HTW Berlin operates approximately 80 practice-oriented Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes. Das Spektrum umfasst Technik, Informatik, Wirtschaft, Gestaltung und Kultur. The range of subject areas offered includes technology, IT, business, design and culture. HTW Berlin also offers a number of degree programmes in English.

Study structure

• HTW Berlin offers degree programmes leading to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
•  A Bachelor’s degree programme takes 6 or 7 semesters (3 to 3.5 years).
• Subsequent Master’s programmes take 3 or 4 semesters (1.5 to 2 years).

Courses and examinations

• The degree programme consists of various modules with seminars, tutorials and seminar-style courses (similar to lectures, only smaller).
• Examinations usually take place at the end of each semester.
• Academic achievements are measured in credit points (ECTS), whereby one semester corresponds to approximately 30 ECTS.

Practical orientation

• As a University of Applied Sciences, our degree programmes emphasise practical relevance.
• HTW Berlin has over 100 modern laboratories for the purposes of practical teaching.
• All teaching staff have practical experience - a significant difference to many university employees.
• A specialised internship is a compulsory part of the Bachelor’s degree programmes.

The study information days and a visit to the HTW Berlin Student Advisory Service can help with study orientation.

HTW Berlin offers a series of study information days, including

• the study information days for the Bachelor’s degree programmes in June and December.
• “Match your Master” in May.
• the Work Exhibition for design and culture degree programmes in July.

• Both degrees are formally equivalent. You can transfer to a university or higher education institution and complete a Master’s degree regardless of where you completed your Bachelor’s degree. A doctorate — currently still in cooperation with a university — is also possible at a higher education institution.
• The difference lies in the practical orientation: Universities of Applied Sciences, formerly known as polytechnics, offer more practically-oriented degree programmes in smaller groups. Universities, on the other hand, traditionally place more emphasis on theoretical foundations and research.
• These days, many employers place less emphasis on the type of university and more on individual qualifications, grades and practical experience. This is also shown by our excellent results in the WiWo ranking, a nationwide ranking of recruiters and HR managers.

There are several compelling reasons to study at HTW Berlin:

• Quality of teaching: HTW Berlin regularly tops academic rankings. All degree programmes are accredited, i.e. the quality of studies is regularly reviewed.
• Practical relevance: HTW Berlin offers an attractive combination of academic research and state-of-the-art practical know-how. Courses take place in small groups of a maximum of 40 students, which ensures a personal teaching and learning atmosphere.
• Modern equipment: HTW Berlin boasts over 100 laboratories featuring modern equipment that enable the practical application of the knowledge learnt.
• Career opportunities: an internship integrated within every Bachelor’s degree programme and the university’s own Career Services facilitate the transition to the professional world.
• International experience: students have the opportunity to gain experience abroad at one of our 150 partner universities. An internship abroad during your studies is also possible. In the Bachelor’s degree programme, foreign language training is an important part of the curriculum. HTW Berlin has its own Foreign Languages Centre for this purpose.

• To apply for a Bachelor’s degree programme at HTW Berlin, you need a general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification or relevant vocational training. Some degree programmes may have additional requirements such as pre-study internships, aptitude tests or language skills.
• A first academic degree in a specific subject is required when applying for a Master’s degree programme.

The application periods and the application procedure differ depending on the degree type (Bachelor’s or Master’s), higher education entrance qualification and admission requirements (aptitude test, etc.).

No, you cannot apply to HTW Berlin before or after the official application periods. After the regular application deadlines have expired, the website “Vacant study places” contains information regarding study places still available in individual degree programmes. 

At HTW Berlin, you pay a semester fee. You should also budget for an estimated 1,250 EUR per month in living expenses. Design degree programmes incur some material costs. You can reduce your study expenses by living at home and having family health insurance.

We provide online tips on finding accommodation — from student residences to shared apartments — and on financial aid, e.g. housing benefit.

Various sources of funding for students exist, including jobs, BAföG, scholarships and financial support in emergencies.

We encourage students to apply for a scholarship, because for the vast majority of scholarship holders, it is no longer just grades that count. Students’ life circumstances and the conditions under which someone studies, performs and gets involved in other activities or volunteering are now of greater importance.

At HTW Berlin, you can get involved in many study projects and study initiatives or participate in one of the student bodies. The university sports department offers an extensive sports programme featuring numerous sports courses.

The Student Advisory Service will be happy to assist you. The Study Information Days also offer a good opportunity to find out about the degree programmes on offer at HTW Berlin.

At HTW Berlin, you can contact the Representative for Disabled and Chronically Ill Students, who will be happy to advise you. We will support you with your overall application, including special applications, help you to apply for admission in cases of hardship and advise you on compensating for disadvantages experienced during your studies.

After you have accepted the offer of a place at the university, you must submit the enrolment application attached with the PDF cover letter as well as the documents/certificates listed there and transfer the semester fee. In addition, your health insurance provider must send your health insurance certificate to HTW Berlin. After you have submitted all documents, you will be enrolled by the Student Services Department. The processing time is approx. two weeks. You will then receive an email to activate your HTW Berlin account, which unfortunately often ends up in spam.

The welcome event for first-year students takes place during the first week of study. An invitation will be sent to your HTW Berlin email address.

The university also holds an enrolment ceremony for all students and specific events in your degree programme. It is wise to use the Freshers’ Week to obtain important information and establish some initial contacts among your fellow students.   

All important dates and deadlines for the semester can be found in the academic calendar.

At the beginning of your degree programme, you do not have to decide on your courses yourself. If you are studying full-time in the first semester, you will be automatically registered for all compulsory courses in that semester. Your degree programme contact partner will inform you of elective courses. You can view your personal timetable approximately two weeks before the start of the semester in the LSF campus management system under “My timetable”. From the second semester onwards, you are responsible for course enrolment yourself. First-year students on part-time programmes enrol on their own courses from the outset.

WiFi is available for you to use at our campus locations.

The University Library regularly offers training courses and guided tours — including at the beginning of the semester.

The best thing to do is to go to the Fresher’s week events for your degree programme. Other options: Attend sports courses run by the university sports department, take part in student initiatives or join one of the student bodies.