Technical University of Berlin

• Exchange students can take coursework in many areas of study, particularly in science and engineering

Term dates

• UBC Term 1 (TU Berlin Winter semester): October 1 to March 31
  • Lecture period is from mid-October to mid-February
  • Exams occur from February to March
  • Pre-semester German language courses are run in the month preceeding the semester
• UBC Term 2 (TU Berlin Summer semester): April 1 to September 30
  • Lecture period is from mid-April to mid-July
  • Exams occur from July to September, may not be able to return to UBC for Term 1 (it may be possible to finish courses and exams in time to return, but students will need to coordinate with the relevant department(s)
  • Pre-semester German language courses are run in the month preceeding the semester
• TU Berlin Summer University: July to August, depending on courses

Areas of study available:

• Science

Course availability and restrictions

• A typical German semester runs 24 weeks — 16 weeks of classes, 4-6 weeks self-study preparation for exams, and 3-4 weeks exam period
• There is limited coursework available in humanities and social sciences, while some coursework is available in economics and management, and some courses in food technology and food chemistry may also be open to exchange students
• The majority of course offerings are in science and engineering
• No coursework is available in fine arts
• TU Berlin exchange students also have to the opportunity to attend courses at several other Berlin universites: the student would be required to register with the other Berlin university as a guest student after enrolment at TU Berlin, and would be limited to listing 3 courses from the other university on their TU Berlin transcript
• Some courses at TU Berlin are measured in SWS credits (the number of hours per week per semester): in these subject areas you will need to ask the professor to indicate the ECTS equivalent on the course certificate you get for successful participation
• Please note that students do NOT automatically get a transcript at the end of their of studies at TU Berlin: instead, they will receive a confirmation - a "Schein" - for each course successfully completed
• To receive a record of all courses and achieved grades listed on one single and official paper instead of taking home a pile of "Scheine", students will need to complete the TU Berlin Transcript Form and bring all of their "Scheine" to the International Office to get an official transcript signed and stamped

TU Berlin Course Information

Course equivalency Formula

• ECTS credits divided by 2 = UBC credits

Course load Information

• The regular course load for undergraduates and graduates is 30 ECTS/semester
• Exchange students (graduate & undergraduate) are required to take a minimum of 18 - 20 ECTS and a maximum of 30 ECTS per semester

Transfer credit

The transfer credit process takes approximately 16 weeks following each submission deadline. You should allow sufficient time to meet important deadlines that may affect you (e.g. application for graduation, registration in courses that require prerequisites that you took on exchange, entry to a major/honours program, etc.)

Search for previously approved courses

Additional note for language of instruction

• Most lectures are given in German, exchange students are therefore expected to have acheived at least a German B2 level or higher within the past three years in order to be able to study at TU Berlin (To determine your level, please self-assess with: European Language Portfolio Global Scale)
• Students also have the opportunity to attend the intensive pre-semester German courses offered at TU Berlin's Center for Modern Languages (ZEMS)
• There is a growing number of courses offered in English
• TU Berlin also offers a few Master programs that are entirely taught in English