Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)
About
Freie Universität Berlin is a tuition-free public university spanning an unusually broad range — science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), IT, law, medicine, humanities, economics, and social sciences — with IELTS 6.5 entry. Berlin's dense startup and tech economy gives strong internship access, backed by the EU-recognised degree and 18-month post-study job-seeker visa.
Berlin is Germany's creative capital and a magnet for young people from across the world. It's affordable for a major city, with an unmatched cultural scene (galleries, clubs, concert venues), thriving startup ecosystem, and a huge international student population. Student life here is intense and diverse.
Application deadlines
- Winter semester — Bachelor's degree, restricted admission (NC), via the central application service (uni-assist)15 July
Confirmed. Application window opens 1 June. Requires a preliminary assessment of your foreign school certificate (VPD) — request it about 8 weeks before applying. Source: https://www.fu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung/bewerbungsfristen/index.html
- Winter semester — Master's degree, open admission (zulassungsfrei), via the central application service (uni-assist)15 August
Confirmed. Application window opens 20 April. Source: https://www.fu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung/bewerbungsfristen/index.html
- Winter semester — Bachelor's degree, open admission (zulassungsfrei), via the central application service (uni-assist)1 September
Confirmed. Extended window for open-admission Bachelor's programmes, opens 1 June. Requires a preliminary assessment of your foreign school certificate (VPD). Source: https://www.fu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung/bewerbungsfristen/index.html
- Winter semester — Master's degree, restricted admission (NC), via the central application service (uni-assist)31 May
New: the page lists a separate, earlier deadline for restricted-admission Master's programmes not in our stored set. Source: https://www.fu-berlin.de/studium/bewerbung/bewerbungsfristen/index.html
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) as a non-EU student?
Tuition for non-EU students at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) is €0 per year. Living costs in Berlin are separate.
What IELTS score do you need for Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)?
English-taught programmes at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) typically require IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. Confirm the exact requirement per programme on the official admissions page.
How much money do you need to show for a student visa to Germany?
For a student residence permit in Germany you must prove €11,904 per year (2026, DAAD / Study in Germany — proof of financing (blocked account, 992 EUR/month for 12 months): https://www.study-in-germany.com/en/plan-your-studies/requirements/proof-of-financing/).
Does Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) offer scholarships?
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
Where is Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) located?
Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) is in Berlin, Germany. Kaiserswerther Str. 16-18, 14195 Berlin (Dahlem campus); Student Services Center Iltisstr. 4, 14195 Berlin
What can you study at Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)?
Fields offered include: STEM, Computer Science, Economics, Law, Humanities, Social Sciences, Medicine, Health, Education, International relations, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Cognitive Science.
Accommodation
studierendenWERK Berlin — 9,500 rooms in 33 dormitories. Shared flat (6 roommates): €520/month. Shared flat (4–8 roommates): €471/month. Smaller/older residences: €302–367/month. All-inclusive. Deposit €700 + service fee €75
- Studierendenwerk Berlin · regional student services — it allocates the halls, not the university
- WG-Gesucht
- HousingAnywhere
- ImmobilienScout24
Scholarships
- 🏛DAAD
- 🏛Deutschlandstipendium
DAAD: Master's/PhD, merit-based (RU/BY de-facto restricted post-2022). Deutschlandstipendium: €300/mo, all nationalities, merit + social commitment. Apply via university portal (Apr–Jun).
National funding for this destination
Honestly
Why this works
- Public university with zero tuition for international students, unlike many peers where non-EU fees reach thousands per year.
- Covers an unusually broad field range — science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), IT, law, medicine, humanities, economics, and social sciences — under one roof.
- A German public degree is EU-recognised, enabling work and credential mobility across 27 Schengen member states.
- Berlin's dense startup and tech economy creates strong internship and part-time work access directly during studies.
- Germany grants an 18-month post-study job-seeker visa, giving graduates structured time to convert a degree into employment.
- Students may work 120 full days or 240 half days per year, generating income to offset living costs.
What to check
- Most bachelor programmes are taught in German; without C1-level proficiency daily study and administration remain very difficult.
- Non-EU school leavers without a recognised Abitur equivalent typically must complete a preparatory year (Studienkolleg) before admission.
- Berlin's housing market is extremely tight; finding affordable student accommodation takes months and may require deposits far in advance.
- Germany requires proof of funds via a blocked account (Sperrkonto) holding roughly €11,904 for the first year before a visa is issued.
- IELTS 6.5 is the stated minimum, but competitive programmes in law, medicine, and economics may set higher effective entry bars.
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These fields in the country
Tuition and deadlines change with each academic year — the date beside the figures says when we last confirmed them on the official source. Visa rules are set by governments and can change between our checks.
We break down figures like these in the channel — each one with a source and a date. Open the channel