Further education and training in Berlin
With four universities, seven institutions of higher education, four art colleges, 26 state-accredited private institutions of higher education, 70 non-university research institutes, 300 private education and training providers, twelve adult education centers, as well as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK, Industrie- und Handelskammer) and the Chamber of Skilled Crafts and Small Business (HWK, Handwerkskammer) – Berlin is Germany’s leading location for professional continuing training.
Every worker in Berlin (depending on their age) has a legal right to individual training courses, namely up to ten days in two years. This means that your employer must give you those days off with full pay. However, the training courses must be related to your current job and the training provider must be approved for the respective training courses. If you have chosen a provider, they must inform your employer at least ten weeks before the beginning of the session that you want to attend the training course.
OUR TIP
FOM University of Applied Sciences offers Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs for working adults, including in the fields of Business & Management, Economics & Psychology, Economics & Law, Healthcare & Social Work and IT Management.
Students beware! The Deutschlandstipendium promotes students and undergraduates whose career leads them to expect outstanding achievements in their studies and career. You receive 300 euros per month – half of the federal government and the other half of private donors. The concept of achievement on which the scholarship is based is deliberately broad: Good grades and academic achievements are just as important as the willingness to assume responsibility or successfully mastering obstacles in one's own life and education. The grant is income independent. Apply now! We keep our fingers crossed.
Community colleges
Berlin has twelve community colleges, one in each borough. Languages, healthcare, IT, arts and much more – the courses are organized by subjects. You can book according to your individual needs. The good thing about it is that the courses are often offered in the afternoons or evenings and can therefore be well arranged with your job.
Night schools
Whether it is psychology, languages, ergotherapy or computer skills – at Berlin's night schools, you can extend your know-how when the day is done. Alternatively, you can catch up on your Abitur degree. The courses run over a term of several months and take place once to three times a week.
Chamber of Industry and Commerce
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce Berlin (IHK) provides numerous training and continued training opportunities for everyone who is looking for a professional change or wants to climb the career ladder. In addition, the IHK advises all young professionals and employees on career and financing and gives decision aid.
Chamber of Crafts
Whether it is training aptitude, academy training, advanced technical training, advanced commercial training or preparatory courses for master craftsman examinations – the Chamber of Crafts Berlin (HWK) has a wide range of training and advanced training. The contents are adjusted to the market's needs. Furthermore, the HWK informs on promotion opportunities.
Technical colleges
Technical colleges implement the idea of lifelong learning in an efficient way since they build upon existing knowledge. The admission to a technical college is an initial professional training and a secondary school degree (Hauptschule) or an intermediate secondary school leaving certificate. Particular technical colleges insist on further degrees and requirements. Please check directly with the provider of your choice. The educational programs of technical colleges are offered in full-time or part-time. The classes are broken down in specialized and interdisciplinary teaching departments as well as in theory and practice. The degree is acquired by a final exam. Additionally, it is possible to acquire an intermediate secondary school leaving certificate, specialized or general university of applied sciences entrance qualification, the Abitur and certificates.
OUR TIP:
Do you want to strengthen your competence profile with additional knowledge and practical skills for the working world of today and tomorrow? FUB-ContinuEd, the international continuing education program of Freie Universität Berlin, offers English- and German-language online certificate courses for international professionals, graduates, postgraduates, and other lifelong learners who want to assert themselves in an increasingly globalized work environment. In addition to topics relevant to any professional context, such as diversity management and sustainability, methodological courses are also offered to strengthen your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. The next courses will start in September 2022. Register now!
