The University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität) is a public research university in Baden-Württemberg, founded in 1457, with around 24,500 students in eleven faculties.[1] It is ranked 245th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 14th among German universities.[2] On 2 October 2026 it was named a University of Excellence again, with funding from 1 January 2027.[3]
Every student pays a semester fee of €190. Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state pay an extra €1,500 per semester in bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state examination programmes.[4] Undergraduate teaching is in German (level C1), with the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences as the main exception.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg |
| Location | Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg (visitor address Friedrichstraße 39, 79098 Freiburg)[1] |
| Type | Public research university[6] |
| Founded | 1457 (charter of 21 September 1457, issued by Albert VI of Austria)[7] |
| Students | Around 24,500[1] |
| Faculties | Eleven[1] |
| Degree programmes | Around 240[1] |
| Professorships | 440 full professorships in the facts box (the same page gives 453 full and 28 junior professorships elsewhere)[1] |
| Third-party funding | €219 million in 2023[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 245th worldwide, 14th in Germany[2] |
| Excellence Strategy | University of Excellence with funding from 1 January 2027; clusters CIBSS and Future Forests[3] |
| Semester fee | €190 per semester[4] |
| Tuition, non-EU/EEA students | €1,500 per semester on top of the semester fee (bachelor’s, consecutive master’s, state examination)[4] |
| Official website | uni-freiburg.de |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 9 November 2026.
About the University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg goes back to a charter issued on 21 September 1457 by Albert VI of Austria; Freiburg was then part of Further Austria in the Habsburg lands.[7] It is named after its founder Albert and after Grand Duke Ludwig I of Baden, who secured its survival in 1818.[7] In 1900 it became the first university in Germany to let women enrol.[7]
Today it has around 24,500 students, eleven faculties and around 240 degree programmes. Its visitor address is Friedrichstraße 39 in Freiburg.[1] The university lists 23 Nobel laureates as affiliated with it, 16 ERC grants for 2019–2023 and €219 million of third-party funding in 2023.[1]
How is the University of Freiburg ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027 the University of Freiburg is 245th out of more than 1,500 universities and 14th among German universities, according to its own press release of 19 June 2026. The university also counts itself among the ten best German universities in three QS indicators: sustainability (5th), international faculty ratio (6th) and employment outcomes (9th).[2]
The university’s facts page adds that it is fifth in Germany in the Shanghai Ranking (101–150 worldwide).[1]
Excellence Strategy
On 2 October 2026 the Excellence Commission named Freiburg a University of Excellence again; institutional funding under the federal and state Excellence Strategy begins on 1 January 2027. Two Clusters of Excellence are funded for 2026–2032: CIBSS (Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies) and Future Forests.[3] Rankings differ by publisher and year, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at the University of Freiburg?
The university has eleven faculties and around 240 degree programmes.[1] Undergraduate instruction is in German, except for the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences.[5] For master’s programmes, language requirements are set in each programme’s own admission regulations; free-mover students on English-taught master’s programmes need English at level B2.[8] Search the programme finder on the university website for the language of each degree.
How much does the University of Freiburg cost?
| Item | Amount | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | €190 per semester | All enrolled students and doctoral candidates |
| Tuition fee | €1,500 per semester | Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state (plus Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) in bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state examination programmes |
| Second-degree fee | €650 per semester | Holders of a German university degree who start a further bachelor’s, state examination or consecutive master’s programme |
The semester fee of €190 consists of €103 for the Studierendenwerk (student services), an €80 administrative fee and a €7 student union contribution.[4] The tuition fee is charged at enrolment and re-registration, on top of the semester fee. Continuing-education and part-time master’s programmes are exempt, and teacher-training and continuing-education master’s programmes are exempt from the second-degree fee.[4] International short-term students and visiting doctoral students pay only the Studierendenwerk contribution and the administrative fee, €183 in total.[4]
The fee page shows no semester or year, so confirm the current amounts with the university before you budget. For living costs and the visa, see the Study in Germany guide and our Germany overview.
How do you apply to the University of Freiburg?
For bachelor’s and state examination programmes, international applicants apply through the university’s online application portal and upload their documents; medicine, dentistry and pharmacy also use this portal. You can submit up to three applications.[5]
- Direct entry: if your school-leaving certificate is recognised as equivalent to the German Abitur. The anabin database shows whether it is.[5]
- Subject-restricted entry: can be lifted by passing the Delta examination at the University of Mannheim, held each May.[5]
- Indirect entry: through prior study at an accredited foreign university, or one year at a Studienkolleg (preparatory college) in Germany plus the assessment examination.[5]
In admission-restricted programmes, 8% of places go to non-EU international applicants (5% in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy).[5] The page does not describe the master’s procedure; requirements are set in each programme’s admission regulations.[5] We give no deadlines here because they differ by programme and semester; use the programme finder.
Which language level do you need?
Bachelor’s and state examination programmes require very good German, level C1 on the CEFR scale (the European scale from A1 to C2).[8] Accepted proof includes DSH 2 or 3, TestDaF level 4 or 5 in all parts, Goethe-Zertifikat C2, DSD II, telc Deutsch C1 Hochschule and a German-language secondary certificate.[5] Open-admission programmes accept lower-level options at first, but you must provide a C1 certificate by enrolment.[5]
German is not required for the Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences, which is taught in English or French. For English-taught master’s programmes the requirement is set by each programme; free-mover students must show English at B2.[8] The language page does not name IELTS or TOEFL scores.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the University of Freiburg free for international students?
Not for everyone. All students pay a semester fee of €190. Students who are not citizens of an EU/EEA state also pay €1,500 per semester in bachelor’s, consecutive master’s and state examination programmes.[4]
How is the University of Freiburg ranked?
It is 245th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 14th among German universities.[2]
Do I need German to study at the University of Freiburg?
Is the University of Freiburg a University of Excellence?
Yes. It was named a University of Excellence on 2 October 2026, with funding from 1 January 2027.[3]
What if my school certificate is not recognised in Germany?
You may still enter indirectly through prior study at an accredited foreign university or a one-year Studienkolleg and its assessment examination. Subject-restricted entry can be lifted by passing the Delta examination in Mannheim.[5]
More about studying in Germany
- Germany: best universities
- Study in Germany: complete guide
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Germany
- Freie Universität Berlin
- Heidelberg University
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)
- Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
- RWTH Aachen University
- Technical University of Berlin
- Technical University of Munich
- TU Darmstadt
- TU Dresden
- University of Bonn
- University of Cologne
- University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU)
- University of Göttingen
- University of Hamburg
- University of Mannheim
- University of Münster
- University of Stuttgart
- University of Tübingen
Sources
[1] University of Freiburg: The University at a glance (page without a date)
[2] University of Freiburg: QS World University Rankings 2027, the University of Freiburg ranks among the top 10 nationally across several indicators (press release of 19 Jun 2026; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access)
[3] University of Freiburg: A great success for Freiburg, University regains excellence title (press release of 2 Oct 2026)
[4] University of Freiburg: Semester fees and tuition (page without a date; the semester is not stated)
[5] University of Freiburg: Applying for full-time studies (degree seekers) (page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: University of Freiburg (type of institution)
[7] University of Freiburg: History of the University (page without a date)
[8] University of Freiburg, International Office: Language requirements (page without a date (footer © 2026))
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.