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Free University of Berlin: Rankings, Popular Courses & Fees
64 Scholarships for studying in Germany
1 Campus- Estd. 1948
Last updated on 19 Jan '26Freie Universität BerlinWhat's new?
- For Bachelor's degree, Free University of Berlin Unrestricted application deadline is Mar 1, 2026.
- As per Times Higher Education rankings for tackling Gender Equality in 2025, Free University of Berlin ranks at #50. These are the university for conducting research and creating initiatives towards creating gender equality in society. Some of the factors that are considered for these rankings are research on gender, commitment to recruiting and promoting women, policies on gender equality, the proportion of first-generation female students and student access measures.
Also Check: Germany Universities List
About Free University of Berlin
Founded in 1948, Free University of Berlin is a public research university in Berlin, Germany. Its main campus is in Berlin-Dahlem. It has also been conferred the title of 'University of Excellence' and is now within Berlin University Alliance. FU Berlin has main focus on its cutting-edge research. At FU Berlin, 34,400 students are enrolled. Students at this university come from over 80 countries.
There are 11 departments and 4 Central Institute of this university. Courses at FU Berlin are offered in various disciplines like Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Free University of Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%, which makes it a competitive university. Know Free University of Berlin Indian reviews by Indian students.
Free University of Berlin Information
Free University of Berlin is known for its research opportunities. It ranks third after RWTH Aachen University and LMU Munich in the context of external endowments by DFG. A few of the important things about the Free University of Berlin are given as follows:
|
Particulars |
Stats |
|---|---|
|
Acceptance rate |
Around 15% |
|
No. of courses |
170+ |
|
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 |
History
In 1948, Free University of Berlin was founded. By 1949, this university registered 4,900+ students. In 2007, Free University of Berlin won the status of a n. In 2012, during the second round of the Excellence Initiative, the university was selected again and became one of the 11 Universities in Excellence in Germany. In 2019, six leading European research universities, including Free Uni of Berlin came together to create an unique alliance - Una Europe.
Check Top Reasons to Study in Germany.
Check out the below of Free University of Berlin for more information
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
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.
Students applying to undergraduate courses at FU Berlin through the Uniassist need to pay a non-refundable amount of EUR 75. For the first desired course of study, the application fee is EUR 75 through Uniassist, and for each additional course, it is an extra EUR 30. International graduate applicants need to apply through the Uniassist as well. Thus, the application fee is the same as for UG – EUR 75 (non-refundable).
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.
For undergraduate programs, FU Berlin requirements differ depending on the course and major. It accepts 10+3 years of education degree, i.e., either a grade 12 qualification and a one or two-diploma in the respective subject or a grade 10 qualification with a three-year diploma. For international applicants, a German language proficiency test score is compulsory as all UG programs are offered in German only. The university accepts any one of these as proof of German language proficiency:
Advanced Placement score in German
DSH (at least level 2 is required)
TestDAF (at least 16 points)
For the Mono-Bachelor North American Studies course, any one of the English proficiency test scores is required:
Note: Exact score requirements will vary depending on the course. Check the official website for more details.
For graduate programs, each department has different admissions requirements. Thus, score requirements will vary as per course or choice of major apart from a mandatory bachelor’s or master’s degree, which should be equivalent to the country’s standard of education. German or English proficiency tests are required depending on the medium of instruction of the selected course. Check the respective school website for details.
Test Name | Scores |
|---|---|
English proficiency tests accepted | TOEFL: 80 or higher Or Or Cambridge CAE/CPE: B2 or higher |
German proficiency tests accepted | DSH Or TestDAF Or German proficiency in CEFR: C1 or higher |
Apart from this, some standardized test scores may be mandatory for particular courses, while some courses may be test-optional. Check the website for details.
Free University of Berlin Rankings 2026
In Shiksha Popularity rankings, Free University of Berlin has been ranked at #4 in Germany. In the world, Free Uni of Berlin ranks at #90. Some of the course-subject rankings of this university are #2 for MSN, #2 for MA, #4 for LLM, #11 for MS, etc.
By Other Ranking Bodies
In the QS rankings, Free University of Berlin ranking is #88 in 2026. Also, in the world rankings by Times Higher Education rankings, this university ranks at #113 in 2026. In the Global University rankings, this university ranks at #59 in 2025.
Also Check: List of Public Universities in Germany
#90
#4
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
Free University of Berlin ranks at #66 in QS Rankings 2026. Furthermore, it ranks at #104 in Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025. Looking at these world rankings, Free University of Berlin ranks among the Top 150 Universities worldwide.
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 2025 rankings include:
- Arts and Humanities: #29
- Social Sciences: #42
- Law: #70
- Life Sciences: #80
The subject rankings of Free Uni of Berlin in Times Higher Education rankings 2025 are #29 for Arts & Humanities, #70 for Law, #72 for Psychology, #42 for Social Sciences. Other rankings are:
- Physical Sciences: 101-125
- Business & Economics: #151-175
- Computer Science: #151-175
In the QS rankings, Free Uni of Berlin rank in 2026 is #88. 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 #59 in 2025. This university ranks among the Top 150 Universities in the world in the world rankings.
Free University of Berlin Courses
Free University of Berlin offers more than 250 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, MS in Pharmaceutical Research, 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.
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Guided 1.3K students to Germany universities.
Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
Free University of Berlin offers a wide variety of courses and they are:
- 173 degree programs
- 78 undergraduate programs
- 9 postgraduate programs
- 95 consecutive Masters programs
- 51 doctoral programs
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
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 University of Berlin Admissions
To get admission to Free University of Berlin, Indian students have to first apply via 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.
Free University of Berlin Application Deadlines
Admission at Free Uni of Berlin UG are offered as per Limited and Unrestricted basis. For PG courses, the application period is same for all the semesters. A few of the application deadlines for Free Uni of Berlin are given below:
| Particulars |
Bachelor's Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Limited admission | Jan 15, 2026 |
| Unrestricted admission | Mar 1, 2026 |
Free University of Berlin Eligibility for Indian Students
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
Undergtaduate 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.
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.
- 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
To study any Master's degree at Free University of Berlin, they must have completed a Bachelor's degree. A few of the documents that are required to apply are:
- APS Certificate
- Academic transcripts
- Financial documents
- Proof of English and/or German language proficiency
Freie Universität BerlinFree University of Berlin Scholarships
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.
1 yearFreie Universität BerlinStudents Ratings & Reviews
3 Verified Reviews- 25% students never faced discrimination in this university
(1) 1 person found this helpfulFree 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 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
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) | – / – | Duration: 1 year-3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 5 - 7, TOEFL: 72 - 95, PTE: 59 - 76 |
M.Sc.(9 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
MBA/PGDM(9 courses) | – / – | Duration: 2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
M.A.(85 courses) | – / – | 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.E. / B.Tech(3 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.A.(73 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3-4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 4 - 5, TOEFL: 43 & Above, PTE: 43 & Above |
MBBS(1 course) | – / – | Duration: 75 months Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
BDS(1 course) | – / – | Duration: 5 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
B.Ed(6 courses) | – / – | Duration: 3 years Exam Accepted: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
Free University of Berlin programs comprise of an extensive academic portfolio comprising of a wide variety of courses under the 173 degree programs, 78 undergraduate programs, 9 postgraduate programs, 95 consecutive masters programs, and 51 doctoral programs. The annual tuition fee for some of the most popular courses in the Free University of Berlin are listed in the table below:
| Course | 1st Year Tuition Fee |
|---|---|
| LL.M. | INR 8.49L |
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 - 5.17 L | #88 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 0 - 9.96 L | #89 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 0 - 10.22 L | #92 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 0 - 3.16 L | #49 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 0 | #34 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 3.16 L | #201 THE, 2026 |
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 6 days ago
Yes, a health insurance is mandatory for Indian students planning to study in Germany. The health insurance helps cover for doctor visits, emergency care, and hospital treatments. A public health insurance is usually more affordable. A public healthcare plan costs between EUR 120 and EUR 150 or INR
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes Free University of Berlin acceptance rate stands around 15% meaning out of every 100 candidates who apply for its admission process upto 15 will be accepted. This makes it extremely hard to get into the university ad only one tenth of the applicants will be offered admission
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
There are many ways Indian students can find part-time work in Germany. Some popular ways are mentioned below.
- Check in at the university career centers. They have access to job listings that are reserved exclusively for university students. Since there are less number of applications, this means bet
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 days ago
The tech sector often sees the highest demand in Berlin. The best paying jobs in Berlin for Indian students include roles like Software Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and Senior and Software Engineers, among others. Mentioned below are the average salaries earned by graduates employed in th
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 weeks ago
Yes absoltely because the Free University of Berlin ranked #88 in QS World University Rankings and #23 for WS WUR Ranking by Subject. In 2025 as well as 2026, it has been ranked the 4th best university in Germany by QS.
R
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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