Highlights:
- Tuition Fees: Free University does not charge any tuition fees except the administration fees which is around EUR 340 per semester
- Work in Germany: You can work part time in Germany for EUR 13.5 per hour which will help you cover your living expenses
- Cost of Living: For Indian students, the living expense is around EUR 600-700 per month including health Insurance
- Admissions: For admission, you must submit the FU-BEST Application Form along with signed where indicated.
Free University of Berlin also called as Freie Universität Berlin offers 173 degree programs in all areas of study. It is a top ranked international public research institution in Berlin, founded in 1948. To take admission to Free University of Berlin, you must do any of the following:
- Complete 13 years of study in India
- Complete 12th and study 1 year in College before applying
- Complete 3 years diploma after 10th
- Take 1 year foundation course in Germany after 12th
To take admission to master’s programs at Free University of Berlin, you must have completed a bachelor’s degree from India. A record 43,000 Indian students are presently enrolled in various German colleges and universities. As per Federal Statistical Office of Germany, the number of Indian students has shot up by 146 per cent over the last five years. Indian students are choosing to study in Germany over other countries due to multiple reasons. They are:
- Better quality resources
- Low or no tuition fees
- Renowned STEM programs
- No housing and accommodation crisis yet
- Part time job availability for Indian students at 13.5 Euro per hour
- Low cost of living of around EUR 650 per month
Free University of Berlin offers 11 departments and a total of 173 courses to choose from. Multiple surveys from recognized agencies have placed Free University of Berlin among the 5 best universities in Germany. International students need a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%) for admission to Free University of Berlin. Students need proficiency either in English or German to be eligible to apply to the courses in the university. After graduation, Free University of Berlin students secure high paying employment with average salaries up to 171,000 EUR per annum (1.52 lakhs INR).
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Free University of Berlin Rankings
Free University of Berlin has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world according to various ranking agencies. Some of the global rankings of the university according to various reputed ranking agencies are as follows:
| Ranking Type | 2025 Rank | 2024 Rank | 2023 Rank | 2022 Rank | 2021 Rank | 2022 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #97 | #94 | #=118 | #127 | #130 | #130 |
| THE World University Rankings | #102 | #=91 | #83 | #=118 | #=117 |
Free University of Berlin Campus
Free University of Berlin has four central institutes and six graduate schools. Most of the facilities are centred at the main location of Dahlem School of Education, however Institute of East European Studies, Institute of Latin American Studies and JFK Institute of North American Studies form an integral part of the university.
The University Library is the central attraction of the institution. It’s equipped with individual and group work rooms and has manuscripts, research texts and e-content. Campus Library containing academic and research material for Psychology, Science, Maths, Computer Science and Cultural Studies is also accessible to students.
Free University of Berlin Fees
Studying at the University is free for dometic and international students. It is best for students who are financially backward or belongs to middle class Indian family dreaming of studying abroad. If you think that getting a master’s from abroad is the only way for you to shape your future, you must take advantage of the free education in Germany and set a path for your career. This makes Germany better than India for study. International students can pursue 173 degree courses in Free University of Berlin on
- Masters in Humanities,
- Master’s of Arts
- Master’s of Science
- Master’s of Natural science
Some of the courses are solely associated with the university, while others are in cooperation with other prestigious universities.
MS in Data Science is a popularly chosen course by international candidates as it is taught in the English medium. Applicants need to produce an English language proof along with certain specific score requirements in the bachelor’s degree. Knowledge of computer programming languages such as C++, Java, Python, etc. is mandatory. The cost that you have to pay are:
| Fee type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Administration fee | 50 € |
| Contribution to the Studierendenwerk / student union (social contribution, or Sozialbeitrag) | 63 € |
| Contribution to student government (Studierendenschaft) | 10 € |
| Contributions for the Deutschlandssemesterticket (including social fund) for eligible students | 181 € |
| Total | 304.40 € |
Free University of Berlin Admissions
English is the medium of teaching for a lot of courses considering the lack of German language knowledge in a lot of international applicants. The university offers some master’s courses for continuing studies candidates. If the course is taught in German, the german language proficiency scores are required. The admission process involves few steps which are:
- Select a semester by checking the semester schedules.
- Download the General Terms and Conditions of Business (AGB)
- Download the FU-BEST Application Form.
- All documents must be signed where indicated.
- Get mandatory German insurance package which includes international health insurance.
Free University Application Deadlines
Submitting the documents and applying within the deadline is very important. You must follow the below mentioned deadlines for applications.
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall semester | April 1 (day of receipt) |
| Spring semester | November 1 (day of receipt) |
| Degree programs with one subject | July 15, 2024 |
| Combined bachelor’s degree programs | July 15, 2024 |
| Master’s degree programs with limited admission | May 31, 2024 |
| Master’s degree programs in education | August 15, 2024 |
Graduate Admissions
| Application Portal | Online Application Portal |
| Application Fee | 10 EUR (890 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | School and university degree or certificates | Translated transcripts (If in native language) |
| GPA | 3.0 out of 4.0 (83-86%) |
| German Language Proficiency | TestDaF with level 5 in all four parts | DSH 3 |
| English Language Proficiency | IELTS: 4.0 to 5.0 | TOEFL iBT: 71 or equivalent |
| SOP/LOR | Letter of Motivation | Letter of Recommendation |
| Additional Requirements | Copy of Passport | Resume |
Undergraduate Admissions
| Application Portal | UniAssist |
| Application Fee | 10 EUR (890 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | Degree or certificates | Translated transcripts (If in native language) |
| GPA | 3.0 out of 4.0 (83-86%) |
| Age Proof | Minimum 18 years |
| German Language Proficiency | TestDaF with level 5 in all four parts | DSH 3 |
| English Language Proficiency | IELTS: 4.0 to 5.0 | TOEFL iBT: 71 or equivalent |
| SOP/LOR | Letter of Motivation | LORs |
| Additional Requirements | Copy of Passport | Resume | Proof of Fund Availability |
Free University of Berlin Cost of Attendance
Free University of Berlin does not charge tuition except for the continuing studies program. The university recommends that you should count on spending a minimum of 934 Euro per month. However, as per Indian students, the cost of living is around EUR 600-EUR 700 per month including health Insurance (EUR 125). This includes rent, food, study material, health insurance, clothing, etc. You can also look for accommodations at various sources like:
- Studentenwerk Berlin (Student Services)
- WG-Gesucht: WG-Gesucht is a popular online platform in Germany for finding shared apartments ("Wohngemeinschaft" or WG) and rental options.
- Immobilienscout24: Immobilienscout24 is one of the largest real estate websites in Germany.
- Facebook Groups
- Bulletin Boards at the University
- Local Newspapers
The breakdown for the fees comprising cost of living in Germany is as follows:
Free University of Berlin Accommodations
The university offers accommodation to students in association with ERG Universitätsservice GmbH. These residential rooms are available at Studierendenwerk Berlin and Studentendorf Schlachtensee. The apartments at IBZ are available only for doctorates and scientists.
Single rooms with shared facilities and single/studio apartments are available for accommodation. In the single room with shared facilities option, students get the basic facilities of washroom, kitchen, and internet, dryer and washing machine (available for additional fee). Studio apartments consist of the basic amenities along with gym, gaming room, study area, TV area, and laundry services. Studio apartments are available at Neon Wood and The Student Hostel. The cost of living for Free University of Berlin students are as follows:
| Type of Room | Rent Per Semester (EUR) | Equivalent Rate for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Homestay (incl. breakfast and dinner) | 2,800 | 2.50 lakhs |
| Student Village, single-occupancy (self-catering) | 2,300 | 2.06 lakhs |
| The Social Hub (formerly The Student Hotel), single-occupancy (self-catering) | 4,360 | 3.9 lakhs |
| Accessible housing (self-catering) | 2,920 | 2.61 lakhs |
Free University of Berlin Scholarships
Free University of Berlin does not offer scholarships in Germany for international students on its own but does associate with the Center for International Cooperation (CIC) which bridges this gap. Short-time financial assistance is provided to maintain international associations.
- German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships every year for international students. These can be availed by students pursuing language courses, master's and doctoral programs, and academic internships.
- German Research Organizations, like DFG, FhG, MPG, etc. also offer grants for research projects or individual researchers. The Library of John F. Kennedy institute offers grants to multiple students every year from its impressive collections. Advanced scholars and Ph.D. candidates can avail this scholarship.
Free University of Berlin Placements
Free University of Berlin takes part in the European Career Fair, apart from the other career fairs across Berlin and Germany. Stellenticket Freie Universität Berlin is the job portal where students can look for a position that suits one’s interest and qualifications.
- You can look for part time jobs which will provide salary of around EUR 800 per month. There are agencies in Germany that can help Indian students find jobs.
- Part time jobs are provided at an average 13.5 EUR per hour. So you can earn around EUR 1000 by working 20 days.
- International Career service is also provided at the university to hone the skills of students who wish to work abroad.
- Free University of Berlin also posts vacancies for professorships, academic and non-academic staff. These vacancies are also available on university job portal and students with the desired credentials can apply for the same.
- Students placed in the Financial Services sector have bagged the highest package which can range from 100,000 to 145,000 EUR. As per educational degree, Master of Science pass outs have proved the most successful.
Free University of Berlin Alumni
Free University of Berlin alumni are spread around over 100 countries in the world. Free University of Berlin reserves benefits for alumni in the networking, invitation and discount categories. These benefits are as follows:
- Invitation to university events
- Opportunity for networking
- Access to multiple newsletters from the university
- Registration for email updates from the university
- Discount on sports program, GasthorerCard CLASSIC and Annual Longnight of Sciences.
| Alumni | Designation |
|---|---|
| Andrea Fischer | Former member of German Bundestag |
| Michael Roes | German Writer and Filmmaker |
| Jacques de Caso | Historian |
| Rudi Dutschke | German Sociologist |
| Elke Heidenreich | German author, Literary Critic, TV Presenter, and Journalist |
Free University of Berlin is one of the best universities in Germany. The university secures an annual goverment funding of 370 million Euros and an external funding expenditure of 125 million Euros. With over 38% doctoral students from abroad, Free University of Berlin is one of the best research institutes of the university.
FAQs
Ques. Is Free University of Berlin free?
Ans. Yes. Free University of Berlin does not charge any tuition fee for majority of its programs. The university charges a nominal semester fee between 237.89 to 242.99 EUR (21,300 to 21,700 INR) and few other related expenses from the enrolling students.
Ques. What are the ranks of Free University of Berlin?
Ans. Free University of Berlin is ranked at #118 in QS World University Rankings, 2023. The university has secured the #91 rank in THE World University Rankings, 2023. It is currently the #5 Best University in Germany according to U.S. News and World Report.
Ques. Does Free University of Berlin offer courses in English?
Ans. Yes. Free University of Berlin offers various programs entirely in English as a language of study.
Ques. What are the admission requirements at Free University of Berlin?
Ans. International students need a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (83-86%). Students mandatorily need English proficiency or German language proficiency for different courses at the university.
Ques. How much does Free University of Berlin graduates earn?
Ans. Free University of Berlin graduates earn up to 108,000 EUR per annum average salaries. MS graduates of the university reportedly earn an average annual salary of 98,000 EUR per year.
Free University of Berlin Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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M.S Computer Science 2 years | Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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M.S Data Science 2 years | Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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M.S Management and Marketing 2 years | Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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B.S Business Administration 3 years | Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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Application Deadline for Spring Intake (1st Nov 2024) Application Deadline for Fall Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 8,938 /Yr EUR 8,200 /Yr |
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Free University of Berlin comparison
| University Name | Free University of Berlin | Humboldt University of Berlin | Technical University Munich | University of Stuttgart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.1 Out of 10 | 6.2 Out of 10 | 6.2 Out of 10 | 4.3 Out of 10 |
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| Placement | According to the British Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 the FU Berlin ranks 83rd globally and seventh in Germany. Average Salaries By Degree Are:
| Graduate Employability Ranking- #34 (THE, 2019); Doctorate (106,000 USD); PhD (103,000 USD); LLM (100,000 USD); Masters in Science (66,000 USD). | Tie-ups with around 800 start-ups set up by alumni and faculty. | Graduate employability rankings’ 20: #191-200. |
| - | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison |
Overall 97 out of 1503 in Global Ranking
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Free University of Berlin Student Profiles
Free University of Berlin Reviews
1 Reviews Found
- Likes:
- 1. No tuition fees 2. 2 year MS program 3. Opportunity to do a lab internship for a year and convert that to my thesis project 4. Transferrable skills,
- Excellent faculty, structured syllabus, the opportunity to conduct research for 6 months and then use that experience to write your thesis, do a mini-experiment and have a shot at publishing your own paper
- Dislikes:
- No Placement cell or post course guidance on what to do after the MS. German culture in general is a cold culture with not many friends or approachable students. So one has to get used to live alone, used to their bureaucracy and rules.
Overview:
Wonderful learning experience at Freie University Berlin. The 2 years I spent at the university were amazing, enriching, insightful and academically dense. The statistics course especially was tough and aimed at engineers but the professor made sure we understood it and now it pays off as I can understand the complex Math in research Papers. The opportunity to do an internship, my own thesis was the highlight and best part of the course as I got apply the academic concepts in real life settings.
Fees:
Tuition fees are waived off. One needs to pay around ~320 euros per semester as a contribution to student union and it also includes a 6 month train pass.
Free University of Berlin Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bharat Petroleum Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Google's Women Techmakers Program | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarships | Scholarship per student$100,000 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bhajan Lal Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Heinrich Boll Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCompany-Sponsored | |
| Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based |
Free University of Berlin Admissions
Application Portal: https://identity.fu-berlin.de/registration/account?execution=e1s1
Fall Deadlines
Important Date: April1 (Application deadline)Spring Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 631 | - | - | - |
Free University of Berlin Campus Location
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Comments
85 Comments
Yes, You need to submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 for an English-taught programs.
Yes, You must submit an IELTS score of at least 6.5 for English-taught programs.
FU Berlin offers a welcoming environment for English-speaking international students, but fluency in German would be beneficial for navigating daily life beyond academics.