How can I apply?
Application periods
Applications for the first semester: |
April 15 to May 31 |
Applications for a higher study semester (to begin in the summer term) |
January 1 to February 15 |
Applications for a higher study semester (to begin in the winter term) |
July 1 to August 15 |
Applying as a first semester studnet allows you a seamless transition from your Bachelor's to our Master's program. The Master's in Public Economics begins every winter semester.
Should you already be enrolled in a Master's Program and are thinking about changing programs, you should verify if you fulfill the application requirements for a higher semester applicant. In this case, you may begin our Master program either in the winter or in the summer semester.
The general admission requirements apply regardless of first or higher semester applications.
General admission requirements
Applicants must have completed a minimum of 30 ECTS credits in Economics and a minimum of 18 ECTS credits in quantitative methods (Mathematics, Statistics, and or Econometrics). Please also note important information about prior knowledge of econometrics, which can be found here.
This requirement can also be fulfilled, if you hold a German high school diploma (Abiturzeugnis) with 6 years of English. Please consider that this is only valid for a German high school diploma. The English language requirements can also be fulfilled if your previous studies were mainly carried out in English language.
Did you complete your Bachelor's studies at a higher education institution outside of the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)?
Please contact the higher education institution, which issued your Bachelor’s Diploma, for an equivalence table or similar. Without this, we cannot guarantee that your previous studies are recognized by Freie Universität Berlin.
Additional requirements for first-semester applicants
Have you not yet completed your Bachelor's?
In order to consider your application, you must prove that you have completed 2/3 of the ECTS points of your program.
In this case, your application will be evaluated based on your current completed courses and grades. Nevertheless, the final Bachelor’s diploma must be presented by the end of the first semester of this Master's program.
Additional requirements for higher-semester applicants
Selection criteria
You will be considered in the admission process as long as you fulfill our formal admission requirements. All applicant will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:
The remaining 49% of places are assigned based on a weighted method. Your ranking in this selection process is determined by the successful completion of specific courses related to Public Finance. The following areas of knowledge are considered:
Public Finance, Labour Economics, Environmental Economics, Public Choice, Economic History, Econometrics and Labour Law.
The admission process for a higher semesteres are determined centrally by Freie Universität Berlin.
Information on the allocation of study places at admission-restricted programs
Exceptions from this rule may include the amount of so-called waiting semesters and hardship case quotas.
Information on tuition fees
Except in the case of continuing education courses and auditing, Freie Universität Berlin does not charge any tuition fees (Studiengebühren) for its study programs.
Information on semester fees and contributions