The Institute for Chinese Studies, at the School of East Asian Studies (SEAS), Freie Universität Berlin, is one of the most important centres for China-related research and teaching in Germany. Rich in tradition, it has a history dating back to the formation and institutionalization of sinology as an official discipline in the nineteenth century, and its development has been influenced by the general history of Germany as well as by the complex heritage of the city of Berlin. The evolution of overlapping scientific theories and the research interests of individual senior faculty members have also helped to shape the direction and scope of the teaching and research at certain times.

The Institute for Chinese Studies at Freie Universität Berlin employs an interdisciplinary, social science-based approach to Sinology/China Studies. The diverse aspects of China are examined through an integrated lens of the methods and theories underlying the systematic disciplines. The teaching and the research are focused on the society of modern China today and the historical processes underlying its formation. Special importance is attributed to language development skills. 

The Chinese studies/Sinology programme is designed to facilitate the sound methodical, systematic and critical analysis of societal and historical processes by drawing on original language sources.

The Institute for Chinese Studies has approximately 400 students majoring in Sinology /Chinese studies. The Berliner China-Hefte / Chinese History and Society, compiled by the Institute of Chinese Studies, is the most important journal in the German language on the history and society of modern China. The book series, Berliner-China Studien, is published by LIT Verlag, Münster.