Being a major hub for design, fashion, music and art that offers a fascinating culture and rich history, makes Berlin an exceptional study destination for both domestic and international students.

Booking student accommodation in Berlin with Student.com gives you an opportunity to live in some of the German capital’s trendiest neighbourhoods. Many of the hundreds of Berlin student residences we list are located close to Berlin’s main universities and within walking distance of some of the city’s cultural hotspots and favourite student hangout spots.

Whether you choose private student apartments or shared student housing, you can enjoy modern amenities and the convenience of a great location.

If you need help with choosing from our many cheap apartments for rent or just want additional information to help you make up your mind, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Berlin and its districts

Both a city and a state, Berlin is made up of twelve boroughs or districts since the 2001 administrative reform merged previous boroughs.

Friedrichshain

Formerly part of East Berlin, Friedrichshain is a district of the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough. It got its name from the immense green park Volkspark Friedrichshain.

Friedrichshain was largely a working-class district when it was founded in 1920. Gentrification has transformed this old workers' district into one of the liveliest and trendiest districts of Berlin filled with clubs, bars, and cafés.

Berlin’s most rad nightlife scene has a glut of entertainment venues along Revaler Strasse and around the Ostkreuz train station. Tree-lined Simon-Dach-Straße is full of cafés and bars, while Boxhagener Platz and the popular Sunday flea market have some good indie boutique shopping.

If you are a history buff Friedrichshain is a great place to visit. The district is famous for high-profile German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) era remains such as the longest surviving stretch of the Berlin Wall (the East Side Gallery), the socialist boulevard Karl-Marx-Allee and the former Stasi headquarters.

We list several options for student accommodation in Friedrichshain. You can find these with the map function on this page. Friedrichshain is an area where you can still find relatively cheap apartments for rent in Berlin.

Prenzlauer Berg

Another heavily gentrified district, Prenzlauer Berg, is today one of the most popular neighbourhoods in Berlin.

The hordes of young parents strolling the streets pushing expensive prams is an indication of the district being the preferred dwelling also for young families. Located on a low hill northeast of Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg is renowned for its rich history and undeniable beauty.

One of the district's top attractions is the Kulturbrauerei culture centre, while Kollwitzplatz, Helmholzplatz, and Kastanienallee are great places to admire the community’s magnificent architecture, chic shops and eateries.

Many of its landmarks were re-purposed as temporary interrogation centres under the Nazi dictatorship. Thankfully, the old working-class district in the former East Berlin came through World War 2 relatively unscathed, with over 80 percent of its elegant older buildings still intact.

Thereafter, many members of East Germany's counterculture settled in Prenzlauer Berg before bohemians and artists enlivened the area. Rapid gentrification has since transformed it into one of the richest districts with some of the most picturesque streets in Berlin.

Student accommodation in Prenzlauer Berg is typically slightly more upscale than for example in Friedrichshain, but you can still find good student apartments that don’t break the bank on Student.com.

Kreuzberg

Kreuzberg is part of the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg borough located south of Mitte.

During the Cold War era, it was one of the poorest communities in West Berlin. But with gentrification and the German reunification in 1990, it has become more known for its cultural diversity, its arts scene, and experimental alternative lifestyles.

Once the black sheep of West Berlin, Kreuzberg now feels neither east nor west thanks to the large community of hippies, anarchists, immigrants and descendants of immigrants, many of whom are of Turkish ancestry.

Oranienstraße and Bergmannstraße are pulsating. The popular narrow pavements are filled with pubs, bars, restaurants with international cuisine, designer shops and convenience stores.

Also, the emerging Neukölln and Reuterstraße (Kreuzkölln) areas southwest of the district with their quirky nightlife spots and artsy boutiques are becoming more of an attraction for hipsters and artists.

Student.com lists several good options for student accommodation in Kreuzberg, especially near the Volkspark Hasenheide.

Student life in Berlin

Berlin has transformed from a city with a very turbulent past to a bustling, diverse and multicultural metropolis. Its unique international atmosphere embraces students of all nationalities.

This and its survival spirit have made Berlin an attractive entity, luring people from all around the world including tourists who want a taste of the city’s rich history, and those in search of new opportunities and challenges.

These include students, who are drawn by the city’s many universities, cosmopolitan demographic, cultural offerings, easy-going vibe and an exciting startup scene.

Affordability

Berlin’s affordability and the good quality of life that comes with it makes the city one of the best places to study in the world. Of the large Western European cities, it is one of the cheapest ones to live in as well. 

Germany is the second cheapest European country to study according to recent research by FairFX. The currency and travel money expert also ranked the Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin) as the fourth cheapest university to study in Europe.

Student discounts

You will find student discounts everywhere. There are reduced rates available for students from museums and galleries to food, leisure and transportation, sometimes even as much as half off.

Many universities offer their students tickets that offer free travel around the city as well as the rest of Germany. If a particular university doesn't offer free tickets to its students, the transit agencies will offer you a discount. This is a great way to explore the country on a budget during your stay.

Free tuition

Another reason why Berlin is an ideal choice for students on a limited budget is because public universities in Germany do not usually charge tuition fees. If you study at any of Berlin’s public universities, you will get a world-class education basically for free. The only catch to notice here is that if you are from outside the EU, you’ll need to get a residence permit before you start your studies and you will have to finish your studies in Germany in order to not have to pay tuition.

Even its private universities that do charge tuition fees are often cheaper in comparison to other schools in Europe. This puts Berlin in the category of the best-value cities for high-quality education.

Berlin is a fun city

Of course you will be in Berlin to study, but that does not mean your time in the German capital has to be all about school work. The city is also fun with many places to explore and enjoy when the time comes for you to let your hair down.

Germany is famous for its beers and its capital is famous for its clubs and nightlife. That combination is a recipe for a thrilling study break.

The club scene in Berlin is very active and diverse. Whatever time of day you want to party, there is something going on whether you are looking for traditional pubs, classy wine bars, or eccentric nightclubs that are open from dusk till dawn.

History and culture flows through every corner of Berlin with nearly 200 museums and galleries where you can view the city’s storied past and famous collections. The city’s top-notch culture offerings include a plethora of concerts, theatres and cinemas. It also hosts a wide range of events attracting international attention such as the Berlin Fashion Week, the International Green Week and film festivals.

Berlin also has a vibrant food scene with some of the fanciest restaurants in Europe. You will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy some fine dining or grab something like a currywurst from one of the many street food stalls.

So put some money on the side during your stay to enjoy the city’s cuisine, culture, entertainment and rich history.

Also, be prepared to enjoy the city’s offerings with people from all corners of the world. A large number of Berlin’s 160,000 students are expatriates, so if you’re coming to Germany from elsewhere, you definitely won’t be the only foreigner when you study in Berlin. And with the large community of international students, you don’t need to worry about the language barrier as you can get by with knowing very little German.

Universities in Berlin

One of the main reasons why Berlin is a great city for domestic and international students alike, is that their universities are not only free or very reasonably priced, they are also some of the most sought-after educational institutions in Europe.

The city has five major public universities:

• Humboldt University of Berlin (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)
• Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin)
• Technical University of Berlin (Technische Universität Berlin)
• Berlin University of the Arts (Universität der Künste Berlin)
• Charité (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin)

In addition, there are a wide range of private universities, colleges and international schools offering a wide range of courses over numerous disciplines.

Berlin’s three largest public universities - Humboldt University (117th), the Freie Universität Berlin (130th) and the Technical University (148th) were all ranked inside the top 150 of the QS 2021 World University Rankings.

Frequently asked questions about student apartments in Berlin

How do I apply for student housing in Berlin?

You can compare student accommodation options around the city with our robust search and filtering features. After finding a property you like, go to the property page and choose your preferred room type. Then click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now.’

One of our booking consultants will be in touch with you to inform you of the next steps in the process and to answer any further questions you might have.

What are the different types of rooms available in your student residences?

We offer three different types of rooms:

1. Shared Rooms – these rooms are flatshares where two or more people share a bedroom and also share other living spaces with tenants from other rooms.

2. Private Rooms – these offer a private bedroom and, in some properties, a private bathroom as well. Other living spaces such as kitchens are shared with tenants from other rooms.

3. Entire Place – these are fully self-contained studio properties. This option will give you a private bedroom, bathroom and a kitchenette. No need to share with anyone, so this option is perfect if you love your own space!

How can I find cheap apartments and flatshares?

Use the ‘Room type’ filter to look for shared rooms and private rooms. You can also use the ‘Price’ filter to find cheap apartments that are within your budget. Remember that many properties offer several different types of rooms, with shared rooms being cheaper than private rooms or the Entire Place option.

Can you arrange a viewing for me?

If you’ll be in Berlin before your move in date, our booking consultants can try and organise a viewing for you. Many of the properties we list have excellent photos and videos showing what the rooms are like though, so you can get a good idea of the different options even on your computer or mobile device.

Do I have to pay a deposit to secure my student home booking?

Yes, in most properties you will have to pay a deposit in order to secure your booking.