Berlin

Technische Universität Berlin

An important centre of telecommunications and media, Berlin is the largest city in Germany at 3.5 million people. TU Berlin is highly ranked globally as #131 in the world, and lies solidly within the TU9 and top 8 German universities (THE 2019, QS 2019)

The university is exceptionally strong in the field of engineering, where they rank in the top 35-50 for a variety of engineering branches. With 138+ museums (including Museum-island), and more than 400 art galleries, students could spend a year or more in Berlin in the attempt to visit them all. Technische Universität Berlin (TUB - Technical University of Berlin), dates back to 1770, and is located within Berlin's "ring-road" rail system, near the city's zoo. With a focus on pioneering research in engineering, natural science, computer sciences, economics, and humanities, the university has a current population of over 30,700 students, including 5,750 international students (18.7%), and is one of the top 100 global university leaders in graduate employability (QS 2019).

Key information

Location

Berlin, Germany

Language

English, German

Semester

Fall, Winter, Academic year

Program type

Exchange

Application information

Application status

Open

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2024-2025 applications

First come first considered for remaining spaces until

Winter 2025: August 15, 2024

University-specific additional requirements

No reference letter required; minimum GPA 2.7. See Eligibility section below for details.

2025-2026 applications

Open November 1, 2024

Program details

TU Berlin offers a wide variety of programs, including Art History, Business, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Earth Sciences, Economics, Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Transport Systems), German Literature, History, Math, Natural Sciences, Philosophy, Physics, Sociology and more. Restrictions: Closed for Architecture and Landscape Planning.

Students at TU Berlin typically take 24-30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits per semester. On TUB course listings, "SWS" stands for "semesterwochenstunden (semester weekly hours). 1 SWS = 1.5 ECTS credits. 6 ECTS = 1 UCalgary half course equivalent (4 SWS = 3 UCalgary units/1 half-course equivalent)

TU Berlin offers a limited number of courses in English however a wider variety of courses are taught in German. A more updated listing of course information can be found online. Final course listings for each semester are set about 1-2 months before semester start, so please use previous Winter/Summer semester courses as a guideline as to what will be offered again. 

Note: Students applying to study Math or Natural Sciences should apply on RAISA using the "Science Exchange" option. These faculties run under an exchange agreement with TUB which falls under TASSEP. TASSEP is the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program, a consortium designed specifically with the curricular needs of science students in mind.

Course Selection Legend: 
"Hauptseminar" = Advanced seminar (intended for more advanced students, small class size, focus on central subject) 
"Integrierte Lehrveranstaltung" = Lecture + exercise (integrated course with both lectures and a seminar to follow up regarding the lecture) 
"(Forschungs) Kolloquium = (Research) colloquium 
"Lehrveranstaltung" = course
"(Entwurfs) Projekt" = (Design) project 
"Tutorium" = Tutorial 
"Übung" (UE) = Exercise (usually taught by T.A., classes are up to 30 students in size) 
"Vorlesung" (VL) = Lecture (given by professor or guest lecturer, large sized class)
"Praktikum / praktische arbeit" = Project course or practicum

  • (Projekt PJ offers the opportunity of independent research)
  • (Practikum PR includes several hours of work a week in a lab or research facility setting)

Student Tip: "Try to be flexible with your course selection if you can, because the courses can change, or not be what you expect when you arrive. [Right before you leave] I would highly recommend emailing the professor of the course ahead of time to ensure the class is in English and that you are eligible to participate (in case it is a Master’s only course). One of the great things about TU Berlin is that once you arrive, you may be allowed to take a few classes at any of the 3 other universities in Berlin, which offer a variety of other courses."

TU Berlin also offers a Summer School.

 

The academic year is divided into semesters. The "Winter" Semester runs from early October (Early Sept for German Language Course) to mid March and the "Summer" Semester runs from early April (early March for German Language Course) to late July/early Aug (see "Additional Information/FAQs" for pre-semester course details).

TU Berlin also offers a Summer School. For details on dates click here.

There is a summer research program available to Schulich engineering students. For more information, check out the Summer Research page.  

  1. Costs

    Exchange students pay their tuition and academic fees to the University of Calgary. Other expenses are paid directly to the service provider. Also, remember to include things like visas, insurance, vaccinations, etc. in your budget planning.

    In addition to UCalgary tuition and airfare, students should budget for personal expenses and expenses as listed below. For more information, please visit the FAQ page. 
    Note: Exchange students must pay for the Student Social Fund/Berlin semester transit pass on arrival.

    Berlin cost comparison vs Calgary: Click Here

    Student Tip: "The overall cost [of living in Berlin] was definitely lower than Calgary. Food prices are generally quite low (for example, 10 eggs cost 1 Euro, 500g loaf of bread cost 1 Euro, 1 Litre milk cost 0.50 Euro), and rent is comparably lower as well. Cell phone plans are far more comprehensive for a lower fee, and most museums, theatres, etc. have student rates, which lowers the cost of entertainment as well."

  2. Funding

    Did you know that you can take your UCalgary funding with you on exchange? Since you remain a degree seeking student at UCalgary while on exchange you remain eligible for any awards and scholarships you are eligible to receive from the university as well as student loans.

    Internal and External Funding opportunities for study abroad in Germany, including DAAD awards, the AGEC award, etc. are available on the funding page.

    Our office administers several awards, including the Global Access Fund (based on a funding-first model where students apply prior to committing to a global learning program) and the Global Learning Award (students apply after being accepted to a global learning program; the amount varies year-to-year as the money is split among chosen recipients). Students may only receive these awards once. Please see the funding page, linked below, for more information.

    AGP Award
    The Antje Graupe Pryor Foundation has grants available to undergraduate UCalgary students in the Schulich School of Engineering wishing to study at TUB. The award is $7,500 per semester for a maximum of two semesters ($15,000) or $7,500 for the summer research term. Awards are open to all engineering majors. Please contact study.abroad@ucalgary.ca for details.

TU Berlin offers a number of housing options to students, including single rooms in Halls of Residence, which are located throughout the city.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students in any faculty at the U of C, who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-).

It is strongly recommended that students have an A2 level of German according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) even if they take courses in English (see the FAQ section for more details). 
For courses in German, students should have a command of German at the B2 level  or greater (according to the CEFR) or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in German. Certification of language proficiency may be required (no more than 3 years old). Students do have the opportunity to take German language courses during their stay, starting at a B1 level.

 

Do I need to speak German?

For studies in German it is required, however for classes in English it is recommended that you have basic understanding to assist you in the administrative aspect of life in Germany. In daily life English speakers are able to function fairly well in German society with a basic knowledge of the language for shopping and eating out, etc. but it can be more difficult in terms of navigating housing, websites, or filling out forms.

Student Tip: "Knowing German helps a lot. Some tellers do have difficulty with English, so learn certain phrases ahead of time if possible. It is possible to find someone who does speak English to help you open your bank account, however for day-to-day things; a little German can go a long way.

Is there a pre-semester German language program?

Yes. Before every semester students have the opportunity to participate in a 60 hour pre-semester German language intensive language program - starting in September and March. Students are matched to various levels based on ability. The course costs approximately €200, but is strongly recommended.

In order to take courses in German, students are required to provide a certificate proving at least an B1, ideally B2 level of German knowledge according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

Student Tip: "[The German Intensive Course] was especially helpful. The course consisted of the course load of one full semester compressed into one month (3 and a half hour class, and 3 hours homework each day). There was also a buddy program which could be utilized to improve one’s language skills. I found it really rewarding to be able to communicate in German for basic interactions such as at the grocery store after taking the German course."

What's so special about TU Berlin?

Berlin has always been a popular spot for exchange students. With copious museums and national monuments like the Brandenburg gate or the Reichstag Building, it is a centre for tourism in Germany, and activities within Berlin abound. 

Additionally, TU Berlin offers an useful Orientation program (covering things like registration) that allows you to meet other exchange/international students, and a Buddy Program to match you with a local student, as well as various social events around the city. 

Student Tips: "The international office planned numerous social activities for exchange students. Some were simply get-togethers at the University bar/café, mixers once every few months on campus, discounted tickets to the orchestra/philharmonic, discounted or free walking tours, trips to museums, sports activities (etc.). I would [also] suggest attending any “once-per-year” gatherings during your exchange that are unlike anything you could attend in Calgary. For example, a giant pillow flight in front of the Brandenburger Tor, or an open-air philharmonic concert at Gendarmenmarkt."

"Almost all of the facilities available at the U of C were available in TU Berlin and were in fact much better. The TU Berlin’s main cafeteria (Mensa) is much more affordable (most meals under 5 Euros) and it is much healthier, tastier, and cheaper. In fact, I wish UCalgary would implement the same system! There are also a few other locations with smaller cafeterias like at the main library and in the main building."

"There is always something interesting going on in the city, from concerts to cultural events so make the most of your time there and try not to get cooped up in your room. There are also a ton of different sights to see, apart from the typical touristic ones and there are some cool tours you can do such as underground bunker tours. The international office at the university offers discounts on some of these tours. I would also recommend getting a bike if you can (you can buy them used) because Berlin is a great place to explore by bike. As for weather, the winters get cold - even though the temperature doesn’t generally drop below -10C, the humidity makes it feel colder so dress as you would for Calgary winters."

What kind of supports does TU Berlin offer?

Berlin offers both accessibility supports and supports for students with families or young children.

For students with chronic illnesses or disabilities, there are a variety of supports including wheelchair access, study/exam support, accessible bathrooms and lectures, etc. For information on accessibility of campuses across Europe, ESN has created Inclusive Mobility which allows you to check the accessibility of universities and cities across Europe. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.

TU Berlin is also one of our most family-friendly universities for exchange. They offer free Mensa meals for children (up to 6 years old), a TU-Kids welcome pack, and playgrounds on campus. For students who are breastfeeding or have young children, TUB offers a "Studying with Children" session in addition to spaces for breastfeeding, family play, childcare, housing for single parents with children, and potential funding options. 


Have questions?

Global Learning 101

Please watch this short YouTube playlist before reaching out or booking an appointment. In these videos, you will learn much of the basics about Global Learning, which may answer your initial questions.

Watch Global Learning 101

Academic Advising

Before applying to study abroad, you should ask your academic advisor how this program might align with your degree (e.g. best time to go, what courses you need).

After you are accepted, you should ask your academic advisor more specific questions about courses/transfer credits. It’s also recommended to follow up with your advisor again once you return to Calgary.

Find your academic advisor

Global Learning Advising

If you have questions, please reach out to our office! We offer drop-in advising for general inquiries, and if you have questions about this specific program or any others, you can book an appointment with the responsible advisor.

Please use the link below to find the most up-to-date information about our current advising options.

View the Global Learning Advising page

The exchange advisor for this program is: Tara Jorgensen

How to Apply

Download the application guide

This PDF contains information on how to complete your application and what to do after you have applied.

Application guide

Identify three programs of interest

We recommend applying for your top three programs for the priority application deadline, as placement may be competitive. We will assess your applications in ranked order.

Check requirements and deadlines

These may vary by program, so check the individual program pages and make sure that you are aware of any different application deadlines or eligibility requirements.

Start your application

Once you have gathered everything you need, you can begin your application!

Please note: Applications will not be considered complete until all required documents are submitted in full.

APPLY NOW

International travel presents challenges that may not be found when attending classes on campus. There may be a lack of resources, emergency services, hospitals, accessibility issues and/or demands on the physical and the mental self, all of which can challenge individuals when away from their usual support systems and structures. Adequate preparation is essential.

For this reason, it is imperative that you evaluate all aspects of your own physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual condition against the rigors of the particular global learning program you are selecting. If you are unsure of whether or not this program is a good fit for you and/or if you have any circumstances that could impede your enjoyment of the program, please contact us. Our Global Learning Advisors will be happy to assist in finding the best options for you and arrange any supports or accommodations necessary to ensure your success.

If you have or are seeking a certificate from Student Accessibility Services, you should provide this early to your Global Learning Advisor to ensure that the option that you are seeking can support your needs.

Please note: All participants must adhere to COVID-19 and other vaccination-related requirements for the destinations visited on this program. Failure to do so may have consequences such as being denied access to accommodation/housing, program activities, or to the host country itself.