Understand the city
Berlin is very big and the neighbourhoods are very different and diverse from each other. Once you can navigate the city, everything makes much more sense and you understand the space better.
Campuses
Berlin campus
Forward College’s third and final year takes place in Berlin — the EU’s most populous city and a major hub for global technology, startups, and innovation. Known for its architecture, green spaces, museums, and world-famous cultural scene, Berlin is also home to hundreds of international companies, making it an ideal city in which to complete a degree and launch a career.
Learning in an innovation ecosystem
Our students will study amidst a vibrant innovation ecosystem, made up of renowned companies, startups, and other educational institutions that are a part of the CIC network. CIC Berlin is also home to the #ai_berlin hub, a platform connecting research, business, and government to position Berlin as a leading international centre for AI.
This ecosystem not only exposes them to professionals from various fields but also facilitates connections with peers from other institutions, helping our students to build their own professional and personal networks for their time in Berlin and for life after graduation. Students can also attend the weekly Venture Café Thursday Gatherings, free public events held right on campus that bring together startups, investors, and researchers. Find more about CIC here.
Student Residences
Forward College has partnered with multiple student residences in Berlin, providing diverse options to suit individual preferences for neighbourhoods, pricing, amenities, and living arrangements:
- The Social Hub: High-end co-living option with full amenities for students and young professionals. Located a stone’s throw from Alexander Platz and the iconic TV Tower at the bustling heart of Berlin. Forward College students also have the exclusive opportunity to apply for The Social Hub’s Talent Foundation Changemaker Scholarship, which covers housing costs for the academic year and provides mentoring support and guidance workshops for recipients to achieve a social impact project. More information here .
- AGSA: Third year students love the opportunity to move together with their friends in AGSA’s shared 3 bedroom apartments which come fully furnished and at an affordable monthly rate. These units are located a short distance from our learning center in a postcard-perfect corner of the Kiez.
- The Fizz: high end student housing, located in the heart of one of Berlin’s most lively nightlife areas in Kreuzberg and a short commute to the learning center.
- Spreepolis: Full amenity living at affordable rates with a private kitchen included. Spreepolis is located in Berlin’s Schöneweide district and offers a quieter location directly on the River Spree.
Student life and activities in Berlin
Berlin is known for its vibrant nightlife, attracting around three million visitors each year, but it also offers a wide range of cultural and outdoor activities.
Students can:
- Visit galleries and museums
- Walk in parks and green spaces
- Explore the city by bike or public transport
Cost of living in Berlin
Let’s take a look at some of the costs you may have in your third year studying at Forward’s Berlin campus.
| Activities | Costs per week | Cost per month | Cost per academic year (52 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student home* | From €137 to €300 | From €550 to €1200 | From €7,150 to €15,600 |
| Private health insurance | €30 | €120 | €1,560 |
| Public transport pass | €14.5 | €58 | €754 |
| Groceries | From €50 to €75 | From €200 to €300 | From €2,600 to €3,900 |
| Mobile Phone Plan | €2.50 | €10 | €130 |
| Leisure activities and daily expenses** | From €25 to €50 | From €100 to €200 | From €1,300 to €2,600 |
| Activity | Costs |
|---|---|
| Meal in a average restaurant | €18 |
| Take away in a bakery (lunch menus, sandwiches…) | €10 |
| Coffee | €3.50 |
| Cinema ticket | €12 |
| Nightclub entry | €15 |
| Single metro ticket | €3.80 |
*Please note that Forward College has no control over the room prices at our partner student residences, and they may be subject to change.
**includes gym, nightlife, cinema and other types of entertainment.
10 tips from our students before joining the Berlin campus
Studying abroad is one of the most important decisions in your life. By deciding to join Forward you will be pushed out of your comfort zones on a number of occasions: you will transition from high school to university, learn autonomy, live away from your family in a new country, be immersed in a multicultural student body so it’s a good idea to get prepared before arriving. Here are a few tips from our students:
Fresh Groceries
Buy your groceries at one of the many weekly markets around the city. Producers from the region sell their fruit and vegetables fresher and cheaper than in the supermarket.
Our favourite is the market on Maybachufer, a 10-minute walking distance from the Learning Centre.
How to party
Berlin is the world capital of techno. You won’t be able to avoid going to at least one or two techno parties while you are here – go into it with an open mind and you’ll have a lot of fun!
Connect with locals
Berlin has many universities – the city is full of teenagers and young adults, make friends and socialise to get the best experience.
Take the essentials
This will be your third year, by which time you will be a pro at packing well to deal with different eventualities.
Find your go-to Späti
Spätis are small kiosks that are open around the clock and offer everything you need in terms of drinks, snacks, and essentials. There are about 1,200 Spätis in Berlin, but soon you’ll have your favourite Späti Guy where you get your Mate-drink and sit on the benches in front of it.
Prepare for winter
The summer in Berlin is beautiful, but the winter is very cold – so you should dress well and warmly. Layers on the body, and thick socks with good footwear are the key.
No language barrier
German is a very difficult language to learn if you didn’t grow up speaking a Germanic language, but don’t worry. Berlin is a super international city – in most cafés the baristas only speak English, as they are international students themselves!
Turkish Greengrocers
You can find fresh produce, snacks and desserts in the Turkish grocery shops that are everywhere in the city.
Best coffee places
- “Zeit für Brot” for the best cinnamon buns
- “St. Oberholz” for the best study cafe
- “Annelies” for the best coffee and sandwich/brunch (it’s right next to the factory where we have classes)
FAQ
Forward College has partnered with multiple student residences in Berlin to offer a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets. These include The Social Hub near Alexanderplatz, AGSA shared apartments close to the learning centre, The Fizz in Kreuzberg, and Spreepolis in Schöneweide on the River Spree. Monthly accommodation costs range from €550 to €1,200.
Accommodation is not guaranteed in Berlin in the same way as in Lisbon and Paris, but Forward College actively supports students in securing housing through its partner residences. Students are guided through the process and have access to a curated set of vetted options across the city.
Forward College students attend classes at CIC Berlin, located in the Kreuzberg neighbourhood — known for its street art, independent coffee shops, and creative community. CIC is a leading innovation coworking space recognised by the Financial Times as one of Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs in 2026. Students have access to study rooms, shared offices, a restaurant and café, and regular networking events.
CIC Berlin is embedded in a live innovation ecosystem of startups, established companies, and research institutions. Students study alongside entrepreneurs, researchers, and professionals — and can attend the weekly Venture Café Thursday Gatherings, free public events bringing together startups, investors, and researchers. The campus is also home to the #ai_berlin hub, positioning Berlin as a leading international centre for AI.
At the CIC learning centre in Kreuzberg, students have access to study rooms, shared offices, a restaurant and café, and regular networking and innovation events. For accommodation, partner residences offer a range of amenities depending on the option chosen — from fully furnished shared apartments at AGSA to full-amenity co-living at The Social Hub and The Fizz.
For sports and leisure, Berlin offers extensive parks, cycling infrastructure, weekly markets, and a wide range of cultural and social venues across its diverse neighbourhoods.
Berlin is generally more affordable than Paris. Students should budget approximately €1,000–€1,700 per month including accommodation. Monthly accommodation ranges from €550 to €1,200 depending on the residence chosen. A public transport pass costs around €58 per month, and groceries typically run €200–€300 per month.
Berlin has an extensive public transport network covering the entire city by U-Bahn, S-Bahn, tram, and bus. A monthly transport pass costs approximately €58. The city is also highly cycle-friendly, and many students choose to explore by bike.
No. Students move to Berlin as a cohort, arriving together for their final year. Induction and integration events are organised at the start of the year to help students settle in and reconnect. By Year 3, most students have already built deep friendships within the cohort — Berlin is where those relationships mature alongside the beginning of professional life.
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Whether in Lisbon, Paris, or Berlin, your week will be a busy one, as you will be studying for your University of London Bachelor’s and for your Leadership training together.
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