Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

The application must contain proof of your proficiency in the form of an ETS TOEFL certificate (minimum score of 600 for the paper-based test, 250 for the computer-based test, or 100 for the internet-based test), or a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (any grade), or a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (grade A or B), or an IELTS test (level 7.0). This list in not exhaustive. Please check the admissions page for more details. 

APS = Akademische Prüfstelle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland bei der deutschen Botschaft in China

Students from China, Mongolia, India and Vietnam who apply for courses in Germany must provide an APS certificate. The students who are accepted for the course must have this certificate to matriculate at the Humboldt-Universität.

Uni-Assist: you will receive a confirmation (Bewerberbestätigung). Please use that to already make an appointment with the German embassy in your home country for July.

If you are admitted to the course, you will be able to download an admission certificate in mid-July. Make the embassy appointment before this date. Do not wait until then to arrange the appointment – the visa process takes very long and you don’t want to miss the start of your study programme in the middle of October.

For the current necessary entry requirements please ask at the German embassy in your home country. If a visa is required, start the application process as early as possible as it may take quite a lot of time. You need a visa for studying in Germany – a tourist visa is not acceptable in this case. Please check the website of German Federal Foreign Office https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/sperrkonto/388600 for up-to-date- information. 

From our experience we can tell you that the whole procedure may be quite tedious and that it often lasts longer than expected. So please apply for your visa without any delay!

If any problems with the embassy arise please tell us so immediately. If you give us a direct contact email/number of the person responsible, we can try and talk to them directly about your case.

This is all digital now: you can do it either through uni assist or the university portal.

The actual programme is free and there are no tuition fees. However, if accepted you are responsible for your own cost of living and the matriculation fees at the Humboldt University each semester. These amount to ca. 350 Euros each semester and we have two semesters per year amounting to four semesters for the two-year programme.

Berlin is still much cheaper than other German cities. On average students need c. 1,300-1,500 Euros monthly. This includes accommodation rent, matriculation costs (c. 360 Euros per semester), food and insurances. There are no tuition fees for the M.A. British Studies programme.

Applicants requiring financial support are strongly recommended to apply for a grant or scholarship well in advance. The deadlines for scholarship applications may be as early as in October, the year before you plan to take up your studies at the Centre for British Studies!

The course is full-time. We strongly advise you to take this into consideration if you are thinking of working part-time.

Please look at the information here for grants. Most students need to work part-time to finance themselves. There are opportunities at the Humboldt-Universität on the many notice boards, and we are often sent information. You should, however, keep in mind that the course is full-time.

Unfortunately, the Centre has no grants. However, several programmes (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium, DAAD, political foundations) provide scholarships for graduate students.

More information is available here (https://www.international.hu-berlin.de/en/studierende/aus-dem-ausland/wegweiser/08/08_01_03). You can also book a social counselling session at StudierendenWerk (https://www.stw.berlin/en/counselling/social-counselling-centre/).

Additionally, the StudierendenWerk offers counselling services that focus on other issues like finances (including emergency funding as well as start and completion grants), housing, and dealing with the authorities. There is also a counselling service for barrier-free studies. 

Please take a look at our Information Guide Steps To Take or the Information Guide for International Students.

The timetable changes frequently to fit in with the tutors’ and the course-requirements. Each week is different, according to other schedules and extracurricular activities. However, we endeavour to keep the schedule from Monday to Thursday, 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Fridays and weekends are usually kept free for research, project work or exams. You will find that you will be expected to do a great deal of reading and other academic work in your own time.

No. The programme is full time and intense, so a part-time option during this time is not possible.

For further information please see our study regulations.

No. The programme takes place on site in Berlin with tutors from the Centre, the Humboldt-Universität, and from the UK. It involves teamwork with the rest of the group and hands-on project work.

We have established contact with over 40 placement providers in various countries with diverse profiles. If you have a particular interest and preference which we cannot help you with, you can look for a place yourself.

Not necessarily. We have a variety of student mobility schemes (placements) EU-wide and a few non-EU countries in various fields. If you have a particular interest and preference which we cannot help you with, you can look for a place yourself.

Yes. This is an obligatory part of the course and counts as part of the exam. Students are required to write an internship report.

Many countries require visas to enter the country for work purposes, with some exceptions. This category includes paid and unpaid internships. The type of visa required, its conditions, and its costs depend on your specific nationality and personal situation. Find out what you need to do from the relevant authority well in advance.

 

Make sure to apply correctly and well in advance of the start of your student mobility scheme (placement), as the process can sometimes last as long as 3 months. We will not be able to advise you on matters pertaining to your visa application.

Due to the consequences of Brexit and the termination of Britain's participation in Erasmus, it is unlikely that students will conduct their placement in the UK. This is subject to change according to developments within education mobility agreements. Meanwhile, the Centre maintains contact with placement providers in Ireland, Germany, and elsewhere that allow students to work with British or Britain-related organisations outside of the UK.

You can find lists of past and potential student mobility scheme (placement) providers here: Work Placements

The majority of our students have found qualified permanent work – this varies from working in the free market, the public sector and academia. A number of our students go on to do PhDs. This does, of course, depend on what your plans are, where you live, your efforts and initiatives.

The Humboldt University Career Center provides individualized counselling for students and graduates up to one year after completing their studies at Humboldt-Universität. For more info see here.

We have an Equal Opportunities Representative and Women’s Representative here at the Centre, and, you can always speak to members of staff.

 

There is also a Disability Advisory Service in the Humboldt’s main building.

 

Here is the link in English:

https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/studies/behinderte/behinderte-en