🐻Free University of Berlin

Berlin, Germany

QS World 2026 · #98

One of Berlin's major universities, founded during the Cold War as a Western alternative.

About FU Berlin

Free University of Berlin was founded in 1948 by students and academics who left Humboldt University after it came under Soviet-sector control — deliberately established as a free, Western-aligned alternative during the Cold War. It's particularly strong in the Humanities and Political Science.

Why students choose it

  • Founded in 1948 as a Cold War-era alternative to Soviet-sector Humboldt University
  • Strong Humanities and Political Science reputation
  • Central Berlin location

🎓 Free application support for FU Berlin

Submit a free enquiry and Tutopiya's admissions team will guide you through your application to FU Berlin — personal statement, interview prep and deadlines — at no cost, no obligation. Application fees are typically waived through our university partnerships.

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Typical entry grades

AAB (A Level)  ·  IB 34

High tier · indicative for the flagship courses below — always verify per-course requirements directly with the university.

Tuition (international, per year)

€0–€1,000/sem

low tier for Germany — figures are typical ranges, not this specific university's published fee.

Language of instruction

German (Bachelor's) — most undergraduate programmes are German-medium and require proof of German proficiency; a small number of English-taught Bachelor's tracks exist. Master's is far more commonly English-taught.

Campus

city campus, Berlin

🏆 Scholarships to look into

Informational only — scholarship amounts, deadlines and even which schemes are running change often (sometimes per intake), so treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Always confirm current details directly with the scholarship provider or FU Berlin's financial aid office.

Because most German public universities already charge minimal tuition to everyone regardless of citizenship, 'scholarships' here are more about living-cost support than fee reduction.

  • DAAD Scholarships: Germany's national academic exchange service — mainly postgraduate/research-focused, with a smaller number of undergraduate opportunities; covers living costs and sometimes fees.
  • Deutschlandstipendium: A merit-based monthly stipend available to enrolled students (domestic and international alike) at participating universities, funded jointly by government and private sponsors.

Since tuition itself is already low or free at most public universities, prioritise these for living-cost support rather than expecting a tuition-fee scholarship.

Want help figuring out which of these you'd actually qualify for? Talk to a free Tutopiya counsellor.

Popular courses

Humanities

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Political Science

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Natural Sciences

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Typical entry: Requires two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Maths

Medicine

⏱️ Typical duration: 5–6 years where entered straight from school (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong); typically a 4-year postgraduate MD entered after a Bachelor's (US, Canada)

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Typical entry: Requires Chemistry + Biology · Centralised allocation via hochschulstart.de (Abitur-equivalent GPA + waiting time); some universities add TMS as an extra criterion

Economics

⏱️ Typical duration: 3 years (6 semesters)

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Typical entry: Requires Mathematics

Durations are typical for Germany — always confirm the exact length (including any placement or integrated Master's year) on the course's own page before applying.

Not sure which course fits your grades and interests? Run the full shortlist builder →

How to apply

Main intake(s)
October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester)
Typical deadline
15 July for Winter semester, 15 January for Summer semester
Note
Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only)

Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

See where FU Berlin ranks on your personal shortlist

Enter your grades and budget in the free Germany University Shortlist Builder to see whether FU Berlin is a reach, target or safety for you — alongside every other Germany university that matches.

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More Germany universities

FU Berlin FAQ

Quick answers about grades, tuition, deadlines and applying to FU Berlin as an international IGCSE / A Level / IB student.

What grades do I need to get into FU Berlin?

As a typical benchmark for international entry, FU Berlin expects around AAB at A Level or 34 points on the IB Diploma. This is indicative for FU Berlin's flagship courses — competitive subjects like Medicine and Law usually sit above this baseline, and the exact requirement varies by course, so always confirm the specific figure on FU Berlin's own admissions page before applying.

How much does FU Berlin cost for international students?

International tuition at FU Berlin typically falls in the €0–€1,000/sem range (low tier for Germany). This is a typical range for the university's tuition tier, not FU Berlin's specific published fee for every course — confirm the exact figure for your intended programme directly with the university.

When is the application deadline for FU Berlin?

FU Berlin follows Germany's typical intake calendar: October (Winter semester), April (Summer semester), with applications generally due 15 july for winter semester, 15 january for summer semester. Most international applications run via uni-assist, but not all universities use it — confirm your target university's route. Always verify the exact date on FU Berlin's own admissions page, since deadlines can shift year to year.

What IELTS score do I need for FU Berlin?

Germany universities, including FU Berlin, typically ask international applicants for 6.5 overall (English-taught Bachelor's tracks only). Required for the limited English-taught Bachelor's tracks; German-medium programmes require proof of German proficiency (TestDaF/DSH) instead.

What is FU Berlin known for?

One of Berlin's major universities, founded during the Cold War as a Western alternative. Free University of Berlin was founded in 1948 by students and academics who left Humboldt University after it came under Soviet-sector control — deliberately established as a free, Western-aligned alternative during the Cold War. It's particularly strong in the Humanities and Political Science.

Can I apply to FU Berlin with IGCSE, A Level or IB qualifications?

Yes — FU Berlin accepts applicants from IGCSE-to-A-Level, IGCSE-to-IB-Diploma, and directly from the IB Diploma. Tutopiya's free Germany University Shortlist Builder matches your predicted or actual grades against FU Berlin and every other Germany university we track, tagging each as reach, target or safety.

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