Berlin Calling: Learn More About Studying in Germany27. February 2026 by

Studying in Germany, and especially in Berlin, is very popular among young students from all over the world. Getting accepted to a university is just the beginning since there is still a lot to learn.

To study in Germany, you need to have a very good command of the German language. However, learning German is not the only challenge, as university life has its own peculiarities and pitfalls, even for native speakers.

That’s why our Berlin-based activity coordinator Rebecca regularly offers excursions to universities and workshops on topics relevant for students.

In this article, you can find out exactly what this involves, where you can study in Berlin, and what our former students are doing. Let’s get started!


Universities and institutions of higher education in Berlin

The best-known universities in Berlin are also the biggest in terms of student numbers:

  • Freie Universität (FU) Berlin (38,397 students),
  • Humboldt-Universität (HU) Berlin (31,038 students) 
  • Technische Universität (TU) Berlin (28,624 students)

However, these are by no means all of the universities in Berlin. There are numerous other institutions, such as the University of the Arts (UdK) with its faculties of fine arts, design, music, and performing arts, which has a history dating back over 300 years.

Of course, there are also several universities of applied sciences, such as the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (BHT) and the Berlin University of Applied Sciences (HTW), as well as other faith-based and private institutions.

All in all, there are over 200,000 students in Berlin, an impressive number!

Campus tours at Berlin’s universities

Together with Rebecca, Humboldt students can visit all three universities. On the campus tour at Humboldt University, for example, the group visits the North Campus with the Charité (the famous hospital) and the Theater of Animal Anatomy (the oldest lecture hall in Germany). Afterwards, they continue on to the HU library in the Jakob and Wilhelm Grimm Center and the main building on Unter den Linden with the law faculty. Here, they can marvel at the famous statues of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, after whom the university is named. This is also a good opportunity to take a detour to the State Library (Staatsbibliothek or StaBi). There, you can study or borrow books seven days a week, even if you are not a student.

When visiting the cafeteria Mensa Nord on the HU campus, practical questions come to mind: How can I add credit to my cafeteria card to pay for my lunch? And how do I choose a lunch that is tasty, healthy, and inexpensive?

All cafeterias run by the Studierendenwerk Berlin offer a varied menu with many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Similar to the Humboldt-Institut, there is also a salad bar and soup as a starter. For the main course, you can put together a meal from various components. Rebecca knows a trick here: side dishes such as potatoes always cost around €0.85, for example, regardless of whether you take a spoonful of potatoes or a whole plateful. During their last visit, the students were amazed to see a cafeteria guest who had only a large pile of potatoes and a large pile of cauliflower on his plate. Not particularly satisfying, but a lunch for less than €2!

The campus tour at the Technical University (TU) also includes visits to various faculties, such as the Institute of Civil Engineering on the Wedding campus and the Charlottenburg campus with its main building, the Institute of Mathematics, the Institute of Architecture, and a cafeteria reminiscent of a Berlin techno club.

Each campus has its own special features. At the TU, for example, there is “Schrippen-Chris”, who walks around campus with baskets full of sandwiches. Very handy when the cafeteria is already closed!

Preparing for Studienkolleg (pathway programs)

Anyone who wants to study in Germany but does not have a high school diploma or a school leaving certificate recognized in Germany can attend a Studienkolleg. To do so, you must pass an entrance exam in German and mathematics.

The exams can vary from one Studienkolleg to another, or from one federal state to another. In Berlin, there is one state-run Studienkolleg at TU Berlin and one at FU Berlin. Both provide sample exams with answers on their websites:

Rebecca studied mathematics to become a teacher and helps with test preparation, for example by explaining the tasks and calculation methods. In addition, the students discuss tasks and unfamiliar vocabulary with Rebecca, repeat important formulas, and find ways to solve problems in German.

How to orient yourself at university in Germany

Life at university can be quite confusing at first, as you have to organize a lot of things yourself. Having an overview of where to find what information is really helpful. Rebecca gives our students short workshops on various online platforms offered by universities:

  • Which modules do I have to take?
    It helps to take a look at the respective study regulations for the degree program, which indicate which courses, lectures, seminars, and internships you have to take in order to be admitted to the bachelor’s or master’s thesis at the end. The institutes also have academic advisors who can help with any questions.
  • How do I plan my schedule?
    The study regulations also specify how many credit points (Leistungspunkte or LP) each module is worth. One credit point corresponds to approximately 30 hours of work (including attendance, preparation, and after-class work) are included). The semester hours per week (Semsterwochenstunden or SWS) indicate how much time is required for the various courses (e.g., lectures, seminars, internships, or excursions). One SWS corresponds to a 45-minute unit. Lectures often take place with four SWS (i.e., 2x 90 min), while seminars often only have two SWS, i.e., one weekly appointment. It is recommended to take modules worth 30 credit points each semester. However, the exact planning always depends on the field of study.
  • When can I register for exams or sports courses?

    • Exercise is very beneficial for learning, which is why Berlin’s universities offer a wide range of university sports courses throughout the year. From various team sports to different types of dance, yoga, climbing, or chess, there is something for everyone. Even excursions are offered. The courses always start at the beginning of the semester in October and April, as well as at the beginning of the semester break in February and August, and can be booked a few weeks in advance. Students from all universities can participate, as well as non-students, who, however, will pay higher prices. Nevertheless, the courses are still extremely affordable compared to gyms or club memberships. One example is floorball, a mix of football and ice hockey that is played indoors with plastic sticks and is very easy to learn. Fifteen 2-hour sessions cost only €53 for students or €131 for non-students.

    Links:
    ◦ Sports program at FU Berlin
    ◦ University sports HU Berlin
    ◦ University sports TU Berlin

  • Where can I find literature for my assignments and essays?
    Depending on the university, there are online portals to help you find the books and journals on the library shelves. This also includes e-papers and e-books. At Humboldt university, for example, there is “Primus”, where also non-students can create an account.

Rebecca also gives tips on time management and procrastination, such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves alternating between 20 minutes of concentrated study and 5-minute breaks. The regular breaks are intended to help maintain motivation and focus on the material.


A visit to the State Library is not only worthwhile for learning, but also for meeting interesting people, as our former student Eduardo did:

Selfie with Angela Merkel

Improve your German during the leisure activities

The included leisure program at Humboldt also helps you gain a better understanding of German culture and prepares you linguistically for your studies. After all, the better your German, the easier your studies will be. In the leisure program, you receive a lot of information in German and can try out your newly acquired knowledge for yourself. Mistakes are nothing to worry about – practice makes perfect! What’s more, all students are in the same situation, and everything is more fun when you are together!

What former Humboldt students study

The examples of former students of the Humboldt Institute illustrate the diverse opportunities available for international students in Germany – some of them started our courses with zero knowledge of German and now they study successfully at various universities all over Germany:


Further information on studying in Germany

Our website provides further information on the topic of “German + Studying in Germany”, ranging from admission requirements, our intensive German courses in Berlin or Constance and exams, all the way to our application service.

Looking forward to welcoming you soon to Germany!

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