Freie Universität Berlin: funding, eligibility and deadlines

What the funding covers

No tuition fees for international students on standard (consecutive) degree programmes.
A semester contribution of €376.80 for new enrolment in winter 2026/27. It covers the Studierendenwerk social contribution (€85), an administration fee (€50), the student body (€10), the Deutschlandsemesterticket (€226.80) and a social fund (€5).
Some continuing-education master's programmes do charge fees — check the programme page if a fee is mentioned.
No living allowance from the university. For the visa, plan to show €11,904 for the first year.

Open to all nationalities, with a school-leaving certificate or degree recognised as equivalent for the level you apply to.
Applicants with non-German qualifications first request a preliminary review document (VPD) from uni-assist, then apply through FU's own portal.
Many bachelor's programmes are taught in German and require German proficiency; a growing number of master's programmes are in English.

Find your programme and check whether it has restricted (capped) or unrestricted admission — the deadlines differ.
Request your VPD on uni-assist at least six weeks before the deadline, so it arrives in time.
Apply on FU Berlin's application portal and upload the VPD with your other documents.
Winter 2026/27 deadlines were: master's with restricted admission 20 April – 31 May; master's with unrestricted admission until 15 August; bachelor's with restricted admission 1 June – 15 July; bachelor's with unrestricted admission until 1 September. Summer-semester applications usually close in mid-January.
After admission, enrol, pay the semester contribution and apply for your visa.

The VPD from uni-assist takes weeks. Applying for it late is the most common reason international applicants miss FU's deadlines.
Capped master's programmes close at the end of May — much earlier than people expect for an October start.
Berlin rents are high. The semester ticket is included, but budget realistically for housing.

Counting back from the next typical deadline (≈ Jan 15, 2027). Steps marked NOW are already due if you start today.

Oct 23, 2026Research the route in depth — confirm eligibility, costs and every required document

Nov 6, 2026Ask your referees (for a PhD, email potential supervisors with a short, specific pitch)

Nov 20, 2026Write the first full draft of your motivation letter or statement of purpose

Dec 4, 2026Order transcripts and certified translations · book any language test

Dec 18, 2026Second draft — get feedback from someone who reads critically

Jan 1, 2027Finalise every document and complete the online form

Jan 8, 2027Submit — never on the last day

Jan 15, 2027Typical deadline

Page reviewed Sep 24, 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.