Looking for the best universities in Frankfurt for international students? Frankfurt has top public universities, business schools, and a demand from Indian applicants. Germany has seen a 43% rise in study visa applications over the past four years—and Frankfurt is one of the top choices for courses in finance, tech, and research.
From English-taught programs to practical links with employers, Frankfurt universities offer what international students need: modern campuses, post-study work options, and city-wide access to part-time jobs. This blog covers the top public universities in Frankfurt, scholarships, admission timelines, and how to apply in 2025.
Top Universities in Frankfurt for Global Applicants
Frankfurt stands out for finance and education, which connect directly to global industries. If you're exploring universities in Frankfurt for higher studies, focus on those with English-taught master’s programs, good internship links, and strong visa support. Most public institutions charge a small semester fee, while private universities offer career-linked courses with premium tuition.
Here’s a quick look at the top Frankfurt universities accepting international students in 2025:
University
Programs Offered
Annual Tuition (EUR / INR)
Goethe University Frankfurt (Public)
Economics, Business, Humanities, Natural Sciences
€300–€500 (₹27K–₹45K)
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management (Private)
MBA, Finance, Digital Innovation, AI
€20,000–€22,000 (₹17.5L–₹19.2L)
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Public)
Engineering, Social Work, Logistics, Design
€300–€500 (₹27K–₹45K)
IU International University of Applied Sciences (Private, campus + online)
Data Science, Marketing, IT, Cybersecurity
€14,000–€16,000 (₹12.2L–₹14L)
EBS Universität (Private)
Strategy, Business Analytics, Law, Executive MBA
€14,000–€20,000 (₹12.2L–₹17.5L)
Looking to study in Frankfurt for Indian students? These institutions offer flexibility, scholarships, and top business and STEM programs in English.
If you’re interested in business programs, both Frankfurt School and EBS are top picks. For applied courses in engineering or urban design, Frankfurt UAS is ideal.
International students choose universities in Frankfurt for global exposure and courses that lead directly to jobs in Germany or the EU. Most top public and private institutions offer English-taught bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, tech, and applied sciences.
Below are high-demand master’s courses in Frankfurt for Indian and other international students:
Course Name
Degree Type
Master in Finance
MSc
Data Science & AI
MSc
International Marketing
MA
Cybersecurity
MSc
Business Analytics
MBA/MSc
European Law
LLM
Most private colleges (like Frankfurt School or IU) offer condensed one-year programs, while public universities follow the standard two-year cycle for master's degrees.
Many ask: How do I find Frankfurt universities with English-taught courses?
You can use the DAAD portal or university websites to filter programs by language.
Below is a quick sample of bachelor’s and master’s degrees taught fully in English at universities in Frankfurt:
Program Name
Degree Level
Medium of Instruction
BSc in International Business
Bachelor’s
English
MSc in Digital Marketing
Master’s
English
BSc in AI and Data Science
Bachelor’s
English
MSc in Renewable Energy
Master’s
English
MBA in Finance
Master’s
English
Students looking to study in Frankfurt for Indian students should prioritize these fields for easier employability and visa extension opportunities after graduation.
Admission Requirements for Universities in Frankfurt
Applying for a bachelor’s or master’s program at a Frankfurt university accepting international students? Admission depends on your academic background and language scores. Public universities follow centralized admission through Uni-Assist or Hochschulstart, while private colleges accept direct applications.
Here’s a simplified table of common requirements for studying in Frankfurt:
So, how can Indian students apply to top public universities in Frankfurt Germany? First, check if the university is part of Uni-Assist. Then, review course-specific GPA or percentage cutoffs. Private colleges usually offer rolling admission, but popular programs fill early.
Curious about how things work? Here’s a full breakdown of the education system in Germany for international students.
Intakes at Universities in Frankfurt for International Students
When planning to study at universities in Frankfurt, you should be aware of the right intake window. Germany primarily follows two academic intakes:
Winter Semester (October start) – most common for both public and private universities
Summer Semester (April start) – fewer programs, mainly in technical or business fields
For Indian students applying to Frankfurt universities with English-taught courses, most master’s programs begin in the winter intake, while a few business and IT courses are open for summer. Private institutions tend to be more flexible with rolling admissions.
Intakes at Universities in Frankfurt
Intake Season
Degree Levels Offered
Application Deadline
Winter (Oct)
Bachelor’s, Master’s
Mid-July (public); Aug–Sept (private)
Summer (Apr)
Select Master’s
Mid-Jan (public); Feb–Mar (private)
So, if you're targeting top public universities in Frankfurt Germany, apply at least 6–8 months in advance to secure your visa and housing.
Scholarships for International Students in Frankfurt
Many Frankfurt universities accepting international students offer scholarships that ease the financial load, especially for Indian applicants. These include funding from the German government, private foundations, and internal university awards.
There are fully funded and partially funded scholarships. Most of them support tuition, housing, and monthly expenses. The popular DAAD portal is the best starting point, but individual colleges (especially private business schools) have their own merit-based awards.
Here's a table of major scholarships for studying in Frankfurt:
Scholarship Name
Coverage
Eligibility & Deadline
DAAD Study Scholarships
Full tuition + €934/month (₹84K)
Indian PG applicants; Oct–Nov deadline
Frankfurt School Scholarships
25–100% tuition
UG/PG merit-based; Feb–July deadline
Deutschlandstipendium
€300/month (₹27K) for 2 semesters
High-achievers in UG/PG; Feb deadline
Heinrich Böll Foundation
Full tuition + stipend
Focus on sustainability; March & Sept deadlines
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung
€850/month (₹76K) + tuition
PG with leadership background; July deadline
If you're searching how to apply to Frankfurt universities in 2025, plan to submit scholarship applications parallel with your admission application. Some awards require separate essays or interviews.
Common Application Process for Frankfurt Universities
International students applying to universities in Frankfurt must follow either the centralized Uni-Assist process or apply directly to the university. The process and timelines differ slightly for UG and PG applicants. Indian students must also submit the APS certificate before applying.
Steps for UG and PG applicants:
UG Applications: Most go through Uni-Assist, which checks eligibility based on Indian Class 12 results (CBSE/ICSE).
PG Applications: Many master’s programs accept direct applications through the university portal.
APS Certificate is mandatory for Indian students before applying.
Deadlines: Winter intake (October) closes by mid-July; Summer intake (April) closes by mid-January.
Document checklist: Academic transcripts, SOP, 2 LORs, IELTS/TOEFL, passport, CV (for PG), and TestDaF (if course is in German).
Here’s a comparison table UG and PG programs at best universities in Frankfurt:
Aspect
Undergraduate (UG)
Postgraduate (PG)
Platform
Uni-Assist (for most public universities)
Direct via university or Uni-Assist
Key Documents
Class 10 & 12 marksheets, IELTS, APS, passport
Bachelor’s transcript, SOP, LORs, IELTS/TOEFL
APS Certificate
Mandatory
Mandatory
Deadline (Winter)
Mid-July
Varies: May–July
Deadline (Summer)
Mid-January
Dec–Feb (select courses only)
Application Fee
€75–€100 (₹6,600–₹8,800)
€0–€75 depending on university
Track Uni-Assist status through their portal. For direct applications, most universities send email updates on status and interview timelines.
Student Visa Process for Studying in Frankfurt
Once admitted to any Frankfurt university accepting international students, you must apply for the Germany National D Visa (study visa). Indian students must include an APS certificate along with financial proof, health insurance, and accommodation details.
Important points:
The APS Certificate is now compulsory for all Indian applicants before applying for a student visa.
A blocked account with €11,208 (₹10L approx) must be opened to prove financial security.
Health insurance (public or private) must be arranged in advance and shown at the embassy.
Appointments must be booked at the German Embassy/Consulate with all documents ready.
Visa processing may take 6 to 10 weeks, so apply early.
Visa Steps and Timeline Table for Studying in Frankfurt
Visa Step
Document Required
Processing Time
APS Certification
Degree certificate, marksheets
3–4 weeks
Blocked Account Setup
Passport, admission letter
5–7 working days
Health Insurance Registration
Passport, admission letter
Immediate (online portals)
Visa Application Submission
All academic, financial, and APS docs
Book 2–3 weeks in advance
Embassy Interview
Original docs + biometrics
Same day
Visa Decision
Passport, VFS reference
6–10 weeks post submission
Use VFS Germany India site to book your biometric appointment and track the visa decision.
Career Opportunities After Graduating from Universities in Frankfurt
Frankfurt is Germany’s business and finance hub. It hosts the European Central Bank, Deutsche Bank, and hundreds of global firms. That’s why international students graduating from top public universities in Frankfurt Germany find strong hiring demand in finance, logistics, tech, and consulting sectors.
Key facts for Indian students studying at best universities in Frankfurt:
You get 18 months of post-study job search visa after graduation.
After securing a job aligned with your degree, you can switch to a work permit (Blue Card or German employment visa).
German language skills are helpful but not mandatory for many multinational roles.
Frankfurt’s job market favors graduates in STEM, business, and fintech.
Here’s a breakdown of popular industries hiring Frankfurt graduates:
Industry
Avg Starting Salary (Annual)
Hiring Cycle
Finance & Banking
€48,000–€55,000 (₹42L–₹48L)
Jan–May (Spring intake)
IT & Software
€52,000–€60,000 (₹45L–₹52L)
Year-round (rolling)
Consulting
€50,000–€58,000 (₹43L–₹50L)
Jan–Apr / Sept–Nov
Logistics & Supply Chain
€42,000–€50,000 (₹37L–₹44L)
Apr–July (peak)
Engineering
€50,000–€62,000 (₹44L–₹54L)
March–June
Frankfurt universities accepting international students often host campus placement fairs and job readiness workshops in English.
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Expert blogs on how to apply to Frankfurt universities in 2025
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FAQs on Universities in Frankfurt
What makes universities in Frankfurt good for international students?
Universities in Frankfurt are known for strong industry links, English-taught courses, modern infrastructure, and high employability in sectors like finance, consulting, and IT. The city is also home to major employers like Deutsche Bank, PwC, and Lufthansa.
Do universities in Frankfurt offer fully English-taught degrees?
Yes. Many Frankfurt universities with English-taught courses offer full-time bachelor’s and master’s programs in business, engineering, data science, and international law.
Is German language mandatory for admission to universities in Frankfurt?
Not if you apply to English-medium programs. However, some top public universities in Frankfurt Germany may require proof of German proficiency for courses taught in German.
How long does the student visa process take after admission to universities in Frankfurt?
It usually takes 6 to 10 weeks after submitting all documents, including the APS certificate and blocked account proof.
Can Indian students apply directly to universities in Frankfurt without Studienkolleg?
Indian students from CBSE/ICSE backgrounds can apply directly to bachelor’s or master’s programs—Studienkolleg is not required if eligibility criteria are met.
Are blocked accounts compulsory for students enrolling in universities in Frankfurt?
Yes, a blocked account with approx. €11,208 (₹10L) is mandatory for the German student visa.
Do universities in Frankfurt require an APS certificate from Indian applicants?
Yes. APS certification is now a mandatory requirement for Indian students applying to Frankfurt universities accepting international students.
Is living in Frankfurt more expensive than studying in other German cities?
Yes. Cost of living in Frankfurt for international students is higher than cities like Leipzig or Bremen, especially for rent and transportation.
Can I apply to multiple universities in Frankfurt in one admission cycle?
Yes. You can apply to several programs via Uni-Assist or directly through university websites. Each may have its own fee.
Do universities in Frankfurt offer internship support or placement assistance?
Yes. Most institutions have career services and job fairs. Best Frankfurt universities for business programs also offer corporate tie-ups and in-course internships.
Are universities in Frankfurt flexible with part-time job rules for international students?
Yes. International students can work 120 full or 240 half days per year. There are part-time jobs in Frankfurt for students in retail, cafes, or as research assistants.
How competitive are MBA and finance programs at universities in Frankfurt?
Programs in MBA, finance, and data analytics are highly competitive—especially at schools like Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Good GPA, SOP, and work experience matter.
Do universities in Frankfurt offer tuition-free study options for non-EU students?
Most public universities charge minimal tuition, but they’re not fully free for non-EU students. Private universities charge higher fees.
Can I switch from a language course to a degree at universities in Frankfurt?
Yes, if you meet the entry requirements and pass necessary entrance exams or German proficiency tests.
What are the PR options after graduating from universities in Frankfurt?
After working in Germany for 2 years post-graduation, you can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) under the settlement permit track.
