Welcome to the department of history and cultural studies. Studying at Freie Universität Berlin is exciting, but it can be overwhelming at first. To make starting out easier, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with resources you’ll be using throughout your studies.

The five most important resources for studying:

1. your account (FUBIT webpage in German only) which you use for registering for courses, for accessing your mails, and for using the self-service; check here for more information on the FU account.
2. the campus management to sign up for courses and exams and to keep track of your academic progress;
3. the  blackboard platform (FUBIT login webpage in German only - if you do not yet have an account, press "Selbstregistrierung") as learning management system for many of your courses;
4. the course catalog to check which courses are offered by whom, when, and where (on the catalog webpage, first choose the department "history and cultural studies", then search for your MA program);
5. the websites of your MA program (list of all programs), where you will find all the important information relevant to the program as well as current events and announcements.

Step-by-step guide to easily start your studies

You have been admitted – that's great news. Follow these steps to easily start your studies on campus in Berlin

Note: For general questions about admission, enrollment, etc., please refer to the Freie Universität Berlin resources for new students.

Steps to Start Your MA Studies

Step 1: Complete enrollment formalities

• Respond to your admission letter by the deadline stated to confirm you will be enrolling. Inform your MA program about your intended enrollment.
• Pay any required enrollment fees by the relevant deadline.
• Submit any other required enrollment documents by the deadline.
• Check if you need to apply for a student visa (information about visa). If you need a late arrival letter confirming that you may even start your studies if arriving after October 2025, please request such a letter from the academic advisors by the last week of July at the latest.

Step 2: Set up student accounts (see first resource above)

• Set up your university email address, intranet/portal account, and any other student accounts required.

Step 3: Arrange housing (more information here)

• Research housing options in Berlin. Student dorms, shared apartments, and private rentals are common options.
• Apply for housing well in advance. The market is highly competitive!

Step 4: Get settled in Berlin

• Arrange travel to Berlin.
• Set up your housing.
• Complete any residency registration required.
• Open a German bank account if needed.
• Create and validate your Campuscard for paying at the university canteen, printing, and more - click here for more information.
• Create your Semester-Ticket for using public transport- click here for more information.
• Make sure you can access your student email and accounts before orientation.
• Use only your @fu-berlin.de mail for communication within Freie Universität.

Step 5: Inform yourselves about courses and regulations (also check this FU video guide for more information on organizing your studies)

• Read study and exam regulations.
• Find courses in the course catalog that meet your modules.
• Pay attention to special registration procedures for some departments or central units (e.g. for German courses from the language center)

Step 6: Attend orientation events

• If you are an international student, attend central orientation for international students at the beginning of October (for the exact dates, check FU website).
• Attend the orientation of your MA program in the first half of October (before the start of courses; for the exact dates, check your program's website).
• Attend the orientation event for international MA students at the department (for the dates check here). 

Step 7: Set up campus technology access (more information here)

• Set up access to the university WiFi network (eduroam).
• Set up remote access via VPN or ZEDAT proxy if needed.
• Watch the introduction to the campus management video.

Step 8: Register for courses

• Registration period is Oct 1 – Oct 31.
• Indicate course preferences in time, for limited capacity courses.
• Only courses of your MA program can be directly registered via the campus management.
• Check whether you have been allocated to your desired courses.
• Register for free spots.
• Check course status regularly in case of cancellations.
• Withdraw from unneeded courses to free up spaces, until Oct 31.
• Check whether you are enrolled for the relevant courses in the blackboard which is the learning management system of Freie Universität; otherwise contact the relevant lecturer. Course materials and communications may soleley be processes through blackboard, so make sure to have access to all of your courses.

Step 9: Begin classes

• Classes begin around mid October. Be sure to attend from day one

Incoming students

Important information for incoming students has been collected by the Center for Academic Advising and Psychological Counseling. Check out their website on starting your study program and their fact sheets "Newly enrolled – what next?", as well as "GETTING STARTED at Freie Universität" and "studying 101 – a simple guide for students".