Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin for Nigerian Students

🇩🇪 Berlin, Germany · Excellence Initiative
Foundation Year Required WAEC Accepted 3 Scholarships ✓ Verified 2026-04
World Ranking #126
Founded 1810
Students 36,000+
Last updated: 2026-04 · Always verify with the official university website
Quick Facts — Nigerian Students
WAEC/NECO Accepted Yes (via Foundation Year)
Minimum GPA (Masters) 3 / 4
IELTS Required 6.5 overall
Tuition Range €600 – €800/yr
Scholarships Available Yes – 3 available
Application Deadline May 31 for winter semester
Processing Time 8–16 weeks

Entry Requirements by Level

Academic Requirements

See official university website for current requirements.

Fees & Deadline

Application deadline: July 15 for winter semester.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA: 3/4 (2:1 UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required. English-taught programmes available in Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Life Sciences, and Economics.

English Language

IELTS: 6.5+ overall. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.

Fees & Deadline

Annual tuition: €600–€800. Application deadline: May 31 for winter semester. Decision time: 8–16 weeks.

Academic Requirements

Minimum GPA: 3.5/4. Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available. DAAD scholarships and DFG-funded positions available for Nigerian PhD students.

Specific Requirements

Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.

Deadline

Rolling — contact supervisor directly

Documents Required

Official academic transcript (translated & certified)
WAEC/NECO certificate or result slip
Motivation letter (500–1,000 words)
Two academic references
Valid international passport
IELTS/TOEFL score report
Financial evidence (bank statement or sponsor letter)
Research proposal (PhD applicants)

Available Scholarships

DAAD Scholarship (Development-Related Programs)

Full tuition + €992/month living stipend + health insurance + travel allowance Deadline: August–October (for following year intake — apply directly to university)

by German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) · Masters, Phd

Learn more →

Deutschlandstipendium

€300/month for at least 2 semesters (merit-based, needs high GPA) Deadline: Varies by university — check each university portal

by Federal Government + Private sponsors · Undergraduate, Masters

Learn more →

Berlin State Scholarship / HU Excellence Fellowships

Partial merit-based support for outstanding international students Deadline: Check HU Berlin international office portal

by Humboldt University Berlin / Berlin State · Masters

Learn more →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Nigerian students apply to Humboldt University Berlin with WAEC?

WAEC/NECO is accepted as your secondary school qualification, but it does not grant direct undergraduate entry to German universities. You will need to complete at least 1 year at a recognised Nigerian university or attend a Studienkolleg in Germany first. For Masters programmes, a Nigerian bachelor's degree qualifies you for direct application.

How much does Humboldt University Berlin cost for Nigerian students?

Tuition is completely free — even for non-EU international students from Nigeria. You only pay a semester administrative fee of approximately €330 per semester, which comes to around €660 per year. This makes HU Berlin one of the most affordable world-class universities for Nigerians.

What can I do after graduating from Humboldt University Berlin?

After graduating, Nigerian students can apply for an 18-month Job-Seeker Visa, which allows you to stay in Germany and search for work matching your qualification. Berlin's growing tech and startup scene offers strong employment prospects, especially for graduates in Social Sciences, Economics, and Life Sciences.

Tips for Applying to HU Berlin

Humboldt University Berlin is one of Germany's oldest and most prestigious universities (QS #126), renowned for its research excellence in Social Sciences, Life Sciences, and Cultural Studies. For Nigerian students, the combination of zero tuition fees and Berlin's status as a global hub for tech, culture, and policy makes HU Berlin an exceptional choice. The 18-month job-seeker visa after graduation opens doors to Germany's thriving labour market, and DAAD scholarships can cover all living costs.

Official source: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin ↗

Plan Your Germany Student Visa

Check visa requirements, documents and costs for Nigerian passport holders applying to Germany.

Full Visa Guide →

Cost of Living in Berlin

Accommodation €700 – €1,200/month

Student halls available but demand is high. Apply early through Studentenwerk Berlin.

Food & Groceries €250 – €400/month

Transport €86/month

Semester ticket covers Berlin public transport zones A and B.

Estimated Total Monthly Cost €1,036 – €1,686/month