Humboldt University of Berlin

Overview

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany), which was founded in 1810, is one of the most prestigious and most historically important universities in Europe known for effective cost to study in Germany. It is the purported mother of all modern universities, and it was the first to combine research and teaching into one model that transformed the entire higher education worldwide to study in Germany.

Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) is situated in the capital city, Berlin – a world centre of politics, culture and developments. The university provides humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine education of the highest quality of the world. It has a multicultural and stimulating intellectual atmosphere with over 36, 000 students representing over 130 nations along with exquisite scholarships to study in Germany.

The university has also had many Nobel awardees, and other great thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Max Planck, and Karl Marx. It has research collaborations with other key institutions like Charite – Universitatsmedizin Berlin, the Max Planck Society and Freie Universitat Berlin cementing its status as an international leader in the field of academic excellence and innovation.

Highlights

  • Acceptance Rate: 18% (Highly Selective)
  • Total Students: 36,000+ from 130+ countries
  • Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
  • Graduate Employability Rate: 95% within six months of graduation
  • Scholarships: DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, and Humboldt International Awards
  • Annual Research Funding: €1.1 billion+

Rankings

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) is one of the best universities in Europe and regularly among the best in Europe regarding its excellence in humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and, therefore, one of the best research-oriented universities in Germany. Here is the list for better understanding and clarity. 

Ranking Agency Rank / Recognition
QS World University Rankings 2025 #128 globally
Times Higher Education (THE) 2025 #86 worldwide
ARWU (Shanghai) 2024 #101 – 150 globally
U.S. News Best Global Universities 2025 #119 globally
QS Europe University Rankings 2025 #24 in Europe
QS Subject Rankings (Humanities & Social Sciences) 2025 Top 70 globally

Intakes

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) has two major intakes on an annual basis. It is recommended that students apply early enough to give enough time to be admitted and get the visa process.

Winter Semester (October): Major undergraduate and postgraduate enrollment, and in particular in humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines.

Summer Semester (April): Select postgraduate and research-based programs.

Courses & Fees

Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) is a leader in the variety of programs that are based on the combination of the rigorous academics with the research. The university offers liberal arts, economics, law, sciences and medicine degrees. The university provides humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and medicine education of the highest quality of the world

Program

Duration

Tuition Fees (approx.)

Bachelor of Political Science

3 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Bachelor of Economics

3 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Bachelor of Biology

3 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Bachelor of Law

4 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Master of Data Science

2 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Master of Economics

2 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Master of Psychology

2 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

Master of International Law

2 Years

€0 tuition + semester fee €315

MBA in Management

1.5 Years

€30,000 total program cost

Cost of Studying at Humboldt University of Berlin

Being a state-funded university, Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) is less of charge in most of its programs, making it affordable to access a quality education in the world. The cost of living in Berlin is very affordable relative to other metropolitan areas in Europe.

Expense Type

Estimated Cost

Tuition Fees

€0 (public university)

Semester Contribution

€315 per semester

Accommodation

€500 – €900 per month (€6,000 – €10,800 per year)

Food & Groceries

€250 – €350 per month (€3,000 – €4,200 per year)

Transportation

€40 – €80 per month (€480 – €960 per year)

Health Insurance

€120 per month (€1,440 per year)

Miscellaneous

€100 – €200 per month (€1,200 – €2,400 per year)

Scholarships

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) offers several possibilities of scholarships and financial assistance to the international students both at the national and institutional level in case of scholarships and financial help. You get easy access to the distribution of millions of books, journals, and other digital resources. It is supplemented by modern computer laboratories, science and research centers, and working stations.

Scholarship

Value / Waiver

Details

Humboldt International Scholarship

€1,000 – €3,000 per semester

For academically exceptional international students

DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

€850 – €1,200 monthly stipend

Provided by the German Academic Exchange Service

Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship)

€300 per month

Co-funded by the government and private sponsors

Erasmus+ Mobility Grant

€350 – €450 per month

For students in exchange or study-abroad programs

Berlin Study Award

€2,000 annually

For high-performing international students enrolled in Berlin universities

Admissions

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) Admissions department very student friendly. It is known for student-employer connection services that matches students with employers via internship programs, career fairs and in-person alumni networking. The team provides general career advice, resume-building and interview preparations. It is partnered with the business and tech ecosystem in Berlin to provide opportunities in learning in practice.

Undergraduate Admissions
  • Conditions: High school graduation equivalent of the German Abitur.
  • Language Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90 / PTE 58+ (English-taught); TestDaF 4 / DSH-2 (German-taught).
  • Documentation: Formatted transcript, language proficiency, motivation letter, passport, financial evidence (approximately, EUR11,208 per year).
Postgraduate Admissions
  • Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree with a GPA [?] 2.5 (German scale).
  • Language: IELTS 6.5/TOEFL 88/PTE 58+/TestDaF 4/DSH-2.
  • Documents: Bachelor’s degree, transcript, statement of purpose, CV and two recommendation letters and evidence of funding.

Accommodation

The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) provides international students with the help of Studierendenwerk Berlin and also the option of renting apartments privately.

On-Campus Accommodation:

College dormitories offer rooms furnished with internet, kitchen facilities and communal areas. Rent is between EUR250 and EUR400 a month.

Off-Campus Accommodation:

The students have the option to rent their own apartments or shared apartments (Wohngemeinschaften) in such neighborhoods as Mitte, Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg. Renting usually costs between EUR500 and EUR900 a month.

Placements

Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) has a good career development support and international cooperation; thus, the rate of employability is high. The Career Center Berlin of the university cooperates with major companies, research institutions and governmental agencies in order to provide internship and employment opportunities. Salary of average graduate in starting position: EUR48,000 – EUR70,000 a year, depending on the degree and experience.

Top Recruiters Include:

  • Siemens AG
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • Google Germany
  • PwC Germany
  • Amazon Europe
  • BMW Group
  • Allianz SE
  • Deloitte Germany
  • Bosch GmbH
  • Airbus Group

Student Essential Services

Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) offers an excellent portfolio of academic, professional, and personal support services to enhance student success, well-being and international interactions. Seminars on study skills, academic writing, and presentation skills are conducted during the semester.

Student Success Centre: Student Success Centre in the university provides individual academic advising, tutoring as well as peer mentorship programs. Students get advice on choosing of courses, exams and research projects. 

Hub for career and Employability: The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) career hub is a student-employer connection service that matches students with employers via internship programs, career fairs and in-person alumni networking. The hub provides general career advice, resume-building and interview preparations. It is partnered with the business and tech ecosystem in Berlin to provide opportunities in learning in practice.

Counselling and Accessibility Services: The university offers free-confidential psychological counselling to stress management difficulties and difficulties in adjusting. The accessibility services help to include students with disabilities with the help of adaptive technologies, an extra opportunity to test, and special learning arrangements.

Clubs and Recreation: The Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) has more than 200 student organizations such as sports clubs, cultural clubs, research clubs and debate clubs. The Humboldt Student Union provides students with an opportunity to engage in sporting activities, volunteering, and innovation competitions.

Learning Materials and Libraries: The library system of the university, which includes the historic Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm Centre, provides access to the distribution of millions of books, journals, and other digital resources. It is supplemented by modern computer laboratories, science and research centers, and working stations.

Visa and Housing Assistance: The International Office offers visa and residence permit assistance to the end, assistance of opening a bank account, health insurance registration, and orientation to assist the students in incorporating into the multicultural setting of Berlin.

Health and Well-being: Accessible healthcare is provided by Campus medical clinics and health insurance advisory services. The university focuses on student welfare by means of yoga, meditation, and fitness. Security services are 24/7 so as to have a safe campus environment.

Events and Cultural events: Diversity and international relations are promoted by such annual events like International Week, Science Night Berlin, and Cultural Exchange Fair. The student loves film screening, workshops, art exhibition and language cafes which are all intercultural learning events.

Location of Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany

Frequently Asked Questions Section

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the programs of Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)?

Some of the programs are Political Science, Law, Economics and Data Science, Psychology among others at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany).

English language requirements at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)?

Undergraduate: IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90. Postgraduate: IELTS 6.5 or a corresponding TOEFL/PTE score.

Does Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany) offer any scholarships to international students?

Yes, these scholarships are DAAD, Deutschlandstipendium, Humboldt International, and Erasmus+.

When are the intakes at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)?

Pinnacle intakes are in October (Winter) and April (Summer).

Do Humboldt University of Berlin students have accommodation opportunity?

Both university dorms and personal shared apartments exist and are provided by Studierendenwerk Berlin at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany).

How expensive is it to live as a student at Humboldt University of Berlin?

EUR12,000 -15,000 is the average yearly cost of living in the country in terms of accommodation and other expenses at Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)

What is the reason to select Humboldt University of Berlin (Germany)?

It provides a combination of a strong academic tradition, research excellence, low-cost education, international fame and rich cultural life in the city centre of Germany.

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