Established in 1948 during the Cold War, Freie UniversitÀt Berlin (FU Berlin) was West Berlin's response to the communist takeover of Humboldt University. This public research university is located in the southwestern Dahlem district of Berlin and has over 30,000 students. FU Berlin is a comprehensive university offering programs in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and medicine through its partnership with Charité. It holds German Excellence University status and has particular research strengths in area studies (Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia), political science, and life sciences.
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38,748 No. of students (2026)
23% of international students
206
Study Programs
94
Admission-free programs
28English-only programs
University video
00:24 min
Studying at Freie UniversitÀt Berlin
34:50 min
Campus Tour - With Elena and Björn on the campus of Freie UniversitÀt Berlin
03:49 min
Study at Freie UniversitÀt Berlin | Global Campus
04:54 min
75 Years of Freie UniversitÀt Berlin: In Search of Freedom
03:41 min
Life in Berlin | Global Campus
04:46 min
Housing in Berlin | Global Campus
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Five reasons to study at FU Berlin
1
Study What Fits You
Choose from more than 150 study programs spanning nearly all disciplines, giving you the flexibility to tailor your academic journey to your interests and goals. â More Info
2
Germanyâs Leading Area Studies
The John F. Kennedy Institute, the Latin American Institute, and the Eastern Europe Institute make Freie UniversitĂ€t Berlin Germanyâs leading hub for interdisciplinary area studies research. â More Info
3
International by Tradition
Founded with global support, Freie UniversitĂ€t Berlin connects you to over 200 worldwide partnerships, strong Erasmus+ networks, and international liaison offices across four continents. â More Info
4
Dahlem Research School â One Strong Framework for Academic Careers
The Dahlem Research School unites structured doctoral programs, offering early-career researchers outstanding conditions and a nationally innovative model of doctoral training. â More Info
5
Sustainability at the Core
Freie UniversitĂ€t Berlin embeds sustainability across research, teaching, governance, and campus life, actively contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals through action and research. â More Info
Rankings
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Excellence awards
FU Berlin is one of the 12 Universities in Germany that managed to win the University of Excellence award. It has won the award three times.
3x
"University of Excellence"
Freie UniversitÀt Berlin has been a University of Excellence since 2007 and most recently defended its title in 2019 (as part of the Berlin University Alliance). More Info
5x
Excellence clusters
The Freie UniversitĂ€t Berlin has been approved for five clusters of excellenceâone of only seven universities in Germany to receive this distinction. More Info
Webinars with MyGermanUniversity
Past webinars (recordings)
Recording
Study at Freie UniversitÀt Berlin (30 March 2026)
72:41 Min. Presenting 1 university
Freie UniversitÀt Berlin
Special features
Germany's Broadest Humanities Spectrum
The Dahlem Humanities Center offers Germany's widest range of humanities subjects â from Arabic and Jewish Studies to Korean Studies and Film Studies. This unique breadth includes many "small subjects" that are rare or unavailable elsewhere.
More Info Green Campus in Berlin-Dahlem
Access to CharitĂ© â Europe's Largest University Hospital
330+ Erasmus Partners Worldwide
Unisport: Move, Recharge, Connect
Germany's Largest University Library System
Settle In, Feel at Home
Funding for Innovative Startup Ideas
A Global Freie UniversitÀt Alumni Network
Language Learning in an International Setting
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Scholarship and funding
Wide range of merit- and need-based scholarships
A wide range of merit- and need-based scholarships helps make your studies more accessible. Outstanding academic performance and financial need are both recognizedâso you can focus on your education, not your finances.
More InfoTestimonials
"Studying here has been an absolute unique experience! The professors are incredibly knowledgeable, the campus is beautiful, and there's a whole array of extracurricular activities."
"Freie UniversitÀt Berlin, with its vibrant international community, is an exceptional place to study and grow. Interacting with peers from around the globe has broadened my horizons."
"Freie UniversitÀt is a green oasis of calm amid the hustle of Berlin. The campus feels welcoming and fosters an atmosphere of diversity that truly lets you develop as an individual."
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+49 (30) 838 70000 
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