Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Overview

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin opened in 1810 as the University of Berlin, built on the ideas of Wilhelm von Humboldt about combining research and teaching. Its main building is on the Unter den Linden boulevard in Mitte. Other campuses include Adlershof in the southeast, where the natural sciences and computer science are based, and Campus Nord near the Charité hospital, with life sciences. Medicine itself is taught by the Charité, which HU shares with the Freie Universität.

HU is a comprehensive public university. Its bachelor programs span humanities, law, theology, social sciences, economics, mathematics and the natural sciences. Many programs are combined degrees with a core subject and a second subject, which gives flexibility but also means two sets of requirements to check.

Language of study

Bachelor programs at HU are taught in German. Applicants with a foreign school certificate must prove German proficiency, normally through a recognized test such as DSH or TestDaF at the level the program sets. English-taught options are mainly at master level. If you are an English speaker aiming for HU, a structured German plan is not optional.

Entry requirements for a US or Canadian diploma

Germany sets national rules for recognizing foreign school qualifications. The DAAD guide for US high school and IB graduates (June 2025) explains that a US diploma needs specified academic units, an unweighted GPA of at least 3.0, and AP exams with scores of at least 3. For humanities, social sciences, law and economics the guide lists four APs: English, a foreign language, mathematics or a natural science, and one more subject. If your profile falls short, the options are a Studienkolleg with its assessment exam, or two years of college coursework.

Canadian provincial diplomas are assessed individually. IB Diploma holders must meet the subject and level conditions set by the German education ministers. If anything is unclear, send your documents to uni-assist early so you get an answer before the deadline.

Applying through uni-assist

HU is listed among the universities for which uni-assist processes applications. In practice, applicants with foreign certificates create an account on uni-assist, upload certified documents, pay the uni-assist fee, and choose HU programs. uni-assist checks formal eligibility and forwards the file to HU, which makes the admission decision. HU publishes the application periods for each cycle, and they differ between programs with and without restricted admission, so use the official deadline page for entry in 2027.

Costs

Berlin does not charge general tuition for bachelor study at public universities, including for students from outside the EU. Everyone pays a semester contribution that covers administrative costs, the student union and a public transit ticket. Rent in Berlin has risen fast, so your housing budget matters more than fees. A German student visa and proof of funds are required for Canadian and US citizens; follow the German mission instructions for your country.

How StudyBrix can help

HU programs in the humanities and social sciences involve a lot of reading and written papers. Practise with critical reading and reasoning and intro sociology, and see the academic writing course. Our Germany guide covers uni-assist and the Studienkolleg in more detail.