Cost of Studying at Free University Berlin

Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin) commenced operations on the 4th of December 1948 and has since been offering superior education to students worldwide. In fact, it has gained incredible popularity among international students looking to study in Berlin.

But before you consider studying at the Free University Berlin, there are important details you need to be aware of, such as the admission process and, of course, the cost of studying at this school. Hence, this article covers all the crucial details on the cost of studying at Free Unversity Berlin. Be sure to read it till the end, to find out how much the application fee costs and what other expenses you might need to cover.

Study Costs at Free University Berlin

Free University Berlin offers quality education for most of its programs without charging tuition fees. However, there are certain expenses students would need to cover.

Application Costs

International students looking to apply for a bachelor’s or master’s degree are expected to submit an application using Uni-Assist, an online platform German universities use to receive students’ applications.

Students will be required to pay a compulsory and nonrefundable application fee of €75 when applying to Freie Universität Berlin using Uni-Assist and will pay €30 for any additional university they would like to apply to within the same semester.

Uni-Assist only forwards your application to the school based on the school’s requirements and subject-specific prerequisites specified by the school. It is not responsible for selection procedures and does not determine students who get admitted.

Students should also note that those who are applying for bachelor’s degrees are expected to submit their applications by the 15th of January for the summer semester and the 15th of July for the winter semester. Meanwhile, the application deadline for the Master’s program is the 15th of January for the summer semester and the 31st of May for the winter semester. Some programs, such as pharmacy and veterinary medicine, may have separate deadlines.

Tuition Fee Costs

Before applying to Free University Berlin, you need to know what the tuition fee is and if you can afford it, either as an undergraduate or graduate student.

Bachelor’s Tuition Costs

The tuition fees for the bachelor’s program are free for both domestic and international students.

However, once admitted, domestic and international students will be required to pay a re-registration fee of €50, a student union (social contribution) fee of €54.09, a student government fee of €10, and the semester ticket transit pass and social fund worth €198.80.

Master’s Tuition Costs

Domestic and International students at the Free University Berlin studying for a master’s degree are not required to pay tuition fees.

However, they must cover a re-registration fee of €50.00, student government fee of €10, student union (social contribution) fee of €54.09, and are also required to pay the semester ticket transit pass and social fund of €198.80.

Ph.D. Tuition Costs

You will also not be required to pay a tuition fee at the Free University Berlin for a Ph.D. program in a field of your choice, either as a domestic or international student.

However, there are some fees that you will be required to pay for. Some of these fees include the semester ticket transit pass and social fund of €198.80, a student union (social contribution) fee of €54.09, a re-registration fee of €50, and a student government fee of €10.

Other Academic Costs at Free University Berlin

Although Free University Berlin offers free tuition programs, there are other academic costs you must take note of, such as the following:

Books and Miscellaneous Expenses

The cost of books and textbooks would depend on the course and program you are studying at the university. They may cost between €100 to €1,000. However, an easy way to cut costs is to leverage the school library, which allows students to borrow physical copies of books and grants access to hundreds of e-books.

Accommodation and Transportation

Free University Berlin offers limited slots for student accommodations. Thus, students are expected to register for accommodation ASAP, as the slots will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. After the rooms have been fully booked, registration will be closed.

Once provided accommodation slots by the school, students will pay a reservation fee of €750 (which includes a €50 service fee) and a monthly rent of €352. Off-campus accommodations are also available, with a monthly rent of up to €1,000 and a security deposit of about €700.

As for transportation, your semester fees will cover your Student ID, which also serves as your BVG ticket. You can use it to take advantage of free public transportation throughout the semester.

Living Expenses

Your lifestyle will ultimately dictate your exact living expenses. However, you can expect that it will cost between €950 to €1,700 every month. It will include stuff like food, rent, transportation, clothing, internet, personal expenses, private transportation, and extracurricular activities.

FAQS About Studying at Free University of Berlin

How Much Does it Cost for a Full Academic Year at the Free University of Berlin?

The Free University Berlin does not impose tuition fees on its domestic and international students for graduate and undergraduate programs. Students are only expected to cover specific fees and charges every semester, such as student union fees, contributions to student government, contributions for the semester ticket transit pass, and social fund. All these may cost €312.89 in total. However, the exact values of these fees can vary each semester.

International students will also be required to pay a registration fee of €312.89. They must also cover their travel costs, which include obtaining a student visa or residence permit. Additionally, they may have to present proof of funding, which shows that the student has enough money to cover their expenses while staying in the country.

Free tuition at Free University Berlin makes the school an excellent choice for international students looking for tuition-free universities in Germany. The cost of living at the school is also affordable, thereby easing the financial worries of foreign learners.

Hopefully, this article has provided the information you are looking for. To explore the diverse program opportunities available for international students, visit our Open Courses Page! You can also visit our Study in Germany Page to find more relevant insights and practical tips!