Hi guys. I studied for a year in Berlin during undergrad and have been wanting to return for a masters program. In the meantime I'm trying to brush up my German skills (ik ik this is still critical esp for lots of programs), but still would like an English speaking program. I've seen a bunch. Besides FU, TU, Humboldt, and HWR - what other universities are reputable and legit? (most likely public and not private, ik private is not a great way to go). My BA is in the social sciences. Also please just am looking for recommendations not critique :') I miss Berlin and would love to study here again. For me, yes the universities reputation matters, esp if I'm moving myself back to Berlin (I know some ppls opinion is that Germany doesn't care about this, but I'd rather not pay private uni fees lol) Thank you!!

For social sciences with an English focus, you should also look at the Hertie School. It's private but don't write it off immediately. They have generous scholarships and their Master of Public Policy or International Affairs programs are very well connected in Berlin's policy bubble. Potsdam is also a solid suggestion from the other reply. Their MA in Democratic Governance and the Rule of Law is a hidden gem that runs fully in English. If you want to stay strictly public, the Berlin Institute for Integration and Migration Research at Humboldt runs a good "Social Sciences" Master's with a migration focus. It's research heavy but the faculty publishes consistently. Just know that securing housing near these places varies wildly. Friedrichshain is easier for HWR, while Dahlem for FU is quiet but can feel isolated.

You might want to look into the Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences at HU. It's a structured PhD track but they also run a research-oriented MA in Social Sciences that's fully in English and very well connected. It's not as well known as the standard HU programs but the faculty is strong and you get direct access to the Berlin social science research network. Another public option is the MA in Global Studies at the University of Leipzig. It's about 75 minutes by ICE from Berlin Hauptbahnhof and the program is interdisciplinary with a strong focus on area studies. Leipzig is cheaper than Berlin and the uni itself is one of the oldest in Germany, so the degree carries weight.

humboldt, fu, and tu are the heavy hitters for a reason but for social sciences specifically don't sleep on the berlin school of mind and brain at humboldt if that's ur vibe. potsdam is a good shout too, the train from friedrichstraße is like 25 minutes and the campus is right by the station so it doesn't feel far. also check out the ma in global studies at the humboldt-universitat zu berlin and universitat potsdam joint program, it's in english and covers a lot of social science ground. fh potsdam has some cool media and design stuff but might not be what ur after

honestly for social sciences you're sleeping on the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR's sibling basically) and the Berlin University of the Arts if your BA has any overlap with cultural stuff. both are public and have solid english programs the big four you listed are the obvious ones but also check out Charité if you're into public health or medical sociology, they have english masters that fly under the radar. it's technically part of HU but runs its own programs for a less competitive option that's still legit, try the Potsdam university system - it's like 25 mins by RE1 from Berlin Hbf and they have a good social science english program that nobody mentions. way easier to get into than FU or HU

i'd look into the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt an der Oder. it's public, about an hour from berlin by regional train, and they have some english-taught social science masters like governance & human rights. the campus is tiny and super international, plus living costs there are way lower than berlin if that matters another one is the Hertie School in berlin - it's private but not a diploma mill like some others, very legit for public policy and social sciences, though yeah it costs tuition. if you can get a scholarship or have savings it's worth considering for the network alone for a purely public option, check out the MA in sociology at the University of Potsdam. they have a strong focus on quantitative methods and the application process is less competitive than the big berlin unis while still being a proper public uni