Humanistische Hochschule Berlin AdöR

Berlin, Germany

About Humanistische Hochschule Berlin AdöR

Humanistische Hochschule Berlin (HHB) is Germany's first state-recognised university grounded in secular-humanistic values. Established as a public-law institution (AdöR) and granted state recognition by the Berlin Senate in 2022, it admitted its first students in October 2023 and is based in Berlin-Mitte, with a planned move to a dedicated campus in Berlin-Pankow (Grabbeallee 36–40) from September 2025 onwards.

The university focuses on applied ethics, social work, and humanistic life studies, positioning itself at the intersection of professional practice and ethical-humanistic inquiry. All programmes are taught entirely in German and are designed either as full-time bachelor degrees or as part-time, work-integrated master degrees for professionals.

With around 130 enrolled students, HHB is a small, specialist institution. It does not operate a traditional faculty structure but instead organises study around three core programme clusters: Social Work (bachelor level), Applied Ethics / Digital Ethics (master level), and Humanistic Life Studies (master level, qualifying graduates to teach the Humanistische Lebenskunde subject in Berlin and Brandenburg schools).

Key facts

Founded: 2022
Students: 130

Germany's first state-recognised secular-humanistic university

State recognition granted by the Berlin Senate in 2022; first students enrolled October 2023

Specialist focus: Social Work (B.A.), Applied Ethics, Digital Ethics, and Humanistic Life Studies (M.A.)

M.A. Humanistische Lebenskunde qualifies graduates to teach the Lebenskunde subject in Berlin and Brandenburg schools

New dedicated campus planned in Berlin-Pankow from September 2025

Small cohorts enabling close student–faculty interaction

Admissions & costs

Tuition & fees

HHB charges tuition fees. B.A. Soziale Arbeit: €270/month (payable per semester before the semester begins). M.A. Humanistische Lebenskunde: €540/semester. M.A. Angewandte Ethik / Digitale Ethik fees were not published on the website at time of review. There is no public-university semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) listed separately; students should confirm the current fee schedule directly with the admissions office. Berlin does not impose a general non-EU surcharge (unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria).

Admission requirements

For the B.A. Soziale Arbeit: applicants must hold a German Hochschulreife (Abitur), Fachhochschulreife, subject-specific university entrance qualification, or an equivalent professional qualification under Berlin Higher Education Law §11. Non-native German speakers must provide proof of C1 German (e.g. TestDaF TDN 4, DSH 2). Required documents include a certified copy of the entry qualification (with certified German or English translation if the original is in another language), a CV, a copy of ID, and a current health insurance certificate. Applications are processed via the university's online portal with rolling admissions for Winter Semester intake (October). APS certificate is required for applicants from India, China, and Vietnam whose prior qualification was obtained in those countries.

Application deadlines

Winter Semester (October start): rolling admissions; the application portal for WS 2026/27 was open at time of review. M.A. Humanistische Lebenskunde: applications accepted from 1 August; lectures begin after the summer break. No fixed cut-off published for bachelor applications — contact [email protected] for current deadlines.

Languages of instruction

All programmes taught in German. Non-native German speakers must demonstrate C1 proficiency (or equivalent: TestDaF TDN 4, DSH 2).

Campuses & locations

Berlin-Mitte (current)

Current main site in central Berlin

Berlin-Pankow (Humanistic Education Campus)

New campus at Grabbeallee 36–40, approx. 5,000 m², planned from September 2025

Living in Berlin

Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, home to over 3.7 million people and a major European hub for culture, technology, and politics. The city hosts more than 70 higher-education institutions and a large international student community. Berlin has excellent public transport, relatively affordable living costs compared to Munich or Hamburg, and a vibrant arts and startup scene. The Pankow district, where HHB's new campus is located, is a residential and culturally active northern borough.

Student life & support

As a very small and newly founded institution, HHB does not yet have extensive documented student-life infrastructure. The university's humanistic profile attracts students interested in ethics, social justice, and secular civil society. The location in Berlin provides access to the full breadth of student life in one of Europe's most dynamic cities, including student housing, public cultural institutions, and a large international community.

International Office: [email protected] International students page →

Accredited Programmes

Master

Bachelor/Bakkalaureus