Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is a public research university located in central Berlin, Germany, founded in 1810. It ranks #140 in the QS World University Rankings 2027.
The Humboldt University of Berlin offers 160+ degree programmes across humanities, sciences, law and psychology, with a set of master’s courses taught fully in English. Indian applicants most commonly enrol for an MS in Germany through this university in MS Psychology, MS Economics, MS Computer Science, and MS Chemistry, entering through Winter (October) or Summer (April) intakes.
- QS World Rank 2027: #140
- Semester Contribution: EUR 355 (INR 39,282) per semester, no tuition
- Acceptance Rate: 15% to 20% (estimated) for restricted master’s programmes
- Intakes: Winter (October) and Summer (April)
- International Students: 6,013 (18% of the roughly 34,540 total enrolment)
- Monthly Cost of Living (estimated): EUR 992 (INR 1.11 lakh)
- Popular Indian Programs: MS Psychology, MS Economics, MS Computer Science, MS Chemistry
HU Berlin charges no tuition for consecutive master’s programmes, only a semester contribution that includes a Berlin public-transport ticket, keeping the total two-year investment under INR 1.6 lakh in fees. Indian applicants apply through uni-assist for credential verification, then convert their student visa into an 18-month post-study job-seeker permit alongside other public universities in Germany.

Exchange rate used: 1 EUR = INR 111.8 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Winter Semester 2026/27 applications are now closed at Humboldt University of Berlin. For Summer 2027, applications are expected to open around December 1, 2026.
Table of Contents
- HU Berlin Fees and Popular Courses 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Deadlines 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate 2027
- HU Berlin Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Humboldt University of Berlin Scholarships 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Rankings 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Humboldt University of Berlin FAQs
HU Berlin Fees and Popular Courses 2027
The Humboldt University of Berlin charges no tuition for consecutive bachelor’s and master’s programmes; every enrolled Indian student pays only the semester contribution of EUR 355 (INR 39,282). The amount is revised each semester.
PG Programmes for Indian Students at HU Berlin
All two-year (four-semester) master’s programmes at HU Berlin follow the same semester-contribution structure: EUR 355 (INR 39,282) per semester across four semesters equals a total programme fee of EUR 1,420 (INR 1.57 lakh).
| Master Programme | Duration | Total Programme Fees (Estimated) | Entry Requirements (recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS Computer Science | 4 semesters | INR 1.57 Lakhs | Bachelor’s in CS with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10; German C1 |
| MS Economics | 4 semesters | INR 1.57 Lakhs | Bachelor’s in Economics with 65% or CGPA 6.5/10; IELTS 6.5 |
| MS Psychology | 4 semesters | INR 1.57 Lakhs | Bachelor’s in Psychology with 70% or CGPA 7.0/10; German C1; IELTS 5.5 |
| MS Chemistry | 4 semesters | INR 1.57 Lakhs | Bachelor’s in Chemistry with 60% or CGPA 6.0/10; IELTS 5.5 |
| MS Statistics | 4 semesters | INR 1.57 Lakhs | Bachelor’s with strong quantitative background, 65% or CGPA 6.5/10; IELTS 6.5 |
UG Programmes for Indian Students at HU Berlin
Bachelor’s programmes at HU Berlin run six semesters (three years) and are taught almost entirely in German; Indian applicants must show TestDaF 4 or DSH 2 alongside the Class 12 requirement.
- Total programme fee (estimated): EUR 2,130 (INR 2.35 lakh) across six semesters.
| Bachelor Programme | Duration | Total Programme Fees (Estimated) | Entry Requirement (recommended) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Computer Science | 6 semesters | INR 2.35 Lakhs | Class 12 with 85%; Feststellungsprüfung or one year of BTech; TestDaF 4 |
| BSc Mathematics | 6 semesters | INR 2.35 Lakhs | Class 12 with 80%; Studienkolleg or bridging year; TestDaF 4 |
| BSc Economics | 6 semesters | INR 2.35 Lakhs | Class 12 with 80%; Studienkolleg or bridging year; TestDaF 4 |
| BSc Physics | 6 semesters | INR 2.35 Lakhs | Class 12 with strong Mathematics and Physics background |
| BSc Chemistry | 6 semesters | INR 2.35 Lakhs | Class 12 with strong Chemistry and Mathematics/Science background |
Read More: Humboldt University of Berlin Fees and Cost of Living Guide
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Deadlines 2027
Humboldt University of Berlin runs two intakes per year.
- Winter Semester (starts in October) is the primary intake for Indian applicants, and Summer Semester (starts in April) is available for a limited set of master’s programmes only.
- Every international application is routed through the uni-assist portal for credential evaluation.
|
Intake |
Programme category |
Official application period (Closed for 2026-27) |
|---|---|---|
|
Winter Semester 2026/27 |
Bachelor's with admission restrictions |
1 June – 15 July 2026 |
|
Winter Semester 2026/27 |
Bachelor's without admission restrictions |
1 June – 31 August 2026 |
|
Winter Semester 2026/27 |
Master's with admission restrictions |
Programme-specific deadlines |
|
Winter Semester 2026/27 |
Master's without admission restrictions |
1 June – 31 August 2026 |
Note: The application window for the winter semester has officially closed. For Summer 2027, applications are expected to open December 1, 2026, with deadlines around January 15, 2027 (restricted) and February 28, 2027 (free admission).
Planning note: Book the APS (Akademische Pruefstelle) appointment at the German Embassy in New Delhi at least 12 weeks before your uni-assist deadline; the certificate takes 4 to 6 weeks to issue and is mandatory before any Indian document reaches HU Berlin.
Read More: Humboldt University of Berlin Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
The Humboldt University of Berlin admission requirements for Indian applicants centre on an APS-verified transcript, a subject-matched bachelor’s and a language certificate at either C1 German or B2 English.
- UG general entry (recommended): Class XII at 65% or higher from CBSE, ICSE, or a state board, with subject prerequisites matching the intended degree
- PG general entry (recommended): Recognised Bachelor’s with 65% or higher (roughly German grade 2.5) in a subject-relevant discipline
- English (English-taught masters): IELTS 6.5 overall
- German (German-taught programs): TestDaF level 4 in all four skills or DSH-2, or an equivalent Goethe C1 certificate
Also read: German Language Levels: A Guide from A1 to C2 for Indian Students
Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate 2027
Humboldt University of Berlin does not publish an official overall acceptance rate. Based on programme-level admission data, the estimated acceptance rate sits at 15% to 20% (estimated) for NC-restricted master’s programmes and is effectively higher for open-admission programmes where meeting the formal requirements guarantees a seat.
| Programme Category | Acceptance Rate (estimated) |
|---|---|
| NC-restricted masters (Psychology, Law) | 10% to 15% |
| NC-restricted STEM masters | 18% to 26% |
| Open-admission masters | 60% to 80% |
About 43.8% of HU Berlin programmes are NC-restricted and allocate seats by bachelor’s grade; the remaining 56.2% are open-admission where formal eligibility equals a seat. Indian applicants therefore see very different odds by programme, not by university.
Reality check: Getting into HU Berlin is a programme decision, not a university decision. A 70% Indian bachelor’s holder shortlisting three open-admission masters will almost always secure a seat; the same applicant fighting for one NC-restricted psychology seat faces sub-15% odds.
HU Berlin Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
The total annual cost for an Indian student at HU Berlin sits at EUR 12,614 (INR 14.1 lakh)
- A EUR 710 annual semester contribution plus the EUR 11,904 living-cost minimum that the German student visa requires.
- The German student visa mandates a blocked-account minimum of EUR 992 per month for 2026 to 2027, which aligns with the university’s own cost-of-living estimate.
| Expense Head | Monthly (EUR) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (INR lakh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared or Studentenwerk) | EUR 450 | INR 50,310 | 6.04 lakh |
| Food and groceries | EUR 200 | INR 22,360 | 2.68 lakh |
| Transport (covered by semester ticket) | EUR 0 | INR 0 | 0 lakh |
| Health insurance (mandatory public) | EUR 130 | INR 14,534 | 1.74 lakh |
| Books and study materials | EUR 40 | INR 4,472 | 0.54 lakh |
| Personal and leisure | EUR 172 | INR 19,229 | 2.31 lakh |
| Total | EUR 992 | INR 1.11 lakh | 13.3 lakh |
[Source: German Federal Foreign Office 2026 to 2027 blocked-account minimum; Studentenwerk Berlin cost estimates]
Insider note: Studentenwerk Berlin rooms cost EUR 300 to EUR 450 per month but the waitlist is 6 to 12 months long; new Indian students almost always start in a shared private flat at EUR 500 to EUR 700 and switch to a dorm after two semesters.
Read More: Cost of Living and Study in Germany for Indian Students
Humboldt University of Berlin Campus, Facilities and Student Life
HU Berlin operates three main campuses: the historic central campus on Unter den Linden, the natural-sciences campus at Adlershof and the medical campus at Charite in Mitte. All three sit inside the Berlin AB fare zone (central Berlin) and are covered by the free semester transport ticket.
- Location and transport: The central campus is a 3-minute walk from Friedrichstrasse station; every campus connects via the free semester ticket that covers the Berlin AB zone (central Berlin, Potsdam excluded)
- Housing: Studentenwerk Berlin manages roughly 9,500 dorm places across the city with no guarantee for international students; typical rent EUR 300 to EUR 450 per month for a dorm and EUR 500 to EUR 700 for shared private flats
- Notable facility: The Jacob-und-Wilhelm-Grimm-Zentrum is one of the largest open-stack university libraries in Europe with 24-hour access during exam periods
- Indian community: Roughly 800 Indian students across HU Berlin, with an active Indian Students Association organising Diwali and Holi events on the main campus
What Indian students say: Berlin’s cost of living is genuinely lower than Munich or Hamburg but flat hunting is the single biggest early-months challenge; most Indian arrivals stay in an Airbnb or hostel for the first month while searching WG-Gesucht for a permanent shared flat.
Humboldt University of Berlin Scholarships 2027
The Humboldt University of Berlin scholarships pool is dominated by two university-run schemes plus the external DAAD funding that Indian students apply for separately; four scholarships below are confirmed for Indian eligibility.
| Scholarship | Type | Award Value | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deutschlandstipendium | Merit-based | EUR 300/month (INR 32,769) for 12 months | Enrolled Humboldt students with a strong academic record | Applications typically open in October each year; verify at hu-berlin.de |
| DAAD Study Scholarship | Merit-based | EUR 992/month (INR 1.08 lakh) plus health insurance | Master’s applicants with First Class bachelor’s from India | Expected 31 October 2026 for 2027 intake |
| Erasmus+ Mobility Grant | Exchange | EUR 350-550/month | Enrolled Humboldt students on approved exchange | Rolling, department-managed |
Also read: Scholarships for Indian Students to Study in Germany
[Source: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin official scholarship pages; DAAD India]
Planning note: The Deutschlandstipendium is decided per faculty rather than centrally; Indian applicants should apply the moment their first-semester grades are available since renewal favours students who already carry a strong HU Berlin transcript.
Humboldt University of Berlin Rankings 2027
The Humboldt University of Berlin’s strongest current placement is #51 in the US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027, alongside a top-100 rank in THE and a top-150 rank in QS. The QS trajectory has drifted down from #126 in 2025 to #140 in 2027 as competition from Asian and Middle Eastern universities has sharpened.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Previous Edition | Two Editions Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| QS World | 2027: #140 | 2026: #130 | 2025: #126 |
| THE World | 2026: #89 | 2025: #84 | 2024: #87 |
| US News Global | 2025-2026: #51 | 2024-2025: #48 | NA |
| Collegedunia Study Abroad | 2026: #65 global (#5 in Germany) | NA | NA |
Humboldt University of Berlin Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Humboldt University of Berlin does not centrally publish a placement rate; German public universities generally leave career outcomes to the graduate’s own search, backed by the university’s Career Centre and the Charite research network for medicine and life sciences.
- Employment rate: Not centrally disclosed; DAAD graduate tracer surveys place German-university masters in employment or further study within 12 months at 90% to 92% (market benchmark)
- Median starting salary (Berlin, STEM masters): EUR 52,000 (INR 58.1 lakh) gross per year (market median, StepStone 2026)
- Median starting salary (humanities and social sciences): EUR 42,000 (INR 46.9 lakh) gross per year (market median, StepStone 2026)
- Notable recruiters (sector level): Berlin’s Zalando, N26, Delivery Hero and SAP for tech; Charite and Max Planck Institutes for research; Deutsche Bank and BCG Berlin for consulting
- Career support and work rights: Career Centre runs employer fairs, and every HU Berlin graduate qualifies for the 18-month German job-seeker residence permit
Insider note: Indian graduates land tech and analytics roles fastest thanks to English-friendly Berlin startups; humanities and law graduates need working German (B2 or higher) to move into German-speaking employers within the job-seeker permit window.
Humboldt University of Berlin is the right fit for the Indian applicant targeting humanities, social sciences, psychology, law or an English-taught research masters at a total two-year investment of INR 28 lakh against a median Berlin starting salary of INR 52 lakh, with the 18-month German post-study job-seeker permit as the payoff.
It is not the right pick for Indian applicants chasing a top-30 QS rank on a resume or a heavy engineering masters, where the MBA and technical universities in Germany like TU Munich (with non-EU tuition of EUR 6,000 per semester) or a Master of Management route offer higher recruiter ceilings and Bavarian salary premiums.
Humboldt University of Berlin FAQs
Ques. Does Humboldt University of Berlin waive the GRE for Indian applicants?
Ans. Yes. HU Berlin does not require the GRE for any master’s programme, including MS Economics, MSc Statistics and MSc Physics, which is unusual for global top-150 universities. Selection weights the bachelor’s transcript grade converted to the German scale, a subject-match check, the statement of purpose and English or German language proof. Indian applicants therefore save the USD 220 GRE fee and prep time when targeting HU Berlin against US alternatives.
Ques. What is the HU Berlin application fee through uni-assist?
Ans. Uni-assist charges EUR 75 (INR 8,385) for the first HU Berlin course application in a cycle and EUR 30 (INR 3,354) for every additional course in the same cycle. Indian applicants shortlisting three HU Berlin masters therefore pay EUR 135 (INR 15,093) in total. Uni-assist does not offer a fee waiver for Indian applicants; payment is by international debit or credit card and clears in 5 to 7 working days.
Ques. Which Indian banks approve education loans for Humboldt University of Berlin?
Ans. SBI, HDFC Credila, Bank of Baroda, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Avanse all approve loans for HU Berlin admits because the university appears on their prime institutions lists. Public-sector banks like SBI typically fund up to INR 20 lakh unsecured and higher amounts against collateral. Because HU Berlin’s total cost sits at only INR 28 lakh across two years, Indian applicants usually clear the loan in the first appraisal without security.
Ques. How much money must Indians show for a German student visa to HU Berlin?
Ans. Indian applicants must show EUR 11,904 (INR 13.3 lakh) in a German blocked account for the 2026 to 2027 visa year, equal to EUR 992 per month for 12 months. Alternatives include a formal scholarship award letter of the same value, a parent income affidavit backed by German salary equivalents, or a German bank guarantee. Deutsche Bank, Fintiba and Expatrio are the most common blocked-account providers Indian students use for HU Berlin.
Ques. Does HU Berlin interview Indian applicants for master’s programmes?
Ans. Most HU Berlin master’s programmes decide purely on the written application and do not interview Indian applicants. Exceptions include the MSc Psychology aptitude test for shortlisted candidates and some LLM programmes that hold a 15-minute video interview. Indian applicants should therefore treat the statement of purpose, subject-match transcript and language certificate as the entire selection surface, with no in-person or video round for most programmes.
Humboldt University of Berlin Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Application Fees | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline for 2027 Intake (31st Mar 2027) | USD 17,400 /Yr EUR 15,000 /Yr | 75 | Level C1 English Language Proficiency |
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Humboldt University of Berlin comparison
| University Name | Humboldt University of Berlin | Free University of Berlin |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.2 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
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| Exam Score | - | |
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| Placement | Graduate Employability Ranking- #34 (THE, 2019); Doctorate (106,000 USD); PhD (103,000 USD); LLM (100,000 USD); Masters in Science (66,000 USD). | According to the British Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 the FU Berlin ranks 83rd globally and seventh in Germany. Average Salaries By Degree Are:
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| - | Read Full Comparison |
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Overall 140 out of 1504 in Global Ranking
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Humboldt University of Berlin Reviews
2 Reviews Found
Likes
- Working environment and the independence to work is the main advantage of the university. In addition, Humboldt has 56 and counting Noble prizes to its credit, which shows the quality of research.
Campus Life
- Humboldt is really huge, with a dedicated sports center, clubs and regular options for extracurricular activities. All the facilities are available.
Fees
- For each semester the total fees are 300 Euros, including 180 euros, which goes into a public transport ticket, providing free access to public transport in the city.
Overview
When looking for a PhD position, I looked for the research group with similar interests, its quality and reputation (publications), scientific standing of supervisor in the community, etc. The aspect of university was by a happenstance.
Campus Life
The university offers a range of services and facilities to international students through student welcome center. It offers events and workshops both in English and German, and supports completely free of charge. You get a support for your academic and social integration by providing general assistance to make the most of studies, offers advice on your physical and mental well-being, and organizes social networking opportunities. This is done via orientational zoom sessions, intercultural trainings, mentoring, academic and qualification workshops, wellbeing tutorials and cultural and networking events.
Humboldt University of Berlin Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google's Women Techmakers Program | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Axol Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| VueVille Future Technology Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| MAWISTA Scholarship | Scholarship per student$6,691 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeEasy-to-Apply | |
| Kurt Hansen Science Scholarship | Scholarship per student$10,000 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeNeed-Based | |
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based |
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Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2326 | - | - | - |










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