Overview

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) was founded in 1809 by Wilhelm von Humboldt and is the oldest university in Berlin. Home to 29 Nobel Prize winners, its teaching and research programmes cover all the fundamental academic disciplines of the humanities, social and cultural sciences, law, life sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, medicine, agricultural sciences and sustainability, and antiquities research. 

The university was founded in Berlin in 1810, and the foundation concept of Wilhelm von Humboldt gave it the title "Mother of all modern universities." This concept envisaged a "Universitas litterarum" which would achieve a unity of teaching and research and provide students with an all-round humanist education. This concept spread throughout the world and gave rise to the foundation of many universities of the same type over the next century and a half. 

Due to numerous cutting-edge research projects and renowned international networks, HU (with its 36,222 students, 440 professors, 9 faculties, and 171 degree courses) is one of the most distinguished universities in the German-speaking world. HU is a member of the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and has been funded in the Excellence Strategy since 2019.

At Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, students and researchers benefit from the university's excellent research infrastructure and the city's intellectual vibrancy. A wide range of international networks and partnerships also enables them to follow in the footsteps of the traveller and scholar Alexander von Humboldt.  HU Berlin is one of the most prestigious universities in Germany. It is famous for its study areas like Social Sciences, Law, and Humanities. Berlin Humboldt also partners with 375 universities, including Ivy League universities like Harvard, the University of California, and the University of Melbourne. 

Past and present faculty and alumni include 57 Nobel Prize Laureates, as well as many eminent philosophers, sociologists, scientists, artists, and heads of state. Among these are Albert Einstein, Angela Davis, W.E.B. Du Bois, Max Weber, and the Brothers Grimm.  Humboldt's founding philosophy — often referred to as the Humboldtian model — established the modern concept of the university by integrating research and teaching into a unified framework. This approach has since shaped higher education systems around the world.

Intakes

HU Berlin offers two intake windows for international students each academic year.

Winter Semester (October) — Primary intake; open to all undergraduate and most graduate programs.

• Application deadline for UG programs: July 15
• Application deadline for most Master's programs: May 31

Summer Semester (April) — Available for select programs.

• Application deadline: January 15

Important for Indian Students:

• An APS (Academic Evaluation Centre) Certificate is mandatory for Indian students before enrollment
• International students apply through the uni-assist portal; applications are then forwarded to HU Berlin
• Indian students must have completed 13 years of schooling (either one year of college after 12th grade, a diploma after 10th grade, or a one-year preparatory course in Germany after a bachelor's degree in India)

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Students are encouraged to confirm specific intake dates with their chosen HU Berlin department.

Top Courses

HU Berlin's teaching and research programmes cover all the fundamental academic disciplines of the humanities, social and cultural sciences, law, life sciences, mathematics and natural sciences, medicine, agricultural sciences and sustainability, and antiquities research.  HU Berlin is divided into nine faculties and is particularly recognised for its programmes in Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.  Key faculties and popular programs include:

Faculty of Law (Juristische Fakultät)

• State Examination in Law (Staatsexamen) — most prestigious law school in Germany
• LLM (Master of Laws) in German and European Law — ranked #39 globally (QS)

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

• MSc in Mathematics
• MSc in Chemistry
• MSc in Physics
• MSc in Biophysics (English-taught)
• MSc in Computer Science (Informatik)

Faculty of Life Sciences

• MSc in Agricultural Sciences
• MSc in Nutritional Sciences
• MSc in Wildlife Biology & Management (English-taught)

Faculty of Humanities

• MA in Global History (English-taught)
• MA in Art History
• MA in Philosophy

Faculty of Language, Literature and Humanities

• MA in Linguistics
• MA in German Literature
• MA in Scandinavian Studies

Faculty of Social Sciences

• MA in Political Science
• MA in Sociology
• MSc in Statistics (English-taught)

Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (HWR Berlin)

• MSc in Economics
• MSc in Data Science for Economics (English-taught)

Charité — Medical School (jointly with FU Berlin)

• State Examination in Human Medicine
• MSc in International Health (English-taught)

Interdisciplinary Programs (with FU Berlin / TU Berlin)

• MSc in Polymer Science (joint with FU Berlin, TU Berlin, and University of Potsdam — English-taught)
• MSc in Cognitive Science (English-taught)

Cost of Studying at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

As a public university, Humboldt University does not charge tuition fees for most bachelor's and consecutive master's programs. All students are required to pay a semester fee which covers administrative services, public transport, student union membership, and social contributions. Each student must pay a semester contribution of approximately €315–€350 every six months. 

Berlin, while vibrant and international, remains relatively affordable compared to other major European capitals.

Note: Figures are approximate based on 2025–26 data. The German government requires international students to hold approximately €11,904 (≈ ₹12L) in a blocked account annually for visa purposes. Please refer to HU Berlin's official website (hu-berlin.de) for the most current fee structure.

Scholarships

HU Berlin offers and facilitates access to a range of scholarship and financial support programs for international students.

Key funding opportunities include:

• Deutschlandstipendium — €300 per month for one year; awarded based on academic excellence and above-average commitment; application window at HU Berlin typically opens in October each year; open to both German and international students
• DAAD Scholarships — Germany's most popular funding body for international students; broad range of programs covering living expenses, travel, and health insurance; apply through the DAAD website with transcripts, recommendation letters, and a project proposal
• Humboldt International Programs — Short-term research scholarships for early-career international researchers and doctoral candidates through the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
• STIBET Scholarships — Available to international students in financial hardship at HU Berlin; awarded by DAAD and administered through HU Berlin's International Office
• Erasmus+ Mobility Grants — For exchange periods within Europe; coordinated through HU Berlin's International Office
• Heinrich Böll Foundation Scholarships — For international students with commitment to social and environmental causes
• Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarships — For students with strong academic records and civic engagement
• Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung Scholarships — For students with progressive social engagement; open to international students

Note: HU Berlin does not provide teaching or research assistant positions. Indian students are strongly encouraged to apply for DAAD scholarships well in advance. The APS Certificate is mandatory before enrollment.

Admissions

The Humboldt University of Berlin acceptance rate is 18%. The acceptance rate for various courses is different — for Psychology, the admission rate is as low as 2%; for Philosophy and Ethics, it is close to 5%; and for other courses it could be as high as 20%. 

For Graduate (Master's) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from a recognised university
• Strong academic record — high GPA strongly recommended; specific grade thresholds vary by program
• German Proficiency: TestDaF Level 4 / DSH-1 or higher / C1 Goethe Certificate (for German-taught programs)
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL iBT 90+ (for English-taught programs)
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• CV / Résumé
• APS Certificate (mandatory for Indian students before enrollment)
• Official transcripts with certified German or English translations

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Higher secondary school certificate equivalent to German Abitur (Indian students with CBSE/ISC must complete 13 years of total schooling — typically one year of college in India or a Studienkolleg in Germany)
• German language proficiency: C1 level (TestDaF, DSH-1 or equivalent) — most Bachelor's programs are taught in German
• APS Certificate is mandatory for Indian students

Indian students can check HU Berlin's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

HU Berlin's location in the heart of Berlin — Germany's capital and the nexus of European politics, media, tech, finance, and the arts — gives graduates unrivalled access to careers spanning government, international organisations, law firms, research institutes, and a booming startup ecosystem. Humboldt University of Berlin maintains a 92% placement rate. 

The Humboldt University of Berlin is known for student-employer connection services that match students with employers via internship programs, career fairs, and in-person alumni networking. The team provides general career advice, resume-building, and interview preparations. It is partnered with the business and tech ecosystem in Berlin to provide opportunities for learning in practice. Average graduate starting salary at HU Berlin ranges from €48,000 to €70,000 per year, depending on the degree and experience. 

Students who graduate from the university can expect an average salary of around €97,185 (approximately ₹79.51 Lakh).

Jobs After Graduating from HU Berlin

Note: Salary figures are indicative and may vary based on role, employer, industry, and experience.

HU Berlin's career support ecosystem includes:

• HU Berlin Career Center — Personalised career advising, employer events, career fairs, CV workshops, and internship matching services for all students
• Humboldt Internship Program — A 3-month structured internship program offering subject-specific learning in a real working environment; coordinated by the International Department
• Berlin University Alliance (BUA) — Joint career and research opportunities across HU Berlin, TU Berlin, FU Berlin, and Charité — one of the world's most powerful university consortia
• Charité Medical Network — Research and career pathways into Germany's largest and most prestigious university hospital
• HU Berlin Alumni Network — A global community spanning law, academia, science, media, government, and international organisations
• Circle U. European University Network — Partnerships with nine leading European universities for international academic and career mobility
• Post-Study Work Visa (Germany) — International graduates can remain in Germany for up to 18 months after graduation to seek employment

For personalised guidance on HU Berlin admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.