German courses for refugees in Berlin

Here you can find offers of German courses for international and prospective students

To study in Berlin, you need German language skills for almost all degree programs. Most universities require a language level between B2 and C1. To help you find suitable courses more easily, we have put together a selection here. Unfortunately, only a few academic institutions still offer free German courses for people who are not enrolled, so you should regularly check for newly advertised courses and register for them as soon as possible.

To make good use of the waiting time until a course starts, you can find excellent online offers to continue improving your German at make-it-in-germany.com/deutschkurse and handbookgermany.de/learning-german.

If you only want to take a language test without attending a course beforehand, you can apply to the Educational Guidance Guarantee Fund for Higher Education (Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule) to cover the costs: https://bildungsberatung-gfh.de/

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin - University of Applied Sciences

Do you have a residence permit as a refugee and are interested in studying at HTW Berlin? If you have B1-level German proficiency and a direct university entrance qualification (HZB), then our preparatory course is just right for you!

B2 German AND university preparation from May to July 2026.

Four class sessions daily from 9:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Treskowallee campus. Plus study skills in the afternoon (up to 3 times per week).

A limited number of spots can be allocated to refugees for the course starting on May 4.

Please apply by April 24 at the latest!

The following documents are required for the selection process:

• Identification card
• Proof of refugee status
• HZB in German or English
• B1 German certificate (or equivalent proof)
• A short letter of motivation (explaining why you wish to participate in the course AND stating your future study plans)
There is no legal entitlement to a spot in the course. Selection is expected to be completed by the end of April.

We look forward to receiving your application.
Please send your documents and any questions to admfound@htw-berlin.de.

Alice Salomon University

For 10 years, the ASH Pre-Study Program has been preparing prospective students with international educational backgrounds for regular studies in the fields of social work, health, education, and training (SAGE).

We can now offer people with refugee and migrant backgrounds three ways to apply for and study at Alice Salomon University (ASH) Berlin. All three options conclude with the German Language Test for Admission to Alice Salomon University (DS-ASH). The DS-ASH is recognized as proof of German language proficiency for applications to study at ASH Berlin.

DS-ASH examination (June 2026)

• Prerequisite: planned application to study at ASH Berlin

• Application period: May 5 to May 25

• Further information: https://www.ash-berlin.eu/studium/vor-dem-studium-international/deutsche-sprachpruefung-fuer-den-hochschulzugang-an-der-ash-berlin/

• Contact: ds-ash@ash-berlin.eu

• Cost: €100 after confirmed registration

ASH Pre-Study Program (August 2026 to July 2027)

• Prerequisite: B1 German language skills, university entrance qualification, letter of motivation

• Application period: April 15 to May 15

• Further information: https://www.ash-berlin.eu/en/study/study-programmes/ash-pre-study-program/vor-dem-studium-international/

• Contact: pre-studies@ash-berlin.de

• Cost: €0

Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule (GF-H)

There are preparatory language courses that are sponsored by the Bildungsberatung Garantiefonds Hochschule and are aimed specifically at prospective students. Please contact them for advice on a suitable course for you at the website GF-H-sponsored German language courses.

Offers for enrolled students

To participate in the German courses, you must be enrolled as a student! If you are enrolled at a different university than the one offering the course, you may be able to participate as an external student. Just ask!

Alice Salomon Hochschule - German as a Foreign Language

Bard College Berlin - German Courses

Freie Universität Berlin/Free University Berlin - Courses from A1 - C1 at the Language Center of the FU

Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler - German as a Foreign Language

Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft - German as a Foreign Language

Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht/Berlin School of Economics and Law - German Courses at the Language Center of the HWR

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - German Courses at the Language Centre of the HU

Technische Universität Berlin - German Courses at the Modern Language Center of the TU

Universität der Künste - German Courses

Garantiefonds Hochschule (only for refugees)

Kontakt- und Beratungsstelle für Flüchtlinge und Migrant_innen e.V. (KuB)

Network German courses for all

Ökumenisches Zentrum Berlin (only for refugees)

Here you will find a selection of language schools in Berlin that charge a fee. If you receive benefits from the job centre or other offices, ask them whether the costs will be covered.

You can also just take the B2 or C1 test at the language schools without attending a whole course.

You can find very affordable courses at Berlin's adult education centers: https://www.berlin.de/vhs/kurse/deutsch-integration/

Language level A1-C1:

GLS Sprachenzentrum Berlin

Goethe-Institut

Hartnack-Schule

NATIVA Akademie