University of Freiburg
When operations began in 1457 Freiburg University established itself as one of Germany’s top historic tertiary institutions following Heidelberg. Through its eleven faculties which deliver about 240 programs the university maintains excellence by combining innovative teaching with refined research practices. Since its establishment the university has developed as an organization which utilizes its historical foundations to address contemporary global social challenges.The university built upon Freiburg’s heritage approaches modern challenges as an institution that resolves broad societal issues worldwide.
Courses Offered
** Fees mentioned here are approximate and are per year, Unless specified otherwise
Why Choose the University of Freiburg
- Academic Excellence: Since its establishment as Germany’s oldest institution the University of Freiburg maintains top positions across national and international higher education rankings. Students study at the university under academic traditions that continue an established heritage including numerous Nobel laureates within its academic ranks. By establishing strong connections with research institutions together with universities and global businesses the institution provides students full access to advanced research knowledge and industry networking possibilities.
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- Affordable Education: The German government financially backs higher education so that students receive superior academic training while paying very little.
- Ideal Location and Climate: Positioned as Germany’s sunniest city Freiburg connects travelers with France and Switzerland and fulfills outdoor activities including hiking bicycling and skiing.
- Eco-Friendly Environment: The city of Freiburg stands known worldwide as a “Green City” because it integrates outstanding environmental systems with solar power policies and sustainability practices. The research activities of the university and its institutional culture together with daily operational methods reflect its commitment to maintain sustainable principles.
- Close-Knit Student Community: Students who attend the University of Freiburg appreciate their city center surroundings because most academic facilities are centralized within urban boundaries. Built from the ground up by its community members this environment rapidly creates an atmosphere where students naturally join together upon arrival while building real friendships.
- Extensive Recreational Options: The picturesque city of Freiburg presents both college-based athletics together with natural trail opportunities near the area for its active student body. Accommodating both winter sport fans and hikers and nature lovers the area’s numerous recreational options promote students an active and substantive college experience.
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Campus Facilities at University of Freiburg
- Central Campus in the Heart of Freiburg: The main campus of the university occupies central space in the city which accommodates important departments like Humanities Economics Law and Theology and related faculties within campus buildings I-IV. The university’s famous buildings consist of Collegiate Buildings I-IV which showcase both architectural legacy and distinctive academic themes. Consistent with its philosophical approach the university foregrounds bronze statues of Homer and Aristotle at Collegiate Building I entrance to signify its commitment to artistic and logical study.
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Modern Library Facilities: As one of Europe’s most technologically advanced learning hubs the Freiburg University Library offers students a central gathering place. The space provides broad intellectual resources alongside study areas and superior media facilities which meet every academic requirement and professional need. Students who want specialized cross-platform journalism training can find it at uniCROSS and study writing skills along with video production and digital storytelling expertise.
Scientific and Central Facilities: A comprehensive scientific and central research infrastructure at the university features the Freiburg Institute for Advanced Studies (FRIAS) as well as focused research centers.
Historical and Cultural Landmarks: A portion of Building I serves as “Campus Prison” where students used to receive discipline before it became a cultural monument which showcases the university’s historical past. Through the Uniseum visitors can trace the university’s historical progression including both medieval origins and contemporary activism roles.
Auditorium Maximum (Audimax): The Audimax, the largest lecture hall, hosts major events and lectures with a seating capacity of 788.
Student Support Spaces: Through its Sedanstraße location the Student Service Center provides an integrated platform for students to access academic advising together with enrollment assistance and counseling resources.
Green Spaces and Recreational Areas: The educational campus utilizes environmental stewardship to weave together green recreational areas and sustainable operational practices within an internationally known sustainable city framework. The city’s location near parks and natural reserves supports Freiburg’s status as Germany’s leading “Green City.”
Student Services offered by University of Freiburg
Academic Advising: The academic program supports a range of student requirements no matter their disability status or health condition.
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Support for International Students: Through its APIS (Additional Program for International Students) initiative the university provides specialized support for foreign students along with activities aimed at developing a strong international student community. The support initiatives establish three main programs that combine mentorship opportunities with cultural engagement activities together with continuous advisory functions.
Specialized Support Services: Teaching Degree Advising (FACE): Students pursuing secondary school teaching qualifications receive assistance from educational support service programs.
Student Life at University of Freiburg
Freiburg establishes itself as a special university location through Its romantic atmosphere and dynamic community environment and welcoming student experience. Here’s what makes studying at the University of Freiburg a unique and memorable experience:
Vibrant University Community
- About 18% of the 25,000-student body at the University of Freiburg comes from an international background with students representing more than 40 different nations.
- Student committees, interest groups as well as academic events, cultural engagements work together to create an environment where students feel close to one another.
- Through its University College Freiburg initiative the UCF facilitates educational programs that operate in small groups while creating platforms which advance mental growth alongside cultural and social enrichment.
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Student Activities and Recreation
- Sports and Fitness: University recreational sports engages students in traditional team sports and Black Forest outdoor sports such as hiking and skiing and mountain biking.
- Cultural Events: Students have multiple cultural opportunities because the university maintains campus and downtown access to concerts and theater showcases and art displays.
- Clubs and Committees: Different student-operated organizations at the university serve academic purposes through arts activities while also providing opportunities for community service and international student exchange.
Living in Freiburg
- Housing Options: Most students choose to live between shared apartments and student dormitories together with private homes. Students who live in communal quarters find better access to engage with local society and cultural ways of life.
- Transportation: Together with its smooth public transportation solutions and biked-friendly layout Freiburg provides residents with effortless city mobility. With the affordable Semesterticket students can make unlimited trips across the region.
- Libraries and Study Spaces: Students can find academics meet socialization needs at the contemporary University Library by using its various study zones while accessing multimedia tools and active community gathering areas.
- Common Rooms and Cafes: Fachschaftscafé stands as a space where students can unwind by meeting others their age and participate in shared activities.
Social and Cultural Integration
- Every international student at this university participates in orientation activities including both official “Welcome Guide” programs and student-led tours.
- Students from different backgrounds experience complete acceptance as Freiburg University offers multicultural student activities and its welcoming city culture integrates all members.
Cost of Living and Support: Freiburg residents spend between €700 and €800 per month for living essentials like housing and health protection and everyday needs.
Scholarships offered by University of Freiburg
DAAD EPOS Scholarship
- Amount: Via this program students receive complete tuition payment in addition to prepaid travel expenses and regular month-end financial benefits.
- Eligibility: To apply for the DAAD EPOS program students need to have above-average academic records while meeting all required admission conditions.
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Baden-Württemberg Scholarship
- Amount: €800 per month.
- Duration: A minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 9 months.
- Eligibility: The scholarship rewards students who perform academically at highest levels and have proven their social skills in addition to intercultural understanding.
Emergency Financial Aid for International Students: Designed for students facing unexpected financial crises:
- Studienbeihilfe: For international students from the 4th semester onwards. International doctoral students can qualify for this support program while finalizing their research which must reach completion within 6 months of submission.
- Eligibility: Available to foreign degree-seeking students and international doctoral candidates.
Placements & Internships at Univ```rsity of freiburg
Internships and Placement Opportunities: Through its multiple internship avenues the University of Freiburg builds professional development pathways which let students gain practical experience while developing skills needed for the transition to the workplace. Here are the key programs and services available:
Internship Programs for International Students
- Eligibility: International students studying at the University join the program along with their domestic peers assuming they display strong enthusiasm toward obtaining practical experience within German borders or abroad.
- Structure: Most internships carry a requirement of ten to twelve hours weekly work that does not provide financial compensation. During their prescribed 10–12 weeks of work engagement students earn academic credit toward their degree programs.
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DAAD-RISE Program
- Description: The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) through its Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program takes international students pursuing STEM fields.
- Eligibility: Students from partner universities outside Germany with an interest in science and research.
- Duration: Typically 6–12 weeks.
- Key Features: International students can pursue research experience directly through German mentor supervision.
PROMOS Internship Program
- Description: The University of Freiburg supports its students with opportunity to hold full-time international internships based on self-arranged programs.
- Eligibility:Open to degree-seeking students. Students must organize independently as well as have an unpaid internship arrangement.
- Duration: Ranges from 6 weeks to 6 months.
Erasmus+ Internships
- Description: International students who participate in this program have access to work experineces through the University of Freiburg as well as its local partners.
- Eligibility: Students from countries which participate in the Erasmus+ initiative.
- Key Features: The program provides three primary components: students receive a learning
Internship Support Services: The University of Freiburg provides tailored support to help students find internships:
Career Services Job Placement: Through their network students get access to job delivery systems and professional databases and international career events covering Europe.
Advising Services: Academic and professional internship search assistance includes CV development help and interview preparation.
JobTeaser Career Center: Exclusive career resources and internship opportunities for students.
Entry Requirements
General Requirements:
University Entrance Qualification:
- The admission requirements consists of presenting a secondary school certificate approved as equal to the German Abitur. The International Admissions and Services (IAS) evaluates all qualifications that do not come from Germany before approval.
- As part of the admission process students need to provide their university entrance exam results or their current transcripts of records if required.
- English-taught programs: Certified proof of English proficiency at B2 level or higher (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent).
Graduate Programs
Graduate admissions vary by program.
- MSc in Environmental Governance (MEG)
- Academic Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Economics, or Law.
- Minimum grade of 2.5 on the German grading scale (or equivalent).
MSc in Global Urban Health (GUH):
Academic Requirements: Nowadays applicants need to graduate from social sciences and life sciences or natural sciences or engineering disciplines having earned at least 225 ECTS credits.
- Minimum grade: 2.5 on the German grading scale.
- English at B2 level or higher.
- Work Experience: Candidates must show one year of useful work experience from the day their first degree was finished.
Rankings
Rankings and Awards: Research institutions together with teaching methods and innovation combine to position the University of Freiburg as a consistently high-performing institution across both national and international assessments.
Overall International Rankings: Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025:
Global Rank: 128th out of over 2,000 institutions worldwide.
National Rank: 11th in Germany.
Industry Category: Our institution achieved first position internationally by perfectly aligning research income generation with patent production.
Shanghai Rankings: Our academic institution falls between the 101st and 150th positions on the global research university rankings. During nationwide evaluations this institution achieve 5th place status among Germans universities.
QS World University Rankings: The institution achieves worldwide top positions through its cutting-edge research work and broad international academic collaborations.
Subject-Specific Rankings: The University of Freiburg is highly ranked across multiple disciplines, both nationally and internationally:
National Rank: 6th
International Rank: 65th
National Rank: 6th
International Rank: 76th
National Rank: 6th
International Rank: 98th
National Rank: 8th
International Rank: 101st–125th
National Rank: 9th (Engineering), 10th (Social Sciences)
International Rank: 176th–200th in both fields. Excellence in Industry and Innovation
Industry Performance (THE Rankings):
National Recognition
- By being part of the League of European Research Universities and U15 German institutions this University establishes its status as Germany’s elite research institution. Through its memberships in the League of European Research Universities and German U15 institutions the University proves itself as an elite research institution in Germany.
- The institution stands distinguished through research excellence across multiple disciplines together with strong interdisciplinary programs.
Sustainability and International Outlook
- Sustainability remains central to Freiburg’s identity as the city runs multiple “Green City” environmental programs while educating students in energy and environmental science fields.
- The university stands at position 9 in the international outlook ratings for Germany with content determined through international student counts as well as professoriate and research collaboration metrics.
Key Highlights
- Over 560 years of academic history and a strong tradition of excellence.
- Through strategic partnerships with premier international institutions the university facilitates knowledge exchange as well as innovation development and extended scholarly collaborations.
Acceptance Rate: The University of Freiburg defines itself as one of Germany’s most selective academic institutions because it accepts only 33% of applicants who submit applications. The university keeps entry difficult through its structured process where its assessment team evaluates student candidates through both program-specific tests and academic performance assessments.
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