Freie Universität Berlin with its partner institutions Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin forms the Berlin University Alliance. This unique cooperation makes Berlin one of Germany’s leading sites for academia and research.

The Alliance and its seven joint research clusters are funded as part of German government’s Excellence Strategy.

Pathways to a doctorate

If you are interested in completing a doctorate at Freie Universität Berlin, you have two options: the traditional “Individualpromotion” (individual doctorate) and the structured doctorate within a degree program.

Individual Doctorate

The individual doctorate still represents the most common pathway to a doctorate in Germany. Characterized by a strong background in research and a broad range of subject fields, Freie Universität Berlin provides the best opportunities for pursuing a doctorate.

• More information on the individual doctorate

Doctorate in a degree program

Doctoral degree programs differ from the individual doctorate in both, formal frame of studies as well as integration of doctoral researchers into the scientific community.

• More information on a doctoral program

A wide range of outstanding doctoral degree programs are coordinated by Dahlem Research School, the Center for Junior Researchers.

• Doctoral programs at Freie Universität Berlin