Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Founded in 1810 by the German statesman and philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt, the then-named Universität Berlin pioneered the model of the liberal arts education and became known as the “mother of modern universities.” During 40 years of socialist rule following the Second World War, academic and political freedoms were heavily restricted; following German Reunification, the university underwent an intensive restructuring and has since regained its former preeminence.

The University’s courses are held in buildings of historic and architectural significance throughout the city. The Palais Unter den Linden, which is presently occupied by the renowned Museum für Naturkunde, was the former Prince of Prussia’s residence in the mid-18th century.

Courses
Below are some of the numerous disciplines in which IES Abroad students have enrolled in the recent past. Visit the Humboldt Universität's website for a list of current and past course offerings. Course offerings vary by semester and are not available until shortly before the start of each semester.

• Accounting
• Art History
• Biology
• Biotechnology
• Business
• Chemistry
• Classics
• Communications
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Education
• Engineering
• Environmental Studies
• Finance
• Fine Arts
• Foreign Languages
• Gender Studies
• Geography
• History
• Linguistics
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Music History
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Religious Studies
• Sociology
• Theater
• Ubran Planning

HU Sprachenzentrum
If you do not do well enough on the language entrance exam to take regular classes at Humboldt University, you can take courses at HU’s Sprachenzentrum (Foreign Language Institute) for your initial university experience, but are encouraged to take regular university courses with the support of a tutorial. The Sprachenzentrum offers courses in various aspects of German language and culture, as well as courses in many foreign languages. For specific course offerings, visit the Sprachenzentrum website.

Location & Commute Time
The university’s main campus is located on the main boulevard, Unter den Linden, in Mitte, Berlin’s central district. The IES Abroad Berlin Center, Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, German Opera and main shopping streets are all a short walk away. Most students take public transportation to travel to and from their classes. HU’s satellite campus for the natural sciences, where most of the university’s research labs are located, is in the neighborhood of Adlershof, about 45 minutes by train southeast of the main campus.

University Clubs & Events
The Humboldt-Universität was recently recognized by the German Foreign Office for offering the best support to international students of any university in the country. Its Cultural and Academic Orientation Program (KUSTOS), subsidized by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers orientation seminars and support to international students.

The university has an International Division devoted to providing assistance for international students at HU.

In addition, there is a student-run club for international students (Orbis Humboldtianus) on campus which offers student-to-student mentoring for exchange students, a Tandem Partner service, which matches students with language partners, and regular social and cultural events where international and German students can meet.

Freie Universität
Although the Freie Universität was founded only 50 years ago, as early as the beginning of the 20th century the neighborhood in which it is located, Dahlem, was home to several academic research institutes. Early researchers conducted ground-breaking research and won several Nobel Prizes.

The Freie Universität’s faculties and administrative offices are housed in many of the same buildings as the former institutes. With the addition of more contemporary, architecturally-significant buildings nearby, the campus resembles the structure of a university campus in the United States.

IES Abroad extends to its students the Freie Universität’s tradition of academic quality and research through the university’s broad curriculum.

Courses
Freie Universität offers IES Abroad students exciting opportunities in the faculties below.

The University is particularly known for its courses in Chemistry, Computer Sciences, Geosciences, Human Medicine, Language & Civilization Studies, Law, Mathematics, Pedagogy, Pharmacy, Political Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Note: Enrollment in partner university courses requires that you place into an advanced German language level during the program orientation.

Visit the Freie Universität website for a list of current course offerings.

• Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy
• Economics
• Geosciences
• History and Cultural Studies
• Law
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Medicine
• Pedagogy and Psychology
• Philosophy and the Humanities
• Physics
• Political and Social Sciences
• Veterinary Medicine

Course offerings vary from semester to semester. Exact course availability is determined shortly before the start of each semester. For this reason, it is not possible for you to officially register until you arrive in Berlin.

Location & Commute Time
Located in the quiet, residential garden district of the southwestern neighborhood of Dahlem, the Freie Universität is a 50 to 60 minute commute by public transportation from the IES Abroad Berlin Center, or about seven miles.

University Clubs & Events
IES Abroad Berlin students taking courses at the Freie Universität have access to the university’s libraries, clubs, and events. The University frequently sponsors guest lecturers. The FU also has an International Club, which organizes over 30 events per semester for international and German students. The student government at the FU runs a center for LGBTQ students.

Technische Universität
Founded in 1879 through the merging of several renowned research institutions, Berlin’s Technische Universität has a long history of innovation, but also periods of hardship. After World War II, the University opened a new Humanities faculty, intended to focus students and faculty on ethics and social responsibility. As the first technical university in Germany to encourage study of the Humanities, the University continues to emphasize the connection between society and technology. Additionally, TU is home to Berlin’s famous Center for Anti-Semitism Studies.

Courses
The TU is divided into seven faculties, each of which contains several institutes. Visit Technische Universität's website for a list of current course offerings (click on Vorlesungsverzeichnis).

• Faculty I. Humanities: Philosophy, Theory, and History of Science; German Literature; History and Art History; Metropolitan Studies; Social Sciences and Political Education; Educational Science; Languages and Communication; Vocational Education; Gender Studies, Anti-Semitism Studies.
• Faculty II. Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Chemistry, Mathematics, Solid-State Physics, Optical and Atomic Physics, Theoretical Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics.
• Faculty III. “Process Sciences”: Biotechnology, Energy Technology, Food Science, Process and Chemical Engineering, Environmental Protection Technology, Material Science.
• Faculty IV. Electrical Engineering: Energy and Automation Science, High Frequency and Semi-Conductor Systems Technology, Telecommunication Systems, Microelectronics, Software Engineering and Theoretical Computer Science, Economic Information Systems and Quantitative Methods.
• Faculty V. Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems: Fluid Mechanics and Acoustics; Psychology and Occupational Science; Land and Sea Traffic; Air and Space Travel; Construction, Micro- and Medicinal Technology; Industrial Engineering; Mechanics.
• Faculty VI. “Planning—Building—Environment”: Applied Geosciences, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Geodesy, Landscape Architecture, Ecology, Sociology, City and Regional Planning.
• Faculty VII. Economics and Management: Technology and Management, Business Management, Economics and Economics Law.

Note: Enrollment in partner university courses requires that you place into an advanced German language level during the program orientation.

Course offerings vary from semester to semester and are determined shortly before the start of each semester. For this reason, it is not possible for you to register until your arrive in Berlin.

Location & Commute Time
The Technische Universität’s main campus is in Charlottenburg, a lively, cosmopolitan borough in the former West Berlin. The campus is also close to the Tiergarten and main shopping boulevard of Kurfürstendamm. The Technische Universität's main campus is about three miles from the IES Abroad Center, or 10 minutes by train.

University Clubs & Events
The TU has an International Student Counseling Center, which offers administrative guidance to international students, as well as organizing a social events and excursions throughout the year. As part of a program for international students, the university offers a “subject mentoring service.", consisting of small, weekly seminars for international students, run by advanced TU students and covering topics such as paper-writing and background mathematics required for technical courses.

The Language and Culture Exchange (Sprach-und Kulturbörse, or SKB), through which language courses are available, also organizes regular cultural outings and social events for German and international students.

The SKB has a Tandem-partner service as well, through which students can find language partners.

There is also an organization of LGBTQ students and their allies on campus.

Additional Universities
Courses may be available at the following universities.

• Hochschule für Wirtschaft und Recht Berlin
• Kunsthochschule Berlin-Weißensee
• Universität der Künste

Prerequisites and additional application materials may apply.