Free University of Berlin

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. 

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

FU Berlin acceptance rate is around 15%. This acceptance rate suggests that this university is very selective at the time of admission. Indian students who want to take admission to this university should have a good academic background. For admission to UG courses, students are required to have a high school certificate and for PG courses must have a Bachelor's degree. 

There 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. 

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. 

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 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 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

A comparison of these universities is given as follows. however, the decision to study at either of these universities is based on students' choice only.