Foundation Year

Once you have ensured that you meet the admission requirements for the Foundation Year, you can start your application via our online application form.

You will need to upload the following supporting documents:

• A recognised secondary school diploma* (Abitur, IB Diploma, US High School Diploma, A-Levels, European Baccalaureate, etc.)
• An optional letter of motivation (maximum 500 words)
• A curriculum vitae (CV)
• A copy of your passport or ID card
• Additional documents, if applicable (e.g. references or letters of recommendation, certificates, awards, extracurricular activities)

*Please note that payment of the EUR 100 application fee is required before your application can be processed.

At Frankfurt School, there is no numerus clausus (NC). Successful applicants will be invited to an Online Assessment Centre (AC).

We operate rolling admissions, allowing you to receive an admission decision before the application deadline.

If you do not meet the general admission requirements, you may still be eligible to apply under a recent change in German law. Please contact us for further information.

Note for neurodiverse applicants, applicants with disabilities, or chronic health conditions

To ensure that we can provide early advice and support (for example, when applying for additional time during the Assessment Centre), please contact us or the Officer for Students with Disabilities and Chronic Illnesses as early as possible prior to your scheduled Assessment Centre. Further information can be found on our website under Life and Health Counseling.

You can select the AC date that suits you best as part of your application. 

The following dates are currently available: 

• 10 December 2026
• 20 January 2027
• 17 February 2027

Further Assessment Centre dates will be added in the coming months. Please check back regularly for updates.

The online Assessment Centre consists of the following parts:

• Quantitative problem-solving
• Figural problem-solving
• Text analysis and reading comprehension
• Analysis of graphs and tables
• English language proficiency assessment
• Structured interview

Practice questions to help you prepare for the Assessment Centre are available on the test provider’s website.

For the Assessment Centre, you may use a calculator of your choice without internet access, as well as blank sheets of paper for taking notes.

In addition to your test results, your motivation and commitment are key factors in the admission decision.

All Assessment Centre sessions are conducted online. Please note that your application must be submitted at least two weeks before your preferred Assessment Centre date.

No. Our Foundation Year is Frankfurt School’s own preparatory programme, not a state Studienkolleg. Successful completion guarantees admission to one of our Bachelor of Science programmes. Other universities decide independently whether they recognise the Foundation Year.

Currently, we do not offer scholarships specifically for the Foundation Year. However, with excellent grades and strong extracurricular engagement during the programme, you may qualify for merit scholarships that can help finance part of your subsequent Bachelor of Science studies.

No, the test can't be waived. As we have incorporated an English language test into our Assessment Centre, you are not required to submit an English certificate with your application. If you do not meet the English language requirements at our AC, we will contact you to discuss further options.

No. The programme is taught entirely in English. If you would like to learn German, we offer free language courses at different levels on campus.

Yes. If you are neurodiverse, living with a disability, or managing a chronic condition, please contact us as early as possible. We can advise you individually and make arrangements such as extra time in the Assessment Centre.

Any accommodations granted during the application and selection process apply exclusively to that process and do not automatically extend to your studies. Accommodations during your studies are subject to a separate request and approval process, based on the applicable eligibility requirements. Requests must be submitted to the responsible Examinations Office.