Living in Berlin
Berlin’s arts and cultural scenes
Berlin is one of the most exciting destinations on the planet for musicians, filmmakers, actors, writers and artists. Progressive, gritty, experimental and cutting-edge – there’s no better place than Berlin to immerse yourself in creative spirit while celebrating your uniqueness.
From the music studio to the dance floor
After the work day ends, the same creative energy transforms the city from dusk until dawn, with a music scene that is dynamic and ever-evolving. Berlin’s music ecosystem occupies a unique space in which it is both legendary and internationally revered, yet accessible for newcomers seeking to carve a space for themselves in it. If you’re looking for a specific genre, Berlin’s techno scene is so renowned that it recently earned UNESCO cultural heritage status. The Afrohouse, hip-hop and jazz scenes are also treasured here – plus, the city is home to the Berliner Philharmoniker, one of the world’s leading orchestras.
Lights, Camera, Berlin: the city's film scene
Berlin has a rich cinema history. Berlinale – aka the Berlin International Film Festival – is one of the most famous international film festivals and competitions in the world. It is one of Europe’s “Big Three” – alongside Venice Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival – and one of the world's “Big Five” – a list that includes Toronto Film Festival and Sundance. Every year, Berlinale, along with the European Film Market and Berlinale Talents, takes over our city, with ten days of film premieres and thousands of industry experts.
From green screen to silver screen
From Captain America’s electrifying death rays to the dragon-scorched skies of Game of Thrones, Berlin’s VFX artists turn the impossible into the unforgettable. Studios like Rise, Karakter and Celluloid VFX conjure epic universes for global blockbusters, award-winning series and hit games. Rise has reimagined 1920s Berlin for Babylon Berlin and placed nuclear power plants in Netflix’s Dark, while Karakter built the fortress Dragonstone and King’s Landing for Westeros. The VFX industry in Berlin is blending artistry, precision and cutting-edge technology.
Berlin’s VFX culture spills beyond the studio walls and into the city’s film sets, festivals and creative meet-ups. The same streets you walk daily might double as locations for Babylon Berlin or a Marvel blockbuster, while industry talks and screenings offer a window into the techniques behind the magic. It’s a place where the pace of innovation is matched by a deep respect for storytelling, and where global projects and local talent constantly intersect. Immersed in this energy, you’ll find endless sparks for your own work.
Curtains up: theatre and performance in Berlin
The theatre and live performance scene is a cornerstone of Berlin's rich cultural tapestry and a dynamic playground for aspiring actors and performers. Known for avant-garde and innovative productions, Berlin has an eclectic mix of venues, from historic theatres like the Berliner Ensemble to cutting-edge spaces such as the Volksbühne and HAU Hebbel am Ufer. The city's dance landscape is equally impressive, with institutions like the Berlin State Ballet and contemporary ensembles pushing the boundaries of movement and expression. If you're looking for laughs, comedy clubs such as Quatsch Comedy Club and Comedy Cafe Berlin will provide.
Berlin’s art scene: from galleries to graffiti
Open up to new ideas through the many galleries and museums that make Berlin a global epicentre for visual art. Home to renowned institutions like the Berlinische Galerie, the Hamburger Bahnhof, and the Alte Nationalgalerie, Berlin offers everything from classical to cutting-edge. Walk through halls of old or modern masterpieces or immerse yourself in cutting-edge new media installations at spaces like P61 or our neighbours DARK MATTER, then ride the S-Bahn between Berlin’s UNESCO heritage sites. The city's streets themselves are a canvas, covered with striking murals and graffiti by international street artists - the East Side Gallery (formerly part of the Berlin Wall) being the most famous example. The city also offers a wealth of artistic exploration beyond traditional venues and events. Head to trendy neighbourhoods, like Neukölln or Kreuzberg, and you may stumble across our students performing at an exhibition opening or project space.
First steps
Registering in Berlin
This is the most important thing you can do when you settle in Berlin. Without your Anmeldung – an official certificate personal to you – you will not be able to use government services or receive a tax number (if you’re choosing to work whilst studying).
You can go to any Bürgeramt (citizens office) in Berlin, regardless of where you’re living, to get your Anmeldung. To book an appointment follow this link and click on the blue banner “Termin berlinweit suchen” and then on one of the dates in blue to see which Bürgerämter have appointments – this is best done first thing in the morning. The government requires that you do this within two weeks of moving into a new apartment.
Registering at the Bürgeramt is a simple process. You will need to bring:
Passport (with visa, if relevant)
“Wohnungsgeberbestätigung” form from your landlord / WG stating that you’re renting a flat / room
After having done this, the person at the Bürgeramt will hand you a piece of paper called “Anmeldebestätigung”. This paper (your Anmeldung) is very important, so make sure to keep it safe!
For more details on the Anmeldung process, including an English translation of the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung form, we recommend the website allaboutberlin.com.
Berlin on a budget
Best low-budget city
You will have heard a lot about how cheap it is to live in Berlin. The bad news is that it’s not as cheap as it used to be. The good news is that it’s still much cheaper than comparable cities across Europe and beyond especially if you see evening and weekend entertainment as part of your living costs! It's a cheap place to have a lot of fun.
The following websites have information on everything including cheap accommodation. Click on 'Read more' to read an extensive blog article on the subject.
Student discounts
Being a student in Berlin also has a lot of perks that you can enjoy around the city. With your student card, you will be able to apply for all sort of useful discounts from annual tickets for transport, cinemas, fitness activities and art galleries to discounts for events, gigs and more.
- BVG transport – We recommend a Deutschlandticket for transport, this is €49 per month and applies to all public transport and regional transport in Germany (does not apply on long-distance trains such as IC, EC and ICE).
- Berlin Museums – Discounted access to a range of museums and galleries in Berlin.
- Urban Sports Club – Student discount of 10€/month for Urban Sports Club (USC) membership.
- Student Rabatte - A student discount website.
Finding a (mini) job in Berlin
While it's possible to work and study at the same time, you must check the conditions of your study visa (if relevant) and consider finding a job that doesn't deviate you too much from your study objectives.
Linkedin and Indeed are useful platforms to find work opportunities.
There are also some platforms focusing specifically on jobs for students:
Relocating to Berlin
Finding a home in Berlin is a project of its own. The earlier you start looking, the better your chances of finding somewhere you actually want to live and can afford. Visit our Student Housing page for a detailed guide on settling in Berlin and accommodation options.
Once you're enrolled, our Admissions team will send you a welcome pack with everything you need to settle in including tips on registering, what to prepare before your programme starts, and eventually access to our student comms groups to connect with your future peers.
You'll also unlock exclusive discounts with our accommodation partners such as Spotahome, Uniplaces, Housing Anywhere and Home in Berlin. in the welcome pack, shared once you're officially enrolled. One more reason to get that application in.
Visit our student housing here.
