HU Berlin Acceptance Rate for Indian Students

Humboldt University of Berlin is a public research university based in Mitte in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in 1810 and is one of the oldest universities in Berlin. It offers about 171 degree courses and is known for its humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences progammes.  

A top-ranking publisher ranked Humboldt University of Berlin at #84 in the World University Rankings for 2025 and #4 in Germany. The WUR Ranking By Subject of the university is #10. Also check Humboldt University of Berlin Rankings.  

Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate 2025 

Humboldt University of Berlin acceptance rate is around 18%, meaning that of every 100 students who apply for admission at Humboldt University, the university is likely to offer admission to just 18 students. This suggests that the admission criteria of Humboldt University are rather selective.

Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate for International Students 

Humboldt University of Berlin campus has around 34,752 students enrolled on its grounds. Out of these, about 6,154 are international students, suggesting that around 17% of the enrolled student body consists of international students. 

Humboldt University of Berlin Requirements for International Students 

Humboldt University of Berlin accepts students based on two criteria, i.e., citizenship or higher education qualifications, and NC (Numerus Clausus) or limit of the availability of spots in a specific course or program. Moreover, admission deadlines and conditions may vary as per the degree programme of choice. The general UG degree programme deadlines are as follows:  

Some of the Humboldt University of Berlin requirements for international students to secure admission at Humboldt University of Berlin are: 

• Transcript of secondary education with detailed academic record 

• University entrance exam certificate- HZB (if applicable) 

• If studied at another university, provide a transcript of records/degree certificate/diploma

• English translation of official documents 

• Proof of German language proficiency- Level C1 (participation/attendance certificate in any German language course won’t be accepted) 

• Additional language certificates in case of applying to any language studies programme 

• Curriculum Vitae (CV) 

• Copy of passport or identity card 

• Certificate from the Academic Evaluation Centre (APS)

Also read about German Language Requirements to Study in Germany. 

Tips to get selected at Humboldt University of Berlin 

With an acceptance rate of just 18%, Humboldt University of Berlin is rather selective in its admission criteria. Some of the tips to overcome the barriers students may face: 

• Work on German Language Proficiency: Humboldt University of Berlin requires international students to submit proof of C1 German language proficiency, as all degree programmes at Humboldt are offered in German. Some of the certificates accepted include Goethe-Zerifikat C1, telc C1, telc C1 Hochschule, DSH-1, and TestDaF with a score of 3 in all sections. After being admitted to a programme, students are further tested before enrolment. Thus, students are strictly advised to start working on their German skills early on. 

• Adhere to Deadlines: UG students must adhere to the deadlines for undergraduate degree programmes. The university encourages the students to apply as early as possible to rectify any mistakes made during the filling of the application or submission of missing documents. 

• Cross-check course-specific requirements: Various degree programmes are likely to have varying requirements, such as additional language certificates. Thus, it is advised to cross-check the eligibility criteria of the programme of choice before applying. 

Humboldt University of Berlin Acceptance Rate Vs University of Bonn Acceptance Rate 

Humboldt University of Berlin has an acceptance rate of 18%. In comparison, the University of Bonn acceptance rate stands at 36%. This is double that of the former, suggesting that while the admission criteria for both universities are rather selective, entry into Humboldt is tougher than Bonn. 

Some of the ways to improve one’s chances of selection at the University of Bonn are acquiring strong letters of recommendation and working on English language Proficiency.