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Meta title: University of Freiburg: Admission, Fees, Deadlines 2027 | StudyU
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Last modified: 2026-09-24

# University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg)

The University of Freiburg is one of Germany's oldest universities, founded in 1457 in southern Baden-Württemberg near the French and Swiss borders. Non-EU students pay tuition: $1,712 (€1,500) per semester plus a $217 (€190) semester contribution. You apply directly through the university's portal; German-taught bachelor's programmes require C1 German at the application stage, and applicants with 11 years of schooling first need the Studienkolleg in Heidelberg or a year of university study at home. Around twenty master's programmes are taught in English, from computer science and physics to environmental sciences and neuroscience, plus one English-taught bachelor's, Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Kollegiengebäude I, the historic main lecture building of the University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany. Photo: Giftzwerg 88 / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kollegiengebäude_I_Universität_Freiburg_02.jpg), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

| At a glance | Details |
| --- | --- |
| Location | Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg |
| Founded | 1457 |
| Students | about 24,500 |
| Faculties | 11, with about 240 degree programmes |
| Rankings | QS 2027: 245; THE 2026: 138; ARWU 2026: 101–150 |
| Tuition for non-EU students | $1,712 (€1,500) per semester |
| Semester contribution | $217 (€190) |
| How to apply | directly via the university portal |
| Language | C1 German to apply for a bachelor's, DSH-2 by enrolment; master's in German or English |
| Housing | SWFR residences; applications accepted up to six months ahead |

## Who Freiburg suits, and who should look elsewhere {#section-1}

Freiburg combines strong natural sciences, medicine, environmental and forest sciences and humanities in a small, sunny city. In QS 2027 it ranks 14th in Germany and is in the national top ten for sustainability and the share of international academic staff. It is currently bidding for University of Excellence status in the new Excellence Strategy round, with a decision due on 2 October 2026.

| Good fit | Consider alternatives |
| --- | --- |
| Master's applicants in computer science, embedded and microsystems engineering, physics, earth and environmental sciences, forestry or neuroscience | Students for whom tuition-free study matters: Bonn, Hamburg, Göttingen and Berlin charge none |
| Anyone seeking a broad English-taught bachelor's (Liberal Arts and Sciences) | Students who want a big city and internship market |
| Students interested in binational programmes near France and Switzerland | Anyone counting on university scholarships for international students: Freiburg offers none |
| School leavers ready for a Studienkolleg and C1 German | Anyone who cannot reach C1 by the application stage |

Within Baden-Württemberg, Freiburg is most often compared with [Heidelberg University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-heidelberg): fees are identical, Heidelberg ranks higher, and Freiburg has more English-taught engineering master's programmes.

## Which programmes are available, including in English {#section-2}

Freiburg's 11 faculties cover theology, law, economics and behavioural sciences, medicine, philology, philosophy, mathematics and physics, chemistry and pharmacy, biology, environment and natural resources, and engineering, with about 240 programmes in total.

### Bachelor's programmes

Bachelor's programmes are almost all taught in German. The exception is Liberal Arts and Sciences (B.A./B.Sc.) at University College Freiburg, an interdisciplinary English-taught degree that takes four years rather than the usual three. University College Freiburg publishes its own conditions and deadlines. The standard Baden-Württemberg fee for non-EU students applies.

### English-taught master's programmes

| Field | Programmes |
| --- | --- |
| Computer science and engineering | Computer Science, Embedded Systems Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Sustainable Materials — Polymer Sciences (binational) |
| Physics | Physics, Applied Physics |
| Environment and earth | Environmental Sciences, Environmental Governance, Forest Sciences, Earth Sciences |
| Medicine and life sciences | Neuroscience, Medical Sciences — Cardiovascular Research, Biomedical Sciences (binational double degree) |
| Society and area studies | Social Sciences (Global Studies Programme, summer start), Modern China Studies, Linguistics — Language, Communication and Cognition |

Indicative 2027 deadlines from the international programmes catalogue vary: 15 July 2027 for Computer Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Embedded Systems and Microsystems Engineering (winter start); 15 May 2027 for the environmental and forestry programmes and Earth Sciences; 31 March 2027 for Neuroscience and Medical Sciences; and 30 November 2026 for Global Studies (summer start). Check the university's programme finder before applying, as non-EU deadlines are sometimes earlier.

## How to apply to Freiburg: Studienkolleg, German and the portal {#section-3}

### After 11 years of school

Under anabin, school certificates from Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and several other CIS countries do not give direct access to a bachelor's degree. Your options are:

1. The Studienkolleg in Heidelberg. Freiburg has no preparatory college of its own; you apply to Freiburg, which refers you to the Heidelberg Studienkolleg. After a year of preparation and the FSP exam you can enter programmes in your subject area. In Freiburg's portal you select "Assessment Examination" rather than a subject; Heidelberg does not accept direct applications. The windows are 1 May to 30 June for winter and 1 November to 15 December for summer. You need at least B2 German to apply: DSH-1, TestDaF 3 or 4, Goethe-Zertifikat C1, DSD II (4×B2), telc Deutsch B2 Hochschule or confirmation of attending a C1 course. See our guide to the [Studienkolleg in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studienkolleg-germany).
2. A year of university study at home in a related field gives direct access to a bachelor's in the same subject.

The university cannot assess your certificate in advance, only as part of a submitted application.

### Language

At application for a German-taught bachelor's you need C1: DSH-1, TestDaF with at least 3 in every section, confirmation of attending a C1 course or other C1 evidence. Your bachelor's application must also include proof that you have taken a study orientation test (Studienorientierungsverfahren), which is compulsory in Baden-Württemberg but does not affect selection; the university recommends TestAS for international applicants, and its online OSA self-tests also count. You can submit at most three applications for restricted programmes. Our guide to [TestDaF, DSH and Goethe exams](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-german-language-tests-testdaf-dsh-goethe) compares the certificates.

By enrolment you need one of: DSH-2 or DSH-3, TestDaF 4 or 5 in every section, DSD II (4×C1 or 3×C1 and 1×B2), or telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule. You can take the DSH at the university's language centre. For medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, a C1 certificate is required at application.

### Plan

1. Autumn 2026 to winter 2027: choose a programme and check anabin, language and, for master's, module requirements.
2. Spring 2027: take your C1 German exam (bachelor's) or the English test your programme requires.
3. During the window: create your application on the university portal and upload your documents; all applications are electronic.
4. Decision and enrolment: pay the semester contribution and international tuition and confirm your language level.
5. Visa and housing: apply for a national D visa (residents of Russia at the embassy in Moscow, since the St Petersburg consulate general closed on 18 September 2026; see our [student visa guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-germany)) and send your SWFR housing application no earlier than six months before move-in.

## When to apply for 2027 {#section-4}

Windows published by the university (winter 2026/27 and summer 2026, as a guide for 2027):

| Programmes | Summer semester | Winter semester |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bachelor's with restricted admission | no intake | 1 Jun to 15 Jul |
| Programmes with special admission prerequisites | 1 Dec to 31 Mar | 1 Jun to 30 Sep |
| Programmes with open admission | 1 Dec to 9 Apr | 1 Jun to 8 Oct |
| Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy (non-EU applicants) | dentistry: 1 Dec to 15 Jan | 1 Jun to 15 Jul |
| Studienkolleg (via Heidelberg) | 1 Nov to 15 Dec | 1 May to 30 Jun |
| Master's programmes | see programme finder | see programme finder |

These are cut-off dates. Non-EU applicants without a German school certificate are excluded from the lottery for remaining places.

## Which documents you need {#section-5}

- school-leaving certificate or degree with transcript and translation;
- for bachelor's applicants, proof of a study orientation test (TestAS or OSA);
- proof of a completed university year or Studienkolleg eligibility;
- language certificate: C1 German for a bachelor's application, English as required by master's programmes;
- for master's programmes, whatever the programme requires: transcript, module descriptions, motivation letter, CV and sometimes references;
- for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, psychology and sport, aptitude test results (TMS, PhaST, BaPsy-DGPs, sports test).

## What studying and living in Freiburg costs {#section-6}

### Fees paid to the university

| Item | Per semester | Per year |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International tuition (non-EU) | $1,712 (€1,500) | $3,424 (€3,000) |
| Semester contribution (administration $90, Studierendenwerk $120, student union $8, or €80, €103 and €7) | $217 (€190) | $434 (€380) |
| Total | $1,929 (€1,690) | $3,857 (€3,380) |

Baden-Württemberg introduced the international fee in winter 2017/18. It applies to bachelor's, Staatsexamen and consecutive master's programmes; EU/EEA citizens, holders of a German school certificate and participants in fee-exempt exchange or cooperation programmes do not pay it. A second degree costs $742 (€650) per semester. Freiburg's semester contribution does not include a transport pass.

### Living costs

For the visa you must show $1,132 (€992) a month, or $13,584 (€11,904) for the first year. Statutory student health insurance costs about $165 (€145) a month. A minimum first-year budget based on official figures is $3,857 in fees plus $13,584 for living costs, about $17,440; rent is the main variable.

## How to reduce costs: scholarships, exemptions and part-time work {#section-7}

The university states plainly that it offers no scholarships specifically for international students, for example to cover tuition. Realistic options are:

- Deutschlandstipendium: $342 (€300) a month, co-funded by the federal government and private sponsors; the university's scholarship advisers help with applications.
- Statutory tuition exemptions for exchange and cooperation programmes and other cases listed by the university.
- Home-country and DAAD scholarships (see the DAAD database); many German scholarships require at least B2 German. Russia added the DAAD and several German political foundations that award scholarships to its list of "undesirable organisations", so participation carries legal risk for Russian citizens and we do not recommend it to them.
- Part-time work: 140 full or 280 half days a year; student assistant jobs at the university do not count.

## Where to live: SWFR residences and private rooms {#section-8}

Residences are allocated by Studierendenwerk Freiburg (SWFR). Applications are online but accepted no more than six months before your move-in date, so submit on the first day you can. Look for a room in a shared flat (WG) or a sublet in parallel; our [student housing guide](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-housing-germany) covers search channels and scams. SWFR also offers financial and social counselling and supports student cultural projects, and the university runs an intercultural mentoring programme and an International Club for new students.

## Strengths and drawbacks of Freiburg for international applicants {#section-9}

| Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- |
| One of Germany's oldest universities, strong in natural and environmental sciences | $1,712 per semester for non-EU students |
| About 20 English-taught master's, including engineering | No university scholarships for international students |
| English-taught Liberal Arts and Sciences bachelor's | C1 German required at application for German-taught bachelor's |
| Direct applications, no uni-assist | No Studienkolleg of its own; only via Heidelberg |
| Near Switzerland and France, with binational programmes | Tight housing market in a small city |

Applicants resident in Russia face the usual German constraints: visas only through the German Embassy in Moscow, Russian bank statements not accepted as proof of funds and no Russian bank offering a suitable blocked account; arrange a lawful way to pay the $1,712 per semester before you are invoiced.

## Mistakes to avoid {#section-10}

- Assuming Freiburg is free: non-EU students pay $1,712 (€1,500) per semester.
- Applying for a bachelor's with B2: C1 is required at application.
- Waiting for an advance assessment of your certificate: Freiburg assesses documents only within an application.
- Applying for housing too early: SWFR does not accept applications more than six months ahead.
- Mixing up master's deadlines: they range from late November to mid-July.

## Checklist before you apply {#section-11}

- Whether you need a Studienkolleg, and whether you can apply via Freiburg by 30 June.
- A C1 certificate by the bachelor's application stage.
- Your master's deadline in the programme finder and its module requirements.
- A first-year budget of at least $17,440 based on official figures.
- The date from which SWFR will accept your housing application.

## Where classes take place and what life in Freiburg is like {#section-12}

University buildings are spread across Freiburg: the historic centre with the main buildings and library, a separate campus for the Faculty of Engineering (computer science and microsystems engineering), the university hospital and the science institutes. Freiburg is a cycling city, and Basel and Strasbourg are a short train ride away. Life is calm, but housing is tight, so start your search early.

## Where Freiburg stands in rankings {#section-13}

| Ranking | Position |
| --- | --- |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 245 (14th in Germany) |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | 138 (12th in Germany) |
| ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) 2026 | 101–150 |

The university notes it has been in THE's world top 150 for eleven consecutive years. For a master's, compare curricula and research groups, for example in the Faculty of Engineering (including the Department of Microsystems Engineering, IMTEK) and the natural sciences.

## Which jobs to look for after graduation {#section-14}

After graduation you can obtain a residence permit to look for work for up to 18 months. The Freiburg region and neighbouring Basel offer jobs in medicine and pharmaceuticals, biotech, microsystems engineering and environmental research; working in Switzerland is subject to separate rules. Most jobs outside research require German.

## FAQ {#section-15}

### How much does it cost to study at Freiburg?

Non-EU students pay $1,712 (€1,500) per semester plus a $217 (€190) semester contribution, $3,857 (€3,380) a year. For the visa you must also show $13,584 (€11,904) for the first year.

### Can I apply after 11 years of school?

Not directly. You need the Studienkolleg (Freiburg refers applicants to Heidelberg's) or a year of related university study at home.

### Which programmes are taught in English?

The Liberal Arts and Sciences bachelor's and master's programmes such as Computer Science, Embedded Systems Engineering, Microsystems Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Environmental Sciences, Forest Sciences, Earth Sciences, Neuroscience and Global Studies.

### Do I need uni-assist?

No. International applicants apply directly on the University of Freiburg portal.

### What German level do I need?

C1 to apply for a German-taught bachelor's (DSH-1, TestDaF 3 in every section or proof of a C1 course), and by enrolment DSH-2, TestDaF 4 in every section, DSD II or telc C1 Hochschule.

### Are there scholarships for international students?

The university has none of its own for international students. You can apply for a Deutschlandstipendium ($342 a month) and external scholarships, and in some cases qualify for a statutory tuition exemption.

### Can StudyU help me apply to Freiburg?

Under an agreement with StudyU, we shortlist programmes, check anabin and master's requirements, prepare your portal documents and plan the Studienkolleg, language exams, housing and visa budget. The university decides on admission, the German mission, as the consular authority, decides on your visa, and Studierendenwerk Freiburg, as housing provider, confirms room availability in its residences.

## Sources {#section-16}

- [University of Freiburg: the University at a glance](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/university/the-university-at-a-glance)
- [University of Freiburg: Dates and Deadlines](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/applying/dates-and-deadlines/)
- [Full-time studies (degree seekers): application, language, Studienkolleg](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/applying/international-applicants/full-time-studies/)
- [Semester fees and tuition](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/semester-fees-and-tuition/)
- [Tuition fees for international students](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/tuition-fees-international-students/)
- [Financing your studies and scholarships](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/during-your-studies/financing-your-studies/)
- [Accommodation and living](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/studies/getting-started/housing-and-living/)
- [QS World University Rankings 2027: university press release](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/qs-world-university-rankings-2027-the-university-of-freiburg-ranks-among-the-top-10-nationally-across-several-indicators/)
- [The University in Rankings](https://uni-freiburg.de/en/university/the-university-in-rankings/)
- [Heidelberg University: Studienkolleg application periods](https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/study/application-enrolment/study-requirements/studienkolleg-and-feststellungsprufung)
- [DFG: applicants in the new Universities of Excellence round (PDF)](https://www.dfg.de/resource/blob/390422/260311-exstra-exu-neuantraege.pdf)
- [ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2026](https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/arwu/2026)
- [German Embassy Moscow: national visas and proof of funds (RU)](https://germania.diplo.de/ru-ru/service/05-visaeinreise/langfristigeraufenthalt/1224364-1224364)
- [THE World University Rankings 2026: University of Freiburg](https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/university-freiburg)

Dollar amounts are converted at the ECB reference rate of 23 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1411). For other universities and general admission rules, see [studying in Germany](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany). A comparison of Freiburg with tuition-free options is provided under an agreement with StudyU — to start, [submit an application](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply).

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.

## Next steps

- [Heidelberg University](https://www.studyu.org/en/university-heidelberg)
- [Studienkolleg in Germany: Who Needs It, How to Get In and What the FSP Exam Gives You](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studienkolleg-germany)
- [German Language Tests for German Universities: TestDaF, DSH, Goethe and telc Compared (2026–2027)](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-german-language-tests-testdaf-dsh-goethe)
- [German Student Visa 2026: Documents, Timing and Where to Apply](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-student-visa-germany)
- [Scholarships abroad 2026: where international students study for free](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-abroad-2026)
- [Studying in Germany for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-germany)

Updated: September 2026