Life (almost) on campus: inside ESMT Berlin’s student housing

In-person study at ESMT happens at our campus in the heart of Berlin. For many students that means moving to Berlin and sorting out housing in the city – or even in Germany – for the first time.

Some students prefer to live in a WG (a shared apartment), while others opt for a room in a dedicated student complex. For Master in Global Management student Yuling Liu (Class of 2026), however, the best option was a room in the ESMT student dorms.  

Inside the ESMT dorms with Yuling Liu

Read on to see what life is like in ESMT Student Housing and discover Yuling’s tips for getting a spot in one of the (very popular) rooms. 

Please note that space in ESMT housing is limited, and room availability is not guaranteed. 

Hi Yuling! Could you please introduce yourself? 

Hi! I’m Yuling, a Master in Global Management student (Class of 2026), here at ESMT Berlin.

What made you choose to do a master’s degree at ESMT?

I love the international environment and the location. Being right in the heart of Berlin (Mitte) on Museum Island is an amazing place to study and live.

What was it like coming to Berlin for the first time? Were there any big surprises?

Moving to Germany for the first time means sorting out a lot of things, like housing. One reality check is that rent in Berlin is not cheap nowadays! Also, winter means fewer outdoor activities.

Why did you decide to apply to the ESMT dorms? 

I chose it for the community and the convenience. It’s the best way to build a circle of friends – we organize international dinners and hang out constantly. Plus, the commute is unbeatable; it's only a five-minute walk to class, which is huge during the busy first semester.

What is your favorite thing about day-to-day life in ESMT student housing?

I think living in a dorm is a great way to build up a circle of friends. 

Apart from communicating with my roomies on the same floor, we also visit classmates on other floors, and some students who do not live in the dorm also come over to hang out. 

We often organize dinners in the dorm, and our roomies come from different countries, so you can eat Chinese food as well as French and Italian food here. In winter, there are fewer outdoor activities – but inside we have a lot of fun! You will not feel bored if you live in the dorm. 

Will I have to spend a lot of time socializing if I choose to live in the dorms?

Actually, it is often up to you. Take myself as an example, if I have a lot of things to do when I go back to the dorm, I simply say hello to my roomies and then go back to my bedroom. And I don't participate in every activity organized by the dorm. It all depends on what you value the most.

Where are the ESMT dorms located? How safe is the neighborhood?

The address is on Mühlendamm, which is located on the UNESCO World Heritage listed Museum Island, a five-minute walk away from the campus. 

This is in the Mitte district, which is the central neighborhood of Berlin. It is close to museums, galleries, restaurants, and stores, and is safe and convenient for daily life.

Can you explain how the student housing is set up?

The bedrooms in the student dormitories are divided into sunny single and comfort rooms, with single rooms being about 11 square meters (115 square feet), and comfort rooms about 20 square meters (215 square feet). Single rooms are for one person only, while comfort rooms can be shared by a couple, or can accommodate visitors.

The bedrooms are equipped with simple furniture: beds, tables, chairs, and cupboards, with larger tables, an extra bed, and more cupboards in comfort rooms.

Are there any shared spaces? What is that like?

There are five bedrooms on each floor: four singles and one comfort. In addition to the bedrooms, each floor has one living room, one kitchen, and two bathrooms (with clothes washing machines), all of which are large, shared areas. 

Certain floors are all-women, while others are mixed gender. You can indicate your preferences in your application form.

What about chores like cleaning?

Your own bedroom needs to be cleaned by yourself, while the common areas will be covered by the service staff who will come once a week, to clean and replenish items like kitchen paper and toilet paper.

What is covered in the rent? Do you have a set rental period?

The Student Services Office adjusts the rent price of the dorm every year. The rent is inclusive, and also covers the cost of water, electricity, heating, and Wi-Fi.

The minimum period for degree program students is three months. You can rent for up to a year. You will need to submit another application if you wish to be in the dorms again for your second master’s year. 

What is the application process like? What do you recommend students do to have the best chance of success?

I recommend that you set up an ESMT Community account as soon as possible after you receive your degree placement offer. 

You should then pay attention to the dorm booking notice issued by the Student Services Office. This contains a form that students applying for a student dorm need to fill in.

The main information collected in the questionnaire includes:

• Room type: single or comfort
• Floor: all-women dorm floors, or mixed gender dorm floors
• Estimated move-in date, and length of stay

The Student Services Office staff will endeavor to meet your needs based on the information you have provided and will contact you with alternative options if your request cannot be met.

All bookings are made on a “first come, first served” basis, so it is important to submit the form as soon as possible after you have determined your needs. The room availability is very limited, so a spot cannot be guaranteed. 

What other options are available besides the dorm?

The Student Services Office works with renting vendors such as The Social Hub (1.5km/0.9 miles from campus), and Neon Wood to book several rooms at a discounted rate. These are usually apartments. You can reach out to Student Service to learn more.

Alternatively, you can look for rooms on websites such as Home in Berlin, Campo Novo Berlin, and so on. Or you can find a room in a shared apartment using platforms like WG Gesucht and Immoscout.

Which housing option do you recommend for other students?

I think you have to weigh your options carefully to pick the right choice for you. For instance, rent in Berlin is not cheap nowadays, and you may be farther away from the school if you want to rent an apartment at the same price. 

All in all, you have to take everything into account, including budget, safety, commuting distance, and personal preference. 

Do you have any final words of encouragement for someone wanting to come and study in Berlin? 

Embrace the city's open-minded spirit and just go for it – studying in Berlin is an unforgettable journey where you'll grow just as much outside the classsoom as you do inside it.

Thank you, Yuling!