- Founded in 1457 in Freiburg im Bresigau, Germany
- Located in the heart of the city
- Humanities and the University Library in the city center, the Natural Sciences Campus (Institutsviertel) in the north, and the large University Medical Center at the west end of the old city
- 11 faculties and over 160 fields of study
- 24 000+ students
- Numerous leisure activities in and near the city
- Conveniently located near the Alsace and Switzerland
Students considering an exchange at a university in Germany are encouraged to apply for the generous DAAD Undergraduate Scholarship. The application is due by January 31 (before you will have received confirmation of your exchange.) You will require a letter from Go Global to apply.
Visa + Requirements|Travel advice + advisories
Partner university’s areas of study
- Most courses are usually taught in German, however more and more classes from a variety of faculties are offered in English as well
- It is advisable to have completed 3-4 semesters of German by the beginning of student’s time abroad
- Students must have at least an A2 level in German to study at Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg (to self-asses, use: European Language Portfolio Global Scale)
- 4-week intensive language course is offered in March, August, and September by the Language Teaching Center (“Sprachlehrinstitut” = SLI) for 650 Euro, plus accommodation, which is around 350 Euro
- Language courses also available during the semester
- SLI offers a variety of language and cultural courses including German courses free of charge for exchange students (early registration is recommended/necessary)
Eligibility and Timing
Terms Offered
Who can go?
- Exchange students can take coursework in most areas of study
Term Dates
- Semester 1: Mid October to Mid February
- Semester 2: Mid April to Late July
Credits
Course equivalency formula
- ECTS credits divided by 2 = UBC credits
Credit transfer process
The transfer credit process takes approximately 16 weeks following each submission deadline. You should allow sufficient time to meet important deadlines that may affect you (e.g. application for graduation, registration in courses that require prerequisites that you took on exchange, entry to a major/honours program, etc.)
For more information about Go Global transfer credit
Course Information
* Students who have special requirements or require academic accommodation should contact a Go Global advisor regarding their needs at least six weeks prior to the application deadline.
Type of Go Global Experiences
Course information and restrictions
- Please research applicable course restrictions on the Freiburg exchange website
- Areas of study NOT available to exchange students: Psychology, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Molecular Medicine, English-taught Master programs
- Most universities in Germany provide a “Schein," which you will receive for each course completed
- Make sure to keep it for your records and provide a copy to Go Global upon return from exchange
Full course load information
- Recommended 24 ECTS
Transfer Credits And Equivalent Courses At This University
Check out the courses that previous students have transferred back to UBC in the last 5 years using our Course Search Tool. If you don't see a particular course you listed, it simply means you need to submit it as a new course request through the Transfer Credit Portal while on your Go Global experience. For more information, please visit the Go Global Transfer Credit webpage.
Exchange Tuition
- 15 credits or equivalent full-time program fee per term, paid to UBC
- Some exceptions may apply
Scholarships and awards
The Go Global Award $1000
All students accepted to Go Global for Exchange, Research Abroad, or Study Abroad travel programs are automatically considered for this award. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you'll be notified of your award after you're accepted to Go Global and after you get nominated to apply to the partner university.
Additional awards
Students who are eligible for awards may receive one UBC or UBC-affiliated international learning award. If you're eligible, you are always offered the highest-value award. Unless stated otherwise, you need to meet eligibility criteria set out by the University Senate regarding awards.
Check out international learning awards and eligibility.
- Baden-Wurttemberg Scholarship
- Students nominated to ALU can apply for the Baden-Wurttemberg Scholarship
- Provides 600 Euros/month to Bachelor and Masters students, and 900 Euros/month to PhD students for a period of 3 to 9 months of exchange
- Application instructions provided upon nomination
- DAAD Funding
- DAAD, the German Academic Exchange Service, offers generous scholarships to students applying for an exchange or research program at a German university
- Students must apply to DAAD by January 31, and may apply for the funding before their acceptance to the exchange program is final, with a letter from Go Global
- See the DAAD website for more information
Information for US students:
If you are a student from the United States, please check the US Department of Education Lookup Tool to ensure that any partner institution you wish to attend on Exchange is Title IV ‘eligible’ for Federal Student Aid for the year in which you intend to study there. For institutions outside of the US, select “Foreign Country” from the “State” dropdown menu.
If you attend an eligible institution, then you may receive Title IV federal student loans while on Exchange.
If you attend an ineligible institution:
- You will not be eligible for US federal student loans,
- You may invalidate any US student aid you have previously received for your studies at UBC,
- You may be required to immediately begin repaying your US student loans, and
- You may not be eligible for any future US student aid for the remainder of your studies at UBC.
Additional Fees
- Health insurance required - students have to proove sufficient health insurance before matriculation
- Students can bring their own health insurance, but Freiburg strongly recommends the local German public health insurance, which offers maximum security (approx 75 euros per month)
- The University of Freiburg will not cover any medical bills for exchange students
Types of accommodation available
Housing notes
- The International Office aims to provide accommodation in a student dormitory to all exchange students upon application
- Student dormitories can be single apartments or single rooms in shared apartments