Here, you find answers to the most common questions our Recruiting & Admissions Team gets regarding our master programs. To gain deeper insights into the specific features of what GBS offers, you are invited to join us for one of our information sessions.

You cannot find the answer to your individual question? Then get in touch with us!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Tuition & Financing

When is tuition fee to be paid?

Tuition is to be paid in four installments, payable at the beginning of each semester. Students receive a tuition payment schedule with their study agreement / invoice.

How much does a degree program at GBS cost?

Program cost depends on the program of choice as well as various application deadlines. Tuition for our Master in Finance program is between € 19,500 and € 22,500; tuition for our MBA programs is between € 27,200 and € 32,000 (Goethe MBA) and € 31,450 and € 37,000 (Pharma MBA), respectively.

Upon accepting an offer of admission, applicants pay a non-refundable tuition deposit of € 1,000 for the Master in Finance and € 2,000 for the MBA programs.

How can I receive corporate/employer financial support?

Policies vary among companies in terms of how they view educational benefits. Representatives from GBS are available to discuss strategies for gaining corporate sponsorship within your organization. We see the program as a partnership of the student, the organization, and GBS, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to receive adequate support from your organization.

For further information on financing your studies, see: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

Is tuition tax deductible?

Yes, all costs incurred in connection with our master programs, including travel expenses, books, laptops, or similar, are fully tax deductible.

For further information on financing your studies, see: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

What possibilities exist for student financing?

A student loan may be an option for financing your studies at Goethe Business School. GBS has an attractive agreement with Brain Capital offering income-dependent repayment.

Also, in Germany, the market for student loans has been growing steadily in recent years. Keep yourself well informed and compare different offers, as the conditions vary widely. For example, the Deutsche Bildung allows one-time payments during the study programs. The state-owned KfW Bank offers loans for students younger than 44 years. For a good and constantly updated overview, also see CHE Studienkredit Test.

For further information on financing your studies, see: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

Admissions

Is it possible to visit lectures before submitting an application?

Yes, by appointment we offer qualified candidates the opportunity to get an on-site impression of lectures, exercises and the campus. If you are interested, please contact our Recruiting & Admissions team via email under recruiting@gbs.uni-frankfurt.de along with a copy of your current CV.

Can I get in touch with current GBS students or alumni before applying?

Yes, we are happy to provide you with the contact information of a current student or alumnus. We will try to find a student or alumnus whose academic and/or professional background best matches yours. Please contact recruiting@gbs.uni-frankfurt.de for further assistance.

How can I demonstrate my English proficiency?

Admission to GBS master programs requires an English proficiency at a higher B2 (CEFR) level, ideally C1. GBS accepts standardized certificates (e.g., TOEFL-iBT, IELTS, or ELLT) as proof of English proficiency. If you are a native speaker or have worked in an English-speaking country (for over a year), waivers are possible. Applicants who have already completed graduate studies delivered in English can submit appropriate documentation as proof.

Please refer to the admissions pages of the respective program for admissions requirements: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

Does GBS accept transfer credits?

Yes, program regulations allow the possibility of transfer credit. Please note, however, that recognition of coursework is to be completed during the admission process, i.e. before starting the program. In order to complete this process, we will need your academic transcripts (showing CP earned and date of completion for the courses), as well as the respective course syllabi. The syllabi should include the “key concepts” and "learning objectives” for the course in consideration.

Is it possible to join the program in a later semester?

Joining the program in a semester later than semester 1 is only possible if you have been awarded the relevant transfer credits when applying for the program. According to the program regulations, the eligibility of being enrolled in a specific semester requires the successful completion of (a specific number of) specific modules.

When do application deadlines end and when do I receive feedback?

There are three application deadlines which differ for each of our programs. Depending on the adherence to these deadlines, you will receive a discount on tuition fees. Please refer to the admissions pages of the respective program for relevant dates: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

The admissions process starts with a thorough review of your documents. Usually, within three working weeks, you will receive feedback on whether your application has been successful and whether you have been admitted to the program. This allows you to coordinate study time and working hours with your employer at an early stage. 

Is an undergraduate degree required for admission?

Candidates with an undergraduate degree (i.e., bachelor or equivalent) of 210 credit points (CP) based on the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) are eligible for admission. Candidates with less than 210 CP at the undergraduate level can have their post-university professional work experience assessed for up to 30 CP during the admissions process in the form of an admissions interview.

How much professional experience is required to apply for admission?

To apply for the Master in Finance program, a minimum of one year post-undergraduate qualified professional experience in the field of finance is required. Internships or trainee programs can not be taken into account. For the Goethe MBA, a minimum of 1 year post-undergraduate work experience is required. Pharma MBA candidates are requested to apply with at least 2 years post-undergraduate work experience in a pharma-related capacity. Internships or trainee programs can usually not be taken into account.

What is a notarized copy?

A notarized copy is a hard-copy of the original document which has been certified, legalized, or validated by a notary or comparable institution (e.g. College or University). It cannot be submitted digitally as a scan and must be presented as a hard-copy.

Programs & Curriculum

Can I organize my studies without being on campus?

When not in class, you will stay connected with your professors and fellow students through the virtual learning platform MaxBrain. The platform serves as a vital communication center to manage deadlines and course materials, and to share group work, thus maintaining the communication flow between students, faculty, and administration.

What happens if I fail an exam?

If you have failed to successfully complete a module's academic requirement at its first examination attempt, you will be given two opportunities for make-up. The first and second attempts to successfully complete a course take place in the semester in which the course is taught. The third and final attempt is offered with the next cohort (group of students) when the course is again offered a year later.

What is the language of instruction?

Relevant course material, textbooks and instructions are in English.

What does "studying part-time" mean?

In the first three semesters, lectures take place on Friday afternoons (1 pm to 8 pm) and Saturdays (9 am to 5:00 pm) on 8-10 weekends, final module exams included. In semester 4, the master thesis is written, i.e. students are not expected to be on campus on a regular basis. This format leaves enough room to coordinate work, study, and leisure time. All dates are fixed well in advance, allowing for long-term planning of personal and professional schedules.

How much time will I need to invest in studying between class sessions?

The time for self-study varies depending on your prior knowledge, the semester, and the courses. According to the feedback we collected from alumni, students should expect to invest about 10 to 15 hours a week to prepare for the courses.

Is classroom attendance mandatory?

Although parts of the learning content are provided on the learning platform MaxBrain, GBS strongly encourages students to attend all courses: The interactive dialogue between fellow students and lecturers can only take place in plenary and helps to convey and understand the content using current case studies.

Is blended learning implemented in the programs?

The interactive and personal dialogue between fellow students and lecturers in class is essential for the successful completion of the program and for building a strong network of peers. This is why e-learning or blended learning is primarily implemented in the self-study phases.

Are faculty available outside of the classroom?

Yes, faculty members are normally available between class sessions and after residencies. Each course also has its own communication tools where faculty and students can exchange ideas and request feedback. Additionally, you will always find faculty available before and after classes and even joining students for lunch and special events.

I live outside of Germany; can I nevertheless expect to manage a part-time program based in Frankfurt?

Yes. The program format both minimizes the time students need to be on campus and the amount of travel / time away from work. In total, there are ca. 60 days of classroom instruction over approx. 30 weekends in a four-semester period. That is, students travel to Frankfurt about 30 times during the program. All dates are fixed well in advance allowing for long-term planning of personal and professional schedules.

If you are an applicant coming from a country outside the European Union, please note that you will require a student visa to study in Germany. The German authorities will however not issue a student visa for part-time programs in Germany. Therefore, if you are able to relocate to Germany on a different type of visa other than a student visa, then you may be eligible to study with us.

If you wish to obtain a student visa, you will have to look into full-time programs in Germany. A good starting point may be the website of the German Academic Exchange Service.

When do lectures take place?

Classroom instruction takes place in semesters 1-3, on Fridays and Saturdays. Semesters run from October to February and April to August; March and September are lecture-free periods. Please note that in the semester break, make-up exams may take place.

The Master in Finance starts annually at the beginning of the summer semester. Both MBA programs begin annually at the beginning of the winter semester.

Accreditations, Infrastructure & Services

As GBS student, do I have full access to Goethe University's infrastructure?

Yes. GBS students are enrolled as regular students of Goethe University Frankfurt and thus benefit from all advantages, such as access to and use of all libraries and learning facilities on campus, the use of the RMV semester ticket for public transport as well as access to the Palmengarten and benefits for cultural institutions like museums and theaters.

Are your programs accredited?

Yes, all GBS master programs are delivered on behalf of Goethe University Frankfurt and must, therefore, be accredited by Hessian law to ensure high-quality program delivery and teaching. Since 2016, accreditation at Goethe University has been carried out as part of the establishment or continuation of study programs as internal (re)accreditation and under the supervision of the University. In addition, the Master in Finance program is ZEvA accredited.

Furthermore, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) has accredited the Faculty of Economics and Business at Goethe University, which includes all of our degree programs.

Please refer to the accreditation pages of the respective program for more information: Master in Finance, Goethe MBA Digital Transformation | Data Science | Sustainability, and Pharma MBA.

What services are available during weekend lectures?

As one of Germany’s largest universities, a number of services remain accessible on weekends. Various cafés and bistros are available; the library can be accessed at any time, and a receptionist is always available in the House of Finance. Additionally, study spaces are made available for GBS students on weekends where classes take place.

What is the address to send the notarized transcripts and English test result to?

Please send your notarized transcripts (via registered mail) and English test results to our postal address:

Goethe Business School
Office of Admissions
Eschersheimer Landstraße 121
60322 Frankfurt am Main

The receipt of your application documents will be confirmed via email.

Can I apply for "Bildungsurlaub"?

The master programs offered by GBS are, even though technically non-consecutive programs of Goethe University (“Weiterbildungsstudiengang”) not formally listed as “Bildung” in the sense of Hessisches Bildungsurlaubsgesetz.

We are, upon request, able to provide incoming students with a written confirmation that they are actually attending the master study program, as opposed to a confirmation that our master programs are approved as “bildungsurlaubsfähig”.