Freie Universität Berlin
Berlin, Germany • Founded 1948 • World Rank #280
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1948, the Freie Universität Berlin (Free University of Berlin) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the suburban setting of the metropolis of Berlin (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants).
Officially recognized by the Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit, Pflege und Gleichstellung, Berlin (Senate Department for Science, Health, Nursing and Gender Equality of Berlin), Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) is a large-sized coeducational German higher education institution. Freie Universität Berlin (FUB) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study.
This 76-year-old German higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
FUB also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, sports facilities, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit Freie Universität Berlin? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
Freie Universität Berlin's scale, faculty balance, and academic recognition. Staff-with-doctorate share often signals research culture more reliably than headline research output figures.
Degrees
Also Double Bachelor and Master's Degrees with other international universities (in France, China, Romania, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, Switzerland, Greece, Thailand). Combined Bachelor's Degree Programmes; Combined Bachelor's Degree Programmes with Teacher Training Option (Lehramt); Staatsexam in Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science, Dentistry; First Exam (Erste juristische Prüfung) in Law. English-language Master's Degree Programmes in areas such as: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Mathematics and Computer sciences, Arts and Humanities, Business Administration
Bachelor's 64 programs
Bachelor's programmes build foundational expertise, preparing graduates for entry-level professional roles and further postgraduate study.
- Advertising and Publicity
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Asian Studies
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Catalan
- Chemistry
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Contemporary History
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- East Asian Studies
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- Film
- French
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Greek
- Greek (Classical)
- Health Sciences
- Hebrew
- History
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Italian
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Korean
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Media Studies
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Modern Languages
- Oriental Studies
- Pharmacology
- Philology
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Portuguese
- Prehistory
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Religious Studies
- Science Education
- Social Sciences
- Spanish
- Special Education
- Theatre
- Veterinary Science
Master's 92 programs
Master's programmes develop advanced specialised expertise, suited to senior industry positions and applied research.
- Accountancy
- Administrative Law
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Anthropology
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Art Management
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Chemistry
- Child Care and Development
- Classical Languages
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Sciences
- Commercial Law
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Education
- Computer Science
- Contemporary History
- Dance
- Dutch
- Earth Sciences
- East Asian Studies
- Eastern European Studies
- Ecology
- Economics
- Educational Sciences
- English
- English Studies
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Studies
- European Languages
- European Studies
- European Union Law
- Film
- Finance
- Foreign Languages Education
- Gender Studies
- Geography
- Geology
- German
- Germanic Studies
- Greek
- History
- Humanities and Social Science Education
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- International Business
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Islamic Studies
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Korean
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Mass Communication
- Mathematics
- Mathematics Education
- Media Studies
- Medieval Studies
- Meteorology
- Modern History
- Musicology
- Native Language Education
- Neurosciences
- Persian
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Prehistory
- Preschool Education
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Publishing and Book Trade
- Religion
- Religious Education
- Romance Languages
- Science Education
- Social Sciences
- Social and Preventive Medicine
- Sociology
- Taxation
- Theatre
- Turkish
- Veterinary Science
Doctoral 100 programs
Doctoral programmes train independent researchers, leading to academic, scientific, and senior advisory careers.
- African Studies
- American Studies
- Ancient Civilizations
- Ancient Languages
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Arabic
- Archaeology
- Art History
- Arts and Humanities
- Asian Studies
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biomedicine
- Botany
- Business Administration
- Business Computing
- Cardiology
- Catholic Theology
- Cell Biology
- Chemistry
- Comparative Literature
- Computer Science
- Crystallography
- Cultural Studies
- Dentistry
- Dutch
- Earth Sciences
- East Asian Studies
- Ecology
- Econometrics
- Economics
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- Engineering
- English
- Ethics
- Ethnology
- Film
- Finance
- Genetics
- Geography (Human)
- Geophysics
- German
- Greek (Classical)
- Health Sciences
- History
- Immunology
- International Relations and Diplomacy
- Islamic Studies
- Islamic Theology
- Japanese
- Jewish Studies
- Latin
- Latin American Studies
- Law
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Management
- Marketing
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Medicine
- Meteorology
- Middle Eastern Studies
- Molecular Biology
- Musicology
- Neurology
- Neurosciences
- Oncology
- Oriental Languages
- Oriental Studies
- Paediatrics
- Persian
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Plant Pathology
- Political Sciences
- Prehistory
- Protestant Theology
- Psychiatry and Mental Health
- Psychology
- Regional Studies
- Religion
- Religious Studies
- Romance Languages
- Social Sciences
- Sociology
- Solid State Physics
- South Asian Studies
- South and Southeast Asian Languages
- Southeast Asian Studies
- Statistics
- Surveying and Mapping
- Theatre
- Turkish
- Veterinary Science
Other 16 programs
- Arts and Humanities
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Cultural Studies
- Earth Sciences
- Economics
- History
- Law
- Mathematics and Computer Science
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Political Sciences
- Social Sciences
- Veterinary Science
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Senatsverwaltung für Wissenschaft, Gesundheit, Pflege und Gleichstellung, Berlin.
Area Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Regional Studies
Complex Quantum Systems (DCCQS) (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physics
French Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- French
Humanities (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Italian Studies (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Italian
Modern Greece (CeMoG) (Centre) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Central European Studies
Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy (Department/Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Pharmacy
Common Career Paths
- Pharmacist
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Pharmaceutical Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Earth Sciences (Department/Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Earth Sciences
- Geology
- Meteorology
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Economics (Department/Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Economics
Common Career Paths
- Economist
- Policy Analyst
- Financial Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education and Psychology (Department/Division) 4 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Educational Sciences
- Primary Education
- Psychology
- Sports
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
History and Cultural Studies (Department/Division) 3 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- History
- Philosophy
- Social Sciences
Law (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mathematics and Computer Science (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mathematics and Computer Science
Common Career Paths
- Software Engineer
- Data Scientist
- Systems Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Philosophy and Humanities (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Film
- German
- Music
- Philosophy
- Theatre
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Editor
- Cultural Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Physics (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Physics
Common Career Paths
- Physicist
- Research Scientist
- Data Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Political and Social Sciences (Department/Division) 5 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Advertising and Publicity
- Communication Studies
- Ethnology
- Political Sciences
- Sociology
Common Career Paths
- Researcher
- Policy Analyst
- Social Worker
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Veterinary Science (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Veterinary Science
Common Career Paths
- Veterinarian
- Animal Health Specialist
- Wildlife Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Medicine (Faculty) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
Common Career Paths
- Physician
- Medical Researcher
- Clinical Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Literary Studies (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Literature
Mathematics (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Mathematics
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Muslim Cultures and Societies (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Islamic Studies
North American Studies (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
Regenerative Therapies (Graduate School) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Rehabilitation and Therapy
Eastern Europe Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Eastern European Studies
Latin American Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Latin American Studies
North American Studies (Institute) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- American Studies
Languages of Emotion (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Arts and Humanities
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Programs Offered
Freie Universität Berlin's programme finder filters by name across all degree levels. Departmental admissions criteria sometimes differ from institutional minimums — verify against the programme page before relying on either.
185 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Germany
Bachelor's Degree 77 programmes
Showing 10 of 77.
Master's Degree 108 programmes
Showing 10 of 108.
How to apply to Freie Universität Berlin
Practical steps to apply to Freie Universität Berlin, suitable as a starting checklist before contacting the admissions team directly.
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1
Identify the right programme
Start by exploring the programmes section on this page. Freie Universität Berlin runs 185 active programmes across multiple degree levels. Narrow by qualification tier and read each programme description before shortlisting.
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2
Check entry requirements
Before applying to Freie Universität Berlin, confirm you meet the academic, language, and document requirements for your chosen programme. International applicants should also check visa eligibility for Germany.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Standard documents: official transcripts, identity proof, language test results, personal statement, and references. Confirm exact requirements with Freie Universität Berlin's admissions office before assembling, as expectations vary by programme.
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4
Submit via the institution
Lodge your application through the official website (www.fu-berlin.de). Online forms are the standard route. Save your draft frequently and submit before the programme deadline.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Verify your application has been received by the admissions team. Reach the institution by phone at +49 (30) 8381. Monitor the portal for status updates, interview invitations, or document requests, and respond within the stated deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Freie Universität Berlin
Frequently asked questions about Freie Universität Berlin, covering the institutional basics most prospective applicants want to confirm first.
How old is Freie Universität Berlin?
The institution opened in 1948 (approximately 78 years ago).
What city is Freie Universität Berlin in?
Freie Universität Berlin operates from Berlin, Germany.
Is Freie Universität Berlin a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is Freie Universität Berlin's student body?
Freie Universität Berlin serves approximately 25,000-29,999 students.
What is Freie Universität Berlin's ranking?
Freie Universität Berlin holds rank #280 globally and #12 in Germany.
What degrees does Freie Universität Berlin offer?
Freie Universität Berlin delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
Who recognises Freie Universität Berlin?
Freie Universität Berlin is accredited by Akkreditierungsrat; Akkreditierungsagentur AQAS.
Where can I learn more about Freie Universität Berlin?
Freie Universität Berlin's official website is www.fu-berlin.de.
Top-Ranked Universities in Germany
Selectivity at the top Germany universities sets admissions baseline expectations for students applying to Freie Universität Berlin. The selectivity gap between Freie Universität Berlin and the leaders below tells you about admissions context.
Members of European University Association (EUA)
Faculty mobility within European University Association (EUA) networks often signals shared standards. Faculty members frequently move between Freie Universität Berlin and the institutions below over the course of careers.
Faculties at nearby universities
Cost of living varies meaningfully across cities and towns hosting the universities below. Even within a single region, accommodation and transit costs can differ by 30–50%.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Beyond Freie Universität Berlin, several other universities in Germany deliver focused Education & Teaching programmes worth exploring before you commit to a single application. Programme depth and elective range vary significantly between institutions.
Universities Compared with Freie Universität Berlin
Selectivity rates (acceptance percentage) cluster around Freie Universität Berlin for the peer institutions below. Selectivity is one of the more stable signals of institutional positioning over time.
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