Here is an example for your expenses in Berlin, before getting your first scholarship in the end of October. The rents are counted with Phase I budget (800€/month after you start getting your scholarship). You may want to spend more on housing if you are a new Phase II student.

It is quite common in Berlin to buy or share cheap or free second-hand products. 

If you come to Berlin on 1 September (note that BMS language courses are in the second half of September):

Overall estimated spending in Berlin between 1 September and 28 October*: 2450-2900€ 

+ furniture, clothing, bedding (if needed) + travelling to Berlin + visa (if needed)

If you come on 1 October:

Overall estimated spending in Berlin between 1 October and 28 October*: 1850-2200€ 

+ furniture, clothing, bedding (if needed) + travelling to Berlin + visa (if needed)

* In this example we assume that your first scholarship arrives on 28 October. It may be several days earlier or later. From November, BMS scholarships will usually arrive in the middle of the month. 

Detailed costs:

Rent and deposit

Two months of rent at a room in a WG or at House of Nations or equivalent: 600-700€

Deposit: 600-700€ (typically 2 months of rent, sometimes 1 or 1.5)

Communication

Television tax: 36€ (compulsory by law. 18€/month for a flat, you pay only once for one apartment)

Internet connection at home: 40€

Phone service: German SIM card+750 MB mobile internet  (SIM card can be bought in any supermarket) : 30€

Food, housing and freetime for the first 2 months

Food (cooking for yourself/university mensa, cafeteria, fast food): 400-420€

Leisure time activities (culture/going out during the Orientation Week, after BMS Fridays, buddy meeting - really restricted amount of money): 70-100€

Cleaning and hygienic products, basic medicines: 70-80€

Basic items for your kitchen: 60-120€

Enrolment to the university and public transport

Public transport in Berlin until you are enrolled OR simple second-hand bicycle: 70-80€

Semester ticket (including university fees and public transport from October until March): 300-310€**

Paper, pencil, notebooks etc.: 20-30€

**Usually if you have a German scholarship, you can have 50€ discount. However, this is not always applicable in the first semester (ask the BMS Office!). You pay your first semester ticket in September. Afterwards, you will have to pay the same (or a bit increased) amount every July and February. The corresponding semester tickets are valid from 1 October to 31 March respectively from 1 April to 30 September.

Health insurance (you need to pay from the first day you are here! May become more if you are older than 26 years old, or not an EU/EFTA citizen, see the BMS Guidebook!)

Health insurance for two months: 132€

Additional costs if your new apartment in Berlin is not furnished (not included in the amount above):

furniture, bedding, clothing - see e.g. http://www.ikea.com/de/de/catalog/categories/departments/bedroom/

and our Free and cheap stuff site.

Additional costs that need to be paid before you start out (not included in the amount above)

Travelling to Berlin

Visa (if it is necessary from your country)

If you want to take language courses or sports courses in the winter semester, these will also have to be paid in October.