About Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin
Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin (HWR Berlin), also known as the Berlin School of Economics and Law, is a public university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule) in Berlin. It was formed through the merger of two established Berlin universities of applied sciences and is one of the larger higher education institutions in the German capital, currently enrolling more than 12,000 students across five departments and the Berlin Professional School.
HWR Berlin focuses on business, economics, public administration, law, cooperative (dual) studies, police and security management, and continuing professional education. It offers 57 degree programmes and conducts applied research across 15 research institutes. The university maintains partnerships with over 170 universities worldwide and approximately 700 companies.
With roughly 1,500 international students from more than 110 countries and 12 English-taught bachelor's programmes plus one English-taught master's (International Security Management), HWR Berlin is an accessible destination for internationally mobile students seeking applied, professionally-oriented programmes in Germany's capital.
Key facts
- Students
- 12,000
- International
- ~1,531 international students from 110+ countries
- Faculties
- 5
Over 12,000 students enrolled; one of Berlin's larger universities of applied sciences
57 degree programmes across business, law, public administration, cooperative studies, and security management
12 English-taught bachelor's programmes and one English-taught master's (International Security Management) — above-average for a German Fachhochschule
Largest provider of dual (cooperative) study programmes in Berlin with over 2,000 dual study places
No tuition fees for any student regardless of nationality; semester contribution ~€380 includes a full Berlin public transport pass
Over 170 international partner universities and ~700 company partners; strong applied research with 15 research institutes
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
HWR Berlin charges no tuition fees for bachelor's or consecutive master's degree programmes, including for non-EU/EEA international students. Berlin state does not apply differential tuition for non-EU students. Students pay a semester contribution of approximately €379.77 per semester (full-time, Winter 2026/27 figure), which covers an administration fee (€50.00), student union contribution (€85.00), student body fee (€17.97), and a semester ticket for Berlin public transport (€226.80).
Admission requirements
International applicants with non-German qualifications must apply through uni-assist, which handles credential verification and equivalency assessment. Bachelor's applicants require a recognised secondary school leaving certificate equivalent to the German Abitur; master's applicants need a first degree equivalent to a German bachelor's in a related field. The anabin database (ZAB) and the DAAD admissions database are the standard references for degree recognition. German-taught programmes require a minimum C1 German proficiency (DSH-2, TestDaF TDN4, or equivalent). English-taught programmes require demonstrated English proficiency. Indian, Chinese, and Vietnamese applicants should note that the APS certificate is a mandatory requirement for the German student visa — HWR Berlin's own pages reference uni-assist for qualification verification, but the APS obligation is set by the German embassy and applies regardless of the institution.
Application deadlines
Winter Semester (starting October): bachelor's programmes 1 June–15 July; International Management bachelor's for non-German qualifications 1 April–15 May; master's programmes with non-German qualifications via uni-assist (Dept. 1) 15 March–15 May, (Depts. 3 & 4) 15 March–15 April. Summer Semester (starting April): bachelor's programmes 1 December–15 January; master's in International Security Management for non-German qualifications via uni-assist 15 September–15 November. The date of receipt is decisive, not the postmark date.
Languages of instruction
Most bachelor's and master's programmes are taught in German, requiring a minimum C1 German language level (accepted certificates: DSH-2, TestDaF TDN4, Goethe Zertifikat C2, Telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule). Twelve bachelor's programmes and one master's programme (International Security Management) are offered in English, making HWR Berlin one of the more accessible German Fachhochschulen for English-track students in business and management fields.
Campuses & locations
Location of the International Office; address: Badensche Straße 52, 10825 Berlin
Second main campus in Berlin
Living in Berlin
Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, with a population of approximately 3.7 million. It is a major European hub for technology, start-ups, culture, and public administration, offering students an exceptionally wide range of internship, networking, and career opportunities. The cost of living is lower than Munich or Frankfurt, though rental costs have risen significantly in recent years. Berlin has an extensive public transport network (BVG), which HWR students access at no additional cost via the semester ticket included in the semester contribution.
Student life & support
HWR Berlin does not operate on-campus student housing; students are directed to Studierendenwerk Berlin for subsidised accommodation and to platforms such as wg-gesucht.de, HousingAnywhere, and ImmobilienScout24 for private rentals. Average monthly living costs are approximately €870, with rent typically ranging from €300–€600. The International Office (Campus Schöneberg) serves as the central point of contact for exchange and incoming international students, covering visa-related questions, enrolment, and study support. The university's General Studies programme and Language Centre offer settlement workshops and language support for international students.
74
Accredited Programmes
38
Master
28
Bachelor/Bakkalaureus
8
Other
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