Berlin is the the seat of Germany's government, the capital of Europe's strongest economy, and a globally important city for entrepreneurship, innovation, and tech startups.
It's also a lot of fun: whether you prefer late nights with techno, early mornings with coffee, sunny afternoons in the park, or snowy Christmas markets, Berlin truly has something for everyone.
And ESMT Berlin sits right in the heart of it.
Built for you in Berlin
Our campus is in Mitte, Berlin's central district. We are just steps from Museum Island – a UNESCO world heritage site home to some of Europe's most famous museums and galleries. In fact, we are close enough to Berlin landmarks like the TV Tower and the Humboldt Forum that you can see unique views of them from lecture theater windows.
We are also deeply connected to life in Berlin. Thanks to our vibrant community we have ties to events and activities across the city. Meanwhile, our business foundations mean we are strongly placed to introduce our students to Berlin's career landscape, including startups, scaleups, and major companies.
Making a home in Berlin with ESMT
If you are planning your student life in Berlin, ESMT can help. Our dedicated Student Support team is here to help you with the practical parts of setting up life in the city. They can help with the fun side too; like connecting you with a student discount card that can help you access the best Berlin has to offer, on a student budget.
Your ESMT degree will also put you in a great position to stay in Berlin or Germany. Full-time students can unlock an 18-month job-seeker visa after they graduate – part of the reason that more than 80 per cent of our Full-time MBA and master's graduates find employment in Germany after their time at ESMT.
Berlin holds a special place in my heart...I always hoped to return and live here.
Berlin holds a special place in my heart. I spent a semester here as an exchange student during my graduate studies, and the city's rich history, vibrant culture, and unique atmosphere deeply captivated me. Since then, I've always hoped to return and live here. To be able to "make my dream come true" seven years later in this way is especially meaningful.
Moving to Berlin
If you are a prospective Full-time MBA or master's student you will need to plan to be based in Berlin during your studies.
This may require moving to Berlin, and if that's the case, you will be in good company: around 75-90 per cent of our full-time students come from international backgrounds.
We know that moving to Berlin can be a big life change, so we're here to support you. From budgeting, to insurance, to visas, to where to find accommodation, and more, discover our advice for Berlin newcomers, and learn what you need to know before making this city your home.
Visiting Berlin
If you are a part-time student, you can join ESMT from anywhere in the world – while still having opportunities to make the most of life in Berlin.
Part-time MBAs and Executive MBAs have regular campus residencies, while our Global Online MBAs are welcomed to the city during Berlin Experience Week – and in both cases, students explore Berlin together after class.
Summer school students and exchange students also have the opportunity to study in Berlin at ESMT.
No matter which program you choose, you are part of the ESMT Berlin community, whether Berlin is home or just a favorite place to return to.
Student stories: real Berlin experiences
Tips for student life in Berlin
While there are a lot of events and happenings on the ESMT campus, one of the best things about being right in the middle of Berlin is that you have the ideal home base from which to experience the city.
Learn why Berlin is such a good city for students – and how ESMT can connect you to the wider city community.
I wouldn't be wrong to say the city chose me...Berlin has a unique appeal because of its fascinating history, bustling corporate life and international outlook.
It also provides opportunity to test your creativity, challenge conventional systems, and create fun memories.
One of my favorite parts of living in Germany has been realizing how much growth happens when you consistently expose yourself to new experiences.
Why is Berlin so good for students?
Berlin is a city unlike any other. And it is an ideal place to be a student.
- There are more than 200,000 students living in Berlin: meaning this is a city geared for student life.
- Yet, with nearly four million inhabitants, Berlin is no sleepy college town: instead it is a hub for careers, culture, and diversity.
- Berlin ranked as the 8th best city in the world for students in the QS ranking of Best Student Cities for 2027.
- As a highly international, cosmopolitan city it is not essential for students to learn German in order to live in Berlin. English is widely spoken. However, if you do wish to learn German to add to your employment skillset, you can access German lessons with ESMT.
Things we love about Berlin
Learn more about how to make the most of your time in Germany's capital city.
Berlin is diverse
According to Berlin and Brandenburg statistics, nearly a quarter of Berlin residents are from outside Germany. They hail from 194 different countries – true international diversity. This is a city where you can (almost literally) make friends from all over the world, try all sorts of cuisines, and grow your global awareness.
Berlin is a cosmopolitan hub in other ways, too. It welcomes people of diverse sexual and gender identities, political and religious backgrounds, cultures, and worldviews, making for a city where you can embrace who you are, and find a community that understands you.
Annual events like the Carnival of Cultures and the Christopher Street Day Parade see millions of people come together to celebrate diversity – with ESMT students there for the fun.
Berlin is a tech hub
As one of Europe's top startup and scaleup hubs, Berlin is a city where innovation and entrepreneurship thrive. It is a homebase for many tech unicorns, with big names like N26, Raisin, Trade Republic, and more receiving millions of euros in funding. Yet, it is not just a few top names receiving support: this is a city where even pre-seed companies can connect with investors (if you want to learn more, the Handpicked Berlin newsletter runs regular insights on the latest funding rounds).
There are many opportunities for ESMT students to get involved with this side of Berlin. Students can attend external hackathons and tech meetups across the city, while ESMT offers career support for master's and MBA students that includes company visits and campus career events with some of Berlin's top employers. Meanwhile, the Incubation I and Incubation II programs from DEEP: ESMT's hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and Deep Tech, can help students with their own founder journeys.
Berlin is entertaining
Student life in Berlin isn't all about academics and career building. It's also important to have fun between classes – and this is a great city to find what makes you happy.
Berlin's nightlife is world-famous, with many of the city's biggest clubs running all night (and morning!) during the weekends. However, contrary to stereotypes, Berlin's music scene is not just about techno. You can find live music here to suit all tastes, from afrobeats, to soul, reggaeton, pop, metal, opera and more.
Berlin is also home to multiple sports teams, including football/soccer, hockey, rugby, basketball, handball, and more. There are major sporting events, too: the Berlin Marathon is one of the 10 biggest marathons in the world (and ESMT students run in it!). Those who want to play sports can also try a huge range of options (and meet students from other schools) thanks to ESMT's membership in the Berlin Hochschulsport (University Sports) network.
Berlin is delicious
Berlin is a place to find delicious food and drink, no matter where your tastes lie. It offers the classics, of course: beer at a biergarten in the summer, glühwein at a festive market in the winter. And, in between, cuisines from all over the world. Berlin is the gastronomic capital of Germany, with than 15,000 hospitality options. ranging from currywurst food trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants and more.
It is great for specialty diets, too, including kosher, halal, and gluten-free. And vegetarians and vegans will be pleased to know that with more than 1,000 veggie restaurants, Berlin is often called the Vegan Capital of Europe.
Berlin is culturally rich
Did you know that Berlin is home to more than 170 galleries and museums (the largest number in Germany)?
The most famous are the five on the UNESCO-world heritage site of Museum Island (just a couple of minutes walk from ESMT), covering art and antiquities from Greece, the Roman Empire, Egypt, Nubia, Babylonia, and more.
Of course, this is Berlin, so there are also many more esoteric options, including the art/theater experience Monsterkabinett, and the intriguingly named Museum of Unheard-of Things.
Berlin also has multiple art galleries and immersive experiences, as well as world-renowned theater, opera, the Berliner Symphoniker (symphony orchestra), and big-ticket events like the Berlinale film festival that attract major stars.
With so much to choose from, your cultural life in Berlin can truly be what you make it. The hardest part is narrowing down what you want to see next.
Berlin is a doorway to Europe
It is strange to say that one of the best things about life in Berlin is leaving it. Yet, this is one of the perks of living in a major European capital.
With rail connections to cities across Germany and Europe, Berlin is the perfect home base for exploring on the weekends between your classes. Cities like Dresden, Hamburg, and Leipzig are less than two hours away by train. Three-four hours will get you to international destinations like Poznan and Prague, while major cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Paris can be reached with dedicated overnight trains. Perfect for spending the weekend in a new city and being back for classes on Monday.
The best news for student budgets is that many of these train trips are surprisingly affordable if you book in advance for a "Super Saver" price. Or you can choose to explore German destinations by regional train only – that will mean your trips are included in your Deutschland student ticket.
More useful resources for new and prospective students
Got a question about Berlin? You can probably find the answer on the official website of the city of Berlin.
Berlin is a big city! Find out more about its sprawling public transport network: Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe: BVG.
IamExpat offers a wealth of content and advice aimed at foreigners living in Germany.
The Berliner provides English-language insights on Berlin's food, cultural, and entertainment scenes, as well as guides to life in the city.
Slow Travel Berlin is the place to find tips and essays on how to experience Berlin for yourself.
