Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main

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.

uni-assist (full application processing for undergraduate applicants with foreign HZB). Goethe-Universität is a listed uni-assist member. Official rule: applicants for a grundständiges Studium (Bachelor/Staatsexamen) whose HZB was not acquired in Germany or at a German-abitur school apply 'in der Regel über die Vorprüfstelle uni-assist'; documented exceptions exist ('Ausnahmen von der Bewerbung über uni-assist', e.g. applicants already holding a German recognition notice). After uni-assist review, admission offers come via Hochschulstart (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy) or the Goethe-Campus portal; German/equivalent applicants apply directly (Goethe-Campus / DoSV / Hochschulstart). Master and international programmes have separate procedures (own pages).

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.