, studying abroad in Berlin, Germany is incredible.
People from all over the world come to study in Berlin. Whether you want to explore a new part of the world, form new friendships, develop professional skills, or boost your resume, Berlin is the perfect destination for a study abroad experience. Whether you’re looking to study abroad for a summer, one semester, or a full academic year, there are a few things you should know before you go.
FAQs on studying in Berlin
1. What makes Berlin great for study abroad?
Berlin’s grungy glamor has captivated travelers for years. Rebuilt and united after being bombed, the city is now famous for attracting young people, free thinkers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and scholars. Feeling bored in Berlin is almost impossible as there is always something new to explore and experience. Simply put, Berlin is a blast. From its world renowned nightlife, sprawling beer gardens, diverse indoor food halls, and colorful Turkish markets, Berlin is full of a wonderful diversity of cultural offerings.
With more than 170 museums, over 40 theaters and opera houses, as well as countless galleries, performance spaces, and cinemas, Berlin is characterized by a vibrant cultural scene. Following reunification, the city’s expansive space and cheap rent has continued to draw young artists and entrepreneurs from all over the world. Former squats transformed into art galleries, performers opened studios in abandoned warehouses, and an electric explosion of graffiti and murals swept the city streets. With one of the most progressive and lively art scenes in the world, it’s no wonder cultural icons such as Iggy Pop and David Bowie called Berlin home. Come on, who doesn’t want to live in a place where David Bowie once lived?!
2. What are popular study abroad programs in Berlin?
There’s so much to love about Berlin study abroad
There are countless study abroad programs to choose from which can make finding the perfect program an overwhelming task but we’re here to help! Check out our Berlin study abroad program page to search for study abroad programs in Berlin based on what you want to study and your desired duration. In addition to providing classes, most study abroad programs (including the ones listed below) also provide opportunities for students to take part in a wide variety of cultural activities and group excursions to famous locations throughout Berlin.
Here are some of the best study abroad programs in Berlin that student travelers recommend:
- IES Abroad Berlin—Language & Area Studies Semester/Year: Study in Berlin with GoAbroad’s Top Study Abroad Program! Students can improve their German language skills while studying at various universities including Humboldt University and Free University Berlin. Programs are available for one semester or a full academic year. Do you also want to broaden your international work experience while you’re abroad? Participate in an IES internship! Make sure to read the IES Berlin study abroad reviews to find out why this program may be the perfect option for you. Read the reviews of this IES program
- AIFS Summer Study Abroad in Berlin: Don’t speak any German but are interested in learning more about German culture? Spend the summer in Berlin with AIFS and earn up to 12 credits studying at Humboldt University! Courses are taught in German or English—no German language prerequisites are required. Choose session 1 and you will travel to the dazzling Baltic sea; choose session 2 and you will travel to Dresden, one of Germany’s most historic cities. Not only are there countless courses and cultural activities to choose from, but the AIFS staff are eager to support you throughout your entire summer abroad and will act as a liaison between you and the university to ensure that all your needs are met. Read reviews of this AIFS Abroad program
- iXperience Accelerate Berlin: Eager to develop your digital design skills? Aspiring to learn from expert consultants? Do you want a study abroad experience that will give you work experience AND help you gain skills to boost your resume? If you answered yes to one or more of these questions than iXperience may be right for you! This innovative summer abroad program combines 2 weeks in the classroom with a 4 week internship with a local company. Unlock your true potential with iXperience in an unforgettable city! Read reviews of this iXperience Abroad program
- CEA Study Abroad in Berlin: Eager to take your German language skills to the next level while experiencing local German culture? Spend your summer in Berlin with CEA and study at Humboldt University! Perhaps you aren’t a German language learner but are interested in economics, law, and business? This may also be the program for you! With CEA you can take classes instructed in English at Berlin School of Economics and Law! Let Berlin become your classroom as you embark on CEA’s cultural excursions that reveal the city’s vibrant nightlife, rich history, and beautiful parks. Check out reviews for CEA’s Study Abroad program in Berlin! Read reviews of this CEA Abroad program
- Bard Berlin: A Liberal Arts University: Looking for courses taught in English with a small group-learning environment? Interested in studying the arts, humanities, or social sciences? Study with Bard Berlin! Located in the heart of Pankow, one of Berlin’s coziest neighborhoods, this prestigious liberal arts college offers various semester, one year, and summer program opportunities for students depending on their university level. Pankow, a charming and quiet Berlin district offers a calm environment for students and is only a 20 minute S bahn (Berlin’s overground train) ride away from the center of the city. Bard Berlin students are also given the opportunity to complete an optional internship in a wide range of fields including the arts, human rights, publishing, and education. Explore philosophical, literary, social, artistic, and scientific questions about the world with Bard Berlin!
3. What should I study in Berlin?
What will you study? German, history, art?
You’ve decided you want to study in Berlin–check! Now you have to establish what you want to study. As a major international city, a hub of innovation and scientific research, and a city filled with arts and culture, Berlin offers opportunities for study abroad students with a vast variety of backgrounds and interests. Some of the most popular disciplines to study in Berlin include art history, German, business, international relations, philosophy, engineering, European studies, and the sciences. Although some prior German language is recommended, many programs offer courses taught in English.
Interested in the arts? As one of the richest cities in contemporary art, Berlin is home to numerous art galleries, museums, and theatres. Studio and performance spaces in Berlin are fairly inexpensive and the German government also provides financial support to creative industry workers—a crystal clear reason why art students should study in Berlin!
If you’re interested in technology, entrepreneurship, or international business, Berlin is the place for you. Full of young creative thinkers and entrepreneurs, Berlin is one of the leading startup hubs in Europe. Offering multitudes of coworking spaces and events, students can easily network with like-minded people.
Is classical studies more where your interests lie? You would also benefit from studying abroad in Berlin! The city is at the heart of European intellectual history—Beethoven and Kant are just a few of the famous German pioneers who led 19th century groundbreaking accomplishments in music and philosophy.
If you’re interested in the Cold War or WWII, studying history in Berlin is a no-brainer. Berlin occupies a deeply significant place in history, making it a compelling study abroad destination. You can study the city’s war torn past by visiting its many famous historical monuments such as the Holocaust Memorial, East Side Gallery, and the Berlin Wall.
LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE! Giant pretzels can help.
It’s clear that you can choose to study almost anything in this diverse city and while that means there is more to choose from, it also makes your study abroad experience that much more interesting and exciting!
4. What are the most popular universities in Berlin for international students?
We’ve talked at length about the most popular German universities for international students in that linked article, but here’s a snapshot:
- Freie Universität Berlin (Free University Berlin): Founded only 70 years ago, Free University Berlin is one the largest of the major research institutes in Berlin. Recognized for its strong reputation in the social sciences and humanities, Free University Berlin is an extremely international-friendly school that is home to cutting edge research in the sciences, mathematics, and technology. Free University Berlin students can also easily access the “green jewel of Berlin,” the city’s beautiful botanical garden, the second largest botanical garden in the world. Free University Berlin is recognized as the #1 choice for international students who wish to study in Berlin. It may be your #1 choice too!
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin(Humboldt University of Berlin): Humboldt University is one of the top ranked universities in Berlin. As the city’s oldest university, it has become a model for other universities all over the world. Humboldt’s dedication to teaching and research most popularly appeals to students with interests in economics, sustainability and the sciences. In addition to studying, you won’t want to miss out on the university’s sports, various choirs, orchestras, and other engaging extracurricular activities!
- Technische Universität Berlin (Berlin Institute of Technology): Berlin Institute of Technology has become one of the most prestigious educational institutions in Europe. One of Germany’s largest and most internationally renowned technical universities, TU has led outstanding achievements in research and teaching. With approximately 100 different programs of study, sports ranging from Aerobics to Yoga, and countless other cultural activities, TU students are bustling around Berlin all semester long.
5. How much will it cost to study in Berlin?
Budgeting can be the most dreadful part of planning your study abroad trip but take a deep breath—finding a program that is both affordable AND reputable IS possible! Lucky for you, Berlin is one of the most affordable cities to live in! (Just be sure to pay attention to your study abroad fees and you’ll be good as gold).
While semester and year long programs are more expensive than summer long programs, they usually include a lot of other accommodations such as housing, cultural activities, and medical insurance. A semester at a low cost program such as IES Berlin—Language & Area Studies will cost ~$18,145, while a higher end program, such as the Women and Gender Studies program— Carleton Global Engagement, will cost ~$23,000.
Eat all the carbs, take all the pics.
While tuition for summer programs usually include housing accommodations and the cost of field trips as well, the main difference is time. Less time=less money. A low cost program like CIEE Summer in Berlin will cost ~$4,000 while a higher cost program such as iXperience Accelerate Berlin will cost ~$9,900.
[The Average Cost of Studying Abroad—A Study]
Your lifestyle choices will determine your budget in Berlin. It’s highly recommended that you go abroad with a decent amount of savings. Even though it’s an extremely affordable city, it’s still not a smart idea to blow all of your money right away by dining like royalty every single night. It’s important to treat yourself while abroad but not to the point where you completely empty your pockets! Be sure to reference our tried and true strategies to pay for study abroad, too.
6. Is it safe to study abroad in Berlin?
Berlin is an extremely safe city. That said, use common sense at all times and always pay attention to your surroundings. Berlin is a large city and has a high volume of tourists, increasing the chance of pickpotting in crowded locations. Don’t carry an unreasonable amount of money with you, keep your passport in a safe place, and don’t leave any personal items unattended.
[Study Abroad Safety: 9 Great Destinations + Helpful Tips]
In general Berlin is safe at all hours of the night and even early mornings however, it is important to follow general rules of thumb for all cities, like avoiding walking alone through parks at night. It is always smart to have the local police number on hand and know where to locate the US Embassy in case you do ever find yourself facing a serious threat.
7. What other costs should I take into consideration before studying in Germany?
Flights: Want to travel to Berlin without draining your bank account? Check out popular airline search engines like Momondo, Kayak, Skyscanner, and Google Flights to find cheap flights. Berlin’s two major airports—Tegel Airport and Tempelholf—are easily accessible via public transportation so you don’t have to worry about paying that hefty taxi fee! Some popular budget airlines to look for when searching for tickets are Ryanair, WOW air, and Norwegian Air.
Airline prices always vary greatly depending on the day of the week and the time of year you are flying. Airwander is another great website that shows stopover options. Adding connection flights adds more time to your journey but it can also help you save a decent amount of money off your flight! You should also keep in mind—it’s important that you don’t buy your flight too early OR too late. The recommended best time to purchase international flights is approximately three months before departure.
A pint of kolsch on the River Spree? Don’t mind if we do.
Food: Depending on the study abroad program, meals may or may not be covered. But don’t worry, Berlin offers plenty of filling and inexpensive food options and is home to some of the most affordable discount grocery stores, such as REWE. Food stands selling popular staple treats like bratwurst, currywurst, and doner kebabs are scattered all over the city and cost only a few euros. Average dine-in restaurants are also relatively inexpensive compared to other European cities. Student cafeterias open to the public are also abundant! If you’re studying with a specific university, such as Bard Berlin, there is mostly likely a cafeteria that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Students who choose to live with a host family are typically provided with breakfast and dinner every day.
Berlin is also widely known for its international food scene, especially Turkish food. If you go to Kreuzberg, Berlin’s most historically Turkish neighborhood, you will find the city’s most well known Turkish street market, abundant with hundreds of stalls selling traditional Turkish foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, delicious cheeses and desserts, and other household goods. Be sure to soak up the smells, sights, and sounds of Berlin’s international food scene by trying some foods you’ve never tasted before!
Housing: Many programs give students the unique experience of living with local residents throughout the city. This is the best housing option for students seeking a linguistic and cultural immersion during their time abroad. Some programs will also offer students the option of living in an apartment equipped with a full kitchen. Apartment living is a great option for students who are seeking an independent lifestyle during their time abroad. Depending on the program, these apartments are either shared or are single occupancy studio apartments.
8. Will my credits transfer to my home institution?
The transfer of academic credit gained through most programs is decided by the home university of the student. Students are encouraged to acquire course pre-approval prior to departure to ensure their home college will accept the credits earned while abroad. Most distinguished study abroad programs,such as IES, accept credit transfer back to their home institution. IES, for example, partners with more than 250 U.S colleges and universities, approximately 100 international institutions, and other notable study abroad organizations.
History will pop around every corner. Sooo much better than your textbook!
Next steps to studying in Berlin
Don't pack your lederhosen juuuust yet. There are a few items on your study abroad to do list you should check off first.
- Decide where to go. Figuring out where to study abroad in Berlin isn’t easy. At a university? Through YOUR university? Through a third party provider, like AIFS in Germany?
- Your major courses or something more fun and experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your major back home (though it never hurts to knock out some credits towards graduation). Look at your course options and decide what combination of required classes and just-for-fun-or-because-you-want-to-learn-it classes are out there. Choose from literature, the sciences, education, psychology, and more!
- Choose from the best study abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between study abroad programs.
- Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Check out scholarships for study abroad in Australia too!
- Talk to your home university. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your home university requires. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your university to see what choices are available to you.
Now’s your chance to study abroad in Berlin!
So, uh, where do we sign up?! *Books flight immediately*
Now it’s time to pick your program and get ready for Berlin to welcome you with open arms! With its affordable cost of living, prestigious academic institutions, vibrant artistic and cultural scene, rich history, welcoming atmosphere, and outstanding nightlife, Berlin has become an international hotspot for study abroad students. Plus, the city’s efficient and reliable rail system allow for easy access to other European cities for any desired weekend getaways!
In some way, shape, or form, your experience in Berlin will stay with you forever. Keep your eyes, mind, and heart open to the great personal growth you will experience during your time abroad. Living in a multicultural atmosphere in one of the greatest cities in the world will give you countless stories to share and memories that will last a lifetime. Get the chance to experience the splendor of the city yourself, Berlin is waiting for you!
Get Matched with 5 Study Abroad Programs in Berlin for FREE
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