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.

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 an individual doctorate.

Doctorate in a degree program

Over the last years "structured programs" have been established as an alternative way towards a doctoral degree. As part of a graduate school or research training group (or similar) early stage reasearchers take part in a program which differs from the traditional way in both its formal framework as well as the focus on a better integration of doctoral researchers in a group and the wider academic community.

Most doctoral program at Freie Universität Berlin can be found under the roof Dahlem Research School. 

An overview of doctoral program in and around Berlin can found at the website Doctoral Programs in Berlin hosted by the Einstein Foundation. 

For detailed information about your PhD at the Freie Universität Berlin, please click here.