Freie Universität (FU) Berlin · Free University of Berlin

The University

The founding motto of the Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) - "Truth, Justice, Freedom"- has shaped its history since 1948. With more than 41,000 students from 140 countries enrolled in over 100 academic programs of study, the FU Berlin is the largest university in Germany's capital, and one of the largest in the nation. Owing to its internationally recognized achievements in both teaching and research, the FU exerts a strong attraction on students from Germany and beyond. The university's research activities in the Humanities and in the Social and Natural Sciences are distinguished by their international orientation, as well as by the interdisciplinary and collaborative character of work carried out by a number of research networks: the FU Berlin's twelve Collaborative Research Centers, eight Research Training Centers, six DFG Research Units and the participation in a DFG Research Center are ample evidence of this.

The Law School

The Law Department is one of the most renowned faculties of the university, boasting Germany’s largest law library and a number of significant institutes. Prominent former scholars of the faculty include the former German president Roman Herzog and the former president of the German Supreme Court Jutta Limbach. The main campus of the Law Department is located in the Dahlem district of the borough Steglitz-Zehlendorf.

The Program

The Masters Program is a one-year postgraduate program for foreign law students who intend to graduate from an internationally-oriented course of studies in two of three general fields of German law (Private Law, Criminal Law and Public Law). The Academic Advisory and Examination Office stands ready to assist incoming students on all aspects of their stay in Berlin. For more information, please contact Dr. Andreas Fijal (phone: +49 30 838 52527).

Location

Berlin is the largest city in Germany and its capital. At the geographical center of a growing Europe, Berlin is the gateway between East and West. The Federal Chancellery and Parliament are literally only minutes away from a number of global corporate headquaters and trade associations. Berlin's cultural programme is extremly rich. Berlin has three opera houses, over 150 theatres and playhouses, over 170 museums and collections and over 200 private galleries. In addition, the capital is host to numerous top acts, artists and bands - every day nearly 1.500 events are on Berlin's cultural calendar. The city is host to the international film festival Berlinale and the Art Forum annual international art fair. Berlin also offers one of the most diverse and vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe. Most Berliners take great pride in their city's reputation as one of the most socially progressive cities on the continent.

Accommodation

Most student residences in Berlin are run by the Studentenwerk Berlin. They are spread all over the city, so you will not live on campus. There is a large variety of rooms, areas, and atmospheres. It is not unusual for students in Germany to share an apartment with others (Wohngemeinschaft, "WG"). To rent just a room instead of an apartment is cheaper and probably one of the best solutions if the stay in Berlin is limited to the duration of the programme. Rent prices in Berlin are currently lower than in any other major city in Germany.