Studying abroad in recent years has become increasingly prestigious and popular. And let it trumpet on all sides that valuable Russian brains are floating away to European universities and settling in foreign corporations, but talented applicants still do not abandon attempts to conquer European educational institutions. If the publicists of the Ministry of Education did not try to put pressure on the patriotic feelings of schoolchildren, but took measures to significantly improve the quality of education in national universities, then young people would not try to sail away to Switzerland, America or Germany as soon as possible, and conscientiously receive knowledge in their native universities and worked productively for the good of the homeland.
But so far, the quality of education, low-grade scientific programs, and corrupt teachers have substantially “leaked” the reputation of domestic universities. Add to this the highest prestige of some world universities, the possibilities of internship and practice in the best companies and clinics, the opportunity to be part of a high scientific community, as well as live in Europe, travel, attend the best world libraries, museums, conferences and forums.
University of Berlin Humboldt is one of the oldest and most prestigious higher educational institutions in Europe. It is famous for its international programs, a huge valuable library, cooperation with the Charite Clinic, and the highest quality of education.
General facts about Humboldt Universitat
Each time the university is included in the ranking of the 200 best universities in the world. In 2016, the most prestigious Times Higher Education World University Ranking ranked Humboldt University of Berlin at 49th out of 200. This list takes into account many aspects of the educational process: the educational environment, income from research activities, and social life.
And in some specialties, for example, in mathematics or medicine, it is in the top ten.
Over the years, 29 university professors have become Nobel Prize winners. But not only they made up the glory of this educational institution. Also among the university graduates were the most influential economists, writers, politicians and public figures: Otto von Bismarck, Heinrich Heine, Ludwig Feuerbach, Karl Marx, Alfred Wegener.
Until 1933, Albert Einstein himself was a professor at this university.
In 1987, amphetamine was first synthesized by a chemist Lazar Edeleanu in a university laboratory.
The famous German doctor Heinrich Quincke (yes, it was he who described the allergic reaction "Quincke's edema") studied and conducted most of his research at this Berlin university.
History of the Humboldt University of Berlin
The university has a long history. The first classes began in 1810. Training began in five specialties. Even then, only the advanced luminaries of European scientific thought became professors of the institution. The university was developing rapidly, but in the era of National Socialism, persecution of professors and students of Jewish nationality began, the regression continued throughout the war era. His apotheosis was the massive burning of books in May 1933. After that, more than half of the teachers left the institution, the former university, once the center of humanitarian thought, became another ordinary mouthpiece of Nazi propaganda.
Studies began again in 1946 in buildings not destroyed by the war, since 1949 the university was named after Humboldt.
Where is Humboldt University located?
The main building of the university is located in the central district of Berlin on one of the most picturesque streets of Europe Unter den Linden, near the parliament building. A visit to this architectural ensemble is included in most sightseeing tours of Berlin.
All humanitarian faculties, the faculty of law, the administration and the departments of economics are located here.
Not far from Berlin Central Station, the Nord building is located north of Mitte. There is a medical center and science departments.
Exact sciences are taught in the Adlershof building in southeastern Berlin.
The university also has the largest library in Berlin and several library faculties. Their funds include more than 6 million books, as well as subscriptions to 10 thousand leading periodicals and access to 250 unique databases.
The main library in the city center is the Book Paradise, a huge historical building where students can read with a view of the picturesque central square. The library has cozy separate rooms for 5-6 people for scientific discussions, preparation of materials in groups.
Humboldt University: faculties, specialties
- Faculty of Law. Specialties: political science, foundations of German law, mediation, intellectual property.
- Faculty of Horticulture and Agriculture.
- Faculty of Economic Sciences. Specialties: corporate finance, economics and statistics, applied economics.
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Specialties: biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, computer science, mathematics, geography, history, ethnology, social sciences.
- Faculty of Philosophy. Specialties: philology, linguistics, literature, cultural studies, art history, pedagogy.
- Faculty of Theology. Specialties: psychology of religion, ancient languages, history of religion.
- Faculty of Medicine. Specialties: cardiology, surgery, ophthalmology.
Cooperation of the University with the Charite Clinic
Charite Clinic is the largest medical facility in Berlin and the entire eastern region. This huge healthcare center has many departments and works on the basis of close cooperation with the University of Humboldt. The prestige and status of the Charite Clinic is difficult to overestimate, because what is it worth is the fact that 50% of our deputies are regularly examined and treated there. A clinical laboratory and a huge research center conduct advanced research and drug testing. But students practice not only in the scientific center, they also undergo a full-fledged internship in the clinic and hospital.
Not a single clinic in Europe has such a number of outstanding doctors. Internship at Charit for medical students is a longed-for experience. For students of the hospital of medical specialties, it is free.
Many probably saw the news about a revolutionary breakthrough in medicine, as the first invasive operation was carried out completely with the "hands" of the robot. So, it was at the Charite Center. This robot still “works” there. His name is Da Vinci.
Tuition at Humboldt University
Education at Humboldt University, the flagship, advanced educational institution of an old woman in Europe, is free. However! Some financial savings still need to have. The only fee that is charged per student is 600 euros per year - a student fee. But this is not just a pay-per-pipe charge. These contributions are fairly well distributed and turn into a system of benefits for students. For example, a free metro pass, a discount on entrance fees to museums, a discount on food in the cult student cafeteria Menza, where famous politicians also like to eat, there are several departments of German, European, Oriental cuisine and a large department for vegans.
There are also bonus courses that are paid separately if the student has a desire to attend them. Also, accommodation is paid separately.
Education in the student center of Germany can be absolutely free or even profitable. To do this, you must be a very talented, socially active student. The university has many scholarships and scientific grants from various investors. The list of current offers can be clarified on the university website.
How to enter the Humboldt University? How to get admission to study in Germany?
How easy is it for a simple clever Russian student to enter one of the most prestigious universities in Europe?
The presence of outstanding brains is not enough for admission to the Humboldt University of Berlin. The receipt procedure is very complex and multifaceted. But not only because of the high prestige of the university itself, but also because of Germany’s general educational policy. The point is the difference in study programs between Germany and the CIS countries.
With only one certificate of excellence will not be accepted at any university in Germany. You need to take another course at Studienkolleg. This is an intermediate institution where applicants are helped to fill the knowledge gaps in the selected subjects.
Documents must be submitted immediately to the Humboldt University of Berlin. And at the university there is already a Studienkolleg, in which a kind of preparatory course should be taken. After this, you must pass an exam. The decision of the selection committee will ultimately depend on its results.
Also, a TOEFL or IELTS certificate confirming knowledge of the German language must be attached to the list of documents. Training is conducted only in German. Therefore, a minimum level of B1 or B2 is required from each applicant.
You also need to take care of your visa in advance. It is best to send a package of documents so that the university in response sends a preliminary invitation for a visa. Or pre-issue a guest or tourist visa, and after a positive decision on admission, extend the study visa at the consulate.
Also, a motivation letter must be attached to the list of documents - a kind of free-form statement in which the applicant describes why he wants to study at this university. It is also useful to provide documents characterizing the applicant on the positive side: important letters, letters of recommendation, positive characteristics from places of work or internships, etc.
All documents must be submitted duplicated in German with a notary seal.
It is much easier to organize yourself some unforgettable educational years in Germany, if you apply to the Humboldt University after studying in the first or second year of a university in your native country. In this case, the need to take courses at Studienkolleg is leveled, the student is probably reaching adulthood, and he is tightening his knowledge of the German language. Then admission can be issued as a student exchange. Humboldt University has exchange programs from six months to three years.
The admission process may seem complicated. But only the difference in educational programs and the bureaucratically complicated procedure for obtaining a visa complicates it. But on the part of the university all steps have been taken to simplify the process of accepting international students as much as possible.
The application can be submitted online. It will be considered remotely, all the necessary invitations are sent already to the request. Many exchange and cooperation programs have been organized with other world universities.
At least 20% of foreign students study at Humboldt University annually, of which several hundred are from Russia.
Accommodation in Berlin. Humboldt University Dormitory
Modern Berlin destroys all archaic Soviet ideas about the capital city of the GDR. It is a very picturesque, freedom-loving and tolerant city with a special democratic creative atmosphere. In Berlin, international culture, cuisine, architecture flourishes. The city is welcoming international tourists and students. Students in Berlin are a special caste. They enjoy a lot of benefits for travel, visiting museums, exhibitions, other cultural events.
At a university dorm, prices range from 160 to 360 euros per month. The cheapest option is to stay in a triple room. You can rent a dorm room for at least six months. Students who enter short courses (4-5 months) are forced to rent an apartment in Berlin. Finding suitable housing in this city is not a matter of one day, so you need to prepare in advance, settle for a day or two at a hotel, and find a place to live.
Student reviews of Berlin Humboldt University
Student reviews of Humboldt University are full of enthusiasm and details.
Most often, students are transferred to Germany after several years of study in their home country. Applicants immediately after school can very rarely afford to study at a higher educational institution in Berlin due to their minority, differences in study programs, and lack of experience. Already held students have something to compare.
Students emphasize how respected the right to a high-quality education of each person is in a Berlin university. The hostels have special kindergartens, where they study with children while mothers and students study. Students are also awarded a third more scholarships and grants from famous women.
The main building is a historical memo, but like other buildings of the university, it is fully equipped for students with disabilities, there are elevators, ramps, lounges, special places.
In the dining room there are several dozen different menu options for people of different faiths, for allergy sufferers, dishes without milk, gluten, animal products, etc.
Humboldt University in Berlin is also praised for the special nature of teaching, for the way in which the educational process is organized. All specialists are true professionals in their fields. Classes do not have a clear division into lectures and seminars, more time in pairs is given for mutual dialogues and discussion of theses. Even eminent scientists with dozens of regalia consider themselves obliged to listen to each student, because any opinion has a right to exist. Each student, regardless of specialty, studies the discipline "practice of conducting scientific dialogue."
Visiting exhibitions, cultural centers of the multifaceted Berlin, museums and even sales in KaDeVe is an important part of the progressive and boring educational process.