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Last updated on 18 Aug '26Freie Universität BerlinWhat's new?
- Free University of Berlin application deadline for UG courses is Sep 1, 2026 (Un-restricted admission)
Also Check: Germany Universities List
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 300 to EUR 350 (INR 32.4K to INR 37.9K). (EUR 1 = INR 109.72)
- Free University of Berlin Rankings and 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. For 2027, the Free University of Berlin QS Ranking is #98 globally and #4 in Germany.
- Acceptance Rate: The Free University of Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%, which 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.
- APS Requirement: Getting an APS Certificate is a mandatory requirement for FU Berlin admissions and now, Indian students have to take dMAT, which is an aptitude test for PG courses, to get this certificate.
- 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.
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.
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 |
University of Berlin Related Videos -
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 329 (INR 35.6K).
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.
(EUR 1 = 108.37)
FU Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%. 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 2026
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 2026 at national level. Also, the university is ranked #92 in the world by Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026. 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
Apart from Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. Free University of Berlin QS ranking is #98 in 2027. Free University of Berlin ranking stood at #63 as per US News in 2026 and #113 by THE in 2026, globally.
Some of the subject rankings as per QS rankings are-
- Communication and Media Studies: #30
- Sociology: #35
- Politics: #37
- Performing Arts: 51-100
#92
#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 2026. In the Global Universities rankings by US News, this university ranks at #63 in 2026. This university ranks among the Top 150 Universities in the world in the world rankings.
In Times Higher Education Rankings 2026, 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
Does Free University of Berlin offer courses in English Language?
Free University of Berlin offers more than 150 courses. The courses are offered at the Bachelor's and Master's levels. But, only a few of these courses are taught in English. Degrees offered in English are BA, MA, and MSc. Study areas of these English-taught Free University of Berlin courses are Global History, Data Science, Physics, Chemistry, Bio-informatics, Mathematics, Economic Systems, etc.
Free University of Berlin Popular Courses
Among Indian students, some of of the popular Free University of Berlin courses are Bachelor of Dentistry in German, Bachelor of Pharmacy in German, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine in German, Masters in Mathematics, MA in Data Science, MSc in Management Marketing, etc.
Note: A few online courses are offered by Free Uni of Berlin, but, these vary as per the year. So, for more details, it is best advised to check the official website of Free Uni of Berlin. Besides the above-mentioned courses, given below are some of the courses taught in English language at Free University of Berlin.
| 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 |
4.0(4)1 year - 3 years
We can fast-track your application in a week.
4.4(1)1 year - 2 yearsWe can fast-track your application in a week.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
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 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 2026
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-
| Particulars |
Application Deadlines |
|---|---|
| UG courses |
1 Sep 2026 (Without NC) |
| PG courses |
15 Aug 2026 (Without NC) |
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.
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.
- 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 University 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 fee for APS certificate is around INR 18k. 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.
LLM in European Law students at Free University of Berlin may be eligible for Dr. Angela Merkel scholarship. The applications and selection process for this are administered by DAAD. The application deadline is Oct 1, 2026.
1 yearFreie 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. The application fee for German Post-study work visa is EUR 75 or around INR 7.5k.
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.
Free University of Berlin Cost
There is no tuition fee for students studying at Free Uni of Berlin. Exception to this condition are Continuing Education programs. Check more details about Free University of Berlin fees.
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 should think of spending Euros 934. As per a source, the average rent in Berlin in 2024 was EUR 678 (Around INR 72k).
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
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.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 |
B.Sc.(18 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years-75 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5 - 5.5, TOEFL: 72 - 80, PTE: 59 & Above |
B.A.(71 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 4 - 5, TOEFL: 43 & Above, PTE: 43 & Above |
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 |
B.J.M.C.(5 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.Pharma(1 course) | – / – | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
BDS(1 course) | – / – | Duration: 5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
Others PG(20 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
As per the official website of the Free University of Berlin, Indian students are not required to pay any tuition to study here.
It is applicable for both levels. However, a mandatory semester fee of about EUR 358 (INR 32.6K) is required to be paid here.
This semester's fee is split into specific contributions (every 6 months) -
1. Administration Fee: EUR 50 (INR 5.5K)
2. Student Union (Sozialbeitrag): EUR 85 (INR 9.3K)
3. Student Government: EUR 10 (INR 1.1K)
4. Deutschland-Semesterticket: EUR 213.80 (INR 23.5K)
(EUR 1 = INR 110.33)
There is no tuition fee at FU Berlin. But, the fee may be applicable to some Continuing Education programs. For these programs, the fees can be around INR 10 lakh. Also, students have to pay the living expenses. Students can expect to spend a minimum of EUR 934. The monthly housing rent can be between EUR 650 - EUR 1000.
College comparison
Compare Freie Universität Berlin with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 0 - 5.42 L | #98 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #140 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 0 - 10.73 L | #209 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 0 - 15.6 L | #86 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 0 | #61 QS, 2027 | |
| INR 3.32 L | #425 QS, 2027 |
CompareFreie Universität BerlinStudying in Germany
Key Facts About Germany
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
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.
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 a month 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 week 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 week 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 week 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 week 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
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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