Germany · Berlin
Study in Berlin in English: universities, costs and careers for international students
Berlin is Germany’s capital, its largest city and its most international - home to three major universities, a world-famous start-up and tech scene, and one of the most diverse student populations in Europe. It offers a wide choice of English-taught programmes and noticeably lower living costs than Munich, with a creative, open culture that draws students from across Africa and the world.
Why Berlin
A liveable, affordable capital with the academic and economic weight of a much bigger price tag elsewhere.
- Three major universities: Humboldt-Universität (HU), Freie Universität (FU) and Technische Universität Berlin (TU), plus Charité, one of Europe’s top medical schools
- Germany’s leading start-up ecosystem - tech, fintech, gaming and the creative industries - alongside major research institutes
- One of the most international and diverse cities in Europe, with large, established African communities
- Affordable for a capital, with a famously open and creative culture
Universities & English-taught programmes
Berlin has one of the widest ranges of English-taught study in Germany, especially at master’s level.
- TU Berlin: English-taught master’s in computer science, engineering, data and energy, with strong industry links
- FU and HU: English-taught master’s across the social sciences, economics, data and the natural sciences
- Specialist English-taught schools: ESMT Berlin (management) and the Hertie School (public policy and international affairs)
- Most bachelor’s are in German (around C1 / TestDaF needed); English-taught study is mainly at master’s level
Career prospects & ROI
A genuine tech and start-up job market - strong value given Berlin’s lower cost base.
- Industry connections: start-ups, tech and fintech, media, research institutes and a growing number of international HQs recruit locally
- Working-student jobs and internships are widely available and are the main route into a first role
- Post-study work: an 18-month residence permit to find a job, then a work permit or EU Blue Card for qualifying salaries
- Lower living costs than Munich mean a better return on the same (near-zero) tuition investment
Cost of living in Berlin
Estimates for the 2026 academic yearA student in Berlin should budget around 1.255 € a month. The heaviest line by far is rent: a room in a shared flat goes for about 650 €, and most land between 500 € and 850 €.
- Room in a shared flat usually 500 € – 850 €
- 650 €
- Food and groceries
- 250 €
- Student travel pass
- 40 €
- Health insurance
- 130 €
- Phone, internet, electricity
- 75 €
- Books, sport, going out
- 110 €
- Monthly total
- 1.255 €
Ranked 11 of 12 on cost among the cities we cover in Germany, cheapest first.
Cheapest on our list: Duisburg, at about 955 € a month. →What things cost here, against the EU
Across the whole shopping basket Germany sits at 109.1, where the EU average is 100 (2024).
EU average = 100
Consumer prices rose 2.3% over 2025.
Prices in Berlin
- Consumer prices +2.2% (2025)
- Net rents +2.9% (2025)
- Household electricity 0.44 € per kWh (2025)
Where these numbers come from
The monthly budget is our own estimate, compiled from what student unions, universities and national student services publish. Use it to plan with — it is not a quote.
The price levels, inflation and rent figures are published statistics: Eurostat purchasing power parities and, for German states, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
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What it costs
Tuition-free public universities and the most affordable big city in Germany.
- Tuition: Berlin’s public universities charge no tuition fees - only a semester contribution of around €300, which includes a public-transport ticket
- Living costs: about €1,000–€1,300/month, with Studentenwerk halls and shared flats (WGs) the cheapest housing
- Blocked account (Sperrkonto) for the visa: around €11,900 for the year (about €992/month)
- Part-time work: 140 full or 280 half days a year (roughly 20 hours a week); public health insurance about €130/month
Life, safety & culture
Big-city energy, an international crowd and a calmer budget than southern Germany.
- Daily language is German, but English goes a long way in Berlin’s international scene - still, B1 German makes life and part-time work much easier
- Excellent U-Bahn, S-Bahn and tram network, included in your semester ticket
- A safe, walkable city by big-city standards, with strong public healthcare via statutory student insurance
- A huge, diverse student population and one of the largest African communities in Germany
How to apply & the bureaucracy
Public universities go through uni-assist or their own portals; the private schools run their own admissions.
- Apply via uni-assist or the university directly; deadlines are typically 15 July (winter) and 15 January (summer)
- English-taught programmes accept IELTS/TOEFL; German-taught ones need TestDaF or DSH
- Check the anabin/DAAD recognition of your secondary certificate - some nationalities need a Studienkolleg first
- Once admitted, open the blocked account and start the student-visa process the same week; allow 6–12 weeks
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