For more detailed information, please change to the German version of this website.

Enrolment and Study at Berlin University of the Arts

Before the beginning of the exchange semester

  • Academic Year 2026/27

    winter semester: 07 October 2026 till 13 February 2027 (inkl. Orientation Meeting)

    summer semester: 07 April 2027 till 16 July 2027 (inkl. Orientation Meeting)

     

    Academic Year 2025/26

    winter semester: 08 October 2025 till 14 February 2027 (inkl. Orientation Meeting)

    summer semester: 08 April 2027 till 17 July 2027 (inkl. Orientation Meeting)

     

    Important: On public holidays, government offices and many shops are closed.

    Public Holidays

    Events for exchange students

  • Whether or not you need a visa depends on the country you are coming from, the purpose for which you are travelling and how long you will be staying.

    In general, we advise everyone to check the current conditions on the "Visa Navigator" page of the German Foreign Office in good time before applying.

    Please get in contact with the colleagues from the International Student Services via email aaa_ @udk-berlin.de for detailed information.

  • If you are under 30 years of age:


    From the EU/EEA or certain countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom):

    • Your health insurance may be recognised, regardless of whether you have private or statutory health insurance in your home country.
    • Contact a German health insurance company (find a list here) and apply for an exemption by sending them:
      • copy of your ID or Passport
      • copy of your health insurance documents (EHIC, GHIC or similar or private insurance documents)
      • copy of the acceptance email for incoming exchange students at UdK Berlin
    • The health insurance company will send your data electronically directly to UdK. You won´t get any confirmation from the health insurance company.


    From all other countries:

    Option 1: Contact one and take out statutory German health insurance (approx. 150 Euros per month). find a list here
    Option 2: Get a private health insurance → and apply for an exemption from statutory German health insurance, see process for EU/EEA countries above.


    Are you over 30 years old?

    • You do not need to submit proof of health insurance for enrolment.
    • BUT: Everyone in Germany must have health insurance.
    • Check whether your home insurance is valid.
    • Otherwise: Take out private German health insurance.


    For visa applications: You usually need proof of health insurance.

    ⚠️ Important:

    • Your insurance must be valid for the entire semester
    • If you want to work in Germany, you need a German health insurance (approx. 150 Euros per month). There are exceptions for students from Denmark, Austria and Luxembourg who take on a mini-job (salary max. 603 Euros per month).

     

    Further information can be found here.

  • Amount: 327 Euros per semester (winter semester 2026/27)

    The semester contribution aren´t tuition fees. It includes the contribution for:

    • Student Committee (AStA)
    • StudierendenWERK (cafeterias, workshops etc.)
    • Deutschlandsemesterticket (public transport throughout Germany!)

     

    Where to transfer the money:

        Recipient: Kasse der UdK Berlin
        Bank: Berliner Volksbank
        IBAN: DE72 100 900 00 884 101 50 46
        BIC: BEVO DEBBXXX
        Reference: Your name + Your course of study + which exchange semester                              (example: Max Maler, Fine Arts, winter 202627)

     

    ⚠️ Important:

    • Bank Fees: Select the ‘OUR’ option (i.e. any fees incurred (such as exchange fees) will be paid by the sender, by YOU)
    • Send a payment confirmation (bank statement or confirmation as PDF/JPEG)
    • A transfer confirmation is NOT sufficient
    • Cash or credit card payments on site are NOT possible

  • Deadline:

    • summer semester: mid-February
    • winter semester: mid-August

    What you need to send by email to: incomingstudents_ @udk-berlin.de 

    • PDF of your identity card or passport
    • Confirmation of payment of the semester contribution


    Enrolment is only possible with health insurance!

    • Included in the semester contribution
    • Valid: 1 October to 31 March for the winter semester/ 1 April to 30 September for the summer semester
    • Use all public transport in Germany
    • NOT included: EC, IC, ICE trains (regional trains only)

     

    Needs to be downloaded at the beginning of each month for each month.

    Further information can be found here.

    • The course catalogue is published at the end of September (winter semester) and the end of March (summer semester).
    • First, select general modules or lectures.
    • You can adjust your selection in October/April.
    • Your exchange coordinators in the degree programme will sign the Learning Agreement. Contacts
    • Online Learning Agreement (OLA) is supported.

    • You will receive your login details for your UdK account from the International Office after successful enrolment; provider O.A.Se. (Online Access Service).
    • Activate your UdK email account within 42 days!
    • Wi-Fi is available in all buildings.
    • ‘eduroam’ works once you are registered.

  • Free courses for beginners offered by the International Office

    Times:

    Course dates for the winter semester 2026/27 will be published soon!

    Summer Semester 2026:

    • A1 course (absolute beginners): Monday, 5:15–7:45 p.m. (starting 13 April 2026)
    • A1.2/A2.1 course: Tuesday, 5:00–7:30 p.m. (starting 14 April 2026)


    Location: Einsteinufer 43, Room 411

    You can earn 2 ECTS credits for this course if you attend at least 70% of the classes.
    Please note that no grades are awarded.

    Registration: sandra.bayer_ @intra.udk-berlin.de

    Further options:

    • Language and Culture Exchange (TU Berlin) – affordable language courses (registration approx. 6–8 weeks before the start of the semester)
    • Volkshochschulen (adult education centres) – local and affordable in all Berlin districts

    • Cultural studies and interdisciplinary courses in addition to degree programmes
    • Lectures, seminars, workshops
    • Exchange with students from other degree programmes
    • Some courses in English

     

    Further information can be found here.

During your exchange semester

  • Volkswagen Library

    Address: Fasanenstraße 88, 10623 Berlin
    Open: Open continuously (except on public holidays and during previously announced closing times)
    Registration: Mon–Fri 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

    To obtain a library card, you will need:

    • Student ID card
    • Identity card or passport
    • Registration certificate (Berlin address)
    • Residence permit (for non-EU students)

     

    Costs: free of charge for enrolled students

    Further information can be found here.

  • International Office

    incomingstudents_ @udk-berlin.de 

    Exchange Coordinators of the study programmes

    An overview can be fund here.

    StudyGuide (CampusCard, Deutschlandsemesterticket)

    studyguide_ @udk-berlin.de 

    Tel.: +49 30 3185 1480

    AStA (Student Commitee)

    • supports student projects
    • Financial assistance available in emergencies
    • Website: asta-udk-berlin.de 
    • Meetings: usually weekly at Hardenbergstraße 33, Room 9

At the end of your semester abroad

    • We will send you a Letter of Confirmation with the dates of the lecture period automatically on the last day of lectures
    • If you need to submit a certain template from your home university, please submit it to your contact person at the International Office
    • It can only be issued during the last week of the semester.

  • Very important: The UdK does NOT automatically register you for its courses!

    How to obtain your certificate:

    • Take the Record of Courses form (template available from the International Office here)
    • After each course: Have the lecturers sign it
    • Do not wait too long – lecturers are often unavailable during the holidays
    • Submit the completed form to the responsible exchange coordinator of your study programme
    • The exchange coordinator signs the Record of Courses
    • Submit the confirmed Record of Courses to the International Office
    • You will receive the Transcript of Records in 5 weeks (it will also be sent to your home university)

     

    Grading system in Germany

        1.0-1.5 = very good
        1.6-2.5 = good
        2.6-3.5 = satisfactory
        3.6-4.0 = adequate
        4.1-5.0 = fail

    Note: Grades are not always given at UdK. Talk to your lecturers at the beginning of the semester.

  • New Application deadlines:

    15 February refund for March
    15 July refund for August and September
    15 August refund for September

    If you leave Berlin at the end of February (winter semester) or at the end of Juli/ August (summer semester) after the end of the lecture period, you can apply to the Immatrikulations- und Prüfungsamt (IPA) for a refund for the months March or August and/ or September of the Deutschlandsemesterticket.

     

    If the application is submitted by the deadline, the money will be transferred back to the account specified in the application. This may take up to 14 days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • After successful enrolment, you can download your enrolment certificate from the my.udk portal (campus management portal). Here you will find a video tutorial.