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 applications deadline in the
How to Apply section.
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 2018, 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 can cover between 20 and 90 percent of tuition, but do not cover the cost of living (with the exception of those granted the PIESC scholarship for students from crisis regions).
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 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 send it to our financial aid office before the application deadline for your admissions cycle. This form also requires official documentation, such as tax returns.
It is important that you complete this form and provide supporting documentation promptly. 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: When do I find out about my admission / financial aid?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 your 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 admissions 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).
Those 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
BA program in Humanities, Arts, and Social Thought includes
specializations in Literature and Rhetoric, Art and Aesthetics, and Ethics and Politics. The
program in Economics, Politics, and Social Thought offers
specializations in Economics and in 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 [link when live]. If no appointment is available, please contact the Admissions Office (
admissions@berlin.bard.edu) in advance of your visit.
Bard College Berlin also hosts Open Days three times a year. Open Days 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 Days here:
Visit Us.