Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU) is a public university in the centre of Berlin with 35,681 students and doctoral researchers in the winter semester 2025/26, of whom 6,279 are international. It has 173 degree programmes and 8 faculties.[1] It is ranked 140th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.[2]
For the winter semester 2026/27 the university lists a total of €381.80 in semester fees and contributions, which includes a Deutschlandsemesterticket of €234.80.[3] All undergraduate programmes are taught in German and require German at C1 level; applicants with a non-German entrance qualification apply through uni-assist.[4][5]
Key facts
| Official name | Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin |
| Location | Berlin, Germany (administration: Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin)[3] |
| Type | Public research university[6] |
| Founded | Founded 1809, opened 1810; named Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin since 1949[6] |
| Students and doctoral researchers | 35,681 in winter semester 2025/26, of whom 6,279 are international (17.6%)[1] |
| Degree programmes | 173[1] |
| Faculties and institutes | 8 faculties and 34 institutes (June 2026)[1] |
| Full professorships | 496 (1 December 2025)[1] |
| Clusters of Excellence | 6, counted including participating institutions (June 2026)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 140th[2] |
| Semester fees and contributions, winter semester 2026/27 | €381.80 in total, including the Deutschlandsemesterticket (€234.80)[3] |
| Undergraduate language of teaching | German exclusively (C1 required for application)[4] |
| Application route for non-German entrance qualifications | Through uni-assist[5] |
| Official website | hu-berlin.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About Humboldt University of Berlin
The university was established by King Frederick William III on the initiative of Wilhelm von Humboldt and others. It was founded in 1809 and opened in 1810; the university celebrates 15 October 1810.[6] It was called Universität zu Berlin, then Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin, and was renamed Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin in 1949 after the brothers Alexander and Wilhelm von Humboldt.[6]
The main building stands on Unter den Linden in the central district of Mitte. The university has three campuses: Mitte, Nord and Adlershof.[6] HU’s own overview counts 8 faculties and 34 institutes; Wikipedia lists nine faculties because it includes the Charité medical school, which HU shares with the Free University of Berlin.[1][6]
How is Humboldt University of Berlin ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026, Humboldt University is 140th. A news article of 19 June 2026 lists it as the seventh German university in its list, after TUM (25th), LMU Munich (61st), Heidelberg (86th), the Free University of Berlin (98th), RWTH Aachen (104th) and KIT (110th); TU Berlin follows at joint 158th.[2]
HU’s own facts page cites a different ranking: 91st in the Times Higher Education ranking of 2027.[1] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at Humboldt University of Berlin?
HU offers 173 degree programmes in 8 faculties.[1] The overview of master’s programmes with German C1 requirements shows the range: humanities such as Philosophy, History Studies and Linguistics, social sciences, teacher-training master’s programmes, and sciences such as Chemistry, Informatics, Mathematics and Physics.[7] Undergraduate programmes include a Sports Science degree with an aptitude test and language programmes such as English, French and Spanish.[4]
Research is organised in 6 Clusters of Excellence (counted with participating institutions), 3 Collaborative Research Centres in coordination and 4 Research Training Groups in coordination.[1] The full programme list is on HU’s study programme page.
How much does Humboldt University of Berlin cost in 2026/27?
| Item | Amount for winter semester 2026/27 |
|---|---|
| Semester fee (Semestergebühren) | €50.00 |
| Student body contribution (Studierendenschaftsbeitrag) | €12.00 |
| Student services contribution (Studierendenwerksbeitrag) | €85.00 |
| Deutschlandsemesterticket | €234.80 |
| Total listed | €381.80 |
These figures come from HU’s fee sheet for the winter semester 2026/27. The sheet lists the four amounts and the total of €381.80; it does not say which students pay which parts.[3] Because the sheet shows the numbers in a column apart from their labels, we matched them by order, and they add up exactly to the total.[3] Late payments can carry extra fees.[3]
Tuition
We found no HU-wide statement on tuition for international students. The DAAD listing for the HU master’s in Economics (2026/27) shows tuition fees per semester of “none” and a semester contribution of €355.80, including a €208.80 semester ticket; this differs from the winter 2026/27 sheet above, so use the sheet for the current amount.[8] Check the page of your programme, because individual programmes can set their own conditions.
Semester ticket
Students receive the Deutschlandsemesterticket in digital form in the S-Bahn Berlin app; the Campus Card is not valid as a ticket.[9]
For rent and living costs in Berlin, see our Germany guide and the Study in Germany guide.
How do you apply to Humboldt University of Berlin?
The route depends on your entrance qualification.
- German entrance qualification (such as the Abitur): apply directly to HU through its application portal.[5]
- Non-German entrance qualification, or foreign periods of study: apply to HU via uni-assist. The only exception is applicants who are already enrolled at HU.[5] After uni-assist has checked that your documents are complete, it informs you and forwards your data to HU’s Admissions Office for International Students.[4]
- Master’s: you need a first university degree recognised in Germany; you can check your university in the anabin database. Subject-specific entry requirements are set per programme in its admission regulations (ZZR).[7]
Some programmes use other application procedures. Initial counselling for international applicants is available at bewerbung-international@hu-berlin.de.[10] We give no deadlines here because they change every year and differ by programme. Check the deadlines of your programme before you start.
Which language level do you need?
All undergraduate programmes at HU are taught exclusively in German, so you need German at CEFR level C1 to apply. HU accepts common certificates, for example Goethe-Zertifikat C1, telc C1, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH-1, or TestDaF with at least 3 in all sections. Certificates of attendance of a German course are not accepted.[4]
After admission, applicants with C1 take the DSH test (German language test for admission to higher education) before enrolment. You are exempt if you hold, for example, TestDaF with at least 4 in all sections, a telc C1 Hochschule with “very good” or “good”, Goethe-Zertifikat C2 or a DSH-2 from another German university, not older than 3 years. HU does not organise preparatory German courses.[4] Programmes in English, French, Spanish, American Studies and Deaf Studies need further language certificates.[4]
For master’s programmes the language rules are set per programme. If no other German requirement is listed, German at C1 is needed to apply, and for a long list of programmes it is required explicitly. English-language master’s programmes list their English level in the programme’s own regulations.[7] The DAAD listing for the HU master’s in Economics, for example, asks for English at C1 (such as IELTS Academic 7) and no German.[8]
Frequently Asked Questions
How much are the semester fees at Humboldt University of Berlin?
For the winter semester 2026/27 HU lists €381.80 in total: €50.00 semester fee, €12.00 student body contribution, €85.00 student services contribution and €234.80 for the Deutschlandsemesterticket.[3]
Do I need to speak German to study at Humboldt University of Berlin?
How do I apply as an international student?
With a non-German entrance qualification you apply through uni-assist.[5]
Is there a preparatory German course at HU?
No. HU does not organise preparatory German courses.[4]
More about studying in Germany
- Germany: best universities
- Study in Germany: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Heidelberg University
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- TU Darmstadt
- TU Dresden
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
- University of Freiburg
- University of Göttingen
- University of Hamburg
- University of Mannheim
- University of Münster
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Tübingen
Sources
[1] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Facts & Figures (student figures winter semester 2025/26, staff 1 Dec 2025, research and structure as of June 2026)
[2] IamExpat: TUM only German university to make top 50 in QS ranking 2027 (QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 19 Jun 2026)
[3] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Semesterbeiträge und -gebühren Wintersemester 2026/27 (fee sheet, PDF) (fee sheet for winter semester 2026/27; page without a date)
[4] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Requirements for undergraduate degree programmes (page without a date)
[5] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Application overview (page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: Humboldt University of Berlin (history, name and campuses)
[7] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Requirements for further study programmes (page without a date)
[8] DAAD: Master of Science in Economics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (International Programmes 2026/2027) (listing for 2026/2027, no publication date)
[9] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: Germany semester ticket (page without a date)
[10] Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin: International students (application) (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.