The government of Germany has made it possible for students to get a superior education by offering tuition-free degrees at the universities of Berlin. With minimal admittance fees and a strict admission procedure, the public universities in Berlin provide top-notch education. To gain further insight into these academic institutions, along with the many courses they offer, we have created a detailed article below on some of the top tuition-free universities in Berlin.
| University | Tuition & Semester Cost | Teaching Language |
|---|
| Humboldt University of Berlin | No regular tuition for standard degree programs; semester contribution required (typically around €300–€356 per semester). | Mostly German; some English-taught master’s options. |
| Freie Universität Berlin | No tuition for standard degree programs; current semester contribution is €358.80. | Mostly German; several bachelor’s and master’s programs are available in English. |
| Technical University of Berlin | No tuition for standard degree programs; semester fee required and varies by semester. | Mostly German; many English-taught master’s options. |
| Berlin University of the Arts (UdK Berlin) | No tuition except for some advanced or continuing-education master’s programs; semester contribution is €360.00. | Mostly German; some programs require English. |
| Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (EHB) | Tuition is currently not charged for some programs; semester contribution still applies. | German for degree-seeking programs. |
Important: In Berlin, “tuition-free” usually means no regular tuition at standard degree programs, but students still pay a semester contribution for administration, student services, and public transport. Some continuing-education or special master’s programs may charge tuition.
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
This institution is known to be a pioneer of education in Europe, Humboldt University of Berlin. It is among the top 10 German universities with regard to research-based studies. It was established in 1810 and named after Alexander von Humboldt’s son, Wilhelm von Humboldt. The institution has earned a reputation for distinction in education and research.
Among its many famous alumni are physicists like Albert Einstein and Max Planck, intellectuals like Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche, and authors such as Heinrich Heine and Bertolt Brecht. Its tuition-free courses include bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Arts and Humanities, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
2. Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin)
The Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) was established in 1948 to serve as a liberal alternative to the East German state institutions. Academically and research-wise, it is highly regarded. It is considered one of the finest in Germany and all of Europe. FU Berlin is proud of its 5 Nobel Laureates in a wide variety of disciplines such as Chemistry, Physics, and Economic Sciences.
The university site also houses the Dahlem Museum and the Freie Universität Berlin Botanic Garden, among other cultural facilities. For foreign students, FU Berlin is a great option because of the many resources it provides at no tuition. Biochemistry, Bioinformatics, Economics, and French studies are some of its bachelor courses.
3. Technical University of Berlin
Our next recommendation for excellent tuition-free universities in Berlin is the Technical University of Berlin, which is recognized for its innovative research infrastructure. It has an overall high ranking among public universities globally. The institution has a lengthy and distinguished past. Business titans like Carl Friedrich von Siemens of Siemens and engineers like Werner Heisenberg, Peter Behrens, and Walther Rathenau are just a few of the famous alumni.
4. University of the Arts Berlin
The highly acclaimed public art and design school, the Universität der Künste Berlin (UdK Berlin), University of Arts Berlin, also provides free tuition education for international students. It is considered one of the largest schools in Europe. The university is home to a variety of specialized research facilities, such as the Center for Contemporary Art (CCA), the Berlin Institute of Theater and Performing Arts (BITPA), and the Hans Eisler School of Music Berlin.
5. Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin (Evangelische Hochschule Berlin)
- Admissions
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D. | Medium of Instruction: German, English
Founded in 1904, Germany’s Ministry of Education and Research has officially recognized the Evangelische Hochschule Berlin (EHB) as an institution of applied sciences. It holds its name as a private university with a wide variety of bachelor’s and master’s degrees. They offer these in the areas of social work, medicine, nursing teaching, and religion. The school is affiliated with the European Association of Schools of Social Work.
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 degree 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?
Semester fees in Berlin are usually around €300 to €364 per semester, depending on the university and student status. Because the amount can change, always check the university’s official enrollment 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. 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 a rough Germany-wide budget of about €900 to €1,200 per month, but your actual cost in Berlin will depend heavily on your accommodation.
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.
Employment in the modern world calls for an advanced degree from a reputed international university. However, the monetary challenges restrict many students from availing this opportunity. Berlin contains a number of well-established universities that offer tuition-free education.
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 for more study options!
