Humboldt University of Berlin Admission 2026-27: Acceptance Rate, Deadline & Eligibility

Humboldt University of Berlin Admission 2027: Acceptance Rate, Deadline & Eligibility

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Naman Mittal

Study Abroad Expert | Updated on - Oct 29, 2026

Humboldt University of Berlin admissions may require Indian students to apply through uni-assist and submit an APS certificate before their application is processed. Entry requirements and deadlines vary by programme, so check the official course page before applying.

  • Intake: Winter Semester 2027/28; the stated deadline for admission-restricted master’s programmes is 14 June 2027.
  • Fees: No tuition for most programmes; semester contribution EUR 355 (INR 38,762) and application fee EUR 75 (INR 8,189), subject to confirmation.
  • Eligibility: Class XII results for bachelor’s applicants; a relevant bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants. The stated 75% and 60% thresholds and IELTS 6.5 should be checked against the specific programme.
  • Acceptance rate: Estimated 20 - 30% for admission-restricted master’s programmes; Humboldt does not publish an official overall rate.

Popular options for Indian students include MSc Psychology, MSc Economics, and MSc Computer Science. Humboldt is known for its research focus, and most programmes do not charge tuition, although students still need to budget for living costs in Berlin. 

Admission Status: Open. Applications for the Winter Semester 2027/28 (October start) are accepted through uni-assist, with the deadline for admission-restricted master’s programmes set at 14 June 2027. Applications for selected admission-restricted programmes for Summer Semester 2027 remain open until 15 January 2027. Uni-assist charges EUR 75 (around INR 8,189) for the first course choice and EUR 30 (around INR 3,276) for each additional choice.
Currency note: All INR figures in this article use EUR 1 = INR 109.19, as of 28 September 2026. 

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Humboldt University of Berlin Application Deadlines for Indian Students

Humboldt University of Berlin has two intakes, but Winter Semester (October start) is the main option for Indian students, as most Bachelor’s and many Master’s programmes open then. International applicants may need to apply through uni-assist, which checks their academic documents before forwarding the application or issuing a VPD (preliminary review document), depending on the programme. Summer Semester offers fewer options, so check the course-specific deadlines on Humboldt’s official website and uni-assist.

Intake Level Deadline App Fee
Winter Semester 2027/28 (Primary intake) Master’s, admission-restricted 14 June 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Winter Semester 2027/28 Master’s, admission-free 28 June 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Winter Semester 2027/28 Bachelor’s, admission-restricted 15 July 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Winter Semester 2027/28 Bachelor’s, admission-free 31 August 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Summer Semester 2027 Master’s, admission-restricted 15 January 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Summer Semester 2027 Bachelor’s, admission-restricted 15 January 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)
Summer Semester 2027 Bachelor’s, admission-free 28 February 2027 EUR 75 (INR 8,189)

Planning note: Uni-assist recommends submitting the full application at least 4 to 6 weeks before the stated deadline, so Indian applicants targeting the 14 June 2027 Master’s window should aim to upload by early May 2027.

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Humboldt University of Berlin Eligibility for Indian Students

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin sets separate academic and language floors for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD applicants from India, and every applicant must also clear the mandatory APS pre-verification. The academic floor is university-wide, but competitive Master’s programs like Psychology, Economics, and Statistics run their own Numerus Clausus (NC, a cut-off percentage set each year based on the number of applicants).

  • UG general entry: Class XII from CBSE, ICSE, or a recognised state board at 75 percent or higher, or one year of successful Bachelor’s study in India.
  • PG general entry: Recognised Bachelor’s degree with 60 percent in a subject related to the Master’s applied for.
  • English proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band under 6.0), TOEFL iBT 90, or PTE Academic 62 for English-taught programs.
  • German proficiency: DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 in all four sections for German-taught programs.
  • APS certificate: Mandatory pre-verification from the German embassy in New Delhi before uni-assist forwards the file.
Also check: Study in Germany For Indian Students After 12th

Humboldt University of Berlin Master’s Programs and English Requirements

Humboldt University of Berlin offers 90+ Master’s programmes, including a growing number taught in English. Tuition is EUR 0 for international students, but a semester contribution of EUR 355 (INR 38,762) is payable each term. For a course-wise fee breakdown, visit the Humboldt programmes page.

Programme Duration Minimum Eligibility English Req. Min.
MA English Literatures 4 semesters Bachelor’s in English or related literary studies, 60 percent IELTS 6.5
MA American Studies 4 semesters Bachelor’s in a related humanities subject, 60 percent IELTS 6.5
MSc Statistics 4 semesters Bachelor’s with strong Mathematics or Statistics, 60 percent IELTS 6.5
MSc Economics 4 semesters Bachelor’s in Economics or related, 65 percent IELTS 6.5
MA Global History 4 semesters Bachelor’s in History or Social Sciences, 60 percent IELTS 6.5

Insider note: A recognised Bachelor’s in India means a three-year or four-year degree from a UGC-recognised university, and uni-assist maps three-year Indian Bachelor’s degrees to German Bachelor’s for most Master’s courses.


Humboldt University of Berlin Bachelor’s Programs for Indian Students

Humboldt University of Berlin offers around 60 bachelor’s programmes, most taught in German. Indian students usually need to meet Germany’s Higher Education Entrance Qualification (HZB) requirements, as Class XII alone may not qualify them for direct entry. Depending on their qualifications, they may need to complete a Studienkolleg and pass the Feststellungsprüfung, or meet the required German-language level, often C1.

Programme Duration Minimum Eligibility English Req. Min.
BSc Computer Science 6 semesters Class XII with Mathematics, 75 percent, plus 1 year Indian UG or Studienkolleg Not required (German-taught)
BSc Psychology 6 semesters Class XII, 80 percent, plus 1 year Indian UG or Studienkolleg Not required (German-taught)
BA Social Sciences 6 semesters Class XII, 75 percent, plus 1 year Indian UG or Studienkolleg Not required (German-taught)
BA English Studies 6 semesters Class XII, 75 percent, English-language Bachelor’s readiness IELTS 6.0
BSc Business Administration 6 semesters Class XII with Mathematics, 75 percent, plus 1 year Indian UG or Studienkolleg Not required (German-taught)

Planning note: Indian applicants who have completed one year of a UGC-recognised Bachelor’s programme with good grades can generally skip the Studienkolleg and apply directly for Humboldt’s Bachelor’s admission.

Also check: Humboldt University of Berlin Courses and Fees

Humboldt University of Berlin PhD Programs and Application Steps

Humboldt University of Berlin offers two PhD routes: an individual doctorate under a faculty supervisor or a structured doctoral programme, such as the Berlin Mathematical School. For individual PhDs, Indian applicants should contact a suitable professor with a 5–10-page research proposal, CV and Master’s transcripts. If the professor agrees to supervise, applicants complete registration through the relevant faculty’s PhD office. Deadlines vary, while structured programmes usually have fixed deadlines between January and March.

PhD candidates generally pay a semester contribution of EUR 355 (INR 38,762) rather than tuition fees. Funding may be available through schemes such as DAAD or Humboldt-related doctoral scholarships, depending on eligibility and the specific programme.

Insider note: Berlin has a coordinated PhD framework across Humboldt, Freie Universität, Technische Universität, and Charité, so an Indian PhD candidate at Humboldt can access lab and library resources across all four institutions.

Also check: Fully Funded PhD in Germany for Indian Students 2026

Humboldt University of Berlin Application Process on uni-assist

Every Indian applicant for a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin applies through uni-assist, the German central application service for international credentials. Uni-assist takes 4 to 6 weeks to review a complete file, so the practical submission deadline is at least a month earlier than the stated closing date.

  1. Register on the uni-assist portal at my.uni-assist.de and select Humboldt University of Berlin as your target university.
  2. Pay the application fee of EUR 75 (around INR 8,189) for the first course choice on my.uni-assist.de, plus EUR 30 (around INR 3,276) for each additional course.
  3. Upload certified copies of Class XII marksheet, Bachelor’s transcripts and degree, English or German test score, CV, statement of purpose, and APS certificate.
  4. Wait for uni-assist to issue the Vorprüfungsdokumentation (VPD, a preliminary review confirming your credentials meet German standards), which is forwarded to Humboldt.
  5. Track the decision status inside my.uni-assist.de and on Humboldt’s applicant portal once the file is forwarded.

Admission Decisions and Offer Timeline

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin releases decisions in waves between mid-July and early September for Winter Semester and between mid-February and mid-March for Summer Semester. Offers are conditional on the applicant enrolling in person and paying the semester contribution, and the acceptance window is typically 2 to 3 weeks from the offer date. Deferrals are allowed on a case-by-case basis and must be requested through the faculty office.

Also check:


Documents Required for Humboldt University of Berlin

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin uses uni-assist’s standard checklist, plus a small set of Indian-specific documents. Everything is uploaded to my.uni-assist.de as scanned PDFs, with certified translations for any non-English or non-German original.

  • Passport: Bio-data page, valid for at least 18 months beyond the intended start of studies.
  • APS certificate: Mandatory academic evaluation from the German embassy in New Delhi, issued in your name.
  • Class XII marksheet and certificate: Attested copy from CBSE, ICSE, or state board.
  • Bachelor’s transcripts and degree: Semester-wise marksheets and degree certificate for PG applicants.
  • English test score report: IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic sent directly to Humboldt or uni-assist.
  • German test score report: DSH, TestDaF, Goethe, or telc score if applying for a German-taught programme.
  • Statement of Purpose (SOP): One page tailored to the specific Humboldt programme.
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two academic references on university or workplace letterhead.
  • CV: Europass or standard chronological format, in English.
  • Work experience letters: Only where the programme lists relevant experience as a requirement.

Before you apply: Book your APS interview at the German embassy in New Delhi at least 8 weeks before the uni-assist deadline, as APS certificates take 4 to 6 weeks to issue and cannot be expedited.

Also check: 


Germany Student Visa Process for Humboldt University of Berlin Applicants

Indian students admitted to Humboldt University of Berlin need a German National Visa (Type D), which is usually issued for up to six months and followed by a study residence permit after arrival. The visa fee is EUR 75 (around INR 8,189). Students generally need their admission letter, APS certificate, valid passport, health insurance, motivation letter and proof of EUR 11,904 (around INR 12.99 Lakhs) for one year, usually through a blocked account.

After arriving in Berlin, students must complete local address registration (Anmeldung) and arrange the required health insurance. Check the latest deadlines and document requirements with the relevant German mission and Humboldt before applying.

2026 update: The German federal blocked account minimum stands at EUR 11,904 for the 2026 to 2027 academic year, and this amount is reviewed by the German finance ministry each January.

Also check:

Indian students applying to Humboldt University of Berlin should plan their APS, uni-assist and visa steps early to avoid last-minute delays. Aim to start the APS process by March, submit documents through uni-assist by early May and book a visa appointment by April. Students with an English-medium degree can check whether a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter is accepted.

Popular programmes such as MSc Psychology and MSc Economics may have restricted admission (NC), so check each course’s deadlines and requirements. Review Humboldt University of Berlin’s profile and Fees page to plan your budget.


FAQs

Ques. When does Humboldt University of Berlin’s Winter Semester 2027/28 application window open for Indian students?

Ans. The uni-assist portal typically opens in early April 2027 for Winter Semester 2027/28. Master’s admission-restricted deadline is 14 June 2027, admission-free is 28 June 2027. Bachelor’s deadlines run to 15 July and 31 August 2027 respectively. All applications go through my.uni-assist.de rather than a direct Humboldt portal.

Ques. Is the APS certificate mandatory for Indian applicants to Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans. Yes. Every Indian applicant to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin must submit the APS certificate from the German embassy in New Delhi before uni-assist forwards the file to Humboldt. Applications without a valid APS certificate are treated as incomplete and are not reviewed by the university.

Ques. What is the minimum IELTS score for a Master’s programme at Humboldt University of Berlin?

Ans. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin requires IELTS 6.5 overall with no band under 6.0 for English-taught Master’s programmes. TOEFL iBT 90 and PTE Academic 62 are accepted equivalents. German-taught Master’s such as Psychology and Chemistry ask for DSH-2 or TestDaF 4 in all four sections instead.

Ques. Does Humboldt University of Berlin charge tuition fees for international students?

Ans. No. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin charges zero tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students, including international applicants from India. The only mandatory payment is the semester contribution of EUR 355 (around INR 38,762) per term, which covers administrative fees and the Berlin public transport semester ticket.

Ques. How much does the uni-assist application to Humboldt University of Berlin cost?

Ans. Uni-assist charges an application fee of EUR 75 (around INR 8,189) for the first course choice and EUR 30 (around INR 3,276) for each additional course applied to in the same cycle. The fee covers the credential evaluation and issuance of the Vorprüfungsdokumentation forwarded to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.

Ques. Are all Humboldt University of Berlin Master’s programmes taught in English?

Ans. No. Only a subset of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin’s Master’s catalogue runs fully in English, including MA English Literatures, MA American Studies, MSc Statistics, MSc Economics, MA Global History, MA International Relations, and MSc Integrated Life Sciences. Most Bachelor’s programmes and around half of Master’s programmes are taught in German.

Humboldt University of Berlin Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibility
Application deadline for 2027 Intake (31st Mar 2027)
USD 16,800 /Yr
EUR 15,000 /Yr
75Level C1 English Language Proficiency

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Reviews


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2 Reviews Found

AS
8.0 /10
academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 4/10
placement: 4/10
extracurricular: 10/10

RN
8.7 /10

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.

Scholarship

I had no scholarship, but my research was sponsored by Helmholtz Research Center Berlin, where my supervisor used to conduct his research work. My yearly salary was ~25000?/year (Gross).

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 9/10

Comments


Found 2 Comments

P
preethi
May 14, 2024 21:24
I'm planning to apply for masters in Humboldt university, is German language certificate must or ielts is enough?
S
Simran Kumari
May 23, 2024 12:34

For admission to a Master's program at Humboldt-University, Berlin, you need a bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS credits. Language requirements vary by program; check the specific admission regulations. Typically, a German language certificate or IELTS might be required, depending on the course.

A
amen jamil
May 13, 2023 20:26
I want to get admission in Germany in ph.d program.some body can help me
A
Ashish Ramtari
May 18, 2023 12:02

You need the support of a Humboldt University of Berlin professor to act as your PhD supervisor. It is important that you find a suitable professor of your interest in which you want to do a PhD. If the professor is interested to supervise you, he or she will mail you.


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