As a full-time student at ESMT you can take advantage of our centrally-located campus in the heart of Berlin, exclusive events and student clubs—but you'll also have one of Europe's most celebrated cities at your fingertips, famed for its history, culture and nightlife.
ESMT brings Berlin, Europe’s most pulsating capital, to your fingertips. The campus is in the center of the city, with direct access to every neighborhood. Europe’s most vibrant capital is a center for entrepreneurship, design, cutting-edge architecture, famous nightlife, and unparalleled opportunities for both high-brow and alternative culture. From Currywurst street vendors to top restaurants, your appetite will be satiated in Berlin.
Living in Berlin as a student: At a glance
Berlin is the capital of Germany, the seat of its government and one of Europe's most important cities for entrepreneurship, innovation and tech-startups. But what is it like to study in Berlin?
For a better idea of what student life in Berlin is like, here are some key facts:
- The largest city in the European Union by population, of its 3.85 million inhabitants, around 200,000 are students.
- In the EIU's Global Liveability Index 2022 report, Berlin ranked as the 17th most liveable city in the world.
- Compared to other capitals, Berlin's cost of living for students is low. We estimate average living costs – per month – to be:
- Health insurance (required): approx. €120 (public) and €40 (private)
- Rent: €400-800 (private room, known as a WG or Wohngemeinschaft) or €1,000+ (apartment)
- Food: €200
- Transport: €49 (with a Deutschland ticket)
- 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.
Useful resources for student life in Berlin
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 - Because we love you | BVG
Relocating to Berlin? We have in-depth information for your move here.
IamExpat offers a wealth of content aimed at foreigners living in Germany
Things we love about Berlin
Museums
The best thing on a rainy Sunday might be to take advantage of Berlin’s many museums. Berlin is home to over 170 museums, so it is really up to you what you are in the mood for. You can visit hot spots like Checkpoint Charlie, world-class art centers like the Bode Museum (below), must-sees like the Jewish Museum, or unusual findings like the Museum of Extraordinary Things.
The Berlinale
The Berlinale is an international film festival that takes place in Berlin every February. At that time, the who’s who of the German and international film industry gather in Berlin to award the best film of the festival. Tickets sell out fast, so you have to be quick if you want to catch a glimpse of the directors and actors, including random Hollywood stars. The center of the Berlinale is Potsdamer Platz and the Sony Center.
Vibrant food scene
Berlin is (still) one of the few big capitals where you can eat well for a fair price. It seems like each month there is at least one new opening that brings another innovative idea to the city menu, and challenge to your taste buds (of course not including the daily openings of new ‘Döner’ fast food restaurants). Especially look out for the many small places that you can find on street corners. They often have the biggest charm. Or visit one of the Street Food Markets that are all the rave at the moment.
International culture
Berlin hosts 4.4 million people from over 190 countries, including over 160,000 students studying in 31 universities, making it one of the most diverse and welcoming cities in Europe.
Especially in summer you might find yourself in one of the city’s many cafés, drinking your coffee or eating your ice cream, surrounding yourself with the hustle and bustle that makes up Berlin’s unique city vibe.
By connecting and unifying different cultures, the city seems to reinvent itself constantly. This makes it easy to feel at home in Berlin, even if you are not originally from here.
Nightlife
A legendary night consists of only a few ingredients: caffeine, nice people, and the perfect setting. As regard to the latter, Berlin offers all sorts of venues to start, end and celebrate your night. From drinking wine in a little bistro in Kreuzberg, to celebrating all night (and day) in Berlin’s infamous night club Berghain. Berlin definitely knows how to seize the night.
Music and theater
Berlin is an excellent place to see some of the world's best symphonies, operas and theaters (the best for both architecture and performances).
Some venues, like the Deutsche Oper, the Komische Oper, the Staatsballett, etc. provide left-over tickets for students under 30 for only 13 Euro on the day of the performance. With a bit of luck you can get very good seats for a bargain. Make sure to be there at least one hour before the show starts (some people line up even earlier).
Pictured is the Konzerthaus at Gendarmenmarkt, only a five-minute walk from the ESMT campus.
Street art & graffiti
What some would define as meaningless smearing, or even vandalism when it magically appears on people’s house walls overnight, has become an important arts genre for Berlin’s street artists. Home to artists like XOOOOX, Alias and Mein Lieber Prost, Berlin is a center for street art, alternative culture, and eye-catching graffiti.
World heritage sites
According to the UNESCO, Berlin curates three World Heritage sites.
Just across from ESMT, this ‘island’ holds an arts and history ensemble comprised of five museums: the Pergamon Museum, the Bode Museum, the New Museum, the Old National Gallery, and the Old Museum.
Easy to reach via S-Bahn, this is definitely worth a day trip. If you go in the spring you can witness the beautiful garden blossom.
Displays residential architecture of the 1920s, and can be found in different districts in Berlin.
Join a student club at ESMT
ESMT’s student clubs are a great way to get involved, expand your network and put new ideas and skills into practice. Each club at ESMT was formed by students’ a desire to create something new and productive for future ESMT students.
You are welcome to join and take part in initiatives regardless of your chosen degree program.
