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CIEE Berlin Open Campus

Two students are posed in front of a section of the Berlin wall. They are surround by graffiti and smiling at the camera.
Iconic archway in the center of Berlin is surrounded by people. It is nighttime.

Germany, Berlin

Offered through CIEE, the CIEE Berlin Open Campus program is an approved UW affiliate program. Do Berlin on your own terms by customizing your experience through the Open Campus program. Take two or three six-week blocks, select your academic track from multiple options, then choose your courses from a wide range of subject areas. No matter how you build your program, you’ll surround yourself with the language, culture, and people of the vibrant, international Kreuzberg district – a hub for the arts, music, and digital technology.

You will be working closely with both IAP and CIEE on this program. You can access the program's main information page through CIEE's Berlin Open Campus page to learn more about the academics, housing, excursions and activities, and location.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • At the time of application, students must have completed one semester at a US college or university.
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

humanities, social science, journalism

Classroom Language

German, English

Housing

Apartments, Local Hosts, Residence Hall

Program Duration

Academic Year: Mid-August - Mid-May (6 Blocks)

Fall: Mid-August - Early November (Blocks I, II)

Fall: Eary November - Mid-December (Blocks II,III)

Fall: Mid-August - Mid-December (Blocks I, II, III)

Spring: Early January - Late March (Blocks I, II)

Spring: Late March - Mid-May (Blocks II, III)

Spring: Early January - Mid-May (Blocks I, II, III)

Application Deadline(s)

Fall 2026-27 - [Blocks I & II] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [Blocks II & III] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [Blocks I, II & III] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [Blocks I, II, & III] 10/2/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [Blocks I & II] 10/2/2026 Cost Details
Spring 2026-27 - [Blocks II & III] 10/2/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

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Students can choose from a variety of disciplines within seven different tracks: Art and Architecture; Business; Communications, Journalism, and New Media; Global and Community Health; International Relations and Political Science; Language, Literature, and Culture; or STEM and Society. Courses can be mixed and matched across tracks.

This program is organized in blocks.  Blocks are six weeks long and you will enroll in two courses per block.  Each course is worth 3 credits. You have the option to enroll in two blocks (12 UW credits total) OR three blocks (15-18 UW credits total). Students are required to enroll in two courses each block. Students attending the program for all three blocks in a semester may select one block in which to enroll in only one course. 

For specific details on the courses and academic structure of the program, visit the CIEE website for the Berlin semester program.

Some courses as part of this program meet the field experience requirement for the Certificate in Global Health.  These courses are noted on the course equivalents sheet linked below.

There is the option of doing an internship for credit on this program.

UW-Madison students participating on approved CIEE Open Campus programs must complete either two or three blocks in a single location. CIEE's multi-location Global Scholars program is not available to UW-Madison students.

Most courses are taught in English by CIEE faculty; German language classes are available at six different levels; advanced speakers (at least four semesters of college-level German or the equivalent) might have the option of enrolling in CIEE content courses taught in German, depending on availability.

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents