- Founded
- 1948
- Students
- 34,400
- International
- 13%
- Programmes
- 256
- Taught in English
- 91
About Freie Universität Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is a major public research university founded in 1948 in the Dahlem district of southwestern Berlin. It was established with international support and embodies the values of truth, justice, and freedom (veritas, iustitia, libertas). As of winter semester 2024/2025, approximately 34,400 students are enrolled, supported by around 390 professors and 4,730 full-time employees.
The university is organised into 11 departments and 4 central institutes, and shares a joint medical school - Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin - with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. It offers 180 degree programmes (81 undergraduate, 99 consecutive master's) and 73 doctoral programmes spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and life sciences.
Freie Universität is one of Germany's Universities of Excellence, having won all three rounds of the Excellence Initiative (2007, 2012, 2019) and currently participates in the Berlin University Alliance under the Excellence Strategy. It maintains partnerships with several hundred universities worldwide, including 400+ Erasmus+ partnerships, and operates international liaison offices in New Delhi, Cairo, Tbilisi, and São Paulo.
Founded in 1948 with international support; embodies values of truth, justice, and freedom
University of Excellence - won all three rounds of Germany's Excellence Initiative (2007, 2012, 2019)
34,400 enrolled students as of WS 2024/2025, with 180 degree programmes across 11 departments
No tuition fees for any nationality; Berlin does not charge non-EU student fees
International liaison offices in New Delhi, Cairo, Tbilisi, and São Paulo
Shares Charité - one of Europe's largest university hospitals - with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Part of the Berlin University Alliance alongside HU Berlin, TU Berlin, and Charité
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1948
- Students
- 34,400
- International
- 13% of bachelor's students; 33% of master's students; 42% of doctoral researchers are international
- Faculties
- 11
- Programmes
- 256
Study programmes
256 accredited degrees at Freie Universität Berlin, 91 of them taught in English.
Showing 25–48 of 256 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
Freie Universität Berlin is a public university in the state of Berlin. There are no tuition fees for bachelor's and consecutive master's programmes for any nationality (Berlin does not charge non-EU tuition fees, unlike Baden-Württemberg or Bavaria). Students pay a mandatory semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag) each semester; the exact current amount was not stated in plain text on the official pages reviewed and is published on the university's enrollment pages. The semester contribution typically covers the student union (AStA), student services organisation (Studierendenwerk), and - in Berlin - an optional or included public transport (BVG) semester ticket.
Admission requirements
International applicants with non-German educational qualifications apply via uni-assist and must submit a VPD (Vorprüfungsdokumentation - preliminary review documentation); processing takes several weeks so early submission is advised. The same application deadlines apply to international and domestic applicants. For bachelor's and state examination programmes, the language of instruction is normally German, requiring a recognised German proficiency certificate (TestDaF TDN 4, DSH 2, or equivalent). For master's programmes, a recognised bachelor's degree in a relevant subject is required; consecutive master's programmes in English also require English language proof. Applicants from India, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), and Vietnam must obtain an APS certificate (issued by the German Embassy's Academic Evaluation Centre) before applying for a student visa - this is a consular requirement independent of FU Berlin's own admission process.
Application deadlines
Winter semester (starting October): bachelor's/state examination programmes with restricted admission (NC) 1 June - 15 July; without restriction 1 June - 1 September. Master's programmes with restricted admission 20 April - 31 May; without restriction 20 April - 15 August. Summer semester deadlines are published each March on the university website. International applicants using uni-assist should allow several additional weeks for VPD processing before the stated portal deadlines.
How international applicants apply
VPD model: applicants with a foreign university entrance qualification must first obtain a VPD (Vorpruefungsdokumentation) from uni-assist - apply online year-round, processing up to 8 weeks, valid for one year - and then apply through the FU Berlin application portal within the deadlines; FU only accepts applications containing a valid VPD issued for FU Berlin. Exemptions are listed in the FU FAQ.
Languages of instruction
The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. A growing number of consecutive master's programmes are offered entirely in English, particularly in STEM and social science fields. German-language proficiency is required for German-taught programmes (typically TestDaF TDN 4 or DSH 2); English-taught programmes require evidence of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL). The university also offers German language courses for international students through its programme portfolio.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Freie Universität Berlin
5 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
DAAD STIBET I Scholarships for International Students (2024 cohort)
Earlier cohort of DAAD STIBET I scholarships: 6 students awarded EUR 250/month for 10 months (March - December 2024). Same eligibi...
Amount: EUR 250/month
Deadline: 11 February 2024 (past - reference for annual cycle)
Bachelor, Master, State Examination
DAAD STIBET I Scholarships for International Students (2025 cohort)
Previous year's cohort of DAAD STIBET I scholarships for expanding access: 12 students awarded EUR 250/month for 10 months (March...
Amount: EUR 250/month
Deadline: 27 January 2025 (past - reference for annual cycle)
Bachelor, Master, State Examination
DAAD STIBET I Scholarships for International Students (Expanding Access)
Scholarships for expanding access for international students currently enrolled at FU Berlin. Funded by DAAD STIBET I (Federal For...
Amount: EUR 250/month
Deadline: 11 January 2026
Bachelor, Master, State Examination
Deutschlandstipendium at Freie Universitaet Berlin
The Deutschlandstipendium supports talented FU students of all nations and backgrounds with EUR 300 per month so they can concentr...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: 16 July - 13 August 2026 (FY 2026/27)
Bachelor, Master
PROMOS Scholarships (Stays Abroad)
PROMOS scholarships for FU Berlin students for study stays, internships, and research stays abroad (outside Erasmus countries). In...
Amount: DAAD country-specific rates
Deadline: varies (check International Office)
Bachelor, Master, PhD
Student accommodation
What Freie Universität Berlin publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studierendenwerk Berlin
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
From the university
The Studierendenwerk Berlin provides student housing across the city; students apply independently for dormitory places.
Campuses & locations
Main campus located in the Dahlem district of southwestern Berlin (14195 Berlin). Houses the majority of faculties, the university library, and central administration.
Living in Berlin
Berlin is Germany's capital and largest city, with approximately 3.7 million inhabitants. It is a major European hub for research, technology, culture, and start-ups, and hosts one of the world's largest student populations with over 170,000 students across its universities. The city is known for its diverse international community, relatively affordable cost of living compared to other Western European capitals, vibrant arts scene, and excellent public transport network. Freie Universität's main campus is located in the leafy Dahlem district in southwestern Berlin.
Student life & support
Freie Universität operates an international liaison network with offices in New Delhi, Cairo, Tbilisi, and São Paulo to support prospective and enrolled international students. The Student Mobility Unit (Iltisstr. 4, 14195 Berlin) handles incoming and outgoing student exchange. Short-term and non-degree options are available through FUBiS (International Summer and Winter University) and FU-BEST (European Studies programme, running since 2005), both of which include German language instruction. The Studierendenwerk Berlin provides student housing across the city; students apply independently for dormitory places. The university's Info-Service ([email protected]) is the central point of contact for study-related queries.
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