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Humboldt University of Berlin

8.3(2)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1810
Founded
1810
Type
Public
University Guide

About Humboldt University of Berlin

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

Humboldt University of Berlin is a public research university established in October 1810. It is ranked #126 in the world and 7th in Germany as per QS ranking 2025. The university offers over 189 different programs from various fields at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Most of the Humboldt University of Berlin courses start in the Winter Semester in the month of September.

There is no tuition fee to study at the Humboldt University of Berlin. You need to pay a semester fee of EUR 315 every semester which will cover most expenses like travel and club fees. Since you are an Indian student, you must complete 13 years of study. This can be one year in college after 12th or a 3 year diploma after 10th. You can also take a 1 year preparatory course in Germany after bachelor’s in India.

Now, regarding the requirements for admission, you must take a German language test if you are a bachelor’s student. All undergraduate degree programs at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are offered exclusively in German, and you need C1 German language proficiency. IELTS is not required, instead you need to prove that your Medium of instruction was English in previous education.

Table of Contents

  1. Humboldt University of Berlin Application Process
  2. Humboldt University of Berlin Fees
  3. Humboldt University of Berlin Cost of Living
  4. Humboldt University of Berlin Placements

Humboldt University of Berlin Admissions

The application can be done directly via the website and via uni-assist at the Humboldt University of Berlin. The application process for Germany is mentioned below:

  • Apply online at studienplatz.hu-berlin.de.
  • You can apply once you have your high school or diploma certificate.
  • You first register and then apply for your degree program in the second step.
  • After registration, you can create your application(s).
  • You submit special requests during the online application process.
  • If you are under 18 years old at the time of application, you will automatically be included in the “Minor quota”.
  • At the end of the online application, you can see the documents that may be required by post.

Documents Required:

  • Secondary school-leaving certificate with overview of subjects and grades
  • Overview of subjects and grades for your degree program (Transcript of Records / Diploma Supplement)
  • Module handbook (description of the learning content of your previous degree program)
  • Degree certificate from the university or, in the graduation phase, confirmation of the date of graduation
  • Official translation of documents that are not issued in German or English
  • Proof of the language skills for the relevant master's program
  • Complete curriculum vitae (from the start of school education to the date of application)
  • Copy of passport or identity card
  • For applications from China, India and Vietnam: Certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS)

Humboldt University of Berlin Application Deadline

The application deadlines are very important since submissions made after the application deadline are not valid and will not be accepted. Compliance with the deadline is determined by receipt of the complete application documents time. The deadlines for Indian students are:

Programs Winter semester Summer semester
Degree programs with NC (restricted admission) 02 May to 31 May 01 December to 15 January
Study programs without NC (Open admission) 02 May to 15 June 01 December to 15 January 

Humboldt University of Berlin Cost of Living

Berlin is still much cheaper than other German cities. On average, students need c. 950 Euros monthly as cost of living in Germany. This includes accommodation rent, matriculation costs (315 Euros per semester), food and insurances. The costs provided below might differ as per your lifestyle. The details of the average cost of living are:

Details Expense
Accommodation EUR 300-400
Food EUR 120
Health Insurance EUR 80
Personal Expenses EUR 50

Humboldt University of Berlin Fees

The university does not charge any tuition fees for international students to study in Germany. You just need to pay the semester fees which is around EUR 315 including a semester ticket (for public transport) per semester (6 months). The details of the semester fees are:

Particulars Fees
1st enrollment fee 50 Euro
Contribution to the student body 9.75 Euro
Contribution to the Studierendenwerk 54.09 Euro
4th-semester ticket 201.80 Euro

Humboldt University of Berlin Scholarships

The university provides multiple scholarships for international students. The amount for these scholarships vary. Some of the scholarships are:

Scholarship name Scholarship Description
Elsa-Neumann-Stipendium des Landes Berlin Supports doctoral candidates of all disciplines and offers full-time and part-time scholarships as well as scholarships for the completion of the doctoral project.
Schleiermacher-Promotionprogram Schleiermacher-Program is targeted at doctoral candidates at Humboldt-Universität working on their thesis independently, outside a doctoral program.
Caroline von Humboldt Stipendiatinnen Program (Exzellenzinitiative) Caroline von Humboldt Stipendium is targeted specifically at women. It offers scholarships for the completion of the doctoral project, scholarships to support mothers in continuing their doctorate after maternity leave and/or parental leave as well as scholarships for stays abroad.
Humboldt Research Track Scholarship (Exzellenzinitiative) Humboldt Research Track scholarships are targeted at students who have achieved excellence during their master's and are preparing for their doctoral studies.
Fellowship for Completion of Degree Humboldt-Universität offers scholarships for the completion of the thesis specifically for international students who do not have German citizenship and who do not study at Humboldt-Universität as part of an exchange program.

Humboldt University of Berlin Rankings

Humboldt University ranks among the top 150 in global universities and within the top 10 in German universities. QS also ranks the university in other parameters which are given below.

Parameters Ranking 2025
QS World University Ranking #=126
QS World University Ranking by Subject #7
QS Sustainability Ranking #=542
Europe University Rankings #=23

Humboldt University of Berlin Placements

Humboldt University provides a Humboldt Internship Program that lasts for 3 months. The international short-term program offers three months of subject-specific learning in a real working environment. The university does not provide teaching assistance or research assistance programs. As part of a start-up, you will gain exciting insights into a wide range of academic fields, individual support during your stay and ECTS credits. The program consist of:

  • Three-month research stay
  • Collaboration in a research project or university-related start-up
  • Preparation workshop

The following websites can help students to find internships or job opportunities in Germany for international students:

  • www.jobworld.de - Integrates different job and internship fairs such as FAZ, Süddeutsche, Tagesspiegel, UNICUM, JobScout24.
  • www.BackinJob.de - Career fair for German and international interns.
  • www.careerjet.de - This advanced search engine provides information on internships and jobs worldwide.
  • www.jobguide.de - This website contains information on internships in Germany and abroad. Furthermore, it provides tips on applications, assessment centers and interviews.
  • www.academics.de - This website lists jobs in Germany at universities and research institutes. You can receive a weekly newsletter with new jobs.

Humboldt University of Berlin Work Permit

Indian students can opt for part-time jobs in Germany while studying. The details of the jobs will be mentioned in German student Visa. As per reports, 2 out of 3 Indian students opt for part-time jobs in Germany on an average.

  • You can work for 120 full days (8 hours) or 240 half days
  • The days are calculated from January 1st to 31st December
  • Work 20 hours a week during semesters
  • Full-time jobs during semester breaks

You can also work at the university at the library or as an assistant. The details of these jobs will be available at the university bulletin.

Humboldt University provides free education to international students. The accommodation also costs less. You can work part-time while studying at the university, which will help you earn and manage your expenses.

FAQs

Ques: Is it hard to get into Humboldt University Berlin?

Ans: Yes, it is hard to get into Humboldt University. The acceptance rate for various courses are different. For some courses, such as Psychology, the Humboldt University of Berlin admission rate is as low as 2%. In contrast, the acceptance rate is close to 5% for others, such as Philosophy and Ethics. It could be as high as 20% for other courses.

Ques: Is Humboldt University of Berlin prestigious?

Ans: Yes, Humboldt University is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany. Established more than 200 years ago, in 1810, the Humboldt University of Berlin is one of the most prestigious universities not only in Germany, but in Europe. The university also provides free education for international students.

Ques: How much is Humboldt University of Berlin tuition fees for international students?

Ans: There are no tuition fees for international students at the Humboldt University of Berlin. You must pay a semester fee 2 times a year. The total fees comes around EUR 630 for one year.

Ques: What is the acceptance rate for Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans: Humboldt University of Berlin acceptance rate is 18%, hence securing admission in it is a competitive affair. Established in 1810, Humboldt University of Berlin is a public research university that hosts a total of 36,566 students.

Ques: Does Humboldt University in Berlin teach in English?

Ans: In addition to regular university courses, Humboldt University offers a selection of courses designed specifically for international students that focus on the history, culture, and society of Berlin and Germany. Most of these courses are taught in English.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

29

Fee from

₹29,057.4

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 9 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration3 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish, German
Fees
Tuition Fee₹34653.64
Native FeeEUR 322
Living Expense₹1226868
Estimated Total₹1289288
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

Humboldt University admissions takes applications for two semester periods - winter semester and summer semester. It is a public university in Germany which are similar to government universities in India. To get admissions to Humboldt University, you do not need a very high academic scores. As an international student, you need at least 60% in previous qualification to be eligible for admissions. The Humboldt University of Berlin acceptance rate for international students is 18%.

Admission for Doctoral degrees is usually done by directly applying to the potential supervisors. They handle the job interview and then accept you into their university. For admission to other undergraduate and graduate courses you need to follow the below path:

At Humboldt University of Berlin all the undergraduate programs are taught in the German language. However, some of the PG programs are offered in both English and German. International applicants are required to submit Proof of previous studies along with the scores of other exams required to study in Germany.


Humboldt University of Berlin Admissions

While taking admission to the university, you must check how competitive the degree is. Also, language barrier can be the most important factor to decide your admission. So it is better to get at least level C1 in German language proficiency before taking admission. Some of the most competitive degrees are:. 

  • Psychology
  • Philosophy and Ethics 
  • Masters in Law 
  • Medicine and Dentistry

The acceptance rates vary as per departments. For some courses, such as Psychology, the Humboldt University of Berlin admission rate is as low as 2%. In contrast, the acceptance rate is close to 5% for others, such as Philosophy and Ethics. It could be as high as 20% for other courses. Most students take admission to Humboldt University because of its quality of education, which is offered for free. Some other reasons of studying in Germany and not in Indian includes:

  • Free education
  • Lot of job opportunities
  • Simple and fast visa extension process

Also Check: Intakes in German Universities 2025


Humboldt University of Berlin Application Deadline

The Humboldt University of Berlin does not accept applications once the deadlines are passed. There are specific guidelines for the postgraduate applications in this university. The following application dates are valid for all international students:

Program Type Summer semester Winter semester
Degree programs with NC January 15, 2025 May 31, 2025
Study programs without NC January 15, 2025 June 15, 2025

Also Check: Application Deadlines for German Universities in 2025


Humboldt University of Berlin Admissions Requirements

International applications for bachelor’s and master's courses in the Humboldt University of Berlin must be submitted to uni-assist. The university will not consider any application unless uni-assist has all the needed documents with it. The following are the documents required by international students applying to this university:

  • Academic records and transcripts
  • Language Proficiency Proof
  • A CV (from the commencement of education at school-level)
  • Fee Receipt produced by Uni-Assist
  • Photocopy of Passport or an Identification Card ( Applicable only to EU Students)
  • The Self-Assessment sheet, for PG admissions

Humboldt University Language Requirements

German is the language of instruction at the Humboldt University of Berlin. Students need to provide appropriate German language proficiency to be able to apply to it. If the course is in English, you need to prove your English language proficiency. However, master’s degrees might have different language requirements.

Language Test Minimum Requirement
Goethe Institute Language Proficiency Certificate C2 Level
TestDaF 4 points in each of the four parts
DSD II C1 Level
TOEFL iBT 84
IELTS  6.0

Humboldt University of Berlin Undergraduate Admissions

The Humboldt University of Berlin provides several undergraduate programs in different fields. All the UG programs are taught in the German language. Aspirants are required to submit the following required documents from the sending institution within the last 6 months to be considered official.

Application Portal: Uni-Assist
Application Fee: Free
Admission Requirements: 

  • Copies secondary school certificate, graduation certificate or any other grade certificate
  • Language proficiency proof
  • CV/ Resume

Humboldt University of Berlin Graduate Admissions 

This university offers two types of master's programs, including the Consecutive Master's courses and the Career-based master's courses. The Career-based master's courses generally require work experience. These courses last between two to four semesters.

Application Portal: Uni-Assist
Application Fee: Free
Additional Documents:

Course  Semester Academic Requirements 
Agricultural Economics (M.Sc.) Winter  Degree in agricultural sciences or a related subject
Biophysics (M.Sc.) Winter and Summer  Degree in biology or related subject
Business Studies (M.Sc.) Winter  Degree in business studies or related subject
Chemistry (M.Sc.) Winter and Summer Degree in chemistry or related subject
Economics (M.Sc.) Winter  Degree first academic qualification with knowledge of at least 60 CP in economics
Information Science (M. A.) Winter Degree in library and information science or a related subject
Mathematics (M.Sc.) Winter and Summer Degree in mathematics; other degrees can be admitted on application

Visa Process for International Students

You must apply for a "German Student visa" or student applicant visa (Studienbewerbervisum) immediately after applying to the university. Simply show the confirmation email you received after completing your online application form, along with a printout of the study information, to explain your purpose. The applicants will be required to submit the following required documents while applying for the Visa.

  • Proof of the financial means
  • Valid Passport
  • A biometric passport-size photo
  • Confirmation of admission or enrollment
  • A proof of sufficient health insurance
  • A proof of sufficient financial means
  • Confirmation of registration from Bürgeramt -Residents’ Registration Office

Applicants, who have not received the Letter of Admission, can apply for an applicant’s visa by presenting the document authenticating that their application form has been received.

Also Read: Reason for Rejection of German Student Visa

Admission in the Humboldt University of Berlin is a selective process. Students must submit their application on time. The university does not have any particular timeline for admission notifications. Therefore, the students are advised to stay in contact with the admissions office.

FAQs

Ques: How to get admission in Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans: To get admission to the Humboldt University of Berlin, you must apply via uni assist or directly via the website. Some of the basic admission requirements include Copies secondary school certificate, graduation certificate or any other grade certificate, Language proficiency proof and CV/ Resume.

Ques: What is the acceptance rate for international students at Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans: The Humboldt University of Berlin acceptance rate for international students is 18%. It is one of the top universities in Berlin, offering more than 180 courses across fields and allowing students to pursue interdisciplinary courses. 

Ques: How do I contact Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans: The contact details of Humboldt University of Berlin by phone is +49 30 2093 70333 (Mo-Fr 9 a.m until 3 p.m.). You can also email or fax to the university. The details are mentioned on the official website of the university. 

Ques: Is Humboldt University of Berlin fees for international students?

Ans: The fees for Humboldt University for international students is EUR 315.00. This is the semester fee as most courses does not have any tuition fees. For social science, tuition fees for the two-year academic program amount to €10,000 and need to be paid in 2 tranches at METU during the first year of studies. 

Ques: Does Humboldt University require IELTS?

Ans: Yes, Humboldt University requires IELTS for admission to courses taught in English. Applicants (non-native speakers) who plan to participate in English speaking courses only, are required to prove their language skills by: TOEFL: minimum 80, IELTS: minimum 6.0.

Placements & Recruiters

Humboldt University of Berlin Placement Details

Humboldt University of Berlin in Berlin, Berlin, Germany placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Recruiters
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Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #3
  • Agriculture: #2 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 17 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Computer Science
  • 5 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #4
  • Arts: #1 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 17 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Arts
  • 3 ranking records in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #1
  • Information Studies: #1 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 21 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Information Studies
  • 3 ranking records in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #2
  • Arts: #1 in country
  • Top source: QS
  • 15 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Economics
  • 3 ranking records in 2025

2026

Highlights
2026
  • Best overall country rank: #4
  • Law: #1 in country
  • Top source: Collegedunia
  • 6 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Law
  • 3 ranking records in 2026

Contact Information

Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin, Germany

+49-30-20-934-6747

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

8.3/10
Top Rated

Based on 2 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.5/10
Faculty
9.5/10
Infrastructure
9.0/10
Accommodation
6.0/10
Placement
6.5/10
Extracurricular
9.5/10