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Last updated on 14 Oct '26Freie Universität BerlinWhat's new?
- The applications for the Master's courses at the Free University of Berlin will open from Apr 15, 2027.
Why study at Free University of Berlin?
Indian students should choose to go for the Free University of Berlin admissions because it is a Public research university in Germany that offers a tuition-free education which means that Indian students do not have to pay any fee.
Why choose the Free University of Berlin -
- Semester Fee: They only need to pay a small semester fee of around EUR 376.80 (Around INR 40k) for Winter semester 2026/27
- Free University of Berlin Accreditation: Its main campus is in Berlin-Dahlem. It has also been conferred the title of 'University of Excellence'. Since 2019, Free University of Berlin has been funded as a part of the Berlin University Alliance. (Source: Free University of Berlin
- Acceptance Rate: The Free University of Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%, as per unofficial sources. This makes it a competitive university. Indian students need a B2 level of German language to study at the bachelor's level at FU Berlin. Although, most of the PG courses here are English-taught, including FUB courses like Computational Sciences, Global History, Data Science, Pharmaceutical Research and more.
- FU Berlin vs TU Berlin: The most popular courses at FU Berlin are in Humanities, Social Sciences and Life Sciences. TU Berlin is generally known for its focus on Engineering, Technology and Hard Sciences. Under the QS 2027 rankings, FU Berlin ranked at #98 and TU Berlin ranking is #158. Read the full comparison along with Shiksha's verdict by downloading the FREE PDF here: Free University of Berlin vs Technical University of Berlin. To know more about which university is better for studies Technical University of Berlin or Free University of Berlin, you can reach out to Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors.
Some of Free University of Berlin Reviews are given below:
As per Ankita Srivastava (MA in Global History - Batch of 2021), the faculty at Free Uni of Berlin was very knowledgeable, kind and approachable. The teachers are encouraging. They came from different countries and had expertise in different areas
Strong academics and a vibrant campus.
Indian students who want to take admission to Free University of Berlin, submission of APS Certificate is a mandatory requirement. New conditions have been introduced by APS India for the Master's applicants, as a few students have to appear for dMAT test.
Free University of Berlin Fact Sheet
Free University of Berlin is known for its research opportunities. This university is one of Europe's leading research universities. It ranks third after RWTH Aachen University and LMU Munich in the context of external endowments by DFG. There are 11 departments and 4 Central Institutes of this university. Courses at FU Berlin are offered in various disciplines like Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. To understand the university better, download the FREE PDF for the FU Berlin prospectus.
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
| Founded |
1948 |
|
Free University of Berlin acceptance rate |
Around 15% |
|
No. of courses |
150+ |
|
Affiliation |
EUA, DFG, German Excellence Universities, U15, UNICA, UNA Europa |
|
Total no. of students |
34,000+ |
|
No. of international students |
6,500+ |
|
Location |
Berlin, Germany |
|
Student diversity |
From 80+ countries |
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
Yes, the Free University of Berlin is actually free for all international students, including Indians. It is a public university in Germany, and it charges zero tuition.
However, it is not 100% free Indian students have to pay a mandatory semester fee which is around EUR 376.80 (around 40 K).
Also, the living expenses are not covered so the students have to pay. Alternative options can include applying for the FU Berlin scholarships like DAAD.
FU Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%, as per unofficial sources. This acceptance rate suggests that this university is very selective at the time of admission. Indian students who want to take admission to this university should have a good academic background. For admission to UG courses, students are required to have a high school certificate and for PG courses must have a Bachelor's degree.
There are more than 6,500 international students at FU Berlin. This university is a leading destination for international researchers. With LMU Munich, Free Uni of Berlin has been the most popular site for visiting scholars and scientists. This university also shares the top slot in Germany for the number of international doctorates. Also, 600 scholars and scientists from other countries come to FU Berlin each year to contribute to research and teaching activities.
No knowledge of German language is required for admission to the English taughtt courses at Free University of Berlin. Over 25 courses are taught in English at this university. Only 1 UG course is taught in English and rest of the courses are taught in English.
- English language proficiency scoresrequired to study these English-taught courses varies. IELTS / TOEFL / PTE scores are accepted
Free University of Berlin Rankings 2027
The Free University of Berlin is considered to be one of the top universities nationally. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, Free University of Berlin ranking stands at #4 in 2027 at the national level. Also, the university is ranked #94 in the world by Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2027. Moreover, a few of the Free University of Berlin courses are #2 for MSN, #2 for MFA, #4 for LLM, #11 for MS, etc.
By Other Ranking Bodies
US News, QS, and THE rank Free University of Berlin as follows in their latest rankings:
| Platform | Free University of Berlin Ranking |
|---|---|
| US News and Global Universities 2026/27 |
|
| Free University of Berlin QS Ranking 2027 |
|
| THE World University Ranking 2027 |
|
#94
#4
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
The subject rankings of Free Uni of Berlin in Times Higher Education rankings 2026 are #26 for Arts & Humanities. Other subject rankings for FUB in Times Higher rankings are-
- Social Sciences: #49
- Law: #63
- Psychology: #74
- Life Sciences: #90
In the QS rankings, Free Uni of Berlin rank in 2027 is #98. In the world rankings by Times Higher Education, Free University of Berlin ranks at #113 in 2027. In the Global Universities rankings by US News, this university ranks at #63 in 2027. Free University of Berlin ranks among the top 150 universities in the world.
In Times Higher Education Rankings 2027, Free University of Berlin's ranking is #113. This university has been ranking among the Top 150 Universities worldwide since the last 5 years. A few of the subject rankings as per the 2026 Times Higher Education subject rankings include:
- Arts and Humanities: #26
- Social Sciences: #49
- Law: #63
- Psychology: #74
- Life Sciences: #90
Free University of Berlin Courses and Fees for Indian Students 2026
The Free University of Berlin offers 180 degree programs, including 81 UG degrees, 99 PG degrees, and 73 doctoral programs, and 58 English-taught programs. The university delivers its programs in fields like Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, Education, Computer Science, Mathematics, Philosophy and Humanities, among others.
Free University of Berlin Best Courses for Indian Students
Mentioned below are a few Free University of Berlin courses for Indian students to consider:
- MA in Global History
- MSc Finance, Accounting, and Taxation
- MSc Data Science
Free University of Berlin BDS course is taught in German. The program has two intakes Winter and Summer semesters. Check more details about BDS in Germany.
Besides the above-mentioned courses, given below are some popular Free University of Berlin English-taught courses for Indian students:
| MA Courses | MSc Courses |
|---|---|
| Global History | Economic Systems |
| English Studies: Literature, Language & Culture | Computational Sciences |
| Sociology - European Societies | Physics |
| Global East Asia | Chemistry |
| Critical Dance Studies | Bio-informatics |
| Archaeology of the Ancient World | Cognitive Neuroscience |
Free University of Berlin Fees for Indian Students 2027
The Free University of Berlin does not charge any tuition fees from Indian students. Only a semester fee worth EUR 376.80 (INR 41.04 K) applies. Below is the breakdown of registration/ semester fee at University of Berlin:
| Particular | Cost |
|---|---|
| Student Union Contribution | EUR 85 (INR 9.25 K) |
| Administration Fee | EUR 50 (INR 5.45 K) |
| Student Government | EUR 10 (INR 1.1 K) |
| Semester Ticket for Public Transportation | EUR 226 (INR 24.6 K) |
| Social Fund | EUR 5 (INR 545) |
| Total Estimated | EUR 376 (INR 41.04 K) |
Check more details about Free University of Berlin fees. Get the details about exact cost in INR and scholarships for Indian students who qualify at Free University of Berlin. Students can reach out to Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors about this.
Cost of Living
The living cost while studying at Free Uni of Berlin depends on students personal lifestyle. But, to study at this university, students budget around EUR 1,250 and EUR 1,300 (INR 1.36 Lakhs - 1.41 Lakhs) per month.
| Particular | Estimated amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 7,280 (INR 7.92 Lakhs) |
| Utility | EUR 4,620 (INR 5.03 Lakhs) |
| Transport | EUR 700 (INR 76.2 K) |
| Food | EUR 3,070 (INR 3.35 Lakhs) |
| Estimated Total | EUR 15,670 (INR 17.1 Lakhs) |
1 EUR = INR 108.92
Check out this student's guide to living in Berlin. Berlin Living Guide for Indian Students
Guided 1.5K students to Germany universities.
4.4(1)1 year - 2 years
15.2K+ students got admitted through us.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Students can complete their MSc in Data Science degree at Free University of Berlin in 2 years. The language of instruction of this course is English. Students do not have to pay the tuition fees and the university charge only semester fees and contribution each semester. To take admission to this university, the applicants are required to have a bachelor's degree in Computer Science or equivalent degree. Graduates of this degree can hold positions of leadership in a wide range of different fields of activity relating to collection, management, preparation, analysis, and interpretation of digital data.
Free Uni of Berlin offers English-taught courses at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. No German language knowledge is required for admission to these courses. A few of these courses are listed below:
Bachelor's
- BA North American Studies
MA
- Global History
- Global East Asia
- North American Studies
- English Studies: Literature, Language, Culture
- Sociology - European Societies
MSc
- Data Science
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Economic Systems
- Physics
Free University of Berlin MSc in Pharmaceutical Research course is a two-year long course. For admission to this course, Indian students are required to have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline. Proof of English language skills, Level 2 CEFR or equivalent is required.
The Bachelor's in Dentistry course of Free Uni of Berlin spans 10 semesters. Admission intakes for this semester are Summer and Winter. This course is taught in German only. Students must submit the school leaving certificates for admission to this course.
How to get into Free University of Berlin from India?
To get admission to Free University of Berlin, Indian students have to first apply via Uni-Assist. An application fee of EUR 75 (Around INR 8k) is applied via VPD (uni-assist). After this, students are required to create an account on Free University of Berlin application portal. The processing time of the applications via Uni-Assist is 4-6 weeks. The Germany application process can be extremely confusing for Indian students, there are different steps and missing one can cost students a whole year. This is why we have this FREE PDF showing everything: Germany Admission Process Ultimate Handbook 2027
What is a Studienkolleg at Free University of Berlin? Studienkolleg is a one-year school type preparatory course for international students whose school leaving certificates do not equal the German Abitur. The preparatory course includes a 5 days a week full-time education, in the subjects of a degree-program related course. The language of instruction of this preparatory course is German. After this, students have to appear for a final assessment exam, you can apply to all the universities in Germany.
Free University of Berlin Application Deadlines
Though the applications via Uni-assist portal can be submitted throughout the year. The applications for Free Uni of Berlin should be submitted before the application deadline. Given below are Free University of Berlin application deadlines-
| Intake | Admission Restricted (NC) Programs | Admission-Free (Non-NC) Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Jan 15, 2027 | Jan 15, 2027 |
| Winter | May 31, 2027 | Aug 15, 2027 |
Free University of Berlin Eligibility
Indian students who want to take part in the Free University of Berlin admission process should submit the following documents:
- All school leaving or university certificates and transcripts
- APS certificate
- Proof of English or German language proficiency
- Any other course-specific requirements
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
Students who want to study for Master's degree courses should have a Bachelor's degree. Language proficiency scores must also be submitted.
Here are the entry requirements at Free University of Berlin popular courses-
| Courses | Entry Requirements |
|---|---|
| Masters in Psychology | A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 2.5 GPA + language requirements |
| MS in Pharmaceutical Research | A Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Chemistry, Food Chemistry, Human Biology, Veterinary Medicine, or a relevant field |
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
For admission to Bachelor's courses of Free Uni of Berlin, students should have passed high school. German or English language proficiency certificates have to be submitted too.
Free University of Berlin Entry Requirements
- Application fees :Euro 100
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The Free University of Berlin admission requirements are listed below-
- Must be 18 years old or above
- Must have equivalent of second-semester sophomore status or beyond at 4-year universities and colleges, and be in the process of completing their B.A./B.S. degree
- Good hold of English
- GPA of at least 3.0
Free University of Berlin MSc in Data Science admission requirements are listed below:
- A bachelor's degree in Computer Science or an equivalent degree with a total of 180 credit points. These should include at least 20 LP in Mathematics modules and at least 10 LP in Computer Science modules
- Proof of English language skills at level C1 of CEFR
Indian students who want to study at Free Uni of Berlin are required to submit APS Certificate. This certificate is used to check your marksheets and degrees, so German Universities that the documents you have submitted are reliable. The processing time for APS Certificate is 3-4 weeks.
German language proficiency requirement varies as per the course levels. A few of the Master's courses taught in English also require some level of German language skills. Applying for a degree programme at Free University of Berlin may require students to submit one of the following certificates-
- C1 CEFR Certificate
- TestDAF with at least level 4 in two parts and level 3 in two parts
- DSH 1
Freie Universität BerlinFree University of Berlin Scholarships for Indian students
A few of the scholarship option available for international students at Free University of Berlin are DAAD scholarships and Deutschlandstipendium. For DAAD scholarships, a total of 10 students are awarded scholarships for a period of 10-months. Details of the scholarships of Free University of Berlin are given below:
| Scholarship Type | Scholarship Name | Amount Disbursed | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission-based | DAAD scholarship | EUR 250 per month | UG + PG |
| Merit-based | Deutschlandstipendium | EUR 300 per month | UG + PG |
How to get a scholarship for Free Uni of Berlin?
- To get the DAAD scholarship, students have to submit an online application form. A certificate of enrollment and transcript of records have to be submitted too. The scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of their online application form and personal interviews by a selection committee
- For Deutschlandstipendium, students should be enrolled at Free Uni of Berlin. The applications for the scholarship must be submitted using the online application form
Also Check: Scholarships to Study in Germany
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
FU Berlin can apply for DAAD scholarships. The award value of these scholarships is EUR 250 per month. The scholarships are funded by STIBET. International students who have obtained their education abroad, are not current German citizens, have been enrolled at FU Berlin can get DAAD scholarships. Students have submit an online application form to receive these scholarships. Some of the documents that are required for these scholarships are study certificates, passport, previous year's transcripts, etc.
The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship allows students of FU Berlin receive a grant of Euros 300 per month. Half of the sum is offered by the Federal Government and other half is donated by a private sponsor. To get this scholarship, students must have enrolled at FU Berlin or have a letter of acceptance to start a degree course. This scholarship is offered for the winter semester.
You need to be enrolled at Free University of Berlin to reveive Deutschlandstipendium. As such, there is no GPA mentioned to apply for this scholarship. But, one of the main criteria is having a strong academic criteria in school or in university. This scholarship supports talented students with Euros 300 per month. The scholarships are awarded for the Winter semester only.
3 yearsFreie Universität BerlinStudents Ratings & Reviews
5 Verified Reviews- 50% students never faced discrimination in this university
Free University of Berlin Job Outcomes
The industries where FU Berlin graduates work are Media and Communication, Arts and Design, Operations, Healthcare Services, etc. The career services are offered by FU Berlin to international students such as offering career advices, events for career planning, workshops, etc. Also, students with residence permit can work for a maximum of 120 days or 240 half days per year. Also, in the Graduate Employability rankings for 2026 as per Times Higher rankings, Free University of Berlin ranks at #126 globally and #11 in Germany in 2026.
What to do after graduating from Free University of Berlin?
With German Post-Study Work Visa, Indian students can look for work and stay in Germany for up to 18 months after the completion of studies.
Also Check: Part-Time Jobs in Germany
Commonly asked questions On Placements
While studying at FU Berlin, students with a residence permit can work part-time for a maximum of 120 days or half 280 days per year. Some of the part-time jobs that are popular in Germany are:
- Cashier
- Translator
- Writer
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
According to details available , some of industries where the Free University of Berlin graduates work are -
- Operations
- Sales
- Media and Communication
- Healthcare Services
- Legal
- Administrative Services
- Engineering
- IT
In Global Employability rankings for 2026, Free University of Berlin ranks at #11 in German Employability Rankings 2026. In the Global Employability Rankings as per Times Higher Education, Free Uni of Berlin ranks at #126 in 2026. This is the ranking that shows the universities producing the most employable graduates.
Freie Universität Berlin Courses and Fees 2026
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
B.A.(71 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 4 - 5, TOEFL: 43 & Above, PTE: 43 & Above |
M.A.(85 courses) | INR 0 - 3 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 4.5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 - 95, PTE: 59 - 76 |
MS(28 courses) | INR 0 - 5 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 - 500, PTE: 59 - 76 |
M.Sc.(9 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5.5 & Above, TOEFL: 72 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above |
MBA/PGDM(9 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5.5 & Above, TOEFL: 72 & Above, PTE: 59 & Above |
Others PG(20 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.Sc.(18 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years-75 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5 - 5.5, TOEFL: 72 - 80, PTE: 59 & Above |
B.Ed(8 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.E. / B.Tech(3 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.J.M.C.(5 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
College comparison
Compare Freie Universität Berlin with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 0 | #98 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 18.75 L - 20.95 L | #89 CUG, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #540 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #651 THE, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #89 THE, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #296 THE, 2027 |
CompareFreie Universität BerlinStudying in Germany
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Free University of Berlin Campus
As student at Free University of Berlin campus, students can join various sports. University Sports Center offers various sports, workshops and short trips. Students have options to choose from 800+ courses and events representing 120 sports disciplines.
Campus Location
There are 4 campuses of Free University of Berlin. Campuses of this university are Dahlem, Lankwitz, Düppel and Charité - University Medicine Berlin Benjamin Franklin Campus.
Campus Life
Students at Free Uni of Berlin can take part in International Week which is held annually. In the international week, lectures, workshops, and discussions about current international activities of Free University are offered. This university does not offer any apartments to international students. Only a limited number of accommodations are available for exchange students. Students can check out the private housing or apartments. For a small apartment, the rent starts at EUR 500 - EUR 600.
- Housing: Free University of Berlin does not offer housing to international degree-seeking students. But, students can take up accommodation privately. Housing options are shared apartments, long-term private housing, short-term private housing. Students can find the housing through Studierendenwerk / student village.
Commonly asked questions On Others
Free Uni of Berlin is in the southwest of Berlin, in the garden district of Dahlem. In total, there are four campuses of Free University of Berlin, the Dahlem Campus, Lankwitz Campus, Duppel Campus, and Benjamin Franklin Campus. A number of institutes and departments are there at Dahlem Campus. On Lankwitz Campus, the Institute of Geological Sciences and the Institute of Geographical Sciences are there.
Free University of Berlin arrange accommodation for international exchange and programme students and international visiting scholars. But, international students of higher studies might have to arrange their own accommodation. The Studierendenwerk Berlin offers privately owned dorms. Students can find a private apartment. As per a source, the average rent in Berlin was €678 and the rent for a student housing can be around €311 - €491.
Berlin Brandenburg is the the largest regional airport. It is located in the south eastern part of Berlin. Most of the international long-distance flights land here. Students can also reach Berlin from all major European and German cities. Students can arrive at Berlin's central station.
Freie Universität Berlin
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 3 months ago
No, the Free University of Berlin does not charge a direct application fee for Indian students but to apply via the uni-assist portal, there is a processing fee of around EUR 75 (INR 8.2K).
And as the name suggests, the Free University of Berlin is actually free and there is no tuition fee but a seme
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
Free University of Berlin offers around 28 MS Courses in different specializations for International students. The University is ranked at #92 in the world, #4 in Germany and #11 for its MS Courses as per Shiksha. The QS Rankings for MS courses as whole is #89
The table down below has QS Ranking for
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
To get into MBA courses at Free University of Berlin, the students are required to get at least 2.5 – 3.0 GPA on 4.0 scale. It is equivalent to 65% - 75%. FU Berlin has a provision of 9 MBA Courses for a time span of 2 years.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
The Free University of Berlin offers 28 MS Courses for a duration of 1 – 3 years with a tuition fee of INR 0 – 5 L. There are many fee components to consider while studying in foreign land-
· Accommodation
· Health Insurance
· Transportation
· Miscellaneous
The fee breakdown is gi
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a month ago
FU Berlin provides 9 MSc courses for international students. The deadlines for the courses are based on if it is a restricted course admission or open admission. The deadlines are closed for the Winter Semester.
• Summer Semester – Restricted Admission (Dec 2, 2026 –Jan 15, 2027)
Unre
K
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
Freie Universität Berlin
University Building
Aerial View
University Building
Freie Universität BerlinLocation
| University City | Berlin, Other - Germany, Germany |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 37,11,930 |
Freie Universität BerlinCampuses
Kaiserswerther Straße 16-18, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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