Frankfurt am Main is Germany's financial capital and a university city with a distinct profile. Private universities such as Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, ISM, and Fresenius University offer over 130 programmes in business, finance, management, health, and media. The city combines one of Europe's most international job markets with excellent transport connections across the Rhine-Main region.
Frankfurt am Main is Europe's financial capital – and a university city with a distinctive profile. Around 70,000 students study at Frankfurt's institutions, including several private universities with clear specialisations. Frankfurt School of Finance and Management ranks among Europe's most prestigious business schools. Alongside it, ISM, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, and FOM offer over 130 programmes in business, management, health, and media. Most programmes have no NC restriction, with tuition starting from €295 per month.
Why study at a private university in Frankfurt?
Frankfurt combines one of Europe's most international job markets with a compact city and a higher education landscape specialised in business and finance. The European Central Bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and over 200 banks are headquartered here – shaping the academic offering.
Frankfurt School: a globally ranked business school
Frankfurt School of Finance and Management holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) and regularly features in international rankings such as the Financial Times. It offers Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, and executive education in finance, management, and data analytics – many programmes taught in English. Tuition is at the premium end (up to €2,639/month for the MBA), but career outcomes are correspondingly strong.
A broad offering beyond finance
ISM offers international management programmes with semesters abroad. Fresenius University covers psychology, business psychology, and health. Provadis School is unique in Germany: as a university located within the Höchst Industrial Park, it offers programmes in chemistry, engineering, and business with direct industry connections. University of Labour caters to working professionals from trade union backgrounds.
Frankfurt combines an international financial environment with specialised private universities
International job market and career opportunities
Frankfurt has Germany's most international job market. The ECB, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, banks such as Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank, management consultancies, auditing firms, and international corporations offer students direct access to internships and career entry – particularly in finance, consulting, and management. Frankfurt Airport is another major employer in the region.
Compact city, strong region
With 764,000 residents, Frankfurt is manageable in size. The S-Bahn and U-Bahn cover the city and surrounding areas, and the semester ticket covers the entire RMV network – one of Germany's largest transport associations. Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt, and the Taunus mountains are all included. Many students live in the more affordable surrounding area and commute to Frankfurt.
What does it cost to live in Frankfurt as a student?
Frankfurt is among Germany's more expensive university cities – the cost of living index is 75 (Numbeo), 5.6% above Berlin. Monthly living costs (excluding tuition) range between €1,050 and €1,400 for students.
Rent and housing
A room in a shared flat (WG) costs between €580 and €700 per month on average – making Frankfurt Germany's second most expensive university city after Munich. Popular areas like Bornheim, Bockenheim, and Nordend are particularly expensive. More affordable options include Fechenheim, Höchst, Griesheim, or surrounding towns (Offenbach, Hanau, Dreieich).
Tip: The Studierendenwerk Frankfurt offers around 3,700 dormitory places at well below market rates. Offenbach is just 10 minutes by S-Bahn and offers shared flat rooms from €400.
Semester ticket and transport
The semester ticket costs around €200 per semester (approximately €33/month) and covers the entire RMV area – one of Germany's largest transport networks. This includes not only Frankfurt but also Wiesbaden, Mainz, Darmstadt, Marburg, and the entire Taunus region. This is a significant advantage over other major cities.
Daily expenses
Budget around €260–320 for groceries and household items per month. Canteen meals cost between €3 and €5. Leisure and culture add another €100–180. Health insurance is mandatory and costs approximately €110 per month.
Sample monthly budget:
- Rent (shared flat): €650
- Health insurance: €110
- Semester ticket: €33
- Groceries & household: €280
- Leisure & culture: €130
- Total: approx. €1,203 per month (excluding tuition fees)
What are the admission requirements at private universities in Frankfurt?
Private universities in Frankfurt admit students without an NC (numerus clausus). Selection procedures differ significantly between institutions.
Application and admission
Frankfurt School has a competitive selection process with a letter of motivation, online test, and personal interview – conducted in English for English-taught programmes. ISM requires a motivation letter and interview. FOM requires parallel employment. Provadis typically requires a practice partner from the Höchst Industrial Park or the chemical industry. Multiple start dates per year are standard.
International applicants
If you hold a non-German school-leaving certificate, verify recognition in Germany (anabin.kmk.org). For English-taught programmes, TOEFL or IELTS (B2/C1) is typically required. Frankfurt School and ISM offer numerous English-taught programmes. IU International University also provides English-language degrees at its Frankfurt campus. Frankfurt's international character – over 30% of residents hold a foreign passport – makes integration easier than in many other German cities.
Studying without Abitur
All private universities in Frankfurt accept students without Abitur – with completed vocational training and professional experience. FOM, IU, and University of Labour have particularly accessible pathways for experienced professionals.
How can you finance your studies at a private university in Frankfurt?
Tuition fees in Frankfurt range from €295/month (FOM, Fresenius) to €2,639/month (Frankfurt School, MBA). Most full-time programmes cost between €400 and €900 per month.
BAföG (state financial aid)
You can apply for BAföG at any state-recognised private university in Frankfurt. The maximum rate is €934 per month (as of 2026). BAföG is generally not available for part-time programmes (FOM, University of Labour).
Scholarships
Frankfurt School offers extensive scholarships including merit-based awards, diversity scholarships, and the Deutschlandstipendium. ISM awards talent scholarships. Provadis students are frequently funded by their practice partners (chemical and pharmaceutical companies such as Sanofi, Merck, Infraserv). External foundations and the DAAD also support students at private universities.
Tax deductions and part-time work
Tuition fees are tax-deductible. Frankfurt's job market offers excellent conditions for working students – particularly in banking, consulting, auditing, and IT. Working student salaries in Frankfurt are above the national average.
Note: Provadis School offers dual study programmes where partner companies in the Höchst Industrial Park (Sanofi, Merck, Infraserv) cover tuition fees and pay a salary.
Frequently asked questions about studying privately in Frankfurt
Frankfurt School holds triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) – a distinction held by only a handful of institutions in Germany. It regularly ranks in the Financial Times listings and has a strong focus on finance, banking, and management. Proximity to the ECB, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, and major banks makes it a preferred recruiting pool for the financial industry.
Yes. Provadis School of International Management and Technology is located within the Höchst Industrial Park – Germany''s largest. Programmes in chemical engineering, business, and IT combine theory and practice with companies such as Sanofi, Infraserv, and Merck. Dual formats allow full financing through practice partners.
Yes, financially it makes a significant difference. The semester ticket (RMV) covers a huge area: Offenbach (10 min by S-Bahn, shared flat from €400), Darmstadt, Wiesbaden, Mainz, and the Taunus. Many students save €150–250 per month on rent by living outside the city without sacrificing mobility.
FOM offers evening and weekend programmes in business and management. University of Labour caters to professionals from trade union backgrounds with programmes in business, law, and counselling. The University of Applied Management has flexible attendance models. Frankfurt School offers part-time Master''s and MBA programmes.
Very international. Frankfurt is Germany''s most international city – over 30% of residents hold a foreign passport. Frankfurt School and ISM offer numerous English-taught programmes. The proximity to the ECB, international banks, and global corporations attracts students from around the world. IU also has English-taught programmes at its Frankfurt campus.
Frankfurt''s housing market is tight but manageable with the right strategy. Options: Studierendenwerk Frankfurt (3,700 places), WG-Gesucht.de, and university portals. More affordable areas: Fechenheim, Höchst, Griesheim, Preungesheim. Commuter-friendly towns: Offenbach, Hanau, Dreieich – well connected by S-Bahn and significantly cheaper.
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