Exchange Program with Berlin Freie University

The Freie Universität, with its approximately 34,000 students, is one of Germany's largest universities and has distinguished itself in the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, and medicine. 

Free University of Berlin (Freie Universität Berlin) is a public research university in Berlin, Germany’s capital. It was, founded in 1948. The Law Department at Free University Berlin is situated in Dahlem, a part of south-western Berlin known for its exclusive residential areas and parks. The Law Department is one of the largest in Germany, offering students numerous courses not only in classic law areas, but also modern areas of law, such as the legal aspects of data protection. 

Semester Dates

Spring semester only (Summer Term) from April to September.

Accessibility

Free University Berlin’s Office of Students with Special Needs offers students with disabilities and chronic illnesses counseling as well as assistance with special needs. It also participates in the planning and execution of the necessary structural modifications and technical and organizational measures at Free University Berlin. More information is available here.

Course Offerings

Free University Berlin has a list of courses available for exchange students, it can be found here. The maximum number of law courses taught in foreign languages (other than German) is limited to 30 ECTS credits per semester. Law exchange students are not allowed to take any courses outside of the courses offered by the Law Department, except for one German language course (level A1 to C1) per semester and courses from the cultural program for incoming exchange students.

Students may not transfer foreign language or other non-law courses taken at the partner exchange school back to Miami Law for J.D. credit. If a student enrolls in such courses, they understand they are for self-interest only and will not be considered for transfer towards their J.D. degree. 

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  • Student Housing

    Freie University Berlin does not have on-campus housing, but the Accommodations Office will assist exchange students in finding housing within the available accommodations. The Accommodation Office works together with two different housing providers (landlords) who offer several types of accommodation:

    • studierendenWERK Berlinis responsible for all public dormitories in Berlin. (It is also responsible for running the university cafeterias and aiding and advising students in social, health, economic and cultural needs and issues.).
    • Studentendorf Schlachtenseewas built on the initiative of Free Universität Berlin students in southwest Berlin in the 1950s. 

    Moreover, the Accommodation Office offers apartments and rooms from other housing providers, such as Neon Wood, The Student Hotel and THE FIZZ.

    Detailed information on each accommodation option can be found here. For more information and resources, please also visit Free University Berlin’s FAQ, and scroll down to “Accommodations for Exchange Students.”

     

  • Cost of Attendance

    Students participating in Miami Law’s semester abroad program will pay regular full-time Miami Law tuition for the semester that they study abroad. During the semester abroad, University of Miami on-campus fees will not be charged.

    Students generally will not owe tuition to a partner exchange school while studying abroad through Miami Law’s International Exchange Programs, as long as they stay within the host institution’s credit limits (if applicable). Some administrative fees may apply.

    Miami Law exchange students pay their regular Miami Law J.D. tuition for the exchange semester to the University of Miami.

    Students should consider additional expenses such as housing, food, health insurance, books, etc. Public transportation is covered by the Semesterticket and student ID.

  • Language of Instruction

    It is recommended that Miami Law students participating in an exchange semester at Free University Berlin have at least an intermediate B2 German language proficiency level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

  • Requirements for Student Performance and Grading Methods

    The grading system at the Law Department at Free Universität Berlin is based on an 18-points-scale with 18 points being the highest possible grade. An exam is considered passed, if 4 or more points have been attained. The points denote the following grades:

    Local Grading Scale

     

    18 – 16

    sehr gut (very good)

    15 – 13

    gut (good)

    12 – 10

    vollbefriedigend (fully satisfactory)

    9 - 7

    befriedigend (satisfactory)

    6 – 4

    ausreichend (sufficient)

    3 – 1

    mangelhaft (defficient)

    0

    ungenügend (not sufficient)

    Students also must comply with Miami Law’s International Exchange Policies & Procedures. Students should aim to take at least the equivalent of 11 Miami Law credits while studying abroad; they can earn a maximum of 14 Miami Law credits from a study abroad semester. Additional rules regarding eligible course work and credit transfer back to Miami Law apply.

Contact Person/Office

Study and Examination Office
Boltzmannstr. 3
Room 1117
14195 Berlin

Grit Rother
Phone: +49 30 838 52526
Email: jurallp@zedat.fu-berlin.de

Helpful Links

International Exchange Student Handbook

A comprehensive guide to helping international students prepare to spend a semester at Miami Law. Learn more.

Study Abroad: Application Process Guide

 

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