Freiburg University's Student Application Numbers: An Overview

The University of Freiburg, located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is a prestigious public research university with a student population of around 21,600 to 24,500. It is one of the oldest universities in Germany, founded in 1457, and has a rich history of academic excellence. With a low acceptance rate of around 15% to 33%, the university is highly selective, attracting students from across Germany and over 120 other countries. The exact number of applicants to the University of Freiburg is not publicly available, but with a low acceptance rate and a large number of programmes on offer, it is safe to assume that the university receives a significant number of applications each year.

University of Freiburg's application process

The University of Freiburg, founded in 1457, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is the fifth-oldest university in Germany, attracting students from across the country and over 120 other countries. The university has a student population of around 21,600, with about 16% being foreigners. The University of Freiburg offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs across 11 faculties, including liberal arts and social sciences, engineering, and natural sciences.

The application process for the University of Freiburg can be outlined in the following steps:

University Entrance Qualification:

The first step is to ensure that you meet the university entrance qualification requirements. For German citizens, this typically includes a university entrance qualification ("Abitur") or equivalent. For international students, a good command of the German language is required, and non-German university entrance qualifications, such as the IB, must be recognized by the International Admissions and Services (IAS).

Application Period and Submission:

The application period for the University of Freiburg is usually from June 1 to July 15. The application process involves registering on the university's application portal and submitting the required documents. These documents typically include your school leaving diploma, transcript of grades, and proof of language proficiency.

Application Pools:

The university has two application pools based on citizenship and university entrance qualifications. Pool 1 is for citizens from EU and EEA member states and international applicants with a German Abitur. Pool 2 is for non-EU/EEA citizens without a German Abitur. The application pools are assessed separately, and dual citizens apply with the citizenship "closest" to Germany.

Application Documents and Requirements:

In addition to the university entrance qualification, the University of Freiburg requires additional documents and has specific requirements. These include:

• English proficiency at a minimum of B2 level according to the CEFR.
• An application essay answering a given question and written in English with a specified word limit.
• A letter of motivation outlining your reasons for studying at the University of Freiburg, written in English, and adhering to the word limit.
• A Declaration of Authorship, confirming that the application essay and letter of motivation are your own work.
• Confirmation of having completed a "Student Orientation Procedure," such as the LAS Online Study-Choice Assistant (OSA).
• For non-German school leaving certificates, recognition by the International Admissions and Services (IAS) as a German University entrance qualification is necessary.

Recognition of Qualifications:

The university will check that your application is complete and that all required documents are valid. If any documents are missing or invalid, you will be notified by July 1. Non-German school leaving certificates must be recognized as a German University entrance qualification by the IAS. Incomplete or invalid applications will not be considered for selection.

Admission and Enrollment:

You will be notified of your acceptance or rejection by email from hochschulstart.de around the end of July. If accepted, you must actively accept the offer on the portal within a specified timeframe. The official letter of admission will include information on enrollment, and you will have a set number of days to complete the enrollment process. Deferring admission is possible under certain circumstances, such as mandatory military service or caring for a child.

The University of Freiburg's application process is comprehensive and merit-based, assessing applicants' academic achievements, motivation, and proficiency in the English language. With an annual intake of about 80 students for the LAS Program, the university ensures a competitive and selective environment for its students.

The university's acceptance rate

The University of Freiburg, also known as the Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. With a history spanning over five centuries, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Germany. The university has a student population of around 21,600, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral candidates.

The acceptance rate at the University of Freiburg is highly competitive, with an estimated rate of around 33% based on unofficial sources. This means that out of every 100 applications, only about 33 are selected. The university prioritises students with higher grades and exceptional academic or research experience.

In the fall of 2010, the university's acceptance rate was slightly lower at 15.38%, with around 4,000 out of 26,000 applicants being offered admission. The university receives a large number of applications each year, and the specific acceptance rate can vary depending on the program and the faculty to which one is applying.

The University of Freiburg has a rich history and is known for its academic excellence, particularly in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. It attracts students from across Germany and over 120 other countries, with international students making up about 16% to 18.2% of the total student population. The university is associated with many notable alumni and faculty members, including Nobel Laureates, and is recognised as a "University of Excellence" by the German government.

Application requirements

The University of Freiburg is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was founded in 1457 and is the fifth-oldest university in the country. The university has a student population of around 21,600, with about 16% being foreigners from about 120 countries.

The University of Freiburg has a selective application process with specific requirements that applicants must meet to be considered for admission. Here are the key application requirements for the university:

Online Application:

The first step in applying to the University of Freiburg is to complete the online application process. The university uses the "Dialogue-Oriented Service Procedure" (DoSV) to coordinate applications. Applicants need to register on the hochschulstart.de platform and the University of Freiburg application portal. The application period is usually from June 1 to July 15.

University Entrance Qualification:

All applicants must possess a University entrance qualification, which consists of a school leaving diploma and a transcript of grades. For international applicants, non-German qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), must be recognized by the International Admissions and Services (IAS) of the university.

Language Proficiency:

The University of Freiburg requires applicants to demonstrate proficiency in the German language, especially for international students. Additionally, for English-taught courses, applicants must provide proof of English proficiency at a minimum of B2 level according to the CEFR. This can be demonstrated through IELTS or TOEFL scores.

Academic Achievements and Motivation:

The university selects students based on their academic achievements and motivation for studying at the University of Freiburg. Applicants are assessed on the final grade of their University entrance qualification, as well as their application essay and letter of motivation. The application essay and letter of motivation must be written in English and adhere to specified word limits.

Additional Documents:

As part of the application process, applicants may be required to submit additional documents, such as translations of their school documents into German or English by certified translators. The university may also require confirmation of the completion of a "Student Orientation Procedure," such as the LAS Online Study-Choice Assistant (OSA).

It is important to note that specific programs at the University of Freiburg may have varying admissions rates and additional requirements. Therefore, it is recommended to refer to the official website of the university for detailed and up-to-date information on application requirements for specific programs.

Application timeline

The University of Freiburg is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was founded in 1457 and currently offers 180 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programmes across 11 faculties. The university has a student population of around 21,600, including students from 120 different nationalities, with international students making up about 16% to 18% of the total number of students.

Prepare Your Application

Before you begin the application process, it is important to ensure that you meet the admissions requirements. For the University of Freiburg, you will need to have a secondary school certificate (Reifezeugnis) or its equivalent. International students must also demonstrate a good command of the German language. Additionally, specific programmes may have their own additional requirements, so it is essential to review the criteria for your desired programme(s) carefully.

Gather Required Documents

The University of Freiburg typically requires the following documents for your application:

• University entrance qualification: This includes your school leaving diploma and transcript of grades. If your documents are not in German, English, or French, they must be translated into German or English by a certified translator or approved by a German Embassy or Consulate.
• English proficiency test scores: Applicants must provide proof of English proficiency, such as a B2-level certificate according to the CEFR.
• Application essay: You will need to write an essay based on a given topic or question. For example, in 2024, the essay question was, "What is the difference between truth and opinion? Describe a situation from your own life in which this difference made a difference."
• Letter of motivation: This letter should outline your motivation for studying at the University of Freiburg and must be written in English.
• Declaration of authorship: You will need to sign and submit a declaration confirming that the application essay and letter of motivation are your own original work.
• Confirmation of having completed a student orientation procedure: This could include using the LAS Online Study-Choice Assistant (OSA), which provides interactive tools and resources to help you make an informed decision about your studies.

Register and Apply

The University of Freiburg uses an online application system. Here is an overview of the registration and application process:

• Register on hochschulstart.de: This is the first step in the application process. After registering, you will receive a BID (Applicant ID) and a BAN (Applicant Authentication Number).
• Register on the University of Freiburg application portal: Use your BID and BAN to register and enable data transfer from hochschulstart.de. Select your desired degree programme and complete the application form.
• Upload application documents: Gather and upload all the required documents listed above.
• Confirm your application: Review your application and confirm that all the information and documents are correct. Submit your application using your BID and BAN numbers.
• Wait for a Decision

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for a decision from the university. The University of Freiburg will notify applicants by email about their acceptance or rejection. This typically occurs around the end of July. If you are accepted, you will need to actively accept or decline the offer through the hochschulstart.de portal within a specified timeframe.

Enrolment

If you receive an offer and choose to accept it, you will need to complete the enrolment process. The University of Freiburg will provide detailed instructions on enrolment, including any necessary steps to be completed within a specified timeframe.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The University of Freiburg is a public research university, and as is common among German universities, tuition is mostly free. However, since autumn 2017, the state of Baden-Württemberg has implemented study fees for international students and those studying for a second degree.

International students who are neither nationals of a member state of the European Union (EU) nor another contracted member state of the European Economic Area (EEA) (Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein) are charged fees of 1,500 euros per semester for bachelor's, consecutive master's, or state examination degrees. This is in addition to the usual semester fees, currently 180 euros per semester.

Students studying for a second or further undergraduate degree (Bachelor's or Staatsexamens) or a second or further consecutive Master's degree must pay fees of 650 euros per semester.

There are some exemptions to these additional fees. For example, students with a significant disability that affects their ability to study are exempt, as are students who are on a leave of absence or a mandatory internship that is part of their degree. Students who began their studies before the 2017/2018 winter semester are also exempt.

The University of Freiburg offers scholarships of up to 300 euros to international students.

Frequently asked questions