University of Duisburg-Essen Vs Free University of Berlin: Compare Fees, Placement, Reviews
Compare University of Duisburg-Essen Vs Free University of Berlin based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze University of Duisburg-Essen Vs Free University of Berlin on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Compare University of Duisburg-Essen Vs Free University of Berlin based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze University of Duisburg-Essen Vs Free University of Berlin on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität BerlinStudent Ratings
Rating of colleges
4.4/5
12 Verified Reviews
3.7 Internships- 3.9 Part time work
- 4.3 Post study jobs
- 4.7 Quality of faculty
- 4.5 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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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität BerlinCourse Comparison
5 Popular courses in colleges
University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität Berlin MS
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität Berlin M.A.
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität Berlin Others PG
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität Berlin B.E. / B.Tech
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität Berlin M.Sc.
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Other courses
- B.Sc. (17 courses)
- BBA (14 courses)
- B.A. (35 courses)
- MDS (5 courses)
- MIM (6 courses)
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- B.Sc. (18 courses)
- BBA (3 courses)
- B.A. (71 courses)
- B.Ed (8 courses)
- B.J.M.C. (5 courses)
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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität BerlinCollege Comparison
About College
Established Year
1654
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Campus Size
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Accepted Exams
TOEFL+1 More
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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University of Duisburg-Essen V/s Freie Universität BerlinCampus Comparison
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Country Facts
Study in Germany
No Cost of Studying
Public Universities are free of cost for international students.- 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 Universities are free of cost for international students.
- 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 University of Duisburg-Essen campus
J
Jenish Rajput
Master of Science in Technical Logistics - Batch of 2022
4.7
Details of Duisburg Essen University
Tips: The University is one of the biggest in Germany in terms of International Students. - They have 2 campuses: Duisburg and Essen. Both campuses have Gyms, a sports complex, and a lot of other activities. - You will get full liberty to select the subjects, apart from some Mandatory ones! - Participate in Different Events and Parties to meet people from Different Countries!
Likes (Public transportation): The campus is between Mulheim an der Ruhr and Duisburg. But there are continuous buses running between Duisburg Railway Station and the university campus, there is also a Tram running between Mulheim an der Ruhr Railway station to University campus! - The Public Transport is free. The cost is included in your Semester fees.
Dislikes (Internships): You have to figure it out by yourself, about the Internships and suitable roles, and how to apply for them. - Yes, internships are available in the respective field! Logistic/Supply chain is in Demand in Germany. - To make it easier, you have to learn German as early as possible.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 550
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 55000
A
Anonymous
Master of Education in Production, Logistics, Sales (minor vocational specialisation) - Batch of 2027
4.5
Duisburg-Essen university has various courses both in English and German. Also canteen food good
Tips: Find accommodation because it is very hard to get one here in Germany. Also, if you have any friends, tell them to find one for you, and also try to get an appointment at the foreign office ASAP. Also, beware when finding accommodation because of fraud. Most public universities give you a free transportation pass for every semester.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 700
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 45000
Y
Yash Dilipbhai Rajani
Master of Science in Technical Logistics - Batch of 2027
4.9
It is a nice university for studies.
Tips: A little transition is necessary when you shift to a new country; you need to change your attitude and lifestyle a little according to the country or society. Here, we have temples in nearby cities, so we visit it ocationally or regularly, and we also celebrate our festivals. I am very satisfied with my university, the studies, atmosphere, events, campus, and professors.
Likes (Public transportation): The Bus stops, and the tram station is very near the university. The university is 3 to 4 stops away from the main railway station. And the frequency of buses and trams is also good during the day time, in night, there is also good connectivity, but a little less to day time.
Dislikes (Internships): The competition in obtaining an internship is rather high; therefore, it is necessary to be ready mentally, even if you spend two months or even eight months trying to obtain an internship opportunity, and, additionally, a good knowledge of the German language is also very important in interviews.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 700
Prepping time for classes24 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 52050
A
Anonymous
BA/BSc in Computer science - Batch of 2026
4.4
University of Duisburg-Essen
Tips: Massive cultural shift: German is required to be able to live properly and enjoy university life to the fullest. Personally quite satisfied with the university because I was able to take advantage of its benefits, but several students do not know about them. I received a scholarship of 300 euros per month.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 950
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 53600
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Automation and Safety, ISE - Batch of 2023
3.9
A Rollercoaster worth taking
Tips: Concentrate on Language and Planning Your semester ahead is important. The cultural shift I have experienced is about communication and punctuality. Student life often feels lonely and stressful—it's up to us how we tackle it. I made many friends; it worked for me.
Likes (Student Life): I really enjoyed my student life—it's the balance of fun, classes, the canteen, and friends. All because I know the language and I have my own bunch of friends—these people around me made my life easy. I was part of the student union—so I happened to organize many parties funded by the university.
Dislikes (Indian Food): Not many Indian restaurants are around the university, but there are many other cuisines available. Usually we prefer the university canteen—it's one of the best options for students. It's budget-friendly, and students can choose multiple cuisines. My flatmates and I usually cook dinner together.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1075
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 57700
N
Naveen Kumar Bharathi
Master of Science in Technical Logistics - Batch of 2019
4.6
A great choice for higher education
Tips: Before coming to Duisburg-Essen, you need to brace yourself for a seriously research-heavy curriculum where nobody is going to hold your hand. The professors expect a massive amount of independent learning, so if you don't stay on top of the readings and lab work on your own, you'll easily fall behind. Also, while you can technically survive an English-taught master's with just basic German, you absolutely need it to get through daily life in the Ruhr area, handle the city registration office (Bürgeramt), or grab a decent part-time student job.
I didn't receive any scholarships to study here—like most international students at public universities, I'm completely self-funding my life. Despite the academic pressure and having to watch my budget, I'm genuinely happy with my choice to come here. The level of education you get at UDE is top-tier, Essen and Duisburg are super safe cities to live in, and being in the heart of Germany's industrial hub means the long-term career and networking opportunities are definitely worth the hustle.
Likes (Safety): I rated safety 5/5 because I always felt safe on campus and in the city. The campus is well-lit, secure and easily accessible by safe public transport. I had only positive experiences and never faced safety issues. People are friendly and most of them are willing to help you whenever you ask.
Dislikes (Value for money): Okay, so even though Duisburg-Essen is a public university with no actual tuition fees, I still rated the value for money on the lower side because the hidden costs of studying here really add up. Yes, you only pay a basic semester contribution (Semesterbeitrag), but that fee has been creeping up every single semester. Plus, finding a cheap room through the Studierendenwerk dorms is an absolute nightmare—the waiting lists are endless, so most of us are forced into the private market where landlords completely rip you off for basic apartments.
When you factor in the rising cost of groceries, health insurance, and student rent in the Ruhr region, 'free education' doesn't actually feel that free. On top of that, the university facilities can be a total mixed bag. Some of the campus buildings and libraries feel incredibly outdated and crowded, and trying to get actual administrative support from the uni offices feels like pulling teeth. When you're working a part-time job just to survive month-to-month, the overall experience doesn't feel like the amazing bargain they promise on the brochure.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1100
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 57000
D
Divyangana Kothari
Master of Science in Computer Engineering, ISE - Batch of 2025
4.1
Friendly university with lot of practical experience
Tips: The course has a lot of assignments, but that too depends on the subject one chooses, which we have to balance along with internships and household work. The university is very friendly, with good faculty and lots of practical experience in labs. There are a lot of semester-starting parties, which is a good place to get to know many people. Although in the beginning everything seems a little too much to manage all on our own, slowly it seems like a part of life. Yes, the scholarship can be availed if one is struggling financially with not getting part-time/internship; we have to apply for financial help at Asta, the student representative community of the university. So the overall experience of university is good, with friendly faculty and student communities, and NRW should be the preferred choice for any student due to a lot of student advantages related to traveling.
Likes (Public transportation): The transportation is very good, and as a student, it's free, as the cost is covered in the semester ticket. So we don't have to pay anything if using public transportation even across all of Germany. There are buses running all over the city every few minutes, so the transportation is very good.
Dislikes (Indian Food): As a vegetarian, the food options would be limited, as Europe is a heavily meat-driven place. There are some Indian restaurants, but again, as a student, eating out daily would be quite expensive. So the feasible option is to cook at home mostly. In a supermarket one can get all kinds of daily food items, although if one wants to eat Indian vegetables, then they would have to visit Indian stores, which are also present in Duisburg.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 60525
A
Adithye Nambiar
BA/BSc in Computer science - Batch of 2027
4.0
Good Beginners College
Tips: 1. Learn cooking; force yourself to parties and other events in the start even if you don't feel like it, as they will help you mentally in the long run. Connections are as important as studies. 2. I am a Deutschland Stipendium holder, and I get 300 EUR every month plus events. The university does a good job of making us aware of scholarships by way of events such as StipendienTag. 3. I am glad I came here. Besides academics, living alone in another place makes you ready to face anything, as there can be 100 different problems you may face, but you force yourself to solve all of them.
Likes (Indian Food): There are a lot of types of restaurants available nearby, including Indian. The prices can range from 4 eur to upwards of 15 eur. Besides Indian food, options might be limited for vegetarians. Student housing here provides a kitchen. Cooking for yourself is one of the best ways to eat cheap and healthy.
Dislikes (Internships): The university doesn't do much for finding internships. It is up to us to find them. One of the biggest hurdles that most students face is finding internships. As for bachelors, an internship is obligatory; this can cause graduation to be delayed for a lot of people.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 850
Prepping time for classes6 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 50000
A
Anonymous
Master of Science in Technical Logistics - Batch of 2027
4.8
There are many events within the University. Students need to utilise them properly
Tips: The education systems in India and Germany are completely different. Also, the exams for each subject, which are similar to government exams, are there. Candidates need to answer 50 short questions, including math, within one hour, and one needs to study pretty well.
Likes (Public transportation): Public transportation is very good; all corners of Duisburg and Essen are very well connected with buses and trams. Also, there are trains between these two cities very often. There is also shuttle service between two campuses of the university. With the Deutschland ticket provided by the university, all public transportation is available.
Dislikes (Internships): Getting internships is very difficult due to the bad job market in Germany. Candidates need to apply a lot and also shouldn't get disappointed when some initial interviews get rejected. This tenure of rejection can last pretty long, and one should remain mentally tough till the end.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 700
Prepping time for classes16 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 55275
V
Vikas Anantharapu
Master of Education in Production, Logistics, Sales (minor vocational specialisation) - Batch of 2020
4.9
Decent University with standardised principles
Tips: Look, if you're coming to UDE, you’ve got to actively force yourself out of the international bubble. Actually make an effort to connect with the local German students, and seriously, start using the campus libraries—like the LK in Duisburg or the GW over in Essen—on a regular basis. Also, just don't skip your lectures. German professors do not sit around waiting for you to catch up, and if you miss even a couple of classes, you're going to completely struggle to wrap your head around the material later on.
Honestly, the absolute biggest roadblock at Duisburg-Essen is just adjusting to how things work here. Way too many people come in and treat learning German like a side project. That is a massive mistake. If you want any real shot at landing a working student gig or an internship around the Ruhr area, fluent German is your main ticket. Oh and try to get your German driving license squared away as soon as you can. It sounds like a random chore, but if you’re eyeing engineering or logistics roles across NRW, it’s a total game-changer.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 800
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 48000
A
Anonymous
MSc Computational Mechanics - Batch of 2021
3.7
Very good studies but not for middle class people from India
Tips: The first thing to know before coming here is that any exam that you want to pass only has 3 attempts. If you fail on your 3rd attempt, not only your admission but also your visa will be cancelled. Indian students mostly cannot avail scholarships. University of Duisburg Essen is very strict and advanced in teaching compared to Bachelors or previous studies compared from India. Keep it in mind that anyone who wants to join here has a shift in their entire perspective of thinking on how to study and how much time to spend on studying. Almost more than 90% of Indian students who pass out from this university were spending 3 or more years for master's and 5 or more years for bachelor's studies. If you want to do the part-time job while studying at this university, you must add at least one extra year to these timelines.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Faculty are very experienced, and teaching is always good if you want to study here. There is no point in saying otherwise if you are not keen on studying. International friendly staff and you will rarely experience racism. You will find good diversified faculty here. Reaching out to any faculty requires a prior appointment. So planning ahead is always essential here.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Let’s be real, the current job market is pretty brutal right now. If you're planning to do your master's at Duisburg-Essen, just know that the surrounding cities are absolutely packed with international students and expats. Because of that, the competition for every single part-time job or internship in the area is insane—you’re basically competing with a massive crowd for the same few roles. On top of that, the courses at this uni are heavily geared toward research and academic theory. They do a great job of pushing a passion for science and further studies, but they honestly don't prepare you at all for how cutthroat the actual job market is.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 48000
Y
Yash Kaushik
MSc Computational Mechanics - Batch of 2024
4.4
Bilingual courses with 0 tution fee
Tips: Learning the German language is necessary till an intermediate level at least. This will help you settle in the city and in your work. The courses, however, are bilingual and education in Germany is the most affordable.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1781
Prepping time for classes6 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 150000
Views on Freie Universität Berlin campus
S
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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