History
Freie Universität owes its founding, in 1948, to international support, and international impulses have shaped the university’s research activities and student life ever since.
Education
- Each year, about 600 international scholars and scientists contribute to the variety of teaching and research activities pursued at Freie Universität.
- One groundbreaking development that demonstrates the way the university takes international cooperation to the next level is the five international liaison offices of Freie Universität that were founded beginning in 2007 – in Beijing, Cairo, Moscow, New Delhi, and São Paulo. Another is the establishment of special arrangements with selected universities in the form of strategic partnerships.
Research
The main features of Freie Universität’s research activities include the broad variety of global academic and scientific cooperation arrangements in place as part of alliance projects and interdisciplinary networks with other entities active in research.
Career
- Freie Universität Berlin is not only the site of education for over 30,000 students across 11 departments, but also offers a wide array of possibilities for those just starting out in a particular occupation, such as vocational training, opportunities for cooperative academic education and vocational training, and traineeships in administration.
Freie Universität Berlin Scholarships
Below you will find scholarships related to Freie Universität Berlin. Distinction can be made between scholarships provided by the University and those provided by independent providers.
Provided by university
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
The Deutschlandstipendium at German Universities
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 EUR
Deadline
22 Apr 2025
DashTickets Foundation Scholarship Opportunity for Undergraduate Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
04 Jul 2025
EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Government Scholarships Programme Oman
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
480 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
SBW Berlin Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Gordon Hay Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
20 Dec 2024
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
27 Dec 2024
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Coupons Plus Deals “Save for Future” Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
15 Feb 2025
Fighting Bullying With Technology
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
The Deutschlandstipendium at German Universities
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 EUR
Deadline
22 Apr 2025
DashTickets Foundation Scholarship Opportunity for Undergraduate Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
04 Jul 2025
EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Government Scholarships Programme Oman
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
480 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
SBW Berlin Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Gordon Hay Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
20 Dec 2024
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
27 Dec 2024
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Coupons Plus Deals “Save for Future” Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
15 Feb 2025
Fighting Bullying With Technology
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Provided by university
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
The Smooth Movers Scholarships
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
300 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
The Deutschlandstipendium at German Universities
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 EUR
Deadline
22 Apr 2025
DashTickets Foundation Scholarship Opportunity for Undergraduate Students
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
500 EUR
Deadline
04 Jul 2025
EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000000 INR
Deadline
Anytime
Education Future International Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 USD
Deadline
Not specified
Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1500 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
Government Scholarships Programme Oman
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
480 EUR
Deadline
Not specified
SBW Berlin Scholarship
Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
649 EUR
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Scholarship of the German National Academic Foundation
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
40000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Mary Doctor Fine Arts Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
10000 USD
Deadline
25 Mar 2025
Gordon Hay Scholarship
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
01 Jun 2025
1040 Abroad International Studies Scholarship Initiative
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
Various benefits
Deadline
Not specified
Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
20 Dec 2024
The Fountainhead Essay Contest
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
25000 USD
Deadline
27 Dec 2024
Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest
Merit-based Need-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
5000 CAD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Pinsky Law New Venture Development Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
3000 USD
Deadline
31 Dec 2024
Coupons Plus Deals “Save for Future” Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
15 Feb 2025
Fighting Bullying With Technology
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
Independent provider
Grant
1000 USD
Deadline
26 Feb 2025
Dream Chaser Scholarship
Merit-based
Read more about eligibility
University Ranking
QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
97 1
2024
98 20
2023
118
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
104 -2
2024
102 -11
2023
91
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
66 21
2023
87
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
Student services
The Student Services Center (SSC) is the first address for all concerns related to studying at Freie Universität.
Housing services
Freie Universität Berlin arranges accommodation for international exchange and program students as well as international visiting scholars of Freie Universität Berlin. We have a certain number of accommodation available for student accommodation, for which you can register via this website. Please note: The number of accommodations is limited, the distribution is based on the "first-come-first-served" principle. If all options are written off, the registration closes.
Wheelchair-accessible housing is available upon request. Please see our website for a full description of the furnished single-occupancy studio apartment and note that the registration deadline for this housing option is one month before the regular registration deadline.
Library services
The library portal Primo is the central search interface for searching and accessing local and outside resources, such as books, e-books, journal articles etc.; the Primo mega-index contains nearly one billion datasets.
Medical services
Please bring along proof of health insurance (European Health Insurance Card or temporary certificate) from the health insurance in your home country. This proof of health insurance must then be accepted by AOK (“Campus Point Freie Universität”) or by any other state-regulated health insurance company in Germany.
Sports facilities
You can combine work and sports at Freie Universität Berlin! Activities range from group runs before work to after-work tennis matches at the courts in Dahlem and getting the day off to a relaxing start with morning yoga at the library.
The University Sports Center offers all employees an attractive exercise program near the workplace. The center’s offerings are varied and extensive, ranging from team and individual sports to martial arts and relaxation and covering almost all facets of sports and exercise.
Student clubs
Since 1990, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany has sponsored more than 80 Local Student ERASMUS Initiatives at German universities. At Freie Universität Berlin, a group of FU students voluntarily organizes the DAAD-affiliated International Club. Not only do these students take care of incoming students who are in Berlin for a semester or more, they also help outgoing students prepare their studies abroad.
The system of accreditation was implemented in Germany on the part of the German Rectors' Conference within the framework of the Bologna Process which aims at creating a collective European space for higher education.
The system is designed to secure the quality of academics and teaching acccording to collective European standards. The process of accrediation is completed by an agency for accreditation. At the end of this process, the Accrediation Council awards their seal of approval to the respective degree program.