Living in Berlin and costs
Berliner Hochschule für Technik (BHT) has more than 12,000 students and a history which dates back to the early 19th century. The university is one of Germany‘s largest state universities of applied sciences. With a wide range of forward-looking degree courses and a staff of highly qualified specialists, BHT encourages the career opportunities of all prospective and current students, regardless of their social background. The campus is located right in the heart of Berlin, in the Wedding/Mitte district, and easy to reach by an extensive system of subways, buses and city trains.
The city of Berlin has nearly 3.5 million inhabitants and is the biggest city and capital of Germany. It is the largest city in the European Union. Apart from being the seat of the German government, Berlin is the biggest university town in Germany and the cultural center of a new, united Europe.
Most students choose to live in one of the student dormitories which are run by the Studierendenwerk Berlin. Our Office of Global Engagement can reserve a room for you upon application, and send you the necessary forms. Click here to learn more about student accommodation at BHT.
Please note that there is only a limited number of rooms and we cannot guarantee a room for every exchange student!
The BHT sports centre offers a wide range of sports, you can also use the sporting facilities at the other universities in Berlin. Whatever sport you're looking for, Berlin has it! The prices range from as little as 10 euros for courses like aerobics to as much as 90 euros per semester for windsurfing.
You can get a hot meal at the student restaurant, the Mensa, which is also run by Studierendenwerk, every weekday. Prices are student-friendly. The daily menus appear online weekly. There are 3 price categories, and as a student you always pay the lowest price. You can get a complete meal with a drink for about 3 euros.
If you are an EU national you won't need a visa or residence permit. Students from outside the European Union might need a study visa. We advise you to contact your nearest German embassy or consulate for more information.
As a registered student at Berliner Hochschule für Technik, you will be able to open a German bank account free of charge. This means you will be able to pay your rent by bank transfer, and pay for your groceries with your German bank card. Click here to familiarising yourself with the options available.
Berlin School of Applied Sciences doesn't charge any tuition fees for exchange students. We are only required to ask you for a semester contribution of about 250 euros per semester for your public transportation card (="Semesterticket") and your contribution to the student organizations Studierendenwerk and AStA.
The rent for a room in a student dormitory varies from 250 to 350 euros. On the private market a room would cost an average of about 400 euros. An internet connection will cost you about 10 euros extra per month.
Once registered at the Berlin School of Applied Sciences you'll receive the public transportation card, which enables you to use all public transportation in Berlin, zone ABC during the semester.
If you have an EU health insurance card or if you have a good private insurance you won't need an extra health insurance. Another option is to get a German health insurance which would cost about 55 euros per month.
| Estimated Monthly Costs | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | € 350 - 650 |
| Food | € 200 - 300 |
| Books and study materials | € 50 |
| Phone | € 15 - 30 |
| Other | € 50 - 250 |
| Monthly estimate(public transportation not included) | € 630- 1280 |
| Public Transportation(included in the semester contribution, ≈ 31€ per month) | € 185 per semester |