English-Taught Universities in Berlin: What International Students Should Know

How to Choose an English-Speaking University and Build Your Academic Future in Germany

Berlin attracts students from around the world for reasons that extend far beyond the classroom. Germany’s capital combines an international population with technology, business, history, culture and a creative environment that has made the city an increasingly attractive destination for students looking for a university experience abroad.

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For many international applicants, however, choosing Germany raises an important question: Can you study at a university in Berlin entirely in English?

The answer is yes. Berlin offers opportunities to study in English, including at Touro Berlin, where Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are taught in English within an American university environment.

Finding an English-taught university is only the beginning of the decision, however. International students should also consider the type of degree they will receive, accreditation, admission requirements, class sizes, visa support, academic structure and the experience they want to build around their education.

If you are searching for an English-speaking university in Berlin, here are some of the most important factors to consider.

Can You Study at a University in Berlin Without Speaking German?

International students sometimes assume that studying in Germany automatically means completing a degree in German, but English-taught university programs provide another pathway.

At Touro Berlin, academic programs are delivered in English, allowing students from different countries and educational systems to study together without German proficiency becoming a barrier to their academic education.

This can make the transition to Germany more accessible, particularly for students who already use English academically but have not yet developed advanced German-language skills.

Living in Berlin still provides opportunities to encounter German every day and become more familiar with the language and local culture. Academically, however, students can focus on their chosen subjects in English while becoming part of an international university community.

Not All English-Taught Universities Offer the Same Academic Experience

The language of instruction is important, but it should not be the only factor considered when comparing universities.

International students should understand which institution awards the degree, how the university is accredited, which academic system the program follows and how that qualification connects with their future plans.

Touro Berlin provides a particularly distinctive model because it is a campus of Touro University New York. Students can study in Germany while pursuing an American degree issued through Touro University New York.

Touro University is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), an accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The accreditation includes Touro University New York and, among others, its Berlin branch campus.

This allows students to combine an American academic experience with living and studying in Germany rather than having to choose between the United States and Europe.

What about the cost?

Overall the cost of a Berlin education are between 40% to 60% of the cost a college education would cost in the U.S. So you receive a full U.S. accredited degree, taught in English, within an American administrative framework but safe substantially. And it is possible to study one semester in New York at German tuition cost.  So, study smart but be academically on the safe side. 

Which Bachelor’s Degrees Can You Study in English at Touro Berlin?

International students looking for a Bachelor’s degree in Berlin taught in English can choose among several academic fields at Touro Berlin.

The BSc in Business Management develops knowledge across management, marketing, finance, leadership and other areas of business. Students also have opportunities to connect academic learning with professional perspectives through Touro Berlin’s Mentoring Program, which brings Business students together with experienced professionals and leaders.

Students interested in technology can pursue the BSc in Cybersecurity, developing knowledge related to cybersecurity, networks, systems administration and digital defense. The program is NSA-validated as a Program of Study in Cyber Defense Education, connecting the curriculum to established American standards in cybersecurity education.This is especially interesting to former military or other governmental agency members, who have a security clearance. Touro Berlin accepts certain types of qualifications achieved during the service time and gives transfer credits for those. Please contact Admissions for details.

The BA in Psychology provides another pathway for students interested in human behavior and psychological science, establishing a foundation that can support further education and different professional directions. For students of higher semesters the Counseling and Coaching center may provide real life skills and experience in a non-clinical educational setting that may lead to a self-employed career. All of these programs allow students to study their chosen subject in English while experiencing university life in Berlin.

Master’s Degrees in Berlin Taught in English

Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree can also find English-taught graduate opportunities at Touro Berlin.

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) develops advanced knowledge in areas such as management, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship. Flexible scheduling, including evening, online and hybrid options, can make the program particularly relevant for young professionals balancing graduate education with professional responsibilities. The program is open for all potential students having any type of Bachelor degree. Provided some knowledge or skills are missing, Touro Berlin provides pre-courses to bridge those gaps. Please contact Admissions for details.

The MA in General Psychology offers advanced study in psychology and connects academic learning with Touro Berlin’s Intercultural Counseling & Coaching Center, where selected advanced students can develop supervised practical experience within a non-clinical educational setting that may lead to a self-employed career. 

Students interested in history, memory and education can pursue the MA in Holocaust Studies, an interdisciplinary program that takes on particular significance in Berlin, where museums, archives, memorials and historic locations create an extraordinary environment for studying Holocaust history and remembrance. The program is setup as a hybrid program increasing the flexibility of the students.

What Should International Students Look for When Choosing a University?

Finding an English-taught degree is important, but students should also consider the academic environment in which they will spend the next several years.

Class size can make a significant difference. At a very large university, students may spend much of their time in lecture halls with limited direct interaction with professors. A smaller institution can provide a different experience.

Touro Berlin has an average 9:1 student-to-professor ratio, helping create an environment where students can participate actively in discussions, communicate directly with faculty members and receive more personalized academic guidance.

International diversity is another consideration. Touro Berlin’s community has included students representing more than 48 nationalities, creating an environment where different cultural and educational perspectives become part of everyday university life.The Touro Berlin campus is an old Bauhaus villa ensemble that many students describe as being incubator-like. It creates a feeling of safety and belonging that is truly unique. 

For someone moving abroad, these factors can be just as important as the language written beside a course description.

What If You Don’t Meet All Admission Requirements?

Different countries have different secondary education systems, and qualifications do not always translate directly from one system to another.

As a result, an international applicant may be academically capable of university study while not yet fulfilling every criterion required for direct admission.

Touro Berlin offers a two-semester Preparatory Program for academically qualified students who need an additional pathway before beginning their intended university studies.

The program is credit-bearing, allowing students to strengthen their academic foundation while beginning to earn U.S. university credits. It can prepare students for further studies at Touro Berlin or other partner universities, with credits transferable where they are accepted.

For students who discover that their previous qualification does not provide immediate direct university entry, a preparatory pathway can keep their university plans moving forward. Being successful within this framework results into immediate admission to regular university studies at Touro Berlin.

Student Visas and Support for Studying in Germany

Academic admission is only one part of moving to Germany as an international student.

Depending on nationality and individual circumstances, students may also need to obtain the appropriate German student visa or residence permission before beginning their studies.

Touro Berlin provides an Expert Visa Service to help international students navigate the process associated with studying in Germany. This support can be particularly useful because students preparing to move internationally are often managing admission documents, visa requirements, travel arrangements and relocation at the same time.

Choosing an international university should therefore involve looking not only at what happens after the first day of class but also at the support available before students arrive.

Why Berlin Is More Than a Place to Study

The university you choose matters, but so does the city surrounding it. Berlin provides international students with access to a remarkable range of experiences connected with business, technology, art, history and culture. Major events such as IFA Berlin and Berlin Art Week take place alongside internationally important museums, memorials, galleries, startups and cultural institutions.

Students can therefore encounter subjects outside the classroom that connect naturally with their academic interests, whether they are studying Business, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, Psychology or the humanities.

Touro Berlin itself offers a quieter environment within this larger city. Located at Am Rupenhorn in Charlottenburg, the university occupies a historic Bauhaus villa ensemble overlooking the Havel River, providing students with a distinctive campus atmosphere while keeping them connected to the opportunities available throughout Germany’s capital.

Choosing the Right English-Taught University in Berlin

Searching for English-taught universities in Berlin should ultimately involve more than finding a program where lectures happen in English. International students should consider the degree they will earn, accreditation, academic structure, class sizes, available programs, international community, admission pathways and the support they will receive while moving to Germany.

At Touro Berlin, these elements come together within an American university environment in the German capital. America's best - Made in Germany! Students can pursue their education entirely in English, work toward a New York degree, study within smaller classes and become part of an international academic community while experiencing life in Berlin.

For students who want an English-speaking university experience without choosing between American education and studying in Europe, Touro Berlin offers a distinctive way to combine both.

Note: This blog provides educational and editorial content on a variety of topics. The views and interpretations expressed in individual articles do not necessarily reflect the official position of Touro University Berlin or Touro University.