- Founded
- 1765
- Students
- 4,389
- International
- 52%
- Programmes
- 16
- Taught in English
- 16
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.
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
Key facts
- Type
- Universitäten
- Founded
- 1765
- Students
- 4,389
- International
- approx. 52% (as at 1 May 2025)
- Faculties
- 6
- Programmes
- 16
Study programmes
16 accredited degrees at Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, 16 of them taught in English.
Showing 1–16 of 16 programmes
Admissions & fees
What it costs
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.
How international applicants apply
uni-assist REQUIRED for Bachelor's and Diplom applicants from abroad: international applicants apply via uni-assist (EUR 75.00 for the first desired programme, EUR 30.00 per additional one); uni-assist checks certificates and TUBAF-specific criteria and forwards the application. Exception - apply directly and free of charge via the TUBAF university portal (campus.tu-freiberg.de, HISinOne): only applicants already enrolled at a German university. All Bachelor/Diplom programmes are German-taught: DSH-2 required for admission, German B1 already required AT application time; intensive B2/C1 German courses with on-site DSH are offered at the International University Centre (IUZ). Applicants from India (since 1 Nov 2022), China and Vietnam must obtain the APS certificate (Akademische Pruefstelle New Delhi/Beijing/Hanoi) before the process can proceed. Separate application tracks exist for master's, PhD (Graduate and Research Academy GraFa), Erasmus+, KOSPIE and worldwide exchange students. Contact: IUZ International Office, [email protected], Akademiestrasse 6, 09599 Freiberg.
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.
Entry requirements, intake dates and language levels differ for every degree.
Scholarships at Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg
10 schemes run or administered by the university. Always confirm current amounts and deadlines on the official page.
Chile-Stipendium (Empowering Chilean Hydrogen Students)
Scholarship for outstanding Chilean students for hydrogen-related studies at TUBAF (up to 2 years). Application via Friends of TUB...
Amount: not specified
master, doctorate
Deutschlandstipendium
TU Bergakademie Freiberg has participated in the Deutschlandstipendium since 2011 (among the first universities); gifted first-yea...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: WS 2026/27: 1 July - 9 August 2026 (annual call, twice per year)
bachelor, master, diplom
Georgius-Agricola-Grundstipendium (Basic Scholarship)
Full-degree scholarship for international first-year students from DAC-list countries starting a Bachelor/Diploma programme in MIN...
Amount: approx. EUR 992/month
Deadline: 1 September 2026
bachelor, diplom
Georgius-Agricola-Leistungsstipendium (Merit Scholarship)
Merit scholarship for international students in MINT subjects (Mathematics, Informatics, Natural Sciences, Technology). For Bachel...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: 31 March 2026
bachelor, master, diplom
KOSPIE Scholarship
DAAD scholarship for students from Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina for study/internship stays in Germany, especially in engineerin...
Amount: DAAD rates
bachelor, master
Promotionsabschluss-Stipendium (Completion Scholarship for Doctoral Candidates)
Priority for women and fathers whose PhD progress was delayed by family duties. Max 6 months funding. Application deadlines 28 Feb...
Amount: not specified
Deadline: 28 February / 31 August annually
doctorate
Sächsische Landesstipendien (Saxon State Scholarships for Doctoral Candidates)
State-funded doctoral scholarships for graduates with above-average degrees. Dissertation must contribute significantly to science...
Amount: based on state rates
Deadline: Typically Q1 annually
doctorate
Saxon Student Mobility Program (Incoming)
Scholarships for students from accredited universities in Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Chile, India, Taiwan, and Vietnam for study stays...
Amount: not specified
bachelor, master, diplom, doctorate
STIBET I - Chancengerechtigkeit (Equal Opportunities Scholarship)
Scholarship for international students facing special challenges (disabilities, chronic illness, care responsibilities, unforeseen...
Amount: EUR 300/month
Deadline: See IUZ page for current call
bachelor, master, diplom, doctorate
STIBET I - Studienabschlussbeihilfe (Study Completion Grant)
Grant for international students in their final semester to complete their studies. Requires good academic performance, graduation...
Amount: varies (DAAD STIBET rates)
Deadline: See IUZ page for current call
bachelor, master, diplom, doctorate
Student accommodation
What Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg publishes about housing. German universities do not allocate rooms themselves, so the links below are where applications actually go.
Rooms are allocated by
Studentenwerk Freiberg
Not by the university. Apply to them directly, and expect a waiting list.
The university's housing page
Deadlines and application forms are published here, and they change every intake.
Open housing pageRoom types mentioned
What that page describes. Availability varies by intake.
From the university
The Studentenwerk Freiberg operates affordable on-campus dormitories and runs the main Mensa and two campus cafés.
Campuses & locations
Single compact campus in central Freiberg, Saxony; main address Akademiestraße 6, 09599 Freiberg
Living in Freiberg
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.
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