Applying to Humboldt University of Berlin (HU Berlin) from India is a multi-step process that is fundamentally different from applying to universities in the UK or the USA. Ranked #130 globally by QS 2026 and #1 in Germany for Humanities.
- HU Berlin is a public research university with no tuition fees for most programs.
- Indian students pay only a semester contribution of €355 (₹38,389) per semester.
- The application process involves a mandatory document verification step called the *APS certificate, and a language requirement of German C1 for most programs.
- For undergraduate applicants, an additional preparatory course called Studienkolleg is required.
The Winter Semester 2026/27 is currently open for applications, with deadlines running through 31 August 2026.
Currency Note: All INR conversions use €1 = ₹108.30 (as of April 9, 2026).
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Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirements
The single most important thing Indian students must understand before applying to Humboldt University of Berlin is that a Class 12 certificate alone is not sufficient for direct undergraduate admission.
- Germany requires an Abitur-equivalent qualification: A school-leaving certificate equivalent to 13 years of schooling.
- The Indian Class 12 certificate covers only 12 years and is generally not considered equivalent. This means most Indian students applying for a Bachelor's degree must first complete a Studienkolleg (a one-year preparatory course in Germany) before they can apply for undergraduate admission.
For Master's programs, this restriction does not apply.
- Indian students with a completed Bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university can apply directly for a Master's program at HU Berlin.
| Level | Indian Qualification | Direct Admission Possible? | What Is Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's (UG) | Class 12 (CBSE/ISC/State Board) | No (in most cases) | Studienkolleg completion + Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) pass. Exception: IB Diploma holders may qualify directly. |
| Master's (PG) | Bachelor's degree from a recognised Indian university | Yes | Bachelor's degree + APS certificate + language proof + programme-specific requirements |
| PhD | Master's degree from a recognised Indian university | Yes (with supervisor) | Find a willing supervisor at HU Berlin first. APS may or may not be required — check with the department. |
Note for Indian students: You can check whether your Indian university and degree are formally recognised in Germany using the anabin database (anabin.kmk.org). This is the official German database for assessing foreign educational qualifications. Check your university's status before applying — if it is not listed or has a negative assessment, your application may be rejected at the uni-assist stage.
- Humboldt University of Berlin admission requirements for Indian students 2026
- The semester contribution fee and other related fees at HU Berlin for Indian students
Step 1: Get Your APS Certificate First
The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate is a mandatory document verification requirement for all Indian students applying to study in Germany, including Humboldt University of Berlin.
- It is issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India), which operates under the German Embassy in New Delhi.
- Without an APS certificate, you cannot obtain a German student visa.
- HU Berlin's official admissions page explicitly lists the APS certificate as a required document for applications from India.
Start the APS process before applying to HU Berlin. The APS verification process can take several weeks. Completing it early ensures you have the certificate ready when you submit your university application and visa paperwork.
| APS Step | What to Do | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Check eligibility | Take the eligibility quiz on aps-india.de | Determines which APS procedure applies to your academic profile (Class 12 only, UG with 2+ semesters, or Graduate/Postgraduate) |
| Step 2: Register online | Create an account at aps-india.de/aps-process | Fill in personal details, education details and language details. Select the correct procedure for your qualification level. |
| Step 3: Assemble documents | Gather A4-sized coloured photocopies of all original academic documents (both sides) | Documents not in English must have notarised translations. Download the relevant checklist from aps-india.de/checklists |
| Step 4: Pay the fee online | Pay the APS processing fee through the online portal | The fee is non-refundable once paid. Processing begins only after payment is received. |
| Step 5: Send documents by courier | Send all documents by courier to the APS India office in New Delhi | Address: Academic Evaluation Centre, Gate No. 3, DLTA Complex, R.K. Khanna Stadium, 1 Africa Avenue, 110029 New Delhi. Personal drop-offs are not accepted. |
| Step 6: Track and receive the certificate | Track your application status via your APS India account | The APS certificate is valid indefinitely once issued. It is a digital certificate. |
Who is exempt from APS?
You do not need an APS certificate if you hold a non-Indian degree, if you have a foreign degree obtained outside India, if you hold an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma and are applying for a Bachelor's program, or if you are receiving a stipend from EU or German public funds (e.g. DAAD scholarship recipients).
Note for Indian students: The APS certificate is required for both the university application and the German student visa. Apply for it as early as possible — ideally 3–4 months before your intended application deadline. For Winter Semester 2026 entry (October start), you should have your APS certificate by April–May 2026 at the latest.
Read: What is the APS Certificate for Germany? Complete Guide for Indian Students on Collegedunia.
Step 2: Language Requirements for Humboldt University of Berlin
German language proficiency at the C1 level is required for most Bachelor's and many Master's programs at Humboldt University of Berlin.
- IELTS or TOEFL alone will not be accepted for these programs.
- This is the most common reason Indian students are rejected or delayed in their HU Berlin application.
- All undergraduate programs are taught exclusively in German. Some Master's programs are taught in English and require IELTS or TOEFL instead.
| Language Requirement | Accepted Certificates | Minimum Level | Notes for Indian Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| German (for most UG and many PG programmes) |
Goethe-Zertifikat C1, telc C1, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH-1, TestDaF (minimum TDN 3 in all sections) | C1 (Common European Framework) |
-Certificates of attendance of a German course are NOT accepted. |
| English (for English-taught Master's programs) |
IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge FCE/CAE/CPE | IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 72 (minimum) | -Some English-taught Master's programmes also require German C1 in addition to English. -Check the specific program's admission regulations (ZZR) on hu-berlin.de. |
Note for Indian students: Learning German to C1 level takes around 600–800 hours of study from zero. If you are planning to apply for a Bachelor's program at HU Berlin. Start German language classes immediately — ideally 18–24 months before your intended start date. The Goethe-Institut has centres across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pune) where you can take official German language courses and exams.
Step 3: Apply through Uni-Assist
All Indian students applying to Humboldt University of Berlin must submit their application through the uni-assist portal (my.uni-assist.de) — not directly to the university.
- Uni-assist is a centralised application service that pre-checks international applications before forwarding them to HU Berlin.
- The application fee is €75 (₹8,112) for the first course and €30 (₹3,245) for each additional course.
- This fee is paid at the time of application and is non-refundable.
| uni-assist Application Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Register | Create an account at my.uni-assist.de |
| 2. Log in and create an application | Select the upcoming semester and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin under "Semester offers" |
| 3. Select programme | Choose your desired subject and semester of study. Check whether the programme is NC (admission-restricted) or NC-free (open admission). |
| 4. Upload documents | Upload all required documents as PDF files. Label files clearly (e.g. CV, German language certificate, APS certificate). Documents not in German or English must be accompanied by official translations. |
| 5. Pay the processing fee | Pay €75 for the first course and €30 for each additional course. Payment must be completed by the application deadline. |
| 6. Submit and track | uni-assist verifies your documents (can take up to 6 weeks). Once verified, your application is forwarded to HU Berlin. You will receive an email from HU Berlin with a link to track your application status on the HU Berlin portal. |
Important: You can apply to a maximum of two Master's programs at HU Berlin in one application cycle. For Bachelor's programs, non-EU applicants (including Indians) can apply for one NC-restricted program and one NC-free program. The application deadline is a cut-off deadline — no documents can be submitted after the deadline under any circumstances.
Documents Required to Apply to Humboldt University of Berlin from India
The documents required for your HU Berlin application differ depending on whether you are applying for a Bachelor's or Master's program. All documents must be uploaded as PDF files to the uni-assist portal. Documents not in German or English must be accompanied by official translations — translations from India must be produced by a state-authorised translator or translation agency.
| Document | Bachelor's Applicants | Master's Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| APS Certificate | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Secondary school leaving certificate (Class 12 marksheet and certificate) |
Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Studienkolleg FSP certificate (if applicable) |
Mandatory (if applying after Studienkolleg) |
Not required |
| Bachelor's degree certificate and transcripts | Required if previously studied at a university | Mandatory |
| Module handbook (description of learning content of previous degree) | Not required | Mandatory |
| German language certificate (C1 or equivalent) | Mandatory for all UG programmes | Mandatory for German-taught programs. Check ZZR for English-taught programmes. |
| English language certificate (IELTS/TOEFL) | Not required | Required for English-taught programs (IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 72 minimum) |
| Complete CV (from the start of school education to the date of application) |
Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Copy of passport (all citizenships) | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Official translations of documents not in German or English | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Programme-specific self-assignment form (for some Master's programmes) |
Not required | Required for some programmes — available as PDF on the uni-assist portal |
Note for Indian students: HU Berlin's official checklist also requires a Student Authorisation Letter — download this from aps-india.de/checklists and submit it with your APS documents. For Master's applications, the module handbook is a critical document that many Indian students overlook. It is a detailed description of the courses you studied in your Bachelor's degree — your Indian university's academic office can provide this.
Application Deadlines at Humboldt University of Berlin for Indian Students 2026
The Winter Semester is the main intake at Humboldt University of Berlin.
- It offers the widest range of programs and is the recommended entry point for Indian students.
- All deadlines are cut-off deadlines, meaning no documents can be submitted after the deadline.
- The receipt of complete application documents by uni-assist is what determines whether the deadline is met.
| Semester | Program Type |
Application Window |
Status (May 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Semester 2026/27 | UG (NC-restricted) | 1 June – 15 July 2026 | Opens 1 June 2026 — apply now |
| Winter Semester 2026/27 | UG (NC-free) | 1 June – 15 July 2026 | Opens 1 June 2026 — apply now |
| Winter Semester 2026/27 | Master's (NC-restricted) | 18 May – 14 June 2026 | Open now — deadline 14 June 2026 |
| Winter Semester 2026/27 | Master's (NC-free) | 18 May – 28 June 2026 | Open now — deadline 28 June 2026 |
| Summer Semester 2027 (tentative) | UG and Master's (NC-restricted) | 15 December 2026 – 15 January 2027 | Not yet open |
| Summer Semester 2027 (tentative) | UG and Master's (NC-free) | 15 December 2026 – 28 February 2027 | Not yet open |
What's next for Indian students targeting Winter 2026: The Master's NC-restricted deadline of 14 June 2026 is approaching. If you are applying for a competitive Master's programme, submit your application to uni-assist immediately. Ensure your APS certificate is ready and all documents are uploaded before the deadline. For UG applicants, the deadline opens 1 June 2026 — use the time now to complete your APS process and German language certification.
After Admission: Enrolment and German Student Visa Process for Indian Students
Receiving an admission letter from HU Berlin is not the final step — Indian students must accept the offer online within the deadline, then complete enrolment and apply for a German student visa. Missing the acceptance deadline means the study place is forfeited automatically.
| Post-Admission Step | What to Do | Key Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Accept the offer online | Log in to the HU Berlin application portal and declare acceptance of the study place within the stated deadline | Missing this deadline forfeits the place |
| 2. Submit enrolment documents | After accepting, HU Berlin will show you the documents required for enrolment (Immatrikulation) | Includes proof of health insurance, proof of payment of semester contribution (€355), and other documents |
| 3. Open a blocked account | Open a German blocked account (Sperrkonto) with a minimum of €11,904 (₹12.87 lakh) for the year | This is the German government's financial requirement for a student visa. The blocked account releases €992/month to you after arrival. Providers include Expatrio, Fintiba and Deutsche Bank. |
| 4. Apply for a German student visa | Book an appointment at the German Embassy or Consulate in India (New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata or Bengaluru) | Required documents: admission letter from HU Berlin, APS certificate, blocked account proof, health insurance proof, passport, financial documents, language certificate |
| 5. Arrive and register | After arriving in Berlin, register your address at the local Bürgeramt (citizens' office) within 14 days | Address registration (Anmeldung) is required by German law and needed for opening a bank account and other administrative steps |
| 6. Collect the residence permit | Apply for a student residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) at the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' authority) in Berlin | Required within the validity period of your entry visa. Bring all enrolment documents and proof of financial means. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques. Can Indian students apply directly to Humboldt University of Berlin after Class 12?
Ans. No. In most cases, Indian students cannot apply directly to Humboldt University of Berlin after Class 12. The Indian Class 12 certificate is generally not considered equivalent to the German Abitur (which requires 13 years of schooling). Most Indian students must first complete a Studienkolleg — a one-year preparatory course in Germany — and pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) exam before applying for a Bachelor's programme. The exception is students who hold an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma, which may be accepted as equivalent to the German Abitur. For Master's programmes, a completed Indian Bachelor's degree is sufficient for direct application. Source: hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/apply/international-students/undergraduate-degree-programmes.
Ques. What is the APS certificate, and is it mandatory for Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans. The APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate is a document verification certificate issued by the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS India) under the German Embassy in New Delhi. It confirms that your Indian academic qualifications are authentic and valid for study in Germany. The APS certificate is mandatory for all Indian students applying to Humboldt University of Berlin — it is required both for the university application (via uni-assist) and for the German student visa. You are exempt only if you hold a non-Indian degree, an IB diploma, or are receiving a stipend from EU or German public funds. Apply for the APS certificate at aps-india.de before submitting your university application. Source: hu-berlin.de and aps-india.de.
Ques. What is the application deadline for Humboldt University of Berlin for the Winter Semester 2026?
Ans. For the Winter Semester 2026/27, the application deadlines via uni-assist are: Master's programmes with NC (admission-restricted): 18 May – 14 June 2026. Master's programmes without NC (open admission): 18 May – 28 June 2026. Undergraduate programs (both NC and NC-free): 1 June – 15 July 2026. All deadlines are cut-off deadlines — no documents can be submitted after the deadline. Apply as early as possible, as Uni-Assist verification takes up to 6 weeks. Source: hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/apply/deadlines.
Ques. Does Humboldt University of Berlin charge tuition fees for Indian students?
Ans. No. Humboldt University of Berlin charges no tuition fees for most Bachelor's and Master's programs — including for Indian and other international students. Students are only required to pay a semester contribution of €355 per semester (₹38,389), which covers administrative services and a public transport pass for Berlin. Some specialised or non-consecutive programmes, such as the LL.M., may charge higher fees — check the specific programme page on hu-berlin.de. The main cost of studying at HU Berlin is living in Berlin, estimated at €11,904 per year (₹12.87 lakh) by the university. Source: hu-berlin.de and collegedunia.com/germany/university/632-humboldt-university-of-berlin-berlin.
Ques. What German language level is required for Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans. German C1 level is required for all undergraduate programmes and most Master's programmes at Humboldt University of Berlin. Accepted certificates include Goethe-Zertifikat C1, telc C1, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH-1 and TestDaF with a minimum score of TDN 3 in all sections. Certificates of attendance of a German course are not accepted. Some English-taught Master's programmes require IELTS (minimum 5.5) or TOEFL iBT (minimum 72) instead of or in addition to German. Check the specific programme's admission regulations (ZZR) on hu-berlin.de for exact language requirements. Source: hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/apply/international-students/further-study-programmes.
Ques. What is Studienkolleg, and do all Indian students need it?
Ans. Studienkolleg is a one-year preparatory course in Germany for students whose school-leaving certificate is not equivalent to the German Abitur. Indian students applying for a Bachelor's programme at HU Berlin typically need to complete Studienkolleg because the Indian Class 12 certificate covers only 12 years of schooling, while Germany requires 13 years. After completing Studienkolleg, students must pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) — a subject-specific final exam — to qualify for undergraduate admission. Studienkolleg is not required for Master's programmes, as a completed Bachelor's degree is sufficient. IB diploma holders may be exempt from Studienkolleg — check with uni-assist. Source: hu-berlin.de and collegedunia.com/germany/university/632-humboldt-university-of-berlin-berlin/admission.
Ques. How much money do I need to show for a German student visa for HU Berlin?
Ans. The German government requires Indian students to show a minimum of €11,904 per year (₹12.87 lakh) in a blocked account (Sperrkonto) as proof of financial means for a student visa. This amount is based on €992 per month. The blocked account releases €992 per month to you after you arrive in Germany. Common blocked account providers for Indian students include Expatrio, Fintiba and Deutsche Bank. The blocked account must be set up before your visa appointment. Source: German government official financial requirements for student visas, confirmed by multiple official German university sources for 2026.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate at Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans. Humboldt University of Berlin does not publish an official acceptance rate. Based on third-party estimates, the acceptance rate is approximately 20–30%. Admission is programme-specific and requirement-based — there is no single benchmark for selection. For NC-restricted (competitive) programmes, study places are allocated based on grades and specific criteria. For NC-free (open admission) programmes, meeting the formal requirements is generally sufficient for admission. Source: collegedunia.com/germany/university/632-humboldt-university-of-berlin-berlin/admission.
Ques. Can I apply to multiple programs at Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans. Yes, but with limits. For Master's programmes, you can apply for a maximum of two programmes at HU Berlin in one application cycle — one NC-restricted and one NC-free. For Bachelor's programmes, non-EU applicants (including Indian students) can apply for one NC-restricted programme and one NC-free programme. The uni-assist portal also allows you to apply to multiple German universities simultaneously in the same application cycle. Source: hu-berlin.de/en/study/before-your-studies/apply/international-students/further-study-programmes.
Ques. What are the popular Master's programs at Humboldt University of Berlin for Indian students?
Ans. Popular Master's programmes at Humboldt University of Berlin for Indian students include MSc Psychology, MSc Economics, MSc Agricultural Economics, MSc Computational Neuroscience and Master's in Mathematics. Most of these programmes are taught in German and require C1 German proficiency. MSc Agricultural Economics is taught in English and requires IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 95. All programmes have no tuition fees — students pay only the semester contribution of €355 per semester. Programme duration is 2 years (4 semesters). Source: collegedunia.com/germany/university/632-humboldt-university-of-berlin-berlin/programs.
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