Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Vs Free University of Berlin: Compare Fees, Placement, Reviews
Compare Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Vs Free University of Berlin based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Vs Free University of Berlin on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Compare Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Vs Free University of Berlin based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg Vs Free University of Berlin on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität BerlinStudent Ratings
Rating of colleges
4.2/5
39 Verified Reviews
3.7 Internships- 3.9 Part time work
- 3.7 Post study jobs
- 4.5 Quality of faculty
- 4.4 Student Life
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4.1/5
5 Verified Reviews- 3.4 Internships
- 3.8 Part time work
- 3 Post study jobs
- 4.8 Quality of faculty
- 4.8 Student Life
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität BerlinCourse Comparison
5 Popular courses in colleges
Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität Berlin MS
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität Berlin B.Ed
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität Berlin M.A.
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität Berlin B.Sc.
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität Berlin B.E. / B.Tech
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Other courses
- B.A. (45 courses)
- MBA/PGDM (2 courses)
- M.Sc. (15 courses)
- BBA (7 courses)
- Others PG (4 courses)
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- B.A. (71 courses)
- M.Sc. (9 courses)
- BBA (3 courses)
- Others PG (20 courses)
- BDS (1 course)
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität BerlinCollege Comparison
About College
Established Year
1743
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1
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Campus Size
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Established Year
1948
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
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Campus Size
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Accepted Exams
TOEFL+2 More
Established Year
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Number of Campus
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Number of Scholarships
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Campus Size
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Fau Erlangen Nuremberg V/s Freie Universität BerlinCampus Comparison
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Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
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Free University of Berlin - An Introduction
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Country Facts
Study in Germany
No Cost of Studying
Public German universities charge EUR 0 tuition, plus small semester fees.- Universities in Germany are among the top universities in the world.
Career Opportunities- Germany is a growing economy with unemployment as low as 3 to 5 per cent.
- Germany is home to top companies likes Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen.
Safety and Diversity- Germany is one of the safest countries in the world.
- Germany is a diverse community of people from every section of society.
Study in Germany
No Cost of Studying- Public German universities charge EUR 0 tuition, plus small semester fees.
- Universities in Germany are among the top universities in the world.
Career Opportunities- Germany is a growing economy with unemployment as low as 3 to 5 per cent.
- Germany is home to top companies likes Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen.
Safety and Diversity- Germany is one of the safest countries in the world.
- Germany is a diverse community of people from every section of society.
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Student’s views on campus
Views on Fau Erlangen Nuremberg campus
A
Anonymous
MS in Autonomy Technologies - Batch of 2027
4.3
Great university to step ahead in your career.
Tips: The course structure is quite flexible for my course and there are a lot of directions where you can make your way going forward. For example, in the communication domain, robotics, machine learning, etc. Yes, there will be a cultural shift as well that one needs to accept.
Likes (Safety): It's quite safe. The city has a lot of students. The public transport is very nice, and the connectivity is very good. The vibe of the city is quite nice as well. You can find a lot of students nearby as most of the people tend to live in the same city because of the university.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): These days, it's a bit difficult as most of the jobs require experience and there are very few jobs that are entry-level. And because of the current market situation, it's not very easy to get a job. It all depends on your effort to apply for the jobs.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 750
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50000
A
Anonymous
MSc Computational Engineering - Batch of 2025
4.8
Reputed Research oriented, one of the best Universities of Germany
Tips: Best university for research-oriented courses. Learned professors, you will get good support for academics. Getting into university is difficult, and you need a good score in your previous studies. Courses are competitive, so only apply if you really are coming to study! Otherwise, people who do not take the course seriously will not be accepted. I am really satisfied with the course, university, and country overall.
Likes (Student Life): College life was fun, you get to make many good friends. You have a library right in the city centre where you can go for self-study if you are looking for a place outside of your room. There are student clubs for robotics and college-level 'BAJA-type' clubs. There are many others that you can get to know based on your interests.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Mostly people after this course tend to take up PhD, which is usually sponsored by university. Usually, you will earn 60,000 € annually. The job market in Germany overall is difficult, so it takes time to get a job in industry. You can expect a starting salary of 60,000-65,000 € after post graduation.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 700
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 60000
U
Umang Ramaiya
MSc Computational Engineering - Batch of 2024
4.5
A great learning experience at FAU Erlangen.
Tips: Before attending FAU Erlangen, the students need to prepare themselves for self-study, budgeting, and coping with the German culture and lifestyle. Staying in Germany was an enriching experience due to the various aspects of culture, including being punctual, having a direct form of communication, and leading an independent lifestyle. On a general note, I was happy with the university and the course as well as the opportunities that Germany has provided me.
Likes (Safety): I spent my day at FAU Erlangen participating in classes, studying, doing homework, and socializing with friends. My favorite thing about university life was the diverse setting, the people from diverse cultures, and the learning process both inside and outside of the classroom. There were a lot of events and cultural activities organized by the university, as well as sports and musical clubs that students could join. I joined when I had free time, as it helped me socialize with other students.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): The job market is bad right now. The university does not have any placement services, job searches and applications have to be done on your own. Companies do not sponsor visas for work, they have to apply on your own after having a job offer. Job roles depend on one's profile. For engineering roles, salaries start around 40,0000€ yearly.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes26 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50000
A
Anonymous
MSc in Marketing (In German) - Batch of 2024
4.1
More than a University, A Global Experience
Tips: Before joining FAU, students should know that the university has a rigorous academic environment with a strong focus on independent learning, so it helps to start accommodation and visa formalities early. My transition was smooth overall, and the biggest cultural shift was adapting to Germany's punctuality, independence, and structured way of life. I did not avail of any scholarship during my exchange semester. Overall, I am very satisfied with FAU, my course, and Germany, as the experience provided excellent academic exposure, an international learning environment, and valuable personal growth.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1750
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
T
Tarun Ponala
Master of Science in Electromobility - Batch of 2027
4.6
Its a really good college with lot of facilities and support for your career growth.
Tips: Before joining this college, just understand that before you sit in a class, the professor uploads the lecture slides that he is going to teach the Next day. Study that and go to the class, it will be beneficial. You will understand well and can able to participate in the discussions represented in the lecture.
Likes (Value for money): The feel of FAU is 72 euros per semester which is the least I have seen on any public university in Germany. For the number of feels, the facilities and infrastructure it provides is really good. The library has a wide collection and plenty of study space for everyone, the lecture halls are big and it feels like an ideal university class.
Dislikes (Internships): Getting an internship depends on student skill set and experience and not on college. There are plenty of internships available related to the field, compared to a full-time job. I rate it as 3, as it is not relevant to college. Moreover, companies prefer students who have mandatory internships in their curriculum. So if you have a mandatory internship on your curriculum, then you will get it if you apply consistently, keeping your options open.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes5 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 60000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Physics - Batch of 2023
4.6
Top research, zero fees, quality life
Tips: Before joining, students should know that FAU is a large, research-heavy university where you are expected to be independent. Nobody chases you about deadlines or paperwork, so it helps to be organised from day one. Sort out housing early, since rooms in Erlangen go fast, and be ready for the bureaucracy.
Likes (Value for money): FAU charges no tuition fee for my programme. The only regular cost is the semester contribution, roughly 150 euros to 200 euros a semester, which covers student services and includes a public transport ticket for the region. For what that pays for, I think the rating of 5 is easy to justify.
Dislikes (Part time work): On-campus HiWi (student assistant) jobs are fairly easy to find at FAU, especially in Physics, engineering and computer science. Most of them involve lab support, data analysis, coding, tutoring or correcting exercise sheets. Research groups like ECAP, where I worked, tend to hire students already doing a project or thesis with them, so knowing the professors helps.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 750
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Chemistry - Batch of 2023
4.7
Friedrich alexander universiteit
Tips: I experienced some culture shock, the course was academically advanced and practically challenging. I received a Deutschland scholarship. Since there is no tuition fee and public transportation is covered in the semester fees, overall I am satisfied with my university and studying in Germany.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Not so many Indian restaurants around. I prefer cooking at home, but sometimes going out can be good if there a re indian options. Had a to travel a bit to go to indian restaurants, but this was 3 years ago, now there are more restaurants in Erlangen.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 950
Prepping time for classes38 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 42800
S
Srijita
MSc Advanced Optical Technologies - Batch of 2027
4.2
Learning to enjoy academia beyond exams and placements: getting a master's degree in FAU Erlangen
Tips: 1. You have to manage everything by yourself. In India, students usually get to dedicate all of their time to studies, and in general there isn't much of a practice of simultaneously working elsewhere for income. Abroad, you have to work part-time alongside studies, manage your own living (do weekly groceries, cook your own food, clean your house, manage your finances, pay bills on time). And you have no break from these duties. So we can't really study all day as we can in India. So it is extremely necessary to have excellent time management skills, otherwise, it can get very difficult to live day to day. 2. Culture-wise, Germans are more introverted and quiet-loving people than Indians. They don't encourage small talk as much. And their directness can be hard for us to understand sometimes. Having said that, they are very simple, rule-abiding people. So there is very little ambiguity in their communication. They are not afraid to speak their mind, so it is important for us to also be very straightforward in communication with them. Don't tell them "I'll SEE what I can do" or "I'll think about it" if you really mean to say "No, I can't do this. They don't mind. 3. I am not that aware of scholarships. The most I know is that Max Planck schools offer scholarship programs. You can always ask your course coordinator/university interview board about scholarships during the interviews. 4. It is okay to take longer than the stipulated number of semesters to complete your degree. Nobody cares about things like this. The point of studying here is knowing the subject material. If you repeat an exam, that's also fine, infact it's sometimes a really good thing.
Likes (Value for money): Yes. The coursework is interesting, you get to interact with amazing professors and alumni, and the thesis or internship projects are very interesting and worthwhile. The university is introducing tuition fees from 2027, though, and they could be anywhere between 2000-6000 euros per semester. So it might make it less accessible for many students.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Currently, the job market is tight in all avenues. I am not sure about sponsor visas, as my specific focus is on Ph.D. and research. My seniors and friends are also mostly in the Ph.D. line of work. In general, research tends to pay slightly less than industry roles. However, there are more employment opportunities when the candidate is fluent in German (most places now ask for at least a B1 or B2 level of language skills).
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 48000
S
Srishti Bansal
Master in International Business Studies (MIBS) - Batch of 2028
5.0
Great University and City: Watchout the downtime for shops.
Tips: For me it was pretty simple in the transition as I have already lived before in Germany. However, the city is really quiet and shops gets close at 8pm dot. In Bavaria, things get close very early so that is something I hate. I have applied to few scholarships and I am expecting their replies currently. Overall good experience till today.
Likes (Permanent Immigration): Student Life in Germany is great thanks to a better crowd than in NRW. Finding good friends is easy here, and the campus keeps you connected with plenty of clubs and communities to join. I have had a crazy experience till today, I would like to recommend my university to everyone!
Dislikes (Internships): That's because I was able to reach the Coordinator of the programme before getting admitted. She was very polite and sweet! She politely answered my questions and is still very easily available. The faculty is very international and has mixed nationalities.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000
Prepping time for classes3 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
MS in Autonomy Technologies - Batch of 2028
4.0
My experience at FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg
Tips: The city is student-friendly, but I would strongly emphasize learning German before you arrive. Would make the social life and job hunt much easier. Classes and academics should not be taken lightly, as the examinations tend to check the grasp of the subject thoroughly.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Electromobility - Batch of 2026
4.2
A good acedemic journey: High caliber Research Meets a Driven, Competitive Environment
Tips: Book accommodation a month or so in advance, because it can sometimes be difficult to find somewhere to stay in Erlangen/Nuremberg. Also, you must speak some German, at least at the B1 level, so you have some idea of what’s going on there, otherwise, you can get very confused by the constant babbling going on around you. You will need to be very self-disciplined because getting around on public transport requires some effort since shops are closed on Sundays. The courses, education, research, and job opportunities at the university are great, but the exams can be really challenging, and accommodation is expensive.
Likes (Safety): Erlangen consistently ranks among the safest cities in Germany. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent, and the general environment is calm, orderly, and academic. You can comfortably walk, run, or ride a bicycle through the city or on campus late at night without feeling unsafe.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Lack of Pure Vegetarian Options & Cross-Contamination Finding 100% vegetarian restaurants locally is quite difficult. Most general eateries, including local Du00f6ner shops, Italian places, and standard German restaurants, share kitchen equipment, oil fryers, and utensils between vegetarian and meat dishes.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 750
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 52050
A
Akshat Sharma
MSc Advanced Materials and Processes - Batch of 2024
3.8
A challenging but satisfying experience!
Tips: FAU as a university is great, especially if you are keen on research. There are lots of good research labs and facilities. The programme prepares you academically rather than practically. The exam period is quite stressful, but there is a lot of flexibility. The onus of finding internships, jobs, etc. Is entirely on you. The job market is getting more and more competitive, especially if you don't speak German!
Likes (Safety): Erlangen is very safe as a city, no complaints at all. I did not face any discrimination, although the caretaker of my building was rather rude. Overall, I never felt unsafe even when I was out late at night. There are support groups in the university if you require help.
Dislikes (Quality of faculty): The coursework is quite rigorous, sometimes a bit too much. The professors are top-notch, but the emphasis is on lecture-based learning rather than project-based. I found it a bit too theoretical. The exams are not easy, and mostly you depend on self-learning!
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1200
Prepping time for classes8 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 55000
P
Prudhvi raj Chalapaka
MS in Autonomy Technologies - Batch of 2028
4.2
My Personal Indepth review of FAU Erlangen
Tips: Future international students need to know about future fee changes. Presently, all I need to do is pay my semester fee, however, FAU is introducing a new system of fee charging for non-EU international students. Along with this, they need to know about the wonderful student ticket provided by DB at a cost of just 43 euros that gives you free regional travel around Germany. My shifting to Germany to study M.Sc. in Autonomy Technologies has indeed been a major shift in my life. The biggest cultural shift I have seen has been in my habits of eating and traveling. As of now, I have not made use of any financial aid scheme. There are many ways of getting financial assistance at FAU including Deutschlandstipendium which provides you with 300 euros every month for a year.
Likes (Value for money): The cost of attending FAU is totally worth it. As an international Current student, my studies are totally tuition free. I only have to make payment of the regular semester contribution. One very important factor is the cheap student transport ticket which costs about 43 euros every month and gives you the opportunity to travel within Germany without any limits on the regional DB transports including some neighboring stations. As the FAU introduces a new fee structure for international non-EU students starting at 1500 euros up to 6000 euros per semester depending on the degree programme. This is still a great investment. Compare to three extremely high tuition fees in English-speaking countries such as USA UK and Australia.
Dislikes (Indian Food): There are a lot of eating places in Erlangen, particularly near the central area of the city. Nevertheless, foreign students might not have many places which serve genuine food of their native countries. Although one can get a quick bite starting from just 1 euro, the cost depends a lot on the type of food ordered. In any case, cooking in dormitories or at home will be the most sensible and inexpensive way for international students.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 992
Prepping time for classes22 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Electromobility - Batch of 2026
2.5
My uni is good and all you need is good German skills and hard work
Tips: Yes Germans won't accept immigrants; university is tough Getting scholarship is bit hard, not so easy Especially in my state, Bavaria, it is a bit hard for new people. You can see a lot of culture here, so it is better not to visit the southern part of Germany. The uni is good, but you need to work hard.
Likes (Safety): So all over Germany is safe except for big cities like Frankfurt and Berlin When I went to Food All Match, you will feel unsafe and there are more racist people; please kindly avoid going there A good experience is that Germans are very helpful and kind people.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Currently, we have no part-time jobs; the market is too slow now and very hard for everyone Very few companies sponsor visas. They are all looking for the medical field currently, so all the IT people, please do not come here; it is very hard now and requires learning a language.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 45100
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in International Information Systems - Batch of 2023
4.5
A great learning experience with excellent opportunities
Tips: We need to have an open mindset when coming to a new country, as the cultural shift is real. The way we approach things in India is quite different, and you will definitely learn a lot from adapting to a new culture and environment. I did not avail myself of any scholarship. FAU is a publicly funded university, so there was only a nominal semester fee of around 300 euros every 6 months (each semester). I am very satisfied with the course, university, and Germany as a country. It has been a very positive and enriching experience.
Likes (Internships): There are always openings for internships in the companies. You just need to be proactive to find those. Companies hire interns to get their work done cheaper, and for students it provides a great atmosphere to explore working in the corporate setup. Yes, there are a lot of vacancies and openings for internships. There can sometimes be paid internships as well.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): I rated it 4 because I bagged 3 successful job roles upon completing the degree. Once you successfully clear an interview and have a work contact, the visa office provides you with a relevant work visa based on your salary. And as a student, you can stay in the country for 18 additional months to find jobs. Salary package range is between 52k and 62k for a fresher in the IT industry.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 65500
S
Satyaki Chatterjee
MSc Advanced Signal Processing and Communications Engineering - Batch of 2022
4.0
FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg: Germany's #1 innovator
Tips: Transition is in general a character build-up that Germany does to you. It makes you take ownership of your own career with your own responsibilities. That itself is a big cultural shift. From taking care of your personal lifestyle needs to taking care of your studies and then part-time jobs, the level of independence and ownership that you are supposed to take, for example, preps, assignments, projects, and thesis—it's a wide range of spectrum.
Likes (Value for money): There was zero tuition fee in my course. Hence, the value for money in terms of the expertise that can be gained with little investment is, of course, highly positive. Currently the job opportunities are a bit fewer in the market for students, especially relevant technical ones. Otherwise, a high positive value for money is there.
Dislikes (Internships): The majority of the courses do not have a "mandatory internship," which becomes a problem for being hired as an intern because the majority of internship opportunities are for mandatory interns. There are sufficient available internship opportunities relevant to my study program in industry and academia, both.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 850
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 68000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Medical Technology - Batch of 2023
3.8
The university is in itself one of the best for the chosen course of study.
Tips: Knowledge of German is an almost must-have. The presence of Siemens in the city makes it easier for students to get a job, provided they know all the right documentation before coming here. Sometimes consulting an education and transition counselor helps, and I also help with this.
Likes (Public transportation): The city of Erlangen is extremely well connected via public transport. Be it local trains, buses, or in the nearby adjoining cities by the metro or U-Bahn, as they call it here. The Deutschland ticket makes it easier to avail any kind of public transport except the ICE trains.
Dislikes (Internships): In Germany, you have to find such options on your own, and it has nothing to do with the university. More than internships, people tend to lean more towards part-time or student jobs known as HiWi. Internships are often unpaid or overworked, and that stresses your studies.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 2000
Prepping time for classes45 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 62000
A
Anonymous
M.Sc in Data Science - Batch of 2026
5.0
International Exposure with strong academic and research opportunities.
Tips: Before coming to FAU, be ready to take 100% ownership of your studies. Professors won't check up on you, so managing your own study schedule and prepping for Klausuren (exams) well in advance is essential. Outside the classroom, Germany—and the Erlangen-Nuremberg region in particular—offers a great quality of life. The VGN transport network makes commuting between campus buildings and neighboring cities effortless, and the local industry ties give you solid career prospects once you settle in.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1100
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 56000
A
Abhishek Pandey
MSc Advanced Optical Technologies - Batch of 2025
4.4
Excellent education system with a lot of freedom
Tips: Yes, many things were different but smooth because people were very supportive and helpful. Traffic rules, punctuality, cooking on my own, managing budget and time. No, there was no scholarship involved. 100% satisfied with the course and the people. I learned so much and developed.
Likes (Indian Food): Vegan and vegetarian options are there, and the supermarkets have a lot of options, apart from Indian stores where you can get Indian ingredients. For meat eaters, there are many options too. I prefer eating at home, but sometimes I go out to eat. Food at the canteen is cheaper than in the restaurants.
Dislikes (Part time work): Part-time work gets a low rating because landing a job here has become extremely competitive. On-campus student assistant roles (HiWi positions) are scarce due to faculty budget cuts, and dozens of students apply for every single open spot. As a result, most of us end up taking off-campus jobs—like working shifts in warehouses, delivery, or gastronomy around Nuremberg—just to pay rent and cover monthly expenses, even if it has zero relation to our field of study.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 520
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
S
Samip Patel
Master of Science in Electromobility - Batch of 2026
4.6
A Rewarding Journey of Academic Growth and Cultural Adaptation in Germany.
Tips: The academic culture shock coming from India to Germany is real. At FAU, self-study is everything—you are responsible for managing your own time and mastering lecture material independently. Juggling daily cooking and chores on top of your coursework feels overwhelming for the first month, but everyone adapts quickly.
Financially, there is no scholarship for me, but the student Semesterticket cuts down monthly transit expenses significantly across the VGN region. I'm really happy with my choice—FAU offers fantastic education standards and a very welcoming setup for international students.
Likes (Safety): I gave safety a 5/5 because living between Erlangen and Nuremberg feels completely secure, even late at night. The VGN public transport network—buses, night lines, and S-Bahns—runs smoothly and feels safe to take alone after dark. In Erlangen especially, everyone bikes everywhere at all hours without any hassle. The streets and train stations are well lit, people are generally helpful if you ever get lost, and I’ve honestly never felt unsafe or run into trouble while out in the city.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Germany offers an excellent fast-track pathway to permanent residence within two years for local university graduates. While I would love to settle here permanently due to the high quality of life, the intense bureaucracy and heavy language barriers make the actual process quite challenging.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 60000
Views on Freie Universität Berlin campus
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Srijan Duarah
M.Sc. in Chemistry (In English & German) - Batch of 2026
Offered by Free University of Berlin
4.2
Great university, if you know what you want out of it.
Tips: German universities seem very easy-going, and they are, as no one will tell you what to do. You have a set of tasks to be finished to attain the degree. NO one will nudge you to do your tasks, you have to do it yourself, and that is the main risk of spiralling down. The examinations are brutally difficult. Don't let the multiple attempts available for exams fool you. Every subsequent exam gets harder, clear it on the first attempt, don't keep it for the last. I did not avail any scholarships, tuition is very cheap (around 350 euros a semester, including the price for public transport throughout Germany). I am satisfied with the university as it has made me understand that nothing will be done to help you. Help is given to those who seek it, and if you need something, you have to go out of your way to achieve it. The university staff and students are extremely friendly towards international students, and it is an extremely safe environment. However, if you don't initiate connections, you can get lonely fast, so gotta work on your social skills to survive the brutal winters.
Likes (Indian Food): I prefer cooking myself. Berlin is an extremely vibrant city with people from all ethnicities in the world, including a significantly large Indian population. Food has been getting relatively expensive outside, compared to the prices from 4 years ago, and hence I prepare it myself.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): The University is not directly responsible for landing you jobs, and getting a job is tough in the current state. The university does provide services in terms of career counselling and application reviews. The internships and master's thesis do add to a big chunk of your work experience, but in the end you must work to get work after your studies. The competition is brutal, and you are on your own. Learn German, the university provides courses, and try to enrol right from the first semester.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1300
Prepping time for classes7 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 48050
A
Anonymous
M.Sc. in Mathematics (In English & German) - Batch of 2026
Offered by Free University of Berlin
3.8
Learning curve and the education system.
Tips: If you are coming for a Masters in mathematics, be ready to grind as you have never before. It will take some time to get used to the education system. You will be putting blood, sweat and tears and still failing. The learning curve is pretty steep; just strap yourself in and make the best of use of the facilities that the university has. Get over your impostor syndrome and ask for help, because when you do, they will always comply.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1100
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50000
A
Ankita Srivastava
Master of Arts in Global History - Batch of 2021
Offered by Free University of Berlin
4.4
The faculty was exceptional very knowledgeable and also very kind and approachable.
Tips: Take full advantage of the clubs, student help centres, language classes etc, to help you assimilate. There is a lot of support available. There are scholarships, student jobs available as well but you need to keep an eye out for postings and deadlines. I was very satisfied with the university and my course and I 100% recommend it.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The faculty was exceptional very knowledgeable and also very kind and approachable. It took a while for me to get used to the seminar format and begin to engage in classes coming from the Indian system but the teachers were very encouraging. They came from different countries and had expertise in many different areas.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Many jobs require a higher fluency in German and there is a lot of competition for the few jobs available for English speakers. Also most places prefer EU residents over non-residents to avoid the visa issue.
I would recommend starting to apply early and to many places.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 600
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Data Science - Batch of 2026
Offered by Free University of Berlin
4.1
Strong academics and a vibrant campus.
Tips: The weekly assignments are taken seriously and demand more effort, rather than preparing for the final exam, which was easier. The professors are very helpful. Attending lectures is mandatory for most courses. There are different types of lectures to choose from. 10 credit ones require much effort with two lectures and one practical session per week, usually, whereas 5 credit subjects will usually be one lecture per week. You can also take up courses at TU and HU and get the credit transferred.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes40 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
M.Sc. in Chemistry (In English & German) - Batch of 2026
Offered by Free University of Berlin
3.9
Good with every penny and efforts.
Tips: A lot of cultural shocks and now shifts are realised. I felt I am more organised in every aspect of life, foresighted, better communication with peers, logical reasoning and critical thinking. No scholarship availed. Very satisfied with the course and the university. It is not at all stressful. Curriculum prepares for job stress. The way you search for mandatory internships is like applying for jobs.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Very accessible and friendly faculty. Unique methodology is mandatory, two internships in two different domains that give us hands on experience on real research problems and even as a student, your feedback is considered valuable. Not much diverse, but we do have Indian, Iranian, Israeli, Russian and Chinese professors apart from German professors.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Indian food is not tasty in Berlin. Most of the time I cook by myself. Options for lunch when you are in university are around read types and pastas, pizza, noodles, and sausages. The university canteen has German food options which I personally don't enjoy fully, but they are pretty cheap as a student to eat daily.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000
Prepping time for classes11 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Biology with Teacher Training (In German) - Batch of 2023
Offered by Free University of Berlin
5.0
Reliable and academic oriented study place.
Tips: I learned many new things after coming here. There are many scholarship options. One should thoroughly go through the university's website. The class discussions are very interactive and the library is well-stocked with a wide variety of books. The student groups are very helpful, and the faculty is supportive. There are different clubs for different departments, and the new students are always supported by the older students, who come from all over the world. I am very satisfied that I adapt very easily since Berlin is a metropolitan city, and it is not difficult here to get support in any aspect.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 55500
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