Study

Application

On this site we answer the most important questions about the application process:

  • When to apply
  • How to apply
  • Which documents are needed

The selection process is described here. Moreover, the schedule of the application and selection process is summarized here.

When? - The Application Period

You can apply for the master's program from April 1 until May 15 (application for the first semester). It is not possible to submit any documents after this deadline. This is explicitly the case for language certificates. We kindly request that you do not send your application to the faculty in advance via post or an e-mail.

How? - Submitting Your Documents

Applications are managed via the central online platform for master's programs of Goethe University in cooperation with uni-assist. Using the upload function, you can submit all of the required documents (such as the CV and education certificates) electronically, and assign them to the respective application. Please note that applicants with a non-German university degree have to send their documents as certified copies to uni-assist in addition to their online application (see below).

Please note: All applications for master's programs at Goethe University are free of charge! You do not have to pay the uni-assist handling fees.

For technical problems please consult uni-assist directly. In case of questions regarding our master's programs, please contact our Student Counselling and Adviory Service.

Which Documents Are Required?

The following documents are required for your application for the Master of Science in Betriebswirtschaftslehre (Business Administration):

This master's program is designed for students who hold a bachelor's degree in economics or business administration and, thus, have acquired extensive prior knowledge in this field. Degrees in related subjects might be considered if you have acquired at least 90 ECTS credits from economics, management, or business administration. 90 ECTS are equivalent to the workload of 3 semesters of a three-year program. Applicants with fewer credits cannot be considered.

According to our study regulations, only degrees with a standard period of study of at least six semesters can be considered. Thus, additional master's degrees cannot be considered in the selection process. In addition, it is not possible to meet the 90 ECTS requirement through a combination of two bachelor's programs.

Applicants need to submit proof of passing the DSH-2-exam within the application period.

If you have the following language certifications you may be exempt from taking the DSH:

  • TestDaF (German as a foreign language test): all results being at least at level TDN 4
  • Goethe certificate C2
  • KMK examination: German language diploma second class (DSD II) with a level C1 throughout
  • DSH from a different institute of higher education/universities with a minimum level of DSH-2 (Please note: DSH certificates received after 1st January 2013 are only recognised if they are registered by the “Hochschulrektorenkonferenz” (HRK – Standing Conference of Rectors at German universities) in accordance with the new framework regulations for German.
  • KDS and GDS (Kleines/Großes Deutsches Sprachdiplom – small/big German language certificate), ZOP (Zentrale Oberstufenprüfung)
  • Certification granting you the ability to study at an institute of higher education in a German-speaking country (e.g. Austria)
  • German Reifezeugnis (certification of eligibility for university entrance)
  • Telc German C1 higher education: with a result of “satisfactory”, “good” or “very good”

Applicants with German knowledge at the B1/B2/C1 level can apply for participation in a preparatory German course leading up to the DSH-2-examn when applying for the master’s program. Please note that admission to the preparatory course does not imply admission to the master’s program. You need to re-apply for the master’s program after passing the DSH-2-exam.

Information about the DSH-2-examination can be found here (in German): 
https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/43662503/dsh

You can find more information on language requirements here:
https://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/67109673/200_LanguageRequirements?

Applicants whose native language is not English or who do not hold a university degree from an institution with English as the sole language of instruction are required to submit proof of English language skills at the Level of B2 of the European Reference Scale.

Applicants can prove their English language proficiency by one of the following options:

  • Bachelor's studies entirely in English (proof on your transcript or a document from your examination office stating that the language of instruction was English)
  • standard language test, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, TOEIC etc. (see table below)
  • English language course at your university explicitly stating a level of B2 (participation and performance record)
  • Explicit note on your university entrace qualification (A-level degree) that your language proficiency is on the B2 level

Important: All language proficiency certificates must not be older than 5 years.

In case of further questions you may consult our FAQ section for more information.

Please note that we do not accept the following proofs:

  • semester abroad
  • attending single lectures taught in English
  • language courses without an explicit statement of the English proficiency level B2 or higher
  • CET-4 or CET-6 (Chinese language tests)

Below you can find examples of the language tests we accept. If your test is not listed, you may write us an email.

  • Cambridge Certificate: First Certificate in English (A-C)
  • DAAD Language Certificate: B2
  • IELTS Academic: minimum 5.0
  • LCCI: EFB Level 3
  • TOEFL: minimum 72
  • TOEIC: minimum 785
  • UNIcert: UNIcert II

The institution code for the TOEFL test is: B073.

Notes:

  • We accept language certificates which are maximum five years old.
  • GMAT / GRE tests are no English proficiency tests.

Please submit an up-to-date CV which provides an overview of your educational background, work experience and other important information about you. A photo is not obligatory.

A simple copy of your Abitur certificate or equivalent (e.g. A-level certificate). This document proves that you have completed your secondary education and are allowed to study at a university in general.

Applicants from the People's Republic of China, Vietnam, and India need to submit an APS certificate. You can find further information on the APS certificate and how to contact the Academic Evaluation Center in your country here.

Additional Information about the Application Process

Please read the following instructions carefully. Moreover, you may consult out FAQ section to find answers to frequently asked questions.

If you have not yet obtained a final bachelor's degree, you can apply if you have completed at least 80% of the coursework required in your bachelor's program.

Please apply with the following additional documents before May 15th (this deadline will be applied strictly):

  • proof of enrollment in a bachelor's degree program; and
  • a preliminary certificate that specifies an average grade, as well as the results of all previous examinations – this must be issued by an agency authorized to award grades.

The 80% criterion applies to all applicants without exemption. The following table comprises minimum ECTS for common Bachelor’s programs:

Example 1
Maximum ECTS Bachelor: 180 ECTS
Minimum-ECTS for Application: 144 ECTS

Example 2
Maximum ECTS Bachelor: 210 ECTS
Minimum-ECTS for Application: 168 ECTS

Example 3
Maximum ECTS Bachelor: 240 ECTS
Minimum-ECTS for Application: 192 ECTS

If the maximum ECTS of your bachelor's program differs from the one's mentioned above, the 80% criterion still applies.

Please note that without a bachelor's diploma, applications are only preliminary, issued on the condition that the bachelor's diploma is presented during the first semester of the master's program.

We strongly advise applicants to complete the coursework required in their bachelor's program in the semester prior to starting the master's degree in order to allow for a successful start of their postgraduate studies.

It is sufficient to apply online via the Uni Assist portal.

In case of admission to the program, you will have to hand in certified copies of your university documents at Goethe University.

Conditions and Application Procedure

The admission to the program is restricted across all semesters. If there are more applications than available places for the semester, a ranking list will be created in accordance with the regulations for the selection process (Auswahlsatzung). Thus, it is only possible to advance to a higher semester if

  • the maximum number of students has not been reached for the respective semester
  • the corresponding number of ECTS credit points for qualified courses can be proven

In order to apply for advancement to a higher semester, the required application materials, an application for transfer credit and a summary of the course(s) completed are to be submitted. The application and the summary of the course(s) are to be submitted by the application deadline (January 15th or May 15th).

Courses that do not yet appear on the transcript of records can be transferred if an application for transfer credit was submitted with the application for admission to the program.

An application for advancement to the second or fourth semester is possible for the summer semester. An application for advancement to the third semester is possible in the winter semester.

Time of application 1   
Application by 15. Januar   
Advancement to the 2nd or 4th semester

Time of application 2   
Application by 15. Mai   
Advancement to the 3rd semester

Required ECTS for Advancement to a Higher Semester

One semester will be added for up to each 30 ECTS. The first two courses will not be included in the calculation.

Situation 1    
Up to (minus the first two courses): 30 ECTS     
Advancement to the 2nd semester

Situation 2    
Up to (minus the first two courses): 31 to 60 ECTS    
Advancement to the 3rd semester

Situation 3    
Up to (minus the first two courses): 61 to 90 ECTS   
Advancement to the 4th semester

Example Applications

The following content provides an overview of example applications:

Application for summer semester
Submitted ECTS: 5 courses á 6 ECTS 
Transferred ECTS: 18
Advancement to: 2nd semester

Application for summer semester
Submitted ECTS: 11 courses á 6 ECTS
Transferred ECTS: 54
Advancement to: An advancement is not possible because the ECTS transferred only allow an advancement into the 3rd semester. In the summer semester it is not possible to advance to the 3rd semester.

Application for summer semester
Submitted ECTS: 7 courses á 6 ECTS
Transferred ECTS: 30
Advancement to: 2nd semester

Application for winter semester
Submitted ECTS: 13 courses á 6 ECTS
Transferred ECTS: 66
Advancement to: Advancement not possible.

Further Information regarding credit Transfer rules can be found under § 29 of the current program regulations.