Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
- About
- Overview
- Academic Details
- Area(s) of study
- Useful information
- How to apply
- Student Testimonial
Free University of Berlin (FU Berlin) was founded in 1948 as a response to persecution of students and professors under the Soviet regime in East Germany. It was founded on three core values: truth, justice and freedom.
Academic Highlights
FU specialises in social sciences, humanities, health and natural sciences, teaching these to more than 34 000 students at four campuses in Berlin. The library system at FU is the largest in Germany, it teaches over 150 degree programs and is home to 17 collaborative research centres.
Location
FU’s main campus is located in the affluent, leafy suburb of Dahlem, a short distance from Berlin’s city centre.
Did you know?
FU Berlin presents a Freedom Award every year to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to freedom. It is awarded in honour of a number of students who were killed by the Soviet secret service in the period leading up to the founding of the university.
Language of Instruction | English (limited in some areas), German | |||||
Program Duration | 1 semester, 2 semesters | |||||
Academic Level | Undergraduate, Postgraduate | |||||
| Minimum Result Required | 60% WAM | |||||
| Previous Round Cut-off (WAM (%) or GPA) | 73% WAM | |||||
Anticipated Places in Semester 1, 2027 | No places | |||||
Closed | ||||||
Eligible Monash Campus | Monash Australia, Monash Malaysia | |||||
Agreement Scope | All Faculties | |||||
Handbook/Catalogue
FU Berlin's course catalogue
Language requirements
- Please note that almost all subjects at FUB are taught in German.
- If you intend to study units in German, you will require a German proficiency of at least B1 of the CEFR (Common European Framework for Languages) for natural sciences and B2 for humanities and social sciences in order to be eligible to apply to Free University Berlin. More information about FU's language requirements are here.
- There are a limited number units that are taught in English, which are typically only offered through the John F. Kennedy Institute. For more information on the units available at John F. Kennedy Institute, please see here.
Full-time Credit Load Equivalents
Semester | |
|---|---|
Min. 18 Monash points | Max. 24 Monash points |
22.5 ECTS* | 30 ECTS |
Year | |
|---|---|
Min. 36 Monash points | Max. 48 Monash points |
45 ECTS | 60 ECTS |
ECTS - European Credit Transfer System
*If your study load cannot exactly equate to 22.5 ECTS, then you will need to complete a study load as close to 22.5 ECTS without going under in order to receive 18 Monash credit points.
Academic Calendar
FU Berlin's Summer semester (Monash semester 1): early April – mid-July
FU Berlin's Winter semester (Monash semester 2): mid-October – mid- to late February
FU Berlin's Academic Calendar, taking note of the semester dates and the "Lecture Period / Teaching Period" dates. Be aware that final assessments / exams may be held during the non-teaching part of a semester.
Note the overlaps with Monash teaching dates and any requirements you might have to return to your Monash home campus for the subsequent semester after your exchange program.
Accounting | Ancient cultures | Anthropology | Banking and finance |
Biological sciences | Biomedical sciences | Business law and taxation | Chemistry |
Chinese languages & culture studies | Communications and media studies | Earth, atmosphere and environmental sciences | Econometrics and business statistics |
Economics | Education - early childhood | Education - primary schooling | Education - secondary schooling |
English as an international language | Film and screen studies | French languages & culture studies | German languages & culture studies |
History | Italian languages & culture studies | Japanese languages & culture studies | Jewish languages & culture studies |
Journalism | Korean languages & culture studies | Law | Linguistics |
Literary studies | Management | Marketing | Mathematical sciences |
Philosophy | Physics and astronomy | Politics and international relations | Psychological sciences |
Religious studies | Spanish and Latin American languages & culture studies | Sociology | Theatre and performance |
Note
- The listed disciplines are not necessarily exhaustive and other fields of study might also be available at the institution.
- Approval to study particular subjects at any institution is always at the discretion of the departmental/discipline and faculty advisers in your managing faculty(ies) and subject to available places at the host.
Accommodation
Free University Berlin does not have on-campus accommodation but does offer limited options for off-campus accommodation for international students. Find out more on the Living in Berlin, Accommodation, and Options for students pages.
Visas
As a general rule, Australian citizens do not need a visa to enter Germany but after entering will have to apply for a residence permit at the local ‘Auslaenderbehörde’ (Immigration Office) if staying for more than three months. Your host university will assist you with this. Students from other countries may be required to apply for a visa for study purposes at the German Consulate-General in Melbourne.
For more information on visas for a student exchange, please refer to the Consulate General of Germany.
FU Berlin also provides some guidance on obtaining a residence permit.
Health and insurance
By law, all students must have sufficient health cover for their stay in Germany to become registered as a student at a German university and/or to apply for a student visa. Thus, non-EU-students should be careful in selecting a health insurance plan as it has to satisfy the very strict requirements of the university and the immigration office.
FU provides further information on health insurance, as well as on their Direct exchange page.
When travelling on a Monash Abroad approved program, you are automatically covered under the Monash University Student Travel Insurance policy. This will provide cover to and from your exchange.
Orientation and extra-curricular
Orientation takes place prior to semester commencement and is compulsory. Students will be provided with necessary information about studying at the institution. Additionally, the International Club hosts a number of activities and events for students throughout the year.
The Language Centre offers German courses during the semester free of charge, which is a great opportunity for you to continue improving your German during your stay at Freie Universität Berlin. The program during the semester provides German language courses at levels A2, B1, B2 and C1.
Cost of living
FU provides some advice on fees and funding.
Funding
Water Mangold Trust Fund Scholarship
Students taking German language courses may be eligible for the Walter Mangold Study Abroad Scholarship.
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
The DAAD offers various scholarships to Australian students, there may be scholarships available to exchange students and are subject to change. Find out more here.
For information about funding available to support study on exchange overseas, see the Financial Information page on the Monash Abroad website.
Important notes
Please be aware that Free University Berlin does not automatically provide academic transcript at the completion of their exchange. You will be contacted by Free University Berlin directly with the necessary directions to request one at the end of your exchange.
We will not be accepting applications for Free University Berlin for Semester 1, 2027.
Have you been to the Free University of Berlin and want to share your experience?
Let us know about your exchange via this survey form and your testimonial could be shown here!