Learning Abroad Center
Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

Exchange in Germany: Freie Universität Berlin

Europe

Study at Freie Universität Berlin, one of Germany’s leading research universities in one of the most exciting cities in Europe.

Program Details

Location
Location
Berlin, Germany
Term
Term
Academic Year
Spring Semester
Housing
Housing
Apartment
Homestay
Languages Taught In
Languages Taught In
German

Program Eligibility

Student Type
Student Type
UofM Students
Student Year
Student Year
Sophomores
Juniors
Seniors
GPA
GPA
3.0
Language Prerequisite
Language Prerequisite
German language background preferred

About

Established in 1948, Freie Universität Berlin has a rich history rooted in international connections. Choose from nearly 170 different degree programs, and study with over 35,000 other students. Most of the university's facilities are located in the Dahlem district of southwest Berlin, surrounded by wonderful green gardens and lakes. A vibrant and constantly changing city, it is a center of cultural, political, and economic life.

Learn more about being an exchange student at Freie Universität Berlin's website.

Program Model

Exchange
University Study

Housing & Meals

You can either organize your own private accommodation (such as shared student apartments) or use the university’s housing service, ERG. The housing service offers a variety of accommodation options, including dorms (Schlactensee), shared flats, and fully furnished single apartments. 

Excursions

Freie Universität is located in the capital city of Berlin and provides easy access to all the city has to offer. Previous exchange students have traveled throughout Germany and Europe while abroad.

Learning Outcomes

Participating in a bilateral exchange program will help you:

  • Develop a stronger sense of confidence by engaging in a highly independent study abroad program, and foster second language acquisition whenever possible
  • Learn to appreciate diverse world views, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity; added benefit of reciprocity to foster mutual respect and understanding
  • Experience a new culturally specific academic system and incorporate different academic perspectives
  • Develop awareness of and challenge assumptions about your host culture, your own culture, and how your culture is viewed by others
  • Identify and communicate how your experience abroad has impacted you personally, academically, and professionally

Faculty & Staff

Instruction is in German by German faculty at the Freie Universität Berlin.

Program Structure

Program Level
Upper and lower division coursework available.
Courseload

You are required to maintain a minimum of 12 credits (18 ECTS credits) per semester.

Coursework

Grade & Credit Conversion Scale (PDF)

You receive resident credit for the courses you take. Your grades factor into your University of Minnesota GPA and each course appears on your transcript with an A/F grade. Consult the Learning Abroad Center's Academic Policies page for more information.

Freie Universität offers a broad variety of undergraduate programs. The Course Catalog has full course listings. Available courses for a specific term are listed approximately 3 months prior to the start of the term, however, you can look at the course catalog at any time to get an idea of what is typically offered. While the majority of courses taught at FU are in German, you can take courses in English at the JFK Institute for North American Studies.

Freie Universität is on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). Credits at Freie Universität are transferred from ECTS to U.S. credits at a scale of 1 ECTS = .66 U.S. semester credits, 2 ECTS = 1.3 US semester credits, and so on.

Special note to German majors/minors: If you wish to apply coursework taken in Berlin to a German major or minor, you must take coursework in German. Courses taught in English are not eligible for German major/minor credit.

German Language Courses

A 6-week intensive preparatory German language course is offered before the beginning of the academic year and Spring semester. This course carries academic credit and incurs an additional fee.

German language courses offered during the semester are included in the program fee. If you want to take a semester German language course, you will take a placement test during orientation if you have not taken the preparatory course.

Global Identity

Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.

To access more information about the course, visit the Global Identity Course Information page.

Program Dates

Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:

Orientation Dates & Locations

The Learning Abroad Center provides pre-departure orientation in preparation for your time abroad. It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.

Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:

  • Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
  • LAC Program Orientation: Program-specific and important UofM registration information will be covered (academic registration, finances, arrival, housing etc.). Details will be sent to you via email.

The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:

Term AbroadDate/TimeLocation
Spring 2025TBDTBD
Academic Year 2024–25TBDTBD

Spring 2025

Application Open Date: March 1, 2024
Application Deadline: October 1, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartEarly April
Program EndLate July

Academic Year 2024–25

Application Open Date: August 1, 2023
Application Deadline: April 15, 2024

ScheduleDate
Program StartEarly October
Program EndLate July

Fees

University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.

If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation, and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.

Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.

Billing & Payments

Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.

Bridging Loan

Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the confirmation deposit and/or flights cost, is available for this program for eligible students going abroad during an eligible term.

Cancellation Policy

Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.

Spring 2025

Exchange in Germany: Freie U Berlin

Spring Semester 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $7,117
International health insurance $308
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $7,825
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $7,825

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,000
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsFU Social Fees (300), German National Insurance (600), Residence Permit (80) $980
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $3,630
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $200
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (5000), Meals (2800) $7,800
Essential daily living expenses $2,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $10,000

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $21,455
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $2,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Academic Year 2024–25

Exchange in Germany: Freie U Berlin

Academic Yr Fall 2024/Spring 2025

Program Fee

  • UofM students pay program fee instead of on-campus tuition & fees while abroad
  • Billed through UofM account
Non-refundable deposit $400
Tuition and educational costs $13,265
International health insurance $615
Housing and/or mealsHousing is paid directly to onsite managing organization $0
Transportation (if required and included in program fee) $0
Total Program Fee $14,280
Program discount for University of Minnesota and Big Ten students, if applicable $0
Total Program Fee with discount, if applicable $14,280

Estimated Additional Expenses

  • Financial aid-eligible but not included in program fee
Costs Typically Incurred Prior to Departure These costs may need to be paid before your financial aid is disbursed for your term abroad.
Transportation to and from program site $2,200
Passport/photos $150
Visa/required documentsFU Social Fees (600), German National Insurance (1200), Residence Permit (80) $1,880
Travel clinic/immunizations* $0
Housing deposit $500
Total Estimated Cost Incurred Prior to Departure $4,730
Costs Typically Incurred After Arrival in Host Country
Texts/materials $400
Housing and/or meals not included in program feeHousing (8000), Meals (5600) $13,600
Essential daily living expenses $4,000
Total Estimated Cost Incurred After Arrival in Host Country $18,000

Total Estimated Cost of Participation

  • UofM students—compare this to your estimated on campus cost of attendance
Total Estimated Cost of Participation $37,010
Spending money and personal travel Not included in financial aid calculation $4,000
Additional Notes & Information
* Immunizations Note: This estimate is based on approximate cost of travel-related vaccinations and medications required for entry or recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your costs may be higher or lower depending on your travel clinic, the specific immunizations and medication prescribed, and your insurance coverage.

Prepare

Complete pre-application advising.

Apply

The COVID-19 vaccine series is strongly recommended, pursuant to CDC guidelines, but not required for participation in this program.

You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.

Apply Now

Complete

After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:

Submit to the Learning Abroad Center:

  • Exchange in Germany personal essay
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Complete an Exchange Program Advising Meeting

Once the application deadline has passed, the Exchange Program Team will review applications and select the students to be nominated to Freie University. If you are selected for nomination, you will then have to apply to Freie University directly, through their online system (instructions will be provided). Freie University will review the application and send out an admissions decision via email.

Next Steps

  1. Upon submitting the online application, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application was received.
  2. Follow the instructions on your application checklist to submit all of the items. Your application is not considered complete until all items on your application checklist are either received or waived.
  3. You will have applications with both the Learning Abroad Center and Freie University—make sure to follow instructions for both applications when they're sent to you.
  4. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist. Log in to the online application to review the confirmation checklist and submit the required items.

After You Apply

Before your program begins, review these resources.

Health & Safety

Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.

Power of Attorney

Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.

Student Identity

Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.

Travel Resources

Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.

Program Contact

For further information or questions about this program, send an email to

Christina Dunbar at [email protected], or call at 612.624.3949