Berlin: Freie Universität Berlin

The program is operated by the Berlin Consortium for German Studies (BCGS), an association of six American universities: Chicago, Columbia, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, Pennsylvania, and Princeton. It is based at the Freie Universität Berlin, a pre-eminent German university located in Dahlem, a villa district in southwest Berlin. Program participants also have access to courses at other major Berlin institutions including Humboldt University and the Technical University. Chicago students are encouraged to participate in the Berlin program for the full academic year, though a two-quarter option is possible (Autumn and Winter OR Winter and Spring).

The program begins in late August with a six-week orientation session featuring a concentrated German review course. The German university calendar begins in early October and concludes in mid-July. It is divided into two semesters, separated by a break from mid-February to mid-April. Usually BCGS students take three courses in the first semester and four in the second. In the first semester, one of these courses will normally be a BCGS course taught (in German) exclusively to program participants. Students in need of further language work may also be asked to take an advanced language course in the first semester.

Students have the option of staying in a student residence hall (the historic Schlactensee Studentendorf, Neon Wood, or The Social Hub) or finding alternative accommodation in the city, for example, living in an apartment with local students.

Participants in the Berlin program remain registered as full-time students in the College. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript, though participants should be aware that final grades from German academics can be slow to arrive. Since the use of these credits in a specific degree program is variable, students should consult with their academic adviser and program chair to determine exactly how credits may be distributed toward degree progress. All students are required to read and follow the Direct Enrollment Credit Guide ahead of committing to a direct enrollment program in order to fully understand the process.

Berlin program participants pay regular College tuition and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition is paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and a deposit toward the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Students pay living expenses, including housing, food, books, travel, and incidentals while in Berlin. Precise figures for the Berlin program for the 2024-2025 year are listed below:

Academic year tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Out-of-pocket expenses include:

• round-trip airfare to and from the program site
• passport/visa fees
• transportation on site
• accommodation
• meals
• course materials
• personal entertainment and travel
• communications (cell phone, etc.)
• health insurance and upfront payments for care
• other miscellaneous expenses

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The Berlin program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Students at one of the other BCGS universities should apply through their home institution.

The program is designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing. While it is most appropriate for students in their third year, qualified students with compelling reasons for participating in their second year will be considered. Because of Germany’s late-ending academic year (mid-July) and the slowness of grade transfers from Berlin, fourth-year students should participate only if they are not concerned about a delayed graduation. Students must have at least two years of German language in the College or demonstrate by examination a comparable competence to participate in this program. Language study beyond the second-year (intermediate) level is highly desirable. Though the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity.

The application process includes a German language examination to be administered in Winter quarter.

Given the immersive nature of this program students wishing to apply to the Berlin program are expected to meet with Elana Kranz as a requirement of the application process. Please email Elana Kranz to set up an appointment.

To discuss the Berlin program and the possibility of participating, please contact Elana Kranz.