Prospective Student FAQs
Q: How do I apply to Bard College Berlin?
A: Bard College Berlin accepts applications through Common Application or our own application portal. You can find these links and learn more about the application process and deadlines in the How to Apply section.
Q: When will I receive access to my BCB applicant portal?
Within 24 hours of submitting your application, you will receive an email with the subject line "Thank You for Applying | Financial Aid." This email will include information about setting up your applicant portal. It is very important that you access your portal and note down your login information, since your applicant portal will serve as the space where your admissions and financial aid decisions will be released. If you do not receive the aforementioned email, please check your spam folder and if it is not there, please email the admissions office at [email protected].
Q: Can I submit my transcripts or letters of recommendations myself?
No. Please have your high school transcript submitted by your high school counselor, teacher or principal and/or your university's registrar's office submit your most recent university transcript. Recommendation letters and required education records should be submitted by your recommenders and school/university officials directly to BCB either through the application form or by email to [email protected].
Q: Does Bard College Berlin accept transfer students?
A: Yes. Transfer students can apply for Fall or Spring semester entry. See application deadlines here: Transfer Students.
Upon admission, each transfer student will receive a statement of estimated transfer credits.
Q: Does Bard College Berlin offer financial aid?
A: Yes. In 2022, 79 percent of Bard College Berlin students received financial aid. Financial aid is available for BA, Academy Year, and transfer students.
Bard College Berlin’s financial aid packages are need-based and contribute to the cost of tuition and fees. Financial aid at Bard College Berlin is awarded in the form of tuition waivers covering from 20% to 100% of the comprehensive fee.
Find out more about financial aid at Bard College Berlin here: Financial Aid.
For information about particular scholarships, which are offered on the basis of need and merit, in conjunction with other criteria, click here: Scholarships.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, complete our financial statement form and upload it in your applicant portal or send it digitally to our financial aid office before the application deadline for your admissions cycle. This form also requires official documentation, such as tax returns.
We recommend that you complete this form and provide supporting documentation within one week of submitting your application for admissions. Without a completed financial statement, Bard College Berlin will be unable to award any aid.
For more information, including the financial aid forms, click here: Financial Aid.
Q: How do I send my FAFSA information to BCB?
Please select Bard College NY (school code 002671) as the recipient of your FAFSA information.
Q: When will I find out about my admission and financial aid decision?
A: The date of your admissions notification depends on the cycle in which you submitted your application. Click here for more information: Application Deadlines BA; Application Deadlines Transfer.
The sooner you submit your financial aid form, the sooner you will know about your financial aid offer. Financial aid notifications are sent out a few weeks after your admission decision.
Q: Do I need to have a German high school degree?
A: No. You only need a valid high school diploma to matriculate at Bard College Berlin. All students admitted to Bard College Berlin qualify for a BA degree (accredited in the United States).
Applicants with a German Abitur (or Abitur equivalency) can receive a German BA degree in addition to an American BA degree. There are no differences in requirements in the degree program itself, but rather in the high school course of study before entering college. The German BA degree offers visa benefits that may be of interest.
Though both German and American BA degrees are accepted in graduate school applications in Germany, those without EU citizenship and a German BA degree will receive an 18-month “job search” visa upon graduation. This allows the graduate to remain in Germany and search for employment post-graduation. You can learn more about Abitur equivalency here: Abitur Equivalency (see bottom of page).
Q: Do I need to speak German?
A: You do not need to speak German to be admitted to Bard College Berlin. We do require all students to achieve B1 German competence by the end of their second year. This can be accomplished through German language classes or a proficiency exam.
Q: Do I need to speak English?
A: Yes. The majority of courses at Bard College Berlin are conducted in English, and students must demonstrate C1 proficiency in order to enroll at Bard College Berlin. Students who do not speak English as a native language (or have not studied at an English-language international school) must submit documentation to confirm their level of English.
We require a minimum TOEFL score of 95 or an IELTS score of 7.0 for admission to Bard College Berlin. These scores must be supported by official documentation.
Q: What programs do you offer?
A: Bard College Berlin offers two four-year bachelor of arts programs.
The program in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought offers specializations in Economics and in Politics. The BA program in Humanities, Arts, and Social Thought includes specializations in Literature and Rhetoric, Art and Aesthetics, and Ethics and Politics. Find out more about our courses of study here: Degree Programs.
Bard College Berlin also offers two one-year programs: Academy Year, which is intended as an introduction to academic life at the university level, and Project Year, a year in which students conduct research with a faculty member to deepen their individual studies. Find out more about one-year programs here: One-Year Programs.
Q: How can I visit Bard College Berlin?
A: You can schedule a campus tour by completing the online form available at this link. If there is no appointment available, please contact the Admissions Office ([email protected]) in advance of your visit.
Bard College Berlin also hosts Open Weeks. Open Weeks are a fantastic opportunity to learn more about life at Bard College Berlin. You can attend a class, get to know faculty, meet other prospective students, and speak with Admissions Office representatives. Learn more about upcoming Open Weeks here: Connect with Us.
