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Free University of Berlin Rankings 2026
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Last updated on 31 Dec '25
- Free University of Berlin Ranking
- Free University of Berlin Course Ranking
- Free University of Berlinl Ranking by US News & World Report 2025
- Free University of Berlin ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings 2026
- Free University of Berlin Ranking by THE (Times Higher Education) 2026
- Free University of Berlin ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2026
- Freie Universität Berlin Student Reviews
Freie Universität BerlinFree University of Berlin Ranking
Free University of Berlin is one of the top-rated universities in Germany. Known for its wide range of courses and its teaching pedagogy, the university has a reputation that is reflected in its rankings from various world-known ranking bodies.
If you look at the Free University of Berlin ranking for 2025, it stands at #90 globally and #4 nationally, by the Shiksha Popularity Ranking. These rankings stood at #90 and #4, in 2024. QS has also ranked the university at #88, in 2026.
Check out the table below showing 3-year trend of Free University of Berlin ranking globally:
| Ranking Body | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS | Not Ranked | 98 | 97 | 88 |
| THE | 91 | 102 | 104 | 113 |
| US News | 87 | 66 | 59 | Not Ranked |
#4
World rank by different ranking providers
Shiksha
#89QS Ranking
#39US News Ranking
#59THE Ranking
#113
Freie Universität BerlinFree University of Berlin Course Ranking
Now, let us look at Free University of Berlin course rankings. Some of its courses in the field of Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Law, Medicine & Health Sciences and Science are ranked in 2025 by top ranking bodies such as Shiksha Popularity World Ranking and QS, exemplifying Free University of Berlin and its strengths.
The university ranking for Engineering courses stands at #457 in 2025 as per Shiksha Popularity Ranking. This ranking has declined from its 2024 rank of #404. These courses are also ranked at #292 by QS.
Apart from these courses, Shiksha Popularity Ranking also ranks its Business & Management Studies courses globally. Holding firm, this course was positioned at #361 in 2025. Overall, most of the courses offered by this university are notably appealing to international students.
The below table highlights how some popular Free University of Berlin courses perform as part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings 2025 -
| Course Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | #390 | #404 | #457 |
| Business & Management Studies | #324 | #323 | #361 |
| Law | #54 | #63 | #61 |
| Medicine & Health Sciences | #194 | #222 | #269 |
| Science | #75 | #90 | #96 |
MS
Shiksha
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THE
ARWU
Specializations in MS Program
Shiksha
QS
ARWU
Shiksha
QS
THE
MSN
Shiksha
ARWU
M.A.
Shiksha
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ARWU
Specializations in M.A. Program
Shiksha
QS
Free University of Berlinl Ranking by US News & World Report 2025
As per the US World and News rankings 2025, Free University of Berlin ranks as one of the top universities around the world and also in Germany. In the Global Universities ranking category, this university ranks #59.
It’s ranking for the year 2024 was #66 and in 2023 it was #87. Seeing this trend, the Free University of Berlin rankings are improving significantly over the years. Students can check the table below for the Free University of Berlin US News & World Report Rankings over the year
As per the US World and News rankings 2025, Free University of Berlin ranks as one of the top universities around the world and also in Germany. In the Global Universities ranking category, this university ranks #59.
It’s ranking for the year 2024 was #66 and in 2023 it was #87. Seeing this trend, the Free University of Berlin rankings are improving significantly over the years. Students can check the table below for the Free University of Berlin US News & World Report Rankings over the years:
| Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Universities | 87 | 66 | 59 |
Free University of Berlin Comparison with Other Universities: US News and World Report
According to the table given below for the US World and News rankings, Free University of Berlin and Heidelberg University rank the same at rank #59 for the year of 2025. The FU Berlin ranking has been consistently improving since 2023. The same is the case with Humboldt University.
Also, it ranks the best out of all the universities given in the table below.
|
University Name |
US News Ranking 2023 |
US News Ranking 2024 |
US News University Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free University of Berlin |
87 |
66 |
59 |
|
Humboldt University |
61 |
48 |
47 |
|
University of Bonn |
138 |
157 |
164 |
|
Heidelberg University |
57 |
55 |
59 |
Free University of Berlin US News and World: Ranking Criteria
There are many factors when deciding the rankings of the top universities out of the 250 universities available here. Some very important factors considered by the US News are graduation rates, graduation performance rates, college graduate salaries, borrower debt, peer assessment, financial resources per student, faculty salaries, standardized tests and more.
Students can check the table below for some crucial ranking criteria of US News along with the weightage they consider while determining rankings of FU Berlin:
|
Free University of Berlin Ranking Criteria (US News) |
Weightage |
|---|---|
|
Global research reputation |
12.5% |
|
Regional research reputation |
12.5% |
|
Publications |
10% |
|
Books |
2.5% |
|
Conferences |
2.5% |
|
Normalized citation impact |
10% |
|
Total citations |
7.5% |
|
Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited |
12.5% |
|
International collaboration – relative to the country |
5% |
|
International collaboration |
5% |
|
Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field |
5% |
|
Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers |
5% |
Free University of Berlin ranking by Quacquarelli Symonds Rankings 2026
The QS rankings are very well known for its accurate rankings. This ranking body ranks over 1,418 institutions in 100 different locations. The criteria which is used is the Academic reputation, employer reputation, internationalization along with other factors.
As per the QS Global rankings, Free University of Berlin ranks at #88 for the year 2026. This ranking was 97 last year (in 2025) and 98 in the previous one (in 2024). It shows that the rankings for this institution are getting better year
The QS rankings are very well known for its accurate rankings. This ranking body ranks over 1,418 institutions in 100 different locations. The criteria which is used is the Academic reputation, employer reputation, internationalization along with other factors.
As per the QS Global rankings, Free University of Berlin ranks at #88 for the year 2026. This ranking was 97 last year (in 2025) and 98 in the previous one (in 2024). It shows that the rankings for this institution are getting better year after year. Check out the university rankings given below -
| Ranked by | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 | 43 | 39 |
| World University | 98 | 97 | 88 |
| Accounting and Finance | 201 | 251 | 301 |
| Biological Sciences | 85 | 80 | 89 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 34 | 30 | 30 |
| Engineering and Technology | 288 | 292 | – / – |
| Law and Legal Studies | 65 | 65 | 99 |
| Mathematics | 130 | 151 | 125 |
| Performing Arts | – / – | – / – | 51 |
| Pharmacy and Pharmacology | 67 | 77 | 101 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 113 | 124 | 124 |
| Politics | 22 | 32 | 37 |
| Sociology | 29 | 43 | 35 |
FU Berlin Comparison with Other Universities: Quacquarelli Symonds
As per the comparison of rankings given below (by QS), Heidelberg University ranks at the best position which is #80 and also these rankings are getting better with each passing year. This trend of improved rankings can be seen among all the universities given below including the Free University of Berlin.
Look at the QS rankings comparison of the similarly ranked universities in the table given below -
|
University Name |
QS World 2024 |
QS World 2025 |
QS World 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free University of Berlin |
98 |
97 |
88 |
|
Humboldt University |
120 |
126 |
120 |
|
University of Bonn |
239 |
227 |
207 |
|
Heidelberg University |
87 |
84 |
80 |
Free University of Berlin QS Rankings Criteria
The QS Ranking body has a yearly report which uses a methodology which takes the factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, research influence and international presence into account. Overall, in QS rankings, FU Berlin receives a total score of 71.1 out of 100.
There are a few more factors considered along with the basics by QS for Free University of Berlin which includes the faculty-student ratio, employer reputation, Employer outcomes, academic reputation, and more. International applicants can also go through the QS ranking criteria with weightage while providing rankings to FU Berlin below -
|
Free University of Berlin QS Ranking Criteria |
Weight out of 100 |
|---|---|
|
Overall |
71.1 |
|
Academic Reputation |
88.3 |
|
Citations per Faculty |
84.3 |
|
Employment Outcomes |
46.9 |
|
Employer Reputation |
66.4 |
|
Faculty Student Ratio |
8.3 |
|
International Faculty Ratio |
73.8 |
|
International Research Network |
94.4 |
|
International Student Ratio |
56 |
|
Sustainability |
65.4 |
Also Check: QS World University Ranking Methodology
Free University of Berlin Ranking by THE (Times Higher Education) 2026
A very well-known ranking body, Times Higher Education considers a lot of factors when releasing the Free University of Berlin rankings. The important factors like impact rankings, world reputation rankings, Asia University rankings, emerging economies university rankings along with others. Earlier, this ranking body used to be dependent on QS but now it has started ranking the universities on its own.
As far as the FU Berlin rankings go, for the year 2026, this institution ranked at #113 which
A very well-known ranking body, Times Higher Education considers a lot of factors when releasing the Free University of Berlin rankings. The important factors like impact rankings, world reputation rankings, Asia University rankings, emerging economies university rankings along with others. Earlier, this ranking body used to be dependent on QS but now it has started ranking the universities on its own.
As far as the FU Berlin rankings go, for the year 2026, this institution ranked at #113 which is an decline of 9 places to what it was in 2025. In the year 2024, THE rankings stood at #102. So, this university is constantly declining its rank.
| Ranked by | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| University | 102 | 104 | 113 |
| Arts and Humanities | 32 | 29 | 26 |
| Law | 77 | 70 | 63 |
| Life Sciences | 82 | 80 | 90 |
| PG Business and Economics | 126 | 151 | 176 |
| PG Computer Science | 176 | 151 | 176 |
| Psychology | 74 | 72 | 74 |
FU Berlin Comparison with Other Universities: THE (Times Higher Education)
As per the rankings comparison given below, according to Times Higher Education (THE 2026), Free University of Berlin ranks at #113 which is a decline.
The Free University of Berlin rankings remain constant for all the three years and for all the other ones, these rankings are fluctuating. Heidelberg University ranks the best out of all the universities given in the table.
Look at the table of comparison given below-
|
University Name |
THE 2024 |
THE 2025 |
THE 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free University of Berlin |
102 |
104 |
113 |
|
Humboldt University |
87 |
84 |
89 |
|
University of Bonn |
91 |
89 |
92 |
|
Heidelberg University |
47 |
47 |
49 |
Free University of Berlin THE Ranking Criteria 2026
Times Higher Education (THE) has a lot of factors when deciding the rankings of top universities. Some of the most important factors THE considers are teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry. Overall, this university gets the score of 65.2 out of 100.
Students can check the table below for the ranking criteria of THE along with the weightage they consider while determining rankings of FU Berlin:
|
Free University of Berlin Ranking Criteria (THE) |
Weightage (Out of 100) |
|---|---|
|
Overall |
65.2 |
|
Teaching |
50.2 |
|
Research environment |
58.3 |
|
Research quality |
82.2 |
|
International outlook |
79.5 |
|
Industry |
72.4 |
Free University of Berlin ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2026
Academic Ranking of World University or Shanghai Ranking is one of the top publishers of world university rankings. It provides various rankings, such as world rankings, broad subject field rankings, and specific subject rankings.
As per the FU Berlin ARWU rankings the university is ranked at #201 which has been consistent since the year 2024. Along with the university rankings, the Free University of Berlin courses like Law, Mathematics, Physics and Political Sciences are also ranked by ARWU. T
Academic Ranking of World University or Shanghai Ranking is one of the top publishers of world university rankings. It provides various rankings, such as world rankings, broad subject field rankings, and specific subject rankings.
As per the FU Berlin ARWU rankings the university is ranked at #201 which has been consistent since the year 2024. Along with the university rankings, the Free University of Berlin courses like Law, Mathematics, Physics and Political Sciences are also ranked by ARWU. They are ranked between #51 and #201.
| Ranked by | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 151 | 201 | – / – |
| Mathematics | – / – | 201 | 201 |
| Nursing | 101 | 151 | 151 |
| Physics | 301 | 301 | 301 |
| Political Sciences | 51 | 101 | 51 |
| Sociology | 151 | 101 | 151 |
FU Berlin Comparison with Other Universities: ARWU (Shanghai Rankings)
As per the table given below, the Mathematics courses from Humboldt University are ranked the best at #51. But the Free University of Berlin is ranked at #201, which is constant from last year.
Look at the comparison given below -
|
University Name |
ARWU Rankings 2023 |
ARWU Rankings 2024 |
ARWU Rankings 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Free University of Berlin |
- |
201 |
201 |
|
Humboldt University |
51 |
51 |
51 |
|
Heidelberg University |
- |
201 |
301 |
Free University of Berlin ARWU (Shanghai Rankings) 2026: Ranking Criteria
ARWU rankings consider a lot of factors when deciding the rankings of top universities. Important factors considered by Shanghai Rankings are given below -
- Quality of education
- Quality of faculty
- Research output
- Per capita performance
Read More: Shanghai (ARWU) World University Ranking Methodology
Freie Universität BerlinStudents Ratings & Reviews
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Freie Universität Berlin
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 weeks ago
According to Free University of Berlin Employment report 2020, 53.8% of Free University of Berlin received job offer during or just after completing their Masters degree. Also, graduates with full time position has gross salary between €1,501 and €3,000.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Indian students who are interested to apply at Free University of Berlin for Media and Communication courses must submit English language scores. There are many English tests such as IELTS, TOFEL, PTE, etc. Table below mentions English scores required from international students-
English Proficiency Tests | Scores |
|---|---|
IELTS | 5.0 - 7.0 |
TOEFL | 71 - 95 |
PTE | 43 - 76 |
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Free University of Berlin is ranked #30 for Mass Communication & Media programs in the world by QS World rankings 2025. This shows the university is ranked among top universities in the world for Mass Communication & Media courses. Also, the university is ranked #2 in Germany for this course.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
The duration of Mass Communication & Media courses is different for UG and PG courses. The duration of UG courses such as Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication Studies is 3 years. While the duration of PG courses is 2 years.
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
Ranked among the 30 best universities offering Communication & Media Studies in the world by QS World rankings 2025, Institute of Media and Communication Studies is the Media School of Free University of Berlin.
K
Contributor-Level 10
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| University City | Berlin, Other - Germany, Germany |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 37,11,930 |
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