Goethe University

Frankfurt , Germany

Goethe University Frankfurt, founded in 1914 and named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, is one of Germany’s leading research universities, renowned for its strengths in economics, law, natural sciences, and humanities. As a member of the German U15 and a founding institution of the Rhine-Main Universities Alliance.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at Goethe University

Cost Of Living

€ 12000

Undergraduate Fees International Students

€ 20000

Post Graduate Fees International Students

€ 18000

Bachelors

  • € 2067
  • € 2067
  • € 2067
  • € 2067
  • € 2067

Masters

  • € 1394
  • € 1394
  • € 1394
  • € 1394Goethe University

Goethe University Departments

  • Faculty of Law
  • Faculty of Economics & Business
  • Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Natural Sciences
  • Faculty of Humanities

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of Goethe University

Goethe University Frankfurt stands out as Germany’s financial and legal academic powerhouse, uniquely positioned in Europe’s banking capital with unrivaled industry ties to the European Central Bank (ECB), Deutsche Bank, and top law firms. Its "House of Finance" is a globally renowned hub for economic research, while the natural sciences faculty collaborates with Nobel Prize-winning institutes like the Max Planck Society. As one of the few German universities with a full-spectrum university hospital (Niederrad Campus), it excels in medical innovation. The university’s strong interdisciplinary focus bridges humanities and STEM, supported by its historic Institute for Social Research (birthplace of critical theory).

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Distinguished Alumni of Goethe University

Theodor W. Adorno

Philosopher, sociologist, and musicologist, central figure of the Frankfurt School. Known for his critical theory, cultu... View More

Jürgen Habermas

One of the most influential living philosophers and social theorists. Studied philosophy and earned his doctorate at Goe... View More

Max Horkheimer

– Philosopher and sociologist, also a founder of the Frankfurt School of Critical Theory. He was Director of the Insti... View More

Otto Stern

Physicist and Nobel Laureate (1943). Known for the Stern–Gerlach experiment, which confirmed quantum spin. He was a pr... View More

Paul Ehrlich

Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine (1908). Developed the concept of a “magic bullet” for targeting disease... View More

Anne Will

Prominent German television journalist and talk show host. Studied history and political science at Goethe University.

Hans Bethe

Nobel Prize winner in Physics (1967) for his work on stellar nucleosynthesis. Studied at Goethe University in his early... View More

Peter Bofinger

Influential economist and former member of the German Council of Economic Experts. Studied and earned his doctorate at G... View More

Helmut Coing

Leading legal historian and jurist. He was Rector of Goethe University and founded the Max Planck Institute for European... View More

Richard von Weizsäcker

President of Germany (1984–1994). Studied law and history at Goethe University before entering politics and public se... View More

Infrastructure & Facilities at Goethe University

Goethe University Frankfurt boasts a modern, urban campus seamlessly integrated into Germany's financial capital, featuring state-of-the-art facilities across its four main locations. The Westend Campus, centered around the iconic Poelzig Ensemble (a protected modernist landmark), houses the humanities and social sciences in historic yet renovated buildings with cutting-edge lecture halls and the main university library (over 5 million volumes). The Riedberg Campus serves as a science hub with high-tech labs for physics, biochemistry, and the new Quantitative Science Center, while the Niederrad Campus combines the University Hospital Frankfurt with advanced medical research institutes. The Sports Campus Ginnheim offers Olympic-grade athletic facilities. All campuses feature smart classrooms, interdisciplinary collaborative spaces, and 24/7 study areas, connected by Frankfurt's excellent public transport. 

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Goethe University Student Life

Life at Goethe blends urban energy with campus community:

200+ student groups – From the Finance Society to AI Ethics Collective

Kunstcafé – Student-run arts space for exhibitions and performances

Semester ticket – Free public transport across the Rhine-Main region

Nightlife – Historic Alt-Sachsenhausen pubs and multicultural clubs

Sports – 80+ university teams (including quidditch and e-sports)

Affordable living – Shared flats (WGs) from €400-600/month

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Goethe University Career support

Goethe’s Career Service delivers unparalleled industry access through:

Exclusive recruitment fairs with 200+ employers (Deutsche Bank, ECB, Siemens Healthineers)

Industry-tailored coaching (CV optimization, salary negotiation, and case interview prep)

Alumni network "Goethe Connect" linking students to graduates in top firms

Startup incubator for ventures in fintech, biotech, and AI

EU work visa guidance for international graduates

With 91% employability within a year, students leverage Frankfurt’s status as Europe’s financial capital for internships and jobs.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at Goethe University

The below information is required while
completing the university application :

1. Academic Qualifications

Secondary school diploma equivalent to the German Abitur (e.g., IB Diploma, A-Levels, or country-specific qualifications verified via uni-assist).

Minimum grades: Typically 2.5 or better on the German grading scale (varies by program; competitive programs like Economics may require top scores).

Program-specific prerequisites:

STEM programs: Strong math/science background.

Humanities: Language proficiency or subject-specific knowledge.

2. Language Proficiency

German-taught programs (most Bachelor's programs):

TestDaF (4xTDN4), DSH-2, Goethe C2, or Telc C1.

Alternative: Some programs accept B2-level German with mandatory language courses.

English-taught programs (rare, e.g., Physics):

IELTS (6.5+), TOEFL (90+ iBT), or Cambridge C1 Advanced.

3. Application Process

Non-EU students: Apply via uni-assist (requires VPD document).

EU students: Direct application via the university portal.

Deadlines:

Winter semester: July 15 (non-EU), August 31 (EU).

Summer semester: January 15 (non-EU, limited programs), March 31 (EU).

4. Additional Documents

Translated/notarized copies of transcripts.

CV (for some programs).

Motivation letter (rarely required for Bachelor's).

Requirements may vary for each program. Please visit the program page for specific requirements.

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

Goethe University Frankfurt offers exceptional campus recruitment opportunities, leveraging its prime location in Germany’s financial capital to connect students with elite employers like Deutsche Bank, the European Central Bank (ECB), and leading law firms. The university’s Career Services hosts exclusive job fairs, on-campus interviews, and case competitions, while its House of Finance and Law School serve as direct pipelines to top-tier finance and legal careers. Strong ties to Frankfurt’s startup scene (e.g., fintech incubators) and global corporations (e.g., KPMG, Siemens Healthineers) ensure diverse opportunities across sectors.

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    Goethe University Corporate Partnership

    • KPMG : Sponsors tax law programs and case competitions.
    • Max Planck Society : Joint labs in quantum physics and neuroscience.
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    Notable Achievements of Goethe University

    Goethe University Frankfurt boasts a remarkable legacy of achievements, including 11 Nobel laureates like physicist Max von Laue and economist Paul Krugman, cementing its status as a global research leader. Ranked #1 in Germany for economics and business (CHE Ranking) and top 50 worldwide for law (QS), its House of Finance shapes EU monetary policy, while its medical faculty pioneered breakthroughs in mRNA and cancer immunotherapy. The university hosts 12 DFG Collaborative Research Centers, leads Europe’s quantum computing initiatives, and incubated fintech startups now valued at €1B+. With 90% graduate employability and unrivaled ties to Deutsche Bank, ECB, and Max Planck Society, Goethe blends academic prestige with real-world impact in Germany’s financial capital.

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    Achievements

    01.
    Quantum Systems Initiative

    Awarded €25M+ in EU funding to lead quantum computing research with Max Planck Institutes.

    Year
    2023
    02.
    mRNA Vaccine Breakthrough

    Researchers contributed to BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine development, leveraging Frankfurt’s medical and biotech expertise.

    Year
    2020
    03.
    House of Finance Launch

    Created Europe’s premier economics hub, training ECB policymakers and ranking #1 in Germany for finance (CHE).

    Year
    2001

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development Goethe University

    Goethe University Frankfurt is a powerhouse of innovation and research, particularly renowned for its interdisciplinary collaborations between finance, natural sciences, and medicine. As a leader in economics and law, its "House of Finance" and "Center for Advanced Studies" drive cutting-edge policy research with direct impact on the European Central Bank and EU regulations. In STEM, the university excels in cancer research, quantum physics, and AI, partnering with the Max Planck and Fraunhofer Institutes, while its medical faculty pioneers clinical trials and digital health solutions. The university also fosters startup culture through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, supporting spin-offs in fintech, biotech, and green energy. 

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Frankfurt School’s Influence on Mass Communication and Media Studies

    The Frankfurt School thinkers developed early frameworks for understanding mass media manipulation, propaganda, and culture industry—concepts still central in media studies and social psychology.

    Year
    Mid-20th Century
    02.
    Advances in Nuclear Physics

    Contributor: Hans Bethe → As a student at Goethe University, Bethe contributed to early theoretical nuclear physics, which later helped in understanding stellar nucleosynthesis and atomic processes.

    Year
    1930
    03.
    Foundations of Critical Theory

    Contributors: Max Horkheimer, Theodor Adorno, Herbert Marcuse → Not a physical invention, but Goethe University’s Institute for Social Research (Frankfurt School) gave rise to Critical Theory, which profoundly influenced philosophy, sociology, media theory, and cultural criticism globally.

    Year
    1930

    Exclusive Scholarships at Goethe University

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    • Goethe Goes Global Master Scholarships

    Explore Programs & Courses at Goethe University

    Program name
    Tuition Fees
    Deadlines
    MA Aesthetics 2 Years On Campus Masters Program
    €732
    (Annual cost)
    31st Jul
    MA African Studies 2 Years On Campus Masters Program
    €732
    (Annual cost)
    31st Aug
    MA American Studies 2 Years On Campus Masters Program
    €732
    (Annual cost)
    31st May
    MA Anglophone Literatures, Cultures and Media 3 Years On Campus Masters Program
    €732
    (Annual cost)
    31st May
    View All Programs

    University Ranking of Goethe University

    151-200
    201

    Region: Europe

    16
    5-7
    28
    96
    94
    128
    Psychology
    201-250
    273
    201-250
    301-400
    Geography
    151-200
    138
    -
    101-150
    Chemistry
    201-250
    384
    -
    201-300
    Physics
    151-200
    237
    -
    301-400
    View All Rankings

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    Connect With Goethe University

    • Theodor-W.-Adorno-Platz 1
    • +49 69 7980

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