About Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF), founded in 1765, is the world's oldest university of mining and metallurgy and Germany's specialist resource university. With six faculties, 42 institutes, and 68 degree programmes, it covers the full value chain of raw materials, energy, and materials — from geological exploration through processing, engineering, and circular economy applications.
As of May 2025, TUBAF enrols approximately 4,389 students, of whom around 52% are international students — one of the highest international shares at any German public university. The university generates €63.9 million in third-party research funding annually and maintains 184 active international partnerships across 50 countries. It consistently ranks among the top five German universities for third-party funding per professor.
TUBAF operates a single, compact campus in the historic silver-mining city of Freiberg, Saxony. Its focus disciplines include geosciences, mining engineering, metallurgy, materials science, mechanical and process engineering, mathematics, and business administration. The university runs its own Studienkolleg (T-Kurs) for international applicants who need a German university preparatory year.
Key facts
- Founded
- 1765
- Students
- 4,389
- International
- approx. 52% (as at 1 May 2025)
- Faculties
- 6
World's oldest mining and metallurgy university, founded 1765
~52% international student share — exceptionally high for a German public university
Top 5 German universities for third-party research funding per professor
Own T-Kurs Studienkolleg on campus for international foundation-year students
No tuition fees for all regular degree programmes including non-EU students
Single compact campus with very low cost of living compared to major German cities
Admissions & costs
Tuition & fees
No tuition fees for bachelor's, Diplom, and consecutive master's programmes at this public Saxony university — this applies to all students including non-EU nationals. The semester contribution is €107 per semester (€97 student union + €10 student body; 2024/25 rate). Some postgraduate/continuing-education programmes carry fees: second-degree programmes €300/semester, postgraduate Environmental Process Engineering €350/semester, postgraduate Business Administration €250/semester.
Admission requirements
International applicants apply via uni-assist. For bachelor's/Diplom entry, German B1 is the minimum at application stage; DSH-2 or equivalent (TestDaF TDN 4, Goethe C1, telc C1 Hochschule) is required before enrolment in German-taught programmes. English-taught master's programmes require proof of English proficiency (specific band scores must be confirmed per programme). APS certificate is mandatory for applicants whose prior qualification is from India (since 1 November 2022), China (Beijing Academic Evaluation Centre), or Vietnam (Hanoi Academic Evaluation Centre) — required for the student visa application; doctoral students and scholarship holders may be exempt in specific cases. Applicants who cannot directly qualify for a degree programme may enrol in the university's own T-Kurs Studienkolleg, which requires German B1 and conditional admission via uni-assist; the programme ends with the Feststellungsprüfung.
Application deadlines
Bachelor's / Diplom (domestic and international without Studienkolleg): winter semester 1 Apr – 30 Sep; summer semester 1 Oct – 31 Mar. International bachelor's via uni-assist with Studienkolleg: winter semester deadline 15 Jun; summer semester deadline 15 Dec. Master's (German-taught): winter semester 1 Jan – 15 Sep; summer semester 1 Jul – 15 Mar. Master's (English-taught): winter semester 1 Jan – 15 Apr; summer semester 1 Jul – 15 Oct. Exchange/Erasmus incoming students: winter semester deadline 31 May; summer semester deadline 30 Nov.
Languages of instruction
German (primary language of instruction for most programmes); English-taught master's programmes available (e.g. in geosciences, resources engineering, business); bilingual options exist in select fields.
Campuses & locations
Single compact campus in central Freiberg, Saxony; main address Akademiestraße 6, 09599 Freiberg
Living in Sachsen
Freiberg is a historic town of approximately 40,000 residents situated in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) of Saxony, around 30 minutes by train from Dresden and Chemnitz. Its medieval silver-mining heritage — recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site as part of the Erzgebirge/Krušnohoří Mining Region — gives the compact old town a distinctive character. Rents and living costs are low by German standards; shared flats average around €260/month including utilities.
Student life & support
Campus life in Freiberg is close-knit given the university's size. The University Sports Centre (USZ) offers a broad range of activities. Cultural groups include the Big Band, the Voca Vox vocal ensemble, and the Collegium musicum. Annual events include the TUBAF-Festival, Student Days, Colorful Campus, and International Day. The Working Group Foreign Students (AKAS) provides community support for international students. The Studentenwerk Freiberg operates affordable on-campus dormitories and runs the main Mensa and two campus cafés. The Mittelsächsisches Theater in the city centre offers student-priced tickets.
16
Accredited Programmes
16
Master
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