HTW Berlin campus
University Profile · Germany

HTW Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin)

1994
Established (Roots to 1874)
~14,000+
Students (~26% International)
#1 in Germany
For Business Administration & Engineering
€0
Tuition — Fully Free

Apply Now!! Admissions are open for January, March & August 2026 intake !!

Apply Now!! Admissions are open for January, March & August 2026 intake !!

Apply Now!! Admissions are open for January, March & August 2026 intake !!

Apply Now!! Admissions are open for January, March & August 2026 intake !!

Apply Now!! Admissions are open for January, March & August 2026 intake !!

Quick Snapshot & Key Statistics

Official NameHTW Berlin (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin / University of Applied Sciences)
Institution TypePublic University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften)
Established1994 (Merging historical engineering and business institutes dating back to 1874)
MottoStark durch Praxis ("Strong through Practice")
Total Enrollment~14,000+ Students (~26% International Students from 100+ nations)
Academic Faculties5 Schools (Fachbereiche) | Over 70 Practice-Oriented Degree Programs
National RankingsRanked #1 in Germany for Business Administration & Engineering (WirtschaftsWoche HAW Rankings)
Main LocationBerlin, Germany (Districts of Oberschöneweide & Lichtenberg)
Tuition Fees (Regular Degrees)€0 / year (100% Tuition-Free for all EU & non-EU international students)
Semester Contribution~€310 to €375 per semester (Includes student union, admin fee & transit pass options)

HTW Berlin

HTW Berlin is the largest public university of applied sciences in Berlin. Renowned for its hands-on academic model, HTW Berlin specialises in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, Design, Culture, and Green Technology.

Located in the economic capital of Germany, HTW Berlin integrates real-world corporate challenges, mandatory industry internships (Praxissemester), and laboratory prototyping directly into its degree tracks. The university maintains tight research and recruitment ties with major international corporations, tech hubs, and Berlin's startup scene, including Zalando, Siemens, BMW, SAP, and Deutsche Telekom.

Why Choose HTW Berlin?

  • Germany's largest public university of applied sciences
  • Strong focus on practical and career-oriented education
  • 5 faculties and over 70 degree programmes
  • Excellent industry collaborations
  • Affordable public university education
  • Several English-taught Master's programmes
  • Modern laboratories and innovation centres
  • Strong international exchange programmes
  • Excellent graduate employability
  • Located in Germany's startup and innovation capital

Location & Campus Structure of HTW Berlin

HTW Berlin operates across two main high-tech campuses located in eastern Berlin:

  • Campus Wilhelminenhof (Oberschöneweide): Located directly along the Spree River in a renovated historical industrial complex. Houses the Schools of Engineering (Energy & Information), Engineering (Technology & Life), and Design & Culture, featuring modern robotics halls, cleanrooms, and design studios.
  • Campus Treskowallee (Lichtenberg): Located in a park-like campus in Lichtenberg. Houses the Schools of Business & Economics and Computing, Communication and Business.

Popular and Unique Degree Programs

HTW Berlin is structured into 5 main academic schools (Fachbereiche):

  • School 1: Energy and Information (Ingenieurwissenschaften - Energie und Information)
  • School 2: Technology and Life (Ingenieurwissenschaften - Technik und Leben)
  • School 3: Business and Economics (Wirtschaftswissenschaften I)
  • School 4: Computing, Communication and Business (Informatik, Kommunikation und Wirtschaft)
  • School 5: Design and Culture (Gestaltung und Kultur)

Together, these five schools offer over 70 practice-oriented Bachelor's, Master's, and continuing education degree programs.

Top English-Taught Master's Programs

  • M.Sc. Project Management and Data Science (PMDS): High-demand program merging agile project management with machine learning and data engineering.
  • M.B.A. & Eng. Business Administration and Engineering (MBAE): Top-ranked industrial management degree combining technical systems engineering with global business strategy.
  • M.A. International and Development Economics (MIDE): Quantitative economics program focusing on development policy, international trade, and macro-financial analytics.
  • M.Sc. Construction and Real Estate Management (ConREM): Joint international program covering sustainable construction engineering, facility management, and real estate economics.
  • M.Sc. Professional IT Business and Digitalisation: Bridges enterprise IT architecture, digital strategy, and software product management.

Top German-Taught Degree Programs

  • B.Sc. / M.Sc. Computer Science (Informatik): Software engineering, cybersecurity, distributed systems, and AI.
  • B.Sc. Game Design: One of Germany's pioneering university programs for digital game mechanics, 3D art, and game development.
  • B.Sc. / M.Sc. Business Informatics (Wirtschaftsinformatik): Bridges enterprise software systems, database engineering, and corporate management.
  • B.Eng. Mechanical Engineering (Maschinenbau): CAD design, automotive systems, and automated production.
  • B.A. Industrial Design / Fashion Design: Practice-heavy design programs in state-of-the-art campus studios.

Language Requirements

Language prerequisites depend on the primary medium of instruction for your degree program at HTW Berlin.

German Language Requirements (German-Taught Programs)

For degree programs taught in German (including standard Bachelor's degrees), non-native applicants must prove C1 CEFR German proficiency:

  • TestDaF: Minimum level of 4x4 (TDN 4 in all 4 examination sections).
  • DSH: DSH-2 or DSH-3.
  • telc: telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule.
  • Goethe-Zertifikat: Goethe-Zertifikat C1 or C2.

English Language Requirements (English-Taught Programs)

For international Bachelor's and Master's degree programs taught in English, applicants must submit proof of B2 or C1 CEFR English proficiency:

IELTS AcademicOverall 6.5 or 7.0 (program-dependent)
TOEFL iBT88 to 95 points or higher
Cambridge EnglishC1 Advanced (CAE) or C2 Proficiency (CPE)
PTE Academic65 points or higher

Fee Structure

As a public university in the state of Berlin, HTW Berlin does NOT charge tuition fees for standard Bachelor's or consecutive Master's degree programs for any student, regardless of citizenship.

Bachelor's Programmes

  • Tuition Fee: No tuition fees
  • Semester Contribution: Approximately €310 to €375 per semester

Master's Programmes

  • Tuition Fee: No tuition fees
  • Semester Contribution: Approximately €310 to €375 per semester

Mandatory Administrative & Living Costs

  • Semester Contribution (Semesterbeitrag): ~€310 to €375 per semester.
  • Blocked Account (Sperrkonto) for Visa: Non-EU international students must deposit €11,904 per year into an official Blocked Account to draw €992 per month for living costs.
  • Monthly Living Costs in Berlin: On average, students spend between €1,000 and €1,350 per month.

Research & Industry Partnerships

HTW Berlin collaborates with leading organisations and companies, including:

  • Siemens
  • Deutsche Telekom
  • SAP
  • Bosch
  • BMW
  • Microsoft
  • Amazon
  • Deutsche Bahn
  • Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG)
  • Fraunhofer Society

These collaborations provide students with internships, applied research opportunities, innovation projects, and excellent graduate employment prospects.

HTW Berlin Campus Wilhelminenhof

Let's plan your path to studying at HTW Berlin

From matching your profile to the right faculty to preparing a compelling application, our counsellors guide every step of your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do "Werkstudent" (working student) opportunities work at HTW Berlin?

Berlin's tech and corporate ecosystem, including Zalando, N26, BMW, and Siemens Energy, offers HTW Berlin students widespread Werkstudent (working student) opportunities. Under German labour laws, enrolled students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during breaks. Paying €15 to €22+ per hour in IT, engineering, and business, these roles frequently lead to full-time post-graduate careers.

What application portal does HTW Berlin use for international applicants?

Applicants with a non-German secondary school certificate or Bachelor's degree must apply through uni-assist for credential evaluation. Applicants who hold German degrees or EU citizens apply directly via HTW Berlin's online portal (LSF / PRIMUSS).

What is a "Praxissemester" (practical internship semester), and is it mandatory at HTW Berlin?

Yes. Most Bachelor's degree programs at HTW Berlin mandate a 20-week full-time Praxissemester (practical internship semester) inside a commercial company or research institute during the 5th or 6th semester, granting academic credits and practical experience.

What is the difference between applying to HTW Berlin (Applied Sciences) vs. TU Berlin (Technical University)?

While TU Berlin focuses heavily on theoretical engineering research and large lecture halls, HTW Berlin focuses on applied engineering, smaller project-based classes, mandatory corporate internships, and direct industry collaboration. HTW professors must have at least five years of professional industry experience outside academia before being appointed.

Can I write my Bachelor's or Master's thesis in collaboration with a company?

Yes. A high percentage of HTW engineering, computer science, and business students write their final thesis (Bachelorarbeit / Masterarbeit) in direct collaboration with an industrial partner or tech startup, solving a real corporate challenge while receiving a monthly thesis stipend.

What student housing options are available for HTW Berlin students?

Student accommodation is managed by Studierendenwerk Berlin. Dorm rooms cost between €300 and €550 per month. Because student housing in Berlin is in high demand, incoming international students are strongly advised to apply for dorm housing through Studierendenwerk immediately upon receiving admission.

What is the "HTW InnoTech" incubator?

HTW Berlin operates its own Startup Centre (Gründungszentrum), providing student entrepreneurs with free co-working facilities, prototyping workshops, mentor networks, and assistance in securing German government startup grants like the EXIST scholarship.

What is the LSF portal at HTW Berlin?

LSF is HTW Berlin's central online university administration portal. Students use LSF to register for modules, sign up for semester exams, download official enrolment certificates, and print official grade transcripts.

Does HTW Berlin offer German language courses for international students?

Yes. The Foreign Languages Centre (Fremdsprachenzentrum) at HTW Berlin offers subsidised German language courses ranging from A1 to C1 levels, as well as specialised business and technical German modules during the semester and semester breaks.

What is the Game Design program at HTW Berlin known for?

HTW Berlin's B.Sc. Game Design program is one of Germany's premier public game engineering degrees. It combines game mechanics, 3D modelling, artificial intelligence, sound design, and narrative scripting in specialised game studios.

Are there dual-degree options (Duales Studium) available at HTW Berlin?

Yes. HTW Berlin offers Dual Study programs that combine academic lectures with paid practical vocational training at partner companies such as Siemens, Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe, and Vattenfall.

What are the main application deadlines for HTW Berlin?

For the Winter Semester (starting in October), the application deadline via uni-assist is generally July 15. For the Summer Semester (starting in April), the deadline is generally January 15. International applicants who require a visa should submit their documents 2–3 months before the deadline.

Why should I choose HTW Berlin?

Choose HTW Berlin if you are looking for a practical, career-focused education with strong industry partnerships, affordable public tuition, and excellent employment opportunities. Its location in Berlin and emphasis on applied learning make HTW Berlin one of Germany's top universities of applied sciences for international students.

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Photo credits: HTW Berlin, Campus Wilhelminenhof by Alexander Rentsch, CC BY-SA 4.0. Via Wikimedia Commons. All image credits

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