Liberal Arts and Sciences, B.A./B.Sc.

About the course

A four-year, English-taught interdisciplinary degree (240 ECTS) starting in October. A shared foundation year covers academic skills, different ways of knowing, leadership and introductions to the majors. Students then specialise in one major (Culture and History, Governance, Life Sciences, or Environmental and Sustainability Sciences), which decides whether you graduate with a B.A. or a B.Sc.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Under German recognition rules (KMK/ZAB), the Leaving Certificate gives direct university entry when you have six subjects: at least two at Higher Level with H5 or better and the other four at H6/O6 or better. The six must include two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. Freiburg publishes nothing Ireland-specific for this degree, and it has both humanities/social science and science majors, so ask University College Freiburg admissions whether an extra subject-area rule applies. If one does, Higher Level Maths at H5 (and possibly a Higher Level science at H5) is the safe choice.
• Applicants are ranked on their school result converted to a German grade, a written application essay (max 500 words) and a letter of motivation (max 500 words). EU/EEA applicants are assessed in a separate pool. You must also submit confirmation that you completed the online Student Orientation Procedure (OSA). No interview or entrance test is mentioned.
• English at B2 level is required. Freiburg accepts a university entrance qualification from an English-speaking country and names Ireland, so the Leaving Certificate should count as proof of English.

How to apply

1. Check your subjects and prepare (spring 2027)Make sure your Leaving Cert subject mix meets the German rules. Complete the online Student Orientation Procedure (OSA) and draft your 500-word essay and 500-word motivation letter in English.
2. Register with hochschulstart (from June 2027)Create an account on hochschulstart.de (DoSV) to get your applicant ID and authentication number. The 2026 window opened on 1 June.
3. Apply on the Freiburg portal by 15 July 2027 (expected)Apply to LAS on the University of Freiburg application portal. Upload your school certificate, English proof, essay, motivation letter, signed declaration of authorship and OSA confirmation. Ask admissions how to handle Leaving Cert results that are not out until late August.
4. Accept your offer and enrol (late July to September 2027)Offers come through the DoSV system (late July in 2026). Enrol within 10 days of accepting, pay the semester fee, and look for accommodation in Freiburg early. Classes start in October.

Costs

• No tuition for EU students. All students pay the university’s semester registration fee each semester (the programme page does not give the amount; German public universities typically charge roughly €150–400 per semester). Tuition of €1,500 per semester applies only to non-EU students, and €650 per semester to anyone taking a second bachelor’s degree. No application fee is mentioned.

At a glance