Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main

Goethe University Frankfurt charges no tuition fees for undergraduate or consecutive master's programmes for any student, regardless of nationality (EU or non-EU). Hessen is not among the states that introduced non-EU tuition fees. All enrolled students pay a semester contribution of approximately €408.28 per semester (Winter 2026/27 figure). This contribution covers a Germany-wide semester ticket (public transport), the Studierendenwerk (student services including canteens and housing administration), administrative costs (€50.00, unchanged since 2004), AStA student body fee, and a Palmengarten garden ticket. Non-consecutive or continuing education master's programmes may charge separate fees — check individual programme pages.

International applicants must hold a recognised higher education entrance qualification. Entry is assessed against the anabin database (kmk.org/anabin); applicants whose school leaving certificate does not directly qualify for a German university must attend the Studienkolleg Frankfurt (preparatory year, Bockenheim Campus) and pass the Feststellungsprüfung (FSP) before enrolling in a bachelor's programme. Most international applicants apply through uni-assist, which conducts a preliminary review of foreign qualifications before the application is forwarded to Goethe University. Applicants from India, China, and Vietnam must additionally hold an APS (Akademische Prüfstelle) certificate — this is a mandatory requirement of German consulates for the student visa, and Goethe University's admission process requires it to be completed before enrolment. The APS is issued by the German Embassy in New Delhi (for Indian applicants), Beijing/Shanghai/Guangzhou (for Chinese applicants), and Hanoi (for Vietnamese applicants). For undergraduate programmes, German language proof at DSH-2 level is required at the time of application. For the Studienkolleg, B1 level is sufficient for admission. For master's programmes, the entry requirement is a relevant bachelor's degree; German-taught master's programmes require DSH-2, while English-taught programmes specify their own language requirements per programme. Hessen does not charge additional non-EU tuition fees (see tuition_summary).

Deadlines vary by programme and are published on individual degree programme pages via the Goethe-Campus portal. General guidance: for undergraduate programmes, the application deadline is enforced strictly — preliminary certificates are not accepted and no late submissions are possible. The Studienkolleg Frankfurt publishes its own intake deadlines: applications for the summer semester open approximately 25 September and close approximately 1 November; applications for the winter semester open approximately 25 March and close approximately 1 May. For programme-specific deadlines, applicants should check the Goethe-Campus degree programme finder or contact the admissions office at [email protected] / +49 69 798 38 38.

The majority of degree programmes are taught in German. For German-taught undergraduate programmes, applicants must demonstrate German at DSH-2 level (or equivalent: TestDaF 4×3, Goethe-Institut B2, telc B2, ÖSD B2, UNIcert B2, DSD-I). Medicine and dentistry require DSH-3. A growing number of master's programmes are offered in English, particularly in STEM and finance-related fields; applicants should check individual programme pages for English-language availability and proficiency requirements. The International Study Center (ISZ) offers intensive German preparatory courses and DSH exam preparation for prospective and enrolled students.