Are you a student looking to pursue higher education in Berlin without the burden of student debt? Or perhaps you’re simply interested in exploring unique and affordable options for university education?
Either way, free universities in Berlin might be just what you’re looking for.
Luckily for you, we’ve researched and analyzed various metrics such as academic quality, reputation, campus facilities, student life, and more, to create a comprehensive ranking of the best free universities in Berlin.
So, whether you’re a local or an international student, read on to discover the top free universities in Berlin and why they’re a great option for those seeking high-quality education without the hefty price tag.
Our top pick on free universities in Berlin
- Free University of Berlin
- Technical University of Berlin
- Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin
- Berlin School of Economics and Law
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Berlin University of Arts
- University of Potsdam
Free University of Berlin
- Free University of Berlin Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
The Free University of Berlin (also known as FU Berlin or FU) is a famous choice when it comes to a tuition-free education in Germany. It is what many students intend to look up on the internet when they search for free universities in Berlin.
This public research university has been in operation since 1948 and is made up of four campuses and more than 12 schools. FU Berlin offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in medicine, law, natural sciences, and many other fields but it is prominent for its free higher education in natural sciences, life sciences, and social sciences.
It is particularly a top pick for international students coming to Berlin to study without the burden of tuition fees. They also offer you scholarship opportunities to compensate for the living expenses while schooling.
Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Berlin Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
- Administration charges
The free education at the Technical University of Berlin is probably what draws students from all over the world to study there, and this affordability is not compromised for high-quality education.
Students who apply at this public university also stand the chance of bagging merit-based scholarships and research opportunities if they perform well at the university. Regardless of the tuition-free status, the university charges students administration dues.
The university started as an engineering institute but now has seven different faculties that award degree programs in engineering, life sciences, law, philosophy, and related fields.
We recommend this university if your focus is engineering and engineering programs, especially mechanical engineering and you want to study it in Berlin for free.
Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin
- Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 – 5,280 Euros (Master’s program)
If you are looking for a free university in Berlin that is research-intensive and will give you hands-on industry experience and training, then the Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin is an excellent option.
It is the largest and oldest training university on social work degree programs and has more international students as part of its student body than domestic students. The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin also has reputable partners.
Education at Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences Berlin is free but the tuition-free status can change depending on your program, but rest assured it stays within the affordability bracket.
Berlin School of Economics and Law
- Berlin School of Economics and Law Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
Berlin School of Economics and Law is among the popular free, public universities in Berlin, Germany. The school has a large student population of 11,000 students. It is a fantastic choice for international master’s students who wants to study for free in berlin, particularly in a bustling student environment.
The institution offers more than 50 degree programs in specific fields including Business and Economics, Law, Public Administration, and Engineering.
Humboldt University of Berlin
- Humboldt University of Berlin Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
The Humboldt University of Berlin is another great place to access quality education without breaking the bank.
The public research university has 9 faculties where undergraduate and graduate degrees and courses in more than 190 disciplines are administered. With a large student body of 33,000 from over a hundred countries around the world, Humboldt University of Berlin is an ideal place for international students.
We think the reason for this is chiefly a result of their free education and available stipends offered to students to compensate for the cost of living in a sophisticated city like Berlin.
Known as the mother of all modern universities, Humboldt University is reputable for its high-quality education despite being tuition fee.
Berlin University of Arts
- Berlin University of Arts Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
Aside from being a reputable free university in the heart of Berlin, the Berlin University of Arts is specifically an interesting choice for students with an interest in arts and architecture.
Despite being a tuition-free university in Berlin, they provide high-quality education facilities plus an annual scholarship that is based on students’ academic performance.
The public art school has been in operation since 1696, making it the oldest and biggest in Europe. It comprises four schools through which four degrees in art, architecture, music, and design, and fine arts are awarded.
With high employment rates, the university houses the world’s top artists and designers for students to learn from but the admission procedure is quite competitive, especially for its visual arts degree program.
University of Potsdam
- University of Potsdam Admission Requirement Page
- Tuition cost for domestic and international students: 0 Euros
The University of Potsdam is among the tuition-free universities in Berlin that offers It also provides scholarships to students, aside from the tuition fee waiver. This explains why the university gets entries from students all over the world every year.
It is a public research university that opened its doors in 1991 but now has four campuses and five faculties where they offer degrees in law, philosophy, human sciences, humanities, and so on. However, the popular program here is philosophy.
Since most of the programs are offered in English, it explains why it is a good pick for international students (a large percentage of its 20,000-student population is from more than 70 different countries around the world. But the 1900 highly qualified faculty members are available to deliver.
Can international students study for free in Berlin?
Yes, students from around the world can study in Berlin for free as long as they are studying a program at a public university. So it doesn’t matter if you’re from the EU or EEA, there’s an opportunity to study free of charge without worrying about tuition.
Is it easy to get into the Free University of Berlin?
The Free University of Berlin is a famous choice for students who want to study in berlin without paying tuition. But how easy is it to get into this university? FU berlin has an acceptance rate of 15 percent which means that admission is highly competitive.
Still, the Free University of Berlin has a student population of 31,500 students, but the number of international students in the Master’s program is quite more than those in Bachelor’s programs.
Free university of Berlin: is there a catch?
There’s no catch to the tuition-free education offered at the Free University of Berlin. This is a common question international students ask of forums, especially.
All public universities in Germany are tuition-free which includes the Free university of berlin. However, students at this university pay a semester fee of around $636 annually and the academic calendar at FU is divided into two semesters.
Before you go
Berlin’s free universities offer students from around the world the chance to pursue their dreams and reach their academic potential, without having to worry about the financial burden of tuition fees.
With access to world-class professors, cutting-edge research facilities, and a diverse student body, studying in Berlin can provide an unforgettable experience that will benefit you for years to come.
If you’re interested in learning more about studying in Berlin, be sure to check out other blog posts on AmericaAbroad that explore various aspects of this unique city and its higher education system.
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