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Free University of Berlin

Free University of Berlin is a research university in Berlin.
It is one of eleven outstanding German research universities in the Excellence Initiative and a member of the Berlin University Alliance (together with Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin).
Freie Universität Berlin is consistently ranked among the top ten German universities overall internationally, with particular strengths in the humanities and social sciences.
It is recognized as a leading university in international university rankings.
Freie Universität was founded in 1948 by students and scholars in West Berlin with American support during the early phase of the Cold War.
Its name refers to West Berlin’s status as part of the free world, in contrast to the communist-controlled university in East Berlin.
Based on its founding tradition, the seal of Freie Universität Berlin still bears the Latin terms for Truth, Justice, and Freedom.

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The university’s isolated location in West Berlin enabled the construction of several key facilities, such as the Benjamin Franklin Hospital and the Henry Ford Building, to maintain a high academic standard. The university maintains close ties with leading academic institutions and figures in Germany, Europe, and around the world. Currently, the university maintains nearly 100 partnerships at the university level, as well as over 300 university partnerships within the Erasmus+ academic exchange network and other programs.
Academic activities in Dahlem were promoted by Friedrich Althoff, Ministerial Director in the Prussian Ministry of Culture, who proposed the establishment of a “German Oxford.” The first new buildings housed state academic and scientific institutions as well as new institutes of the former University of Berlin.
2007 was another pivotal year for Freie Universität Berlin: It received the most funding applications from the Excellence Initiative and is now one of nine outstanding German universities receiving funding as part of its future strategy. That same year, Freie Universität Berlin unveiled a memorial to the founding students killed during the protests. With the Freedom Prize, the university honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to freedom.

Figures, facts and important dates

2013: The Free University of Berlin ranked first in biology, chemistry, physics, and political science.
The university was ranked among the best in Germany in geosciences, computer science, and philosophy, and is also among the top five in psychology, English studies, and education.
2020: According to the QS World University Rankings, the university ranked 130th worldwide, while taking first place in political science.
Due to an unresolved conflict over Nobel Prize winners before World War II (both Humboldt University and Freie Universität Berlin claim to be the legitimate successor of the University of Berlin), it is no longer listed in the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU).
The last ARWU ranking, also known as the Shanghai Ranking, listed Freie Universität Berlin in 83rd place worldwide in 2007.

Figures, facts and important dates

Students: 30,000 students in Bachelor’s and Master’s programs (2020/2021).
The proportion of students from abroad is: 13% in Bachelor’s programs, 28% in Master’s programs.
Doctoral students: 4,000 students and researchers, 36% of whom are from abroad.
Central faculties and institutes: 11 faculties, a medical faculty jointly with Humboldt University and 4 interdisciplinary central institutes.
Study programs:
178. Bachelor’s degree programs: 73.
Consecutive Master’s programs: 105.
PhD Program: 51.
Annual state funding: 360 million euros per year.
Expenditure on external financing: 140 million euros (2019).

Faculties and degree programs at the Free University of Berlin

  • Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy.
  • Department of Geosciences.
  • Institute of Education and Psychology.
  • Institute for History and Cultural Studies.
  • Faculty of Law.
  • Department of Mathematics and Computer Science.
  • Institute for Philosophy and Humanities.
  • Department of Physics.
  • Institute of Political and Social Sciences.
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine.
  • University of Business Administration and Economics.
  • Medical Faculty of the Charité – University of Berlin.

Promoting young talent

The research team at Freie Universität Berlin advises and supports you with questions about research funding, young researchers, and starting a business. They also offer support in awarding scholarships and in applying for and processing third-party funding.
Free University of Berlin is currently the coordinating university for eight Collaborative Research Centres (SFB) of the German Research Foundation (DFG) and also features five DFG Research Groups.

Dahlem Research School

It is a center for the university’s young researchers. The center offers doctoral students and postdocs continuous, systematic, and sustainability-oriented support, develops strategies and measures to ensure and improve the quality of graduate training, and offers a broad qualification program. The center’s workshops and courses help you acquire key skills for both academic and non-academic careers. All doctoral students and postdocs of the Berlin University Alliance are eligible to participate. In addition, the center offers comprehensive information on doctoral studies at the university and provides individual and institutional advice. Special consideration is given to the needs of international researchers. Due to current restrictions, the Dahlem Research School’s training courses are held exclusively online.

Promoting young talent

Research Career Development Program

It is a qualification program for young researchers with doctorates who are aiming for a full professorship, already have a research position, a project or a scholarship and have already taken a first step towards a scientific career.
The Researcher Development Programme (RDP) offers postdoctoral researchers the best possible support during a challenging phase of their lives and careers.
The RDP (Researcher Development Program) courses are tailored to the needs of postdoctoral researchers on their path to professorship. The program is continuously evaluated and developed, focusing on career-relevant skills. All RDP instructors are thoroughly familiar with the academic environment and possess high methodological expertise.

Promoting young talent

Objectives of the rehabilitation program

  • Strategic career development and orientation, career planning, qualification for professorship.
  • Professionalism in current and future tasks and time savings for research activities.
  • Networking with other postdocs at the university at different career stages.
  • Please note: The Researcher Development Program ended at the end of the 2019 summer semester.

Promoting young talent

Research and Information Promotion Team

The research staff at the Vienna International Centre (Research Funding and Information Team) will support and advise you on all questions related to research funding and offer advice on applying for third-party funding. The team serves as your first point of contact for all questions related to obtaining third-party funding: Where can I find information on research funding? How do I submit project proposals? Further information can be found on the university’s official website.
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Support for foreign researchers

In terms of third-party funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), Freie Universität Berlin ranks third behind RWTH Aachen University and Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Between 2009 and 2013, 289 foreign researchers came to the university with fellowships from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. This makes Freie Universität Berlin the most popular destination for foreign researchers in Germany.
The university supports you from the approval process to project implementation and also helps you with the following topics:

  • Identify suitable funding programs for your research projects.
  • Does the project or proposed proposal meet the funding requirements?
  • Preparation of letters of intent and letters of support through co-financing commitments to the university management.
  • Coordination of communication with other university departments.
  • Clarification of legal and administrative issues.
  • Media events on project financing and third-party funding management.
  • The Research Funding and Information Team of the Research Management supports researchers at Freie Universität Berlin in all matters relating to research funding and provides advice on applying for third-party funded projects.

Support for foreign researchers

Support for postdocs

The Dahlem Research School supports doctoral students and graduates in developing their skills for academic or non-academic careers in the following areas:

  • Integrity and skills in research.
  • Writing and publishing.
  • Teaching and presentation.
  • Financing, management and implementation of research.
  • Career counseling and development.

Doctoral candidates of the Berlin University Alliance (Free University of Berlin, Humboldt University and Technical University of Berlin) can participate in all Courses at the Dahlem Research School Free.

Support for foreign researchers

Support for postdocs

The Dahlem Conferences take place twice a year at Freie Universität Berlin. For a week, internationally renowned scientists and Nobel laureates meet to discuss current issues in all disciplines. In addition, the Einstein-Dahlem Lectures, hosted by the university and several external institutions, have been held annually since 2005. They are dedicated to Albert Einstein, who was director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics for over 15 years. The seminar presents fields of science influenced by Einstein’s thinking.

English-language degree programs at the Free University of Berlin

Courses in these programs are taught exclusively in English. German language skills are not required for admission.

English-language master’s programs

English-language degree programs at the Free University of Berlin

English-language master’s programs

English-language degree programs at the Free University of Berlin

English-language master’s programs

Bachelor’s degree programs in English

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