The German higher education system makes it possible for many students to earn a degree at a public university without paying tuition fees. In Berlin, regular bachelor’s and many master’s programs at public universities are generally tuition-free for domestic and international students, but students must still pay semester contributions and living costs. To help you compare your options, we have created a detailed article below on some of the top tuition-free universities in Berlin. If you are interested in courses beyond Berlin, you should check out the available courses in Germany for international students.
| University | Tuition & Semester Cost | Teaching Language |
|---|
| Humboldt University of Berlin | No regular tuition for most standard degree programs; semester contribution required and varies by semester. | Bachelor’s programs are in German; master’s programs may be in German or English. |
| Freie Universität Berlin | No tuition for standard degree programs, except continuing education programs; semester fees are €358.80 for summer 2026 and €376.80 for new enrollments in winter 2026/27. | Mostly German; selected bachelor’s and master’s programs are available in English. |
| Technical University of Berlin | No tuition except for continuing education master’s programs; the winter 2026/27 semester fee is €379.06 with the semester ticket. | Undergraduate programs are in German; master’s programs are offered in German and/or English. |
| Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) | No tuition except for some advanced education master’s programs; semester fees are €359.00 for summer 2026 and €377.00 for winter 2026/27. | Most programs require German; some require English. |
| Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (EHB) | Tuition fees are currently not charged for listed programs; the summer 2026 re-registration contribution is €390.80 for students paying the full semester-ticket contribution, with lower amounts for some student groups and programs. | German for degree-seeking programs. |
Tuition-Free Schools in Berlin for International Students
Berlin is known as an educational hub, and some of its tuition-free universities that are the best in this respect are as follows.
1. Humboldt University of Berlin
Humboldt University of Berlin is one of Berlin’s historic public research universities. The university was founded in 1810 on the initiative of Wilhelm von Humboldt and later received its current name in honor of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt. Today, it offers more than 170 degree programs and combines research, teaching, and practice across a wide range of fields.
Humboldt University’s undergraduate programs are taught in German, while the language of instruction varies at the master’s level. The university’s tuition-free study options include regular bachelor’s and master’s programs in fields such as humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and related disciplines. Students should still budget for the semester contribution and living expenses in Berlin.
2. Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin)
The Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) was founded on December 4, 1948, by students and scholars with support from the American allied forces and Berlin politicians. Its founding was connected to the persecution of students who were critical of the system at the former Universität Unter den Linden in the Soviet sector of divided Berlin. Today, FU Berlin is a major research university with more than 150 degree programs.
FU Berlin does not charge tuition for standard degree programs, except for continuing education programs, but students pay semester fees and contributions. The university also offers selected English-taught bachelor’s and master’s programs, while most undergraduate programs remain German-taught. Examples of undergraduate subjects include Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Economics, and French studies.
The Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum belong to Freie Universität Berlin and cover more than 43 hectares, with around 20,000 cultivated plant species. This gives the university an especially strong academic environment for students interested in life sciences and related fields.
3. Technical University of Berlin
Our next recommendation for excellent tuition-free universities in Berlin is the Technical University of Berlin. TU Berlin is a public technical university with a broad study portfolio, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral opportunities. The university lists 50 bachelor’s programs and 92 master’s programs, with programs taught in German, English, or both German and English.
There are no tuition fees at TU Berlin, except for continuing education master’s programs. However, students must pay a semester fee each semester. For winter semester 2026/27, the total semester fee with the semester ticket is €379.06.
4. University of the Arts Berlin
- Admissions | Tuition Fees
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and artistic qualifications | Medium of Instruction: Mostly German, with some English requirements depending on the program
The highly acclaimed public arts university, Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin), also provides tuition-free education for most regular degree programs. UdK Berlin brings together Fine Arts, Architecture, Media and Design, Music, Performing Arts, and related academic disciplines. The university has more than 70 degree programs and around 4,500 students, about one third of whom come from abroad.
No tuition fees are payable at UdK Berlin, except for some advanced education master’s programs. Students still pay a semester fee, which is €359.00 for summer semester 2026 and €377.00 for winter semester 2026/27. Language requirements depend on the study program: most programs require German, while some require English.
5. Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (Evangelische Hochschule Berlin)
- Admissions
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s | Medium of Instruction: German
Founded in 1904, the Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (EHB), also known as the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin, is a church-affiliated university of applied sciences. EHB focuses on practice-oriented education in social work, health and nursing, education and pedagogy, and religion.
EHB offers bachelor’s and master’s programs, including Social Work, Nursing, Midwifery, Childhood Education, Protestant Religious Education and Diaconia, and several master’s programs in social work, education, health, and social leadership. The language of instruction for degree-seeking students is German, and strong German language skills are required. Tuition fees are currently not charged for listed programs, but semester and re-registration contributions apply.
FAQs: Free Universities in Berlin
Are there free universities in Berlin for international students?
Yes. Berlin’s public universities are generally tuition-free for international students in regular bachelor’s and many master’s programs. In most cases, “free” means no tuition fee, but students still pay a semester contribution and their living costs.
How much are semester fees at free universities in Berlin?
For the universities listed here, semester costs are often around €356 to €391 per semester, depending on the university, semester, program, and semester-ticket rules. Because the amount can change, always check the university’s official enrollment or re-registration page before you apply.
Are all programs at public universities in Berlin free?
No. Many regular bachelor’s and consecutive master’s programs at public universities are tuition-free, but continuing education, extra-occupational, and some specialized non-consecutive programs may charge tuition or additional program fees. This is why you should always confirm the fee policy for your exact program.
Can I study in English at tuition-free universities in Berlin?
Yes, especially at the master’s level. Many tuition-free universities in Berlin offer English-taught graduate programs, while bachelor’s programs are more often taught in German. The exact language of instruction depends on the university and degree.
How much does it cost to live in Berlin as an international student?
Even if your university is tuition-free, you still need to budget for rent, food, health insurance, study materials, and personal expenses. Many students use about €1,000 per month as a rough planning figure for Berlin, but your actual cost will depend heavily on your accommodation and lifestyle.
Are there scholarships for international students at free universities in Berlin?
Yes. Even when tuition is free, scholarships can help cover living expenses and other costs. Common options include DAAD scholarships, the Deutschlandstipendium, Erasmus+ funding, and university-specific or external scholarships.
An advanced degree from an internationally recognized university can improve study and career options, but costs can restrict many students from pursuing this opportunity. Berlin has several public and publicly recognized institutions where many regular degree programs do not charge tuition, although semester contributions and living expenses still apply.
We hope that this article on tuition-free universities in Berlin was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Germany and Study in Germany!
