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Germany has been growing steadily in popularity as a study abroad destination, and in this year's QS Best Student Cities 2025 ranking, its capital Berlin, earns its place in the top 10.
Berlin’s growing appeal as an international study destination is also partly due to having a large number of courses in English, particularly at postgraduate level.
Three of Berlin's universities feature in the most recent QS World Universities, including Freie Universitäet Berlin in 97th globally. This year, Berlin earns its highest score in the student view indicator, ranking in first place.
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Berlin?
Student diversity
20 percent of the students in Berlin come from outside Germany, meaning it's easy to make friends from all around the world.
Affordable
All undergraduate fees are free at public universities in Germany for both domestic and international students.
High quality of living
Berlin is known for its high quality of living, with affordable housing and travel and excellent healthcare.
Good job prospects
Graduates enjoy great job prospects as international firms want to hire graduates from German universities.
Cost of studying in Berlin
Berlin ranks 58th for affordability this year. All undergraduate degrees (and some postgraduate programmes) are free at public universities in Germany, even for international students.
Life and culture in Berlin
Having flourished into one of the world’s coolest urban hubs – a major centre of design, fashion, music and art to rival even New York or London – Berlin offers both unbeatable culture and a hot financial market, making it as perfect for history buffs and art aficionados as it is for budding financiers.
Berlin ranks first in the student view indicator. With a high quality of living, affordable costs, a liberal atmosphere and a happening party and music scene, the German capital has a huge amount to offer international students of all backgrounds and interests.
Students from countries outside the EU and EEA who hold a residence permit can extend it for another 18 months after graduating while they search for a job in Germany.
Job prospects are good for graduates in Berlin. The most in demand roles are health care practitioners, engineers and IT specialists. For this reason, Berlin ranks 14th for employer activity.
Aisha is Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, creating and publishing a wide range of articles for an international student audience. A native Londoner, Aisha graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in Philosophy and has previously worked in the civil service.
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Study in Berlin
Aisha Khan
Updated Aug 05, 2024Save
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Germany has been growing steadily in popularity as a study abroad destination, and in this year's QS Best Student Cities 2025 ranking, its capital Berlin, earns its place in the top 10.
Berlin’s growing appeal as an international study destination is also partly due to having a large number of courses in English, particularly at postgraduate level.
While the German capital is not an academic hub on the scale of cities like London, Paris or Boston, three universities in Berlin feature in the QS World University Rankings® 2025. The highest-ranked of these is Freie Universitäet Berlin, ranking 97th in the world.
Is Berlin your ideal student city? Tell us why.
Best universities in Berlin
More about Berlin
Three of Berlin's universities feature in the most recent QS World Universities, including Freie Universitäet Berlin in 97th globally. This year, Berlin earns its highest score in the student view indicator, ranking in first place.
Number of universities ranked by QS
3
Highest-ranked institution
Freie Universitäet Berlin (97th in the world)
Population
3,577,000
Average international fees (at ranked unis)
US$500
Desirability rank
13th
Employer Activity rank
14th
Affordability rank
58th
Student Mix rank
51st
Student View rank
To find out how each of the above categories is calculated, view the methodology.
Why study in Berlin?
Student diversity
20 percent of the students in Berlin come from outside Germany, meaning it's easy to make friends from all around the world.
Affordable
All undergraduate fees are free at public universities in Germany for both domestic and international students.
High quality of living
Berlin is known for its high quality of living, with affordable housing and travel and excellent healthcare.
Good job prospects
Graduates enjoy great job prospects as international firms want to hire graduates from German universities.
Cost of studying in Berlin
Berlin ranks 58th for affordability this year. All undergraduate degrees (and some postgraduate programmes) are free at public universities in Germany, even for international students.
Life and culture in Berlin
Having flourished into one of the world’s coolest urban hubs – a major centre of design, fashion, music and art to rival even New York or London – Berlin offers both unbeatable culture and a hot financial market, making it as perfect for history buffs and art aficionados as it is for budding financiers.
Berlin ranks first in the student view indicator. With a high quality of living, affordable costs, a liberal atmosphere and a happening party and music scene, the German capital has a huge amount to offer international students of all backgrounds and interests.
Testimonials
Careers in Berlin
Students from countries outside the EU and EEA who hold a residence permit can extend it for another 18 months after graduating while they search for a job in Germany.
Job prospects are good for graduates in Berlin. The most in demand roles are health care practitioners, engineers and IT specialists. For this reason, Berlin ranks 14th for employer activity.
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Aisha is Content Editor for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA.com, creating and publishing a wide range of articles for an international student audience. A native Londoner, Aisha graduated from the London School of Economics with a degree in Philosophy and has previously worked in the civil service.
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