Admitted Students

Before Your Arrival

Q: Do I need an entry visa to Germany?
A: Citizens of the European Union and EEA countries do not need an entry visa.

Students from non-European countries must check with their German embassies to see if they have to apply for an entry visa. You will have to make an appointment with the German embassy in your home country to apply for an entry visa. We strongly recommend you make an appointment with the German embassy.

Please apply for a student visa (also called national/long-term visa, or “Nationales Visum”). If you come to Germany with a visitor’s visa or any other type of visa, German law requires you return home in order to apply for a valid student visa.

If you do not receive your visa in time, you will have to defer your entry to Bard College Berlin to the next academic year. First-year students are not permitted to enter in the spring semester, as it is mandatory that they attend the summer Language and Thinking Program before beginning their studies.

Q: Where do students live?
A: Students in their first two years live in on-campus housing. On-campus housing is located in former GDR embassies and historic Altbau buildings, with lots of light and shared outdoor areas. All campus buildings are within walking distance of all classroom spaces, supermarkets, a bank, a gym, and restaurants. Berlin’s city center is a tram ride away.

Third- and fourth-year students interested in living on campus may submit an application to do so, though spots are limited. Students in their third and fourth years typically find housing in Berlin by living in a Wohngemeinschaft, or WG, which is a shared living space.

Q: What is on-campus housing like?
Most rooms are doubles, meaning they are shared by two people. Dormitories include several doubles per floor, as well as shared bathrooms, showers, and kitchen spaces. On-campus apartments consist of two or three large doubles and a kitchen.

Each room includes a bed, a desk, a bookshelf, a wardrobe, and a chair per person.  

Campus housing is outfitted with laundry facilities. Shared showers and bathrooms are professionally cleaned on a regular basis.

Take an online tour of campus housing here.

Q: Can I live off campus?
A: Students in their first two years of study must live on campus. Exceptions are made only in very special cases (for students who are married, over age 25, or with children). Students who wish to apply to live off campus must fill out the Off-Campus Housing Request form before the due date listed on the form.

All students who intend to live off campus are responsible for finding their own accommodations, and should keep in mind that it is very difficult to find housing in Berlin without having lived in Berlin before.

Q: Can I live in a single room?
Student Life does its best to ensure that students are matched with compatible roommates. Students who would like to live in a single room must submit medical documentation to do so. There are a limited number of single rooms, thus not all requests can be granted.

Q: What should I bring to campus?
A: Campus housing provides for bedsheets and basic kitchen supplies. You only need to bring your clothes, toiletries, and a towel. Many students also bring a laptop, but that is not a requirement.

Q: When do I move in?
A: Every first-year student should arrive on campus before the beginning of the mandatory Language and Thinking Program. Check the academic calendar for more detailed information. The official date of first-year student arrival will be also be communicated via email to committed students.

Paperwork and Logistics

Q: What is city registration/“Anmeldung”?
A: Every person moving or changing their address in Germany must register their new address with the local city authorities (Bürgeramt) within two weeks after relocation. This process is called “Anmeldung.”

Without the official registration document (“Anmeldebescheinigung”), further services such as a bank account, social security number, tax number, or student residence permit are impossible. Bard College Berlin will assist on-campus students with the registration process and forms during orientation. Students must provide their passports to Admissions staff in order to complete this process.

Q: How do I get a residence permit?
A: Citizens of the European Union and EEA countries do not need a student residence permit.

Students from non-EU countries must apply for a student residence permit in Berlin to the Berlin immigration authorities (Ausländerbehörde). Bard College Berlin will assist students with the application process and required documents during orientations.

Please note: if you use the services of Bard College Berlin to apply for a student residence permit, your passport needs to be handed in to the Immigration Authorities (Ausländerbehörde) and it can take up to eight weeks to process your residence permit. This means that you will not be able to leave Germany during this time.

Q: Do I need health insurance?
A: Yes. Students must have insurance coverage to enroll at Bard College Berlin.

Students from European countries may already have health insurance that is valid in Germany. These simply need to provide their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to confirm coverage. Students from non-EU countries with international coverage must also provide proof of coverage in order to enroll, though we recommend students from non-EU countries sign up for German health insurance.

Students who need healthcare coverage can obtain it through the Techniker Krankenkasse, one of the best state health insurance providers. The monthly cost for TK coverage during the 2016–17 academic year was €88. A TK representative will visit Bard College Berlin during orientation and provide the necessary forms and the information you need for this mandatory process.

As of 2018, students who are interested in pursuing employment in Germany must sign up with a German health insurance provider in order to be employed, regardless of EU citizenship or international coverage.

Q: How do I get a German bank account?
A: You need official proof of registration (“Anmeldebescheinigung”) and a valid passport to open a German bank account. Processing the bank account can take time, so students should expect to wait at least one month before receiving their card and PIN number.

Please note that the availability of the required documents (registration, passport) may be delayed, depending on the status of the residence permit application. We suggest all students plan accordingly.

Q: How should I get a SIM card / cell phone?
A: Most students get prepaid or “pay-as-you-go” SIM cards from a variety of sources in Berlin. These end up costing between €10 and €25 per month. These typically include a variety of calling, texting, and data. Students need to have their passport to register their SIM before they are activated. Most local SIMs work throughout the EU.

Some students prefer to get a binding multiyear contract with cell providers. There are a variety of these companies as well. With some simple internet searching, students can find out much more information about SIMs.

It is important to note that students coming from the United States may find that their carrier (Sprint/AT&T/Verizon) has “locked” their phones. Students must contact their carrier to unlock the phone before a local SIM will work. Additionally, some American students choose to use SIMs from the United States.

Arrival and L&T

Q: What happens on move-in day?
A: Upon arrival, a member of our Student Life team will check you in, give you your key, and show you your room. Your precise date of arrival will be communicated to you via email, so it is imperative you check your email and get in touch with Student Life and Admissions offices.

Q: What if I want to ship something to myself?
A: If you want to ship boxes to yourself from home, we recommend you use the address of the Administration Building:
[Your Name bei Bard College Berlin
Platanenstr. 24
13156 Berlin
Germany]

If you use your own address, you will have to be present to receive the package.

Q: Who will my roommate be?
A: At the beginning of the summer, we ask all on-campus students to fill out our online housing questionnaire. This information helps the Residential Life Office partner you with an appropriate roommate. You will find out who your roommate is upon your arrival on campus.

Q: What are the rules and regulations of living in the dormitories?
A: Bard College Berlin is an intellectual community, and students are expected to take responsibility for the welfare of that community. You can find out specific regulations in our Student Handbook.

Q: Do I need to have my own computer and printer?
A: We strongly recommend that students bring a laptop or personal computer with them to Bard College Berlin.

However, we do not recommend students bring their own printer. Students have access to 24/7 on-campus printing facilities, and many assignments are submitted digitally.

Q: What is the Language and Thinking Program (“L&T”)? Is it mandatory?
A: Established at Bard College in 1981, Language and Thinking prepares students for writing and studying at the university level. This three-week, mandatory presemester intensive helps students develop creativity, a collaborative spirit, the capacity for careful observation, and approaches to critiquing writing.

Successful completion of L&T is required for matriculation into BA or AY programs at Bard College Berlin, and students who fail to successfully complete L&T cannot enroll in the regular semester.

Q: What is Language and Thinking (“L&T”) like?
A:  Language and Thinking is an introduction not only to the intellectual life at the college but also to your new colleagues and the city of Berlin. Students discuss a variety of texts and share their own writing with the class.

In addition to seminar meetings, Language and Thinking includes talks, movie screenings, museum visits, and walking tours. Students are required to actively participate in class, complete course readings, and submit their first essay at the end of the program. Students should expect very full days during L&T: between coursework, seminars, and activities, students can be occupied from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (with breaks of course).

Watch a video about the L&T experience here.

Your Studies

Q: How do I find out more about the program I chose?
A: You can find an overview for the BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought here. An overview for the BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought is available here.

Browsing past course descriptions and syllabi can also be helpful. You can find this information here.

It is also possible to begin at Bard College Berlin with an undeclared major and/or specialization. Students do not officially declare their specializations until the end of their second year, or Moderation.

Q: How much time will I spend in class and studying?
A: Students are required to take a minimum of 30 ECTS credits per semester, amounting to four courses. Seminars usually meet twice a week for 90 minutes per session. German language classes meet three times per week for 90 minutes per session.

Every hour spent in class requires at least two hours of preparation. Students should expect to spend approximately 12–14 hours in class every week, and 24–36 hours studying for class. Workload differs from week to week, depending on the week’s assigned texts and other assignments.

Q: How do I register for classes?
A: Every semester, our registrar sends out an email with detailed information on how to register for courses. You can submit your registration form online.

The first two weeks of the semester is the add/drop period, which means that you can make small changes to your course selection by adding or dropping classes. Please note that only certain course combinations are possible, and some classes may be at full capacity already.

German language and practicing arts courses can only be added or dropped in the first week of classes. Changing courses during the add/drop period also requires an instructor’s written approval.

Q: Do I need to purchase textbooks?
A: Students should plan on purchasing all books required for their core, elective, and German language courses.

If the college does own the required textbooks, these will be lent to students first on the basis of financial need, and then on a first-come, first-served basis. The library also has a limited amount of texts on reserve for each course.

Q: Where can I get help with my academics?
A: Professors at Bard College Berlin host weekly office hours. These are open hours in which you can ask for academic support and guidance related to your coursework or academic interests.

If you have concerns about your studies, or questions about course selection, you can meet with your assigned academic adviser. Your academic adviser is a member of the faculty and supports your academic advancement.

You can also schedule a meeting with one of our writing tutors if you need help with an essay or project. Bard College Berlin’s Learning Commons provides peer tutoring services for a variety of subjects, including writing, mathematics, and German.

Q: How big are the classes?
A: The majority of classes at Bard College Berlin are taught in seminars of 10–14 students. This small size makes thorough preparation essential and class discussions more fruitful.

In addition, we take special care that the German language classes stay as small as possible, so our students can proceed with German language study effectively.

Q: Do I have to take German classes?
A: We require all students to achieve B1-level German before Moderation, or by the end of their second year. Students interested in taking more advanced German classes, or those who would like to test out of German courses, may take a placement exam at the beginning of the semester.

If you are interested in more advanced German study, Bard College Berlin consistently offers German language classes up to C1 level, as well as more advanced humanities courses taught in German.

Q: What will my class schedule look like in the first year?
A: Your schedule might look like the following:

• A core class (Greek Civilization the first semester, Medieval History the second)
• A foundational course fulfilling one of the module requirements for your chosen area of study. You can find out more about module requirements and degree structure here for the BA in Humanities, the Arts, and Social Thought and here for the BA in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought.
• An elective or a German language course (if you have not yet tested out of B1 level)
• An elective class

If you would like to take more than four courses, you need special permission from your academic adviser in order to do so. This is not recommended for your first semester.

Q: What is Moderation?
A: Moderation is the process through which a student selects their specialization in their BA degree. This involves a series of conversations with a student’s academic adviser and a panel of faculty. After Moderation, students plan their next academic steps, including coursework, study abroad options, and thesis research. Moderation typically occurs at the end of a student’s second year of study.

Campus Life

Q: Are there any clubs or student organizations on campus?
A: Yes! Extracurricular clubs and organizations are an integral part of campus life at Bard College Berlin, and students are strongly encouraged to start the clubs they’d like to join, in addition to joining existing clubs. Student clubs vary by semester, but past clubs have included debate, drawing club, slam poetry club, and more.

In addition, Bard College Berlin has a vibrant Civic Engagement program, which supports student involvement outside the classroom and in the community. Student-led projects and volunteer work allow Bard College Berlin students to make a difference in the civic life of local communities and Berlin. Find out more here: Civic Engagement.

Q: Can I play sports at Bard College Berlin?
A: Since our student body is very small, there are no organized sport clubs, but students frequently gather to play sports on sunny days, and students are welcome to start their own informal sports clubs.

For regular exercise, every student has free access to the local gym (SPOK), only a few blocks away from the dorms. SPOK offers aerobics classes, sports rooms, and cardio and weightlifting equipment.

Q: Are student jobs available on campus?
A: Bard College Berlin offers a limited number of student employment opportunities in the library, cafeteria, and other administrative departments. The college allows students to work a maximum of 10 hours per week when classes are in session. During breaks, students may work more. All students must have a valid student residence permit allowing them to work.

Bard College Berlin cannot guarantee the availability of student employment based on financial need. Also, as of 2018, all students employed at Bard College Berlin must be insured by a German health insurance provider.

Q: What is food on campus like?
A: On-campus food is freshly made in our cafeteria and caters to all tastes and needs. Kitchen staff provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner Mondays through Fridays, and brunch and dinner on Saturdays and Sundays for on-campus students; off-campus students get lunch on Mondays through Fridays. See a sample daily menu here: Dining Services.  

On-campus meals are an important aspect of Bard College Berlin’s intellectual community and social life. Everyone on campus (students, faculty, and staff) gathers for lunch in the cafeteria, providing an opportunity to extend in-class discussions into the everyday.

Q: Is there an option for vegetarians? What if I have a food allergy?
A: There are vegan and vegetarian options at every meal. If you have a food allergy, we suggest you complete the food allergy form emailed to you in advance of your arrival. You can also speak with the kitchen staff.