17 Universities in Germany Without IELTS (2027 Intake)

Source: uni-potsdam.de official page

11. HWR Berlin (Berlin School of Economics and Law)

City: Berlin | Level: Business and Economics department master’s programs

IELTS alternative: a minimum of two semesters of higher education studied entirely in English, accepted as equivalent to a test certificate; also accepts GMAT/GMAT Focus in some programs.

This is not university-wide — the “International Finance” program explicitly rejects this route and requires TOEFL, IELTS, or GMAT regardless, so verify per program before assuming it applies to your chosen course. HWR Berlin is a Fachhochschule (university of applied sciences) with a strong business and law focus, which suits applicants who want a more practice-oriented master’s rather than a purely research-focused one. Being based in Berlin also gives you access to Germany’s largest startup and consulting job market for internships and thesis placements alongside your studies, which is part of why HWR’s business programs are popular with international applicants. Berlin also has one of Germany’s more affordable big-city rental markets compared with Munich or Frankfurt, though competition for student housing near campus can still be intense at the start of each semester, so start your housing search the moment you receive your admission letter rather than waiting until your visa is approved. This applies to almost every city on this list — German student housing fills up fast in the weeks before each semester starts, regardless of which university you choose, so treat housing as a parallel task to your visa application, not something to start after you land.