Freie Universität Berlin
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Freie Universität Berlin

🇩🇪 Germany / State of Berlin / Berlin
Public Est. 1948

About

The Free University of Berlin is a public research university in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in West Berlin in 1948 with American support during the early Cold War period as a Western continuation of the Friedrich Wilhelm University, or the University of Berlin, whose traditions and faculty members it retained. The Friedrich Wilhelm University, being located in East Berlin, was renamed the Hum...

The Free University of Berlin is a public research university in Berlin, Germany. It was founded in West Berlin in 1948 with American support during the early Cold War period as a Western continuation of the Friedrich Wilhelm University, or the University of Berlin, whose traditions and faculty members it retained. The Friedrich Wilhelm University, being located in East Berlin, was renamed the Humboldt University. The Free University's name referred to West Berlin's status as part of the intellectual continuum of the Western "Free World", contrasting with Soviet-controlled East Berlin.

Ranking Overview

Ranking Snapshot

Ranked Top 100 worldwide across 3 major ranking systems

US News #59 (2026)
THE #113 (2026)

Ranked in 70 subject rankings

QS QS World University Rankings
Not Ranked
THE Times Higher Education World University Rankings
# =113
9
65.2
2026
ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities
# 202-301
107
2004
US News U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings
# =59
7
74.4
2026

Key Facts

Students
24,851
Student-Staff Ratio
43.9 : 1
Int'l Students
24%
Female : Male
63 : 37
Staff
7,856

Historical Trend

Longitudinal View
THE THE
ARWU ARWU
US News US News
1 51 101 151 201 251 300 2003 2004 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Rank
:
Score:

Top Subjects

Best-performing areas
9
Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
Top 10
24
Infectious Diseases
Top 50
26
Arts & Humanities
Top 50
27
Veterinary Science
Top 50
32
Communication & Media Studies
Top 50
40
Neuroscience and Behavior
Top 50
43
Human Biological Sciences
Top 50
46
Psychiatry/Psychology
Top 50
48
Immunology
Top 50
=49
Cell Biology
Top 50
49
Social Sciences
Top 50
=51
Surgery
Top 100
51
Endocrinology and Metabolism
Top 100
51-75
Ecology
Top 100
51-75
Dentistry
Top 100

Subject Rankings

Detailed breakdown

THE

9 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Arts & Humanities 26 72.2 2026
Social Sciences 49 67.1 2026
Law & Legal Studies =63 56.4 2026
Psychology 74 62.0 2026
Life Sciences 90 63.5 2026
Physical Sciences 126–150 56.7 2026
Education & Training 151–175 47.6 2026
Computer Science 176–200 49.5 2026
Business & Economics 176–200 47.3 2026

ARWU

36 subjects
Subject
Rank
Score
Year
Veterinary Science 27 179.8 2025
Communication & Media Studies 32 137.1 2025
Human Biological Sciences 43 165.7 2025
Ecology 51-75 - 2025
Dentistry 51-75 - 2025
Politics 51-75 - 2025
Biotechnology 76-100 - 2025
Clinical Medicine 76-100 - 2025
Medical Technology 76-100 - 2025
Biomedical Engineering 101-150 - 2025
Biological Sciences 101-150 - 2025
Agricultural Sciences 101-150 - 2025
Public Health 101-150 - 2025
Pharmacy & Pharmacology 101-150 - 2025
Earth & Marine Sciences 151-200 - 2025
Atmospheric Science 151-200 - 2025
Nursing 151-200 - 2025
Economics & Econometrics 151-200 - 2025
Sociology 151-200 - 2025
Psychology 151-200 - 2025
Public Administration 151-200 - 2024
Mathematics 201-300 - 2025
Chemistry 201-300 - 2025
Geography 201-300 - 2024
Computer Science 201-300 - 2025
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology 201-300 - 2025
Food Science & Technology 201-300 - 2019
Statistics & Operational Research 201-300 - 2025
Law & Legal Studies 201-300 - 2024
Education & Training 201-300 - 2025
Business Administration 201-300 - 2025
Hospitality & Tourism Management 201-300 - 2019
Physics & Astronomy 301-400 - 2025
Materials Science 301-400 - 2025
Environmental Sciences 401-500 - 2025
Management 401-500 - 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ranking of Freie Universität Berlin?

Freie Universität Berlin's performance in the latest university rankings: THE Rank =113, ARWU Rank 202-301, US News Rank =59.

When was Freie Universität Berlin founded?

Freie Universität Berlin was founded in 1948.

What are the top subjects at Freie Universität Berlin?

Top subjects at Freie Universität Berlin include: Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems, Infectious Diseases, Arts & Humanities, Veterinary Science, Communication & Media Studies.

Where is Freie Universität Berlin located?

Freie Universität Berlin is located in Berlin, Germany.