All mandatory courses are held in English.
German is helpful for some modules as students can choose from a wider selection of courses.
Start of the programme is the winter semester, which begins on 1 October. Lectures start in the second or third week of October, with welcome events taking place beforehand.
Lectures take place in person between Monday and Friday and regular attendance is required to pass. Certain lectures, seminars or practicals may also take place as block courses or on irregular dates. This information is made available to attending students in the course catalogue.
It takes four semesters – two years – to complete the programme. During this time, the lecture-free periods (mid-July to October; mid-February to April) allow time for self-study, internships or other activities. Exams, excursions, and irregular, elective lectures may be scheduled during the lecture-free periods.
Up-to-date information on lecture times may be found in the academic calendar.
All applicants: 31 May for the following winter semester
The dates may change. Please find more information here.
The programme will teach how to apply precise mathematical and computer-based methods and to develop software for solving current scientific problems. The instructors in the programme are from the disciplines of chemistry, physics, geosciences, mathematics, and computer science.
The four-semester Master's programme combines theoretical and application-oriented contents. It is divided into the following four components:
The Master's programme covers fundamental and advanced terminology, structures, methods, and processes in a wide range of structured and applied areas of scientific knowledge combined with supplementary courses. It ensures that students have the opportunity to specialise in current research. It also promotes the development of independent scientific thinking with a particular focus on the use of computers to expand knowledge.
Students gain and deepen their competence in combined mathematical, computer-related and applied scientific expertise. They also systematically develop their interdisciplinary skills and key qualifications. By preparing lectures and reports, students learn to present their expertise and qualifications orally or in writing in a form suitable to their audience. They learn to deal with gender and diversity issues in practicals and practice groups as well as through supervising tutorials. For example, the students learn to take cultural differences into account when working in the participating departments' research groups, which are usually international in composition.
Overview
A total of 120 credit points (CP) must be attained in the Master's programme. The Master's programme is structured as follows:
Synchronisation
The Synchronisation area provides students from different subject-based backgrounds with supplementary skills in other subjects to complete their expertise profile. Students may complete their synchronisation from the following subjects:
In the Synchronisation area, the Computational Sciences module is obligatory.
Scientific Computing
In the Scientific Computing area, two modules from the following subjects must be selected:
Specialisation
The Specialisation area may be selected from these three areas:
Each area includes compulsory elective courses, non-compulsory elective courses, and a scientific project. The project may be conducted in cooperation with another institution and prepares the students for their Master's theses.
Master's Thesis
The Master's thesis is usually written in the fourth semester after at least the synchronisation area has been completed. During this time, the students should give a presentation on the progress of their work.
For more details, please see the programme website and study regulations.
No additional internship is required. Students may complete the scientific project module during an internship.
In total, the semester contribution amounts to 326.40 EUR. It includes a fee of 181.40 EUR for the transportation ticket contribution. This allows you to use local public transport in Berlin and nationwide for free. Other costs covered by the semester contribution include a 50 EUR enrolment fee, a 85 EUR semester contribution to the student support service ("studierendenWERK Berlin"), and a 10 EUR contribution to the student union.
Compared to other European countries, the cost of living in Germany is quite reasonable. However, the cost of living has also risen somewhat in Germany in recent years. The prices for food, accommodation, clothing, cultural events, etc. are slightly above the EU average. You will need around 900 to 1,300 EUR each month to cover your living expenses. The biggest expense is monthly rent, which is between 400 and 700 EUR in Berlin.
The Deutschlandstipendium scholarship allows students at Freie Universität Berlin of all nations and all parts of society to fully concentrate on their studies. The programme supports talented students with 300 EUR per month. To apply, you already have to be enrolled within the standard time to degree during the funding period or have a letter of acceptance to start a degree programme at Freie Universität Berlin.
The admissions requirement for the Master's programme is a first university degree in one of the following programmes or the equivalent degree from a German institution of higher education or an institution outside Germany:
Please read the admission statutes to understand the details and the selection process.
If you are an applicant who received their university degree outside of Germany, you need to apply to Freie Universität Berlin via uni-assist. Uni-assist will check your documents and forward them to the respective university.
Before you apply, please read our homepage concerning application procedures and admission requirements.
For all inquiries about the application process, admission, enrolment, and orientation at Freie Universität Berlin, etc., please contact the Student Services Centre: Info-Service@fu-berlin.de.
Proof of English language skills (level B1 CEFR or equivalent) is required. English as a school subject for five years is equivalent to level B1.
All applicants: 31 May for the following winter semester
The dates may change. Please find more information here.
The application must be submitted online: https://my.uni-assist.de/.
For further information, please also see: Application with non-German degree.
There are many ways of earning money while you study, for example as waiting staff, academic assistants, or private tutors. Knowledge of German will improve your chances of finding a part-time job, but it isn’t necessarily required. However, it is important to be aware of the legal regulations.
The student support service at the university, called "studierendenWERK Berlin", and the local representative of the "Bundesagentur für Arbeit" (Federal Employment Agency) can provide information about jobs for students. When searching for a job, look at online job boards, notice boards on campus, and ads in local newspapers.
You have the option to stay in a public/private student dormitory or in a private (shared) apartment. Student dormitories are not administrated by the university itself, so Freie Universität Berlin does not have any on-campus housing. However, it works together with "studierendenWERK Berlin" regarding student accommodation.
If you do not wish to stay in a student dormitory, you can try to find a room or an apartment on the private housing market. Many students in Berlin live in shared apartments ("WGs"). You can find these offers online (e.g. WG-Gesucht or Kleinanzeigen) or on notice boards on campus.
Available rooms/apartments near the university are rare. Therefore, students mostly commute from other parts of the city. The commute via public transportation usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour, which is considered a normal travel time in Berlin due to the size of the city.
The Career Service of Freie Universität Berlin aims to support international students at Freie Universität by providing information, advice, and events related to career planning, internships, and job applications.
The International Student Support team at FU Berlin regularly offers information events that include Q&A sessions. While personal office hours aren't available due to team size, students can contact Info-Service Study for general inquiries or the General Academic Advisory Service or Psychological Counselling for complex concerns. The team also enhances expertise in international affairs, contributing to FU Berlin's internationalisation process.
To activate the map, click on the "Show map" button. We would like to point out that data will be transmitted to OpenStreetMap after activation. You can find out more in our privacy policy. You can revoke your consent to the transmission of data at any time.
