Education in Germany
Public universities in Germany are funded by the federal states and do not charge tuition fees. However, all enrolled students do have to pay a semester fee ("Semesterbeitrag"). This fee consists of an administrative fee for the university (only in some of the states), a fee for "Studentenwerk", which is a statutory student affairs organization, a fee for the university's AStA ("Allgemeiner Studentenausschuss", students' government) and "Studentenschaft" (students' union), at many universities a fee for public transportation, and possibly more fees as decided by the university's students' parliament (e.g., for a cooperation with a local theater granting free entry for students). Summed up, the semester fee usually ranges between €150 and €350.
Free University of Berlin
With 12 departments (FB) and three interdisciplinary central institutes, the university can be seen as an "universitas litterarum" (a traditional university where studies in all basic sciences is possible).Despite the variety of subjects, apart from computer science, studies in the field of engineering can only be done at the Technical University or universities of applied science "(Fachhochschulen)".With 33,000 applicants for the undergraduate programs (Bachelor) in 2013, admissions at Free University of Berlin remain highly competitive as the university only offers about 4,300 places each year. Due to the high numbers of applicants, most undergraduate programs at Free University of Berlin have limitations determined through the NC.
The general deadline for students directly from high school applying to limited programs in the coming winter semester is 15 July every year at all universities in Germany.