Goethe University Frankfurt

Frankfurt, Germany
Website: www.uni-frankfurt.de Founded: 1914 year Type of University:Public StudyQA ranking: 3426 pts. No. Students: 46547 Frgn. Students: 7302 No. Staff: 636 Languages: German Phone: +49697983838
Campuses:
Guesthouse Beethovenstraße 36 (Frankfurt am Main, Germany) Guesthouses Ditmarstraße and Frauenlobstraße (Frankfurt am Main, Germany)
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Goethe University Frankfurt, positioned among the top international research universities, offers a wide variety of academic programmes, a diverse group of research institutes, and a focus on interdisciplinary approaches to solving complex problems. The university is named after Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the Frankfurt-born polymath renowned for his exceptional contributions to literature, science, and philosophy.

Founded in 1914 with private funding and inspired by the legacy of the European Enlightenment, Goethe University stands out as a pioneering “citizens’ university”—and the history of the university is one of openness and public participation.

Today, Goethe University is one of the only universities in Germany that enjoys significant public funding alongside administrative autonomy and the ability to create a private endowment.

As a university with an endowment, a funding model rare in Germany’s system of higher education, GU enjoys considerable freedom from state control when it comes to the details of how a modern university should be run, including the appointing of professors. The endowment that is being built up will be invested specifically in promoting an excellent atmosphere in which to research, study, think, and create.

Situated in Germany’s most cosmopolitan and international city, the university attracts a diverse body of students and researchers from around the world. Students at Goethe benefit from studying and living in Frankfurt, the largest financial and trading centre in Europe—with plenty of opportunities to learn and practise speaking German. Today, Frankfurt is ratedamong the top 10 most liveable cities in the world (according toMercer Human Resource Consulting).

  • Law

    The Frankfurter legal education distinguished within the constraints of the Hessian Legal Education Law. The program offers the ability to set priorities, to be determined by the challenges political-legal, socio-economic, technological and cultural processes of change to the law. These are formed from particularly evident in rising importance of transnational law (European law) and human rights, the right of information society (media, telecommunications and data protection law), the right of economic (corporate, financial, banking and insurance law, labor and social rights) and the ensuing new requirements of a modern criminal penalties and legal and not least in the specific represented European legal History and legal History.

    Students have the possibility to study six priority areas: 

    1. internationalization and Europeanization of law; 
    2. business and finance (Law and Finance);
    3. Fundamentals of Law;
    4. Constitution, management, regulatory;
    5. Labour, of life;
    6. Criminology.

  • Economics and Business Administration

    The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Goethe University owes its existence and identity to the link forged between business and academia. In 1901, the Academy for Social Science and Commerce was established by Wilhelm Merton, founder of the renowned German industrial organization Metallgesellschaft, as the commercial college for the city of Frankfurt. This college, the first faculty for economics and business administration of its kind in Germany, formed the nucleus of the Goethe University, established in 1914 by the citizens of Frankfurt. It was during this time that those features characteristic of the study of economics in Frankfurt emerged: a focus on theoretical analysis, the close connection between the disciplines of economics and business administration and the open approach towards a broad spectrum of theoretical, practical and policy-oriented issues.

    Today, the faculty is considered one of the most attractive economics and business administration faculties in Germany. This view is shared not only by the more than 5000 students enrolled, but also by the numerous national and international companies that regularly recruit our graduates. It was here that Ludwig Erhard wrote his doctorate, Erich Gutenberg lectured and Reinhard Selten, Germany's first Nobel Laureate in Economics, received his certificate of Habilitation.

  • Social Sciences

    The Department of Social Sciences at Goethe University is a long established department with a prestigious tradition (“Frankfurt School”), and at the same time one of the largest and best performing departments in social sciences in Germany.

    The faculty of 40 professors and more than 100 research and teaching assistants provides a wide range of courses for the approximately 9,500 students, among them 3,600 studying in major programs. Currently the department offers thirteen major and numerous minor study programs as well as courses for social science teachers.

    Both study and teaching focus on the two BA programs “Sociology” and “Political Science”, and the research oriented MA programs “Sociology”, “Political Science”, “Political Theory”, and “International Studies/Peace and Conflict Research”. Moreover, the Department of Social Sciences participates in two interdisciplinary MA programs, “Environmental Sciences” and “East Asian Studies”.

    The department is currently organized in two institutes: the “Institute for Political Science”, the “Institute for Sociology”. The latter comprises the field of social psychology.

    The department offers special support to postgraduate students via the GraduateCenter of Social Sciences (GRASOC) and houses the International PhD-program “Democracy, Knowledge, and Gender in a Transnational World” (IPP Transnational).

  • Educational Sciences

  • Psychology and Sports Sciences

    The Department consists of the Department of Psychology and the Institute of Sports Sciences and the Center for University Sports on Campus Ginnheim.

    We offer five separate courses at (B.A. Sport Sciences, B.Sc. Psychology, M.A. Sports Medical Training & Clinical Exercise Physiology, M.A. Social Sciences of Sports, M.Sc. Psychology) and are involved in teacher training. Research institutes are linked with many other faculties and institutions in and outside Frankfurt and we have intensive international contacts.

    The Center for Recreational Sports offers an extensive sports program for all students and Operating Teten Goethe University, in which it comes to take care of a healthy balance for university studies and professional life. The sports offer includes almost 300 courses per week in over 60 sports.

  • Protestant Theology

    The Department studies Protestant Theology and teaches denominational theology within the horizon of contemporary culture(s).

    The denominational perspective reflects the specific contribution of Protestant theology in a globalized world and that is especially with regard to the contribution of faith, Church and religions to the cultural formation of companies.

  • Roman Catholic Theology

    Frankfurt is a city of money - many skyscrapers dominate the skyline. The city offers contrasts; Traditions coexist with newer cultural developments, new emerges ...

    Theology, the question of God - here and now!

    How can we speak of God in the face of contrasts of "arm" and "kingdom"? What perspectives opened faith in interpreting a complex reality? How does Christianity relate to other religions and beliefs?

    On a department where students are welcome with their different interests and abilities and learn competent support, we do theology with open eyes: history aware contextually, clever and creative. And we invite you to do this with us!

  • Philosophy and History

    The Department includes four scientific areas: The Historical Seminar with the Department of Ancient History, the Institute of Ethnology, the Institute of Philosophy and the Department of didactics of history.

    In order to support the variety of research activities of young scientists in the humanities, the department maintains its own doctoral program.

    The Department strives to operate independently of all today's demands, research and teaching at the highest level.

  • Faculty of Linguistics, Cultures, and Arts

  • Modern Languages

  • Geosciences and Geography

    The Department of Geosciences and Geography, like no other department, offers a broad variety of study paths for students and scientists.

    Interdisciplinary research, not only within the faculty, but also in close cooperation with other departments, is an outstanding quality of the Geosciences at Frankfurt University.

    The main research areas are the structures and dynamics of the Earth´s interior and surface. A close look at the history of our planet, the evolution of landscapes as well as of lifeforms and the analysis of their habitats in a global view is part of the scientific and educational work. The complex and versatile interactions and connections between figure, composition and dynamics of the environment and life and evolution of mankind is a major aspect in geoscientific and geographical research.

  • Computer Science and Mathematics

    With 43 professors, over 150 academic and administrative staff and more than 4.000 students, the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics is one of Goethe University`s largest faculties. Its range of study programmes encompasses the disciplines of Mathematics (BSc., MSc., teaching degrees (Lehramt)), Computer Science (BSc., MSc., teaching degrees), Bioinformatics (BSc., MSc.) and Business Informatics (MSc.).

    The appointment of a large number of professors has meant that the institutes of Computer Science, Mathematics and Mathematics and Computer Science Education have been able to expand their areas of specialization in recent years. For example, “Algorithms for Big Data”, a Priority Programme of the German Research Foundation, is coordinated by the chair for Theoretical Computer Science. Technical Computer Science plays a leading role at international level in the development of efficient high-performance computers. It was possible to call to the chair EU prize winners (ERC Starting Grants) in the specialist fields of Algebra and Geometry as well as Discrete Mathematics. Our Mathematics Education is integrated in the university`s priority area of “Empirical Education Research”, our Bioinformatics in the “Macromolecular Complexes” excellence cluster, our Stochastics in biomathematics and neuroscience Priority Programmes (“Probabilistic Studies in Evolution” and “Neuronal Networks in the Mammalian Brain”) of the German Research Foundation. Frankfurt offers excellent professional prospects for our graduates in the specialist fields of Financial Mathematics and Business Information Systems.

    Students can get together in learning groups in our Computer Science Learning Centre or the Mathematics Learning Centre or the Didactics of Mathematics Study Room where they can also find tutors to supervise them. Master programme students and doctoral researchers are closely involved in the research work undertaken by our working groups.

    The Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics is centrally located right next to the Senckenberg Museum in Frankfurt-Bockenheim and easily reached by public transport. There are plans to build new premises on Riedberg Campus (the natural sciences campus) of Goethe University.

  • Physics

    At the Department of Physics at the Goethe University are currently about 1,300 students enrolled. The curriculum of the Department includes two accredited Bachelor and Master courses (Physics and Biophysics) and lectures and internships for students of the magisterium and to the formation in physics as a minor subject for scientists and physicians. In addition, the Department of Physics coordinates the interdisciplinary master program Computational Science.

  • Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy

    In the faculty of Biochemistry, Chemistry and Pharmacy, 38 professors are involved in research and teaching. They are supported by 215 permanent members of staff and teach more than 1.900 undergraduate and 500 PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in three different disciplines: Pharmacy, Chemistry and Biochemistry.

    The department is located at the Riedberg Campus of the Goethe-University in the North of Frankfurt, in the direct neighbourhood of the faculties of Biological Sciences (German), Physics (German), Geosciences (German), the Cluster of Excellence Frankfurt Macromolecular Complexes, the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) and the Max-Planck-Institutes for Biophysics and Brain research. In addition, a biotechnology think-tank, the near-by Frankfurter Innovationszentrum (FIZ) supports the knowledge transfer between basic research and new business.

  • Biological Sciences

    The Department of Biological Sciences consists of the departments of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity (Institute 1), Cell Biology and Neuroscience (Department 2) Molecular Biosciences (Institute 3) and the Department of Didactics of life sciences. Overall, the department currently has 38 professors; that he is one of the largest biological disciplines in Germany.
    Our research focuses on the areas of ecology and biodiversity, cell biology and neurobiology, molecular biology and biotechnology.

  • Medical Science

    The Frankfurt Faculty of Medicine has made in recent years great efforts to achieve a leading position in research and teaching.

    The Faculty of Medicine now has a high international reputation for its research priorities, especially in the field of cardiovascular medicine and neuroscience.

  • The Graduate School of Economics, Finance, and Management (GSEFM)

    The Graduate School of Economics, Finance, and Management (GSEFM) – based in the House of Finance at Goethe University Frankfurt – constitutes an alliance between Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Technische Universität Darmstadt. Operating in Continental Europe's primary center for financial markets and central banking, GSEFM aims to realize the three universities' joint vision to establish a premier European center for quantitative and research-oriented graduate-level education in economics, finance, and management.

    GSEFM offers a rich palette of programs, with all programs featuring the structure of premier anglo-saxon research-oriented graduate programs, and at the same time adding the interdisciplinary and inter-institutional wealth of Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, and Technische Universität Darmstadt.

    Some of GSEFM's strengths include:

    • Ph.D. Program in Economics

    • Ph.D. Program in Finance

    • Doctorate / Ph.D. Program in Law and Economics

    • Ph.D. Program in Management

    • Ph.D. Program in Marketing

    • MSQ Programs

Goethe University was founded in 1914 as a unique “citizens’ university,” financed by wealthy citizens in Frankfurt, Germany. Named in 1932 after one of the city’s most famous natives, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, today the university has over 38,000 students. Looking at the timeline of Goethe University’s history, it is clear that the last decade has produced significant changes for the university—and that there is a clear forward momentum.

Once considered a liberal or left-leaning institution, Goethe University is perhaps best known as the birthplace of the influential Frankfurt School, part of the Institute for Social Research—which spawned some of Europe’s leading thinkers of the 20thcentury (including, for example, Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, Jürgen Habermas, Herbert Marcuse, Hans-Georg Gadamer, Martin Buber, and Paul Tillich).

Because of racial and political tensions during the Nazi era, close to one-third of the university’s academic staff were dismissed during this period—more than at any other German university. Goethe University also played a major role in the student protests of 1968 that led to widespread educational reforms in Germany and across Europe.

Goethe University has maintained its reputation in the social sciences

In recent years, Goethe University has maintained its reputation in the social sciences, but added important new facilities and research institutes in the natural sciences as well as law, history, languages, humanities, the arts, and economics. Its “clusters of excellence”, interdisciplinary research centres, have helped to sharpen the university’s academic profile, achieving outstanding results in diverse areas ranging from natural sciences (“Macromolecular Complexes”) to medicine (“Cardio-Pulmonray System”, a cluster of excellence in collaboration with the University of Giessen and the Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim, which conducts cutting edge research for novel therapy of heart and lung diseases) and humanities and social sciences (“The Formation of Normative Orders”).

Srongly committed to supporting young researchers

Goethe University is strongly committed to supporting young researchers by offering outstanding opportunities to earn a doctoral degree. At many universities, researchers have to choose between earning a PhD the “traditional” way in Germany, or as part of a “structured” PhD programme. At Goethe University, all doctoral candidates are eligible to apply to become members in the Goethe Graduate Academy (GRADE) and access unique training and networking opportunities that are the hallmark of more structured programmes.

Finally, one should mention the university’s ambitious “think tanks”: the newly founded Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) and the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, which sees itself as a laboratory for innovative knowledge in society.

The university was also a forerunner in the “Bologna Process” that helped to ease student mobility in and out of over 40 European countries by standardising degree structures. Starting in 2005, Goethe University began offering the first master’s programmes and the switch from the traditional GermanDiplom or Magister to the bachelor’s and master’s system will be complete in the winter semester 2011/12. Today, Goethe University offers many individual courses and degree programmes in English, another major shift. Four master’s programmes in economics are taught entirely in English, another one is a bilingual (German and English) programme. Many master’s programmes in the natural sciences can also be studied without a comprehensive knowledge of the German language, and doctoral studies in a wide variety of fields can also often be undertaken in English.

First major university in Germany to become a foundation university

In 2001, the university was the first major university in Germany to become a foundation university, meaning that the state of Hessen would still provide funding to cover most of the annual budget but the university would be able to establish a private endowment and enjoy full administrative autonomy in matters such as faculty appointments. Goethe University now has a robust alumni association and has raised €145.5 millions (feste Zusagen mit eingerechnet) and created more than 50 new endowed and visiting professorships—an important re-affirmation of the university’s identity as a “citizens’ university”.

The state of Hessen is investing a total of €1.2 billion to help create a true campus environment in Frankfurt with three distinct locations: Campus Westend for the humanities and social sciences, Campus Riedberg for natural sciences, and Campus Niederrad for medicine. The former main campus Bockenheim, which dates from the founding days of the university, will no longer be in use once the new building is complete.

AACSB

On January 7, 2005, the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, became one of the first academic institutions in Germany to successfully complete the accreditation process of AACSB International. That makes it the third German institution (and the first in the State of Hesse) to have passed the voluntary process of AACSB accreditation, after Mannheim University´s Department of Economics and the private HHL-Leipzig Graduate School of Management. It is proof of the Faculty´s continuous commitment to excellence and optimization of our academic standards.

The AACSB International accreditation is an important seal of quality. It guarantees:

  • that resources are deployed optimally in order to fulfill the Faculty´s own dynamic mission, which itself is oriented towards the AACSB´s high standards,
  • that economic and business administration knowledge is taught by excellent professors, all of whom are committed to continuous professional development,
  • that courses and faculty meet the highest quality standards,
  • that a continuous exchange between students and qualified teaching staff is fostered,
  • that graduates obtain the highest educational standards.

ZEvA

Evaluation and accreditation in teaching and learning, higher education governance and management are ZEvA’s main fields of activity. Since 1995, they have also been active in the field of quality assurance in higher education, on which they have successfully cooperated with higher education institutions in Germany, Europe and beyond. The success of their work is ensured by experienced project officers and a large number of nationally and internationally renowned experts. Currently, ZEvA’s database comprises more than 1.500 higher education teachers from all academic disciplines who have contributed their expertise to the evaluation and accreditation procedures.

Since the year 2000, ZEvA has accredited more than 2000 study programs at universities, universities of applied sciences and universities of cooperative education. The procedures applied by ZEvA are based on the regulations and structural guidelines of the Accreditation Council and the Standing Conference of State Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) and are geared to international standards.

Transparency, reliable procedures, the best possible professional support and the competent assessment of teaching, learning and quality assurance contribute to the high standard of the external evaluation services provided by ZEvA. The work is based on a process-oriented and formalized quality assurance system which guarantees for efficient procedures and adherence to schedules. These procedures are continuously adapted to changing regulations and new insights gained through international dialogue.

The purpose of program accreditation is to ensure the adherence of Bachelor, Master and further education programs to minimum academic content standards and to evaluate their educational function and implement ability, especially with regard to the requirements of the employment market. Program accreditation serves to ensure the quality of Bachelor and Master programs and to make the extensive range of courses offered by higher education institutions more transparent. Also, it provides the basis for the national and international recognition of degrees. Regarding the long-term validity of the accreditation, every seven years the program must be reaccredited to assure the continuing fitness to the high-quality requirements.

ZEvA contributes significantly to the advancement of evaluation procedures through its participation in national and international cooperations. ZEvA is a founding member of the European Consortium of Accreditation (ECA) and a member of ENQA (European Network for Quality Assurance in Higher Education). Also, the agency participates in the Joint Quality Initiative (JQI), which, among other things, has developed common European quality criteria for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D. programs (BaMa-descriptors).

PRME

The mission of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME)initiative is to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally.

The PRME are inspired by internationally accepted values such as the principles of the United Nations Global Compact. They seek to establish a process of continuous improvement among institutions of management education in order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century.

In the current academic environment, corporate responsibility and sustainability have entered but not yet become embedded in the mainstream of business-related education. The PRME are therefore a timely global call for business schools and universities worldwide to gradually adapt their curricula, research, teaching methodologies and institutional strategies to the new business challenges and opportunities. Each progress is closely related to thesix guiding principles.

The established PRME DACH Chapter, consisting of PRME Signatories in German-speaking countries (Germany-Austria-Switzerland), was officially launched at the Conference on Principles for Responsible Management Education for Germany, Switzerland and Austria, at MCI Management Center Innsbruck in February 2014, after two years of preparation. The Faculty of Economics and Business Administration is proud to be part of the founding group and supports the initiative.

Goethe University is home to a thriving community of some 45,000 students, including around 7,053 international students from some 130 different countries. A great variety of student organisations, activities, events and educational opportunities help keep the three campuses lively.

About Frankfurt

The city actively encourages new students to come to this lively, cosmopolitan city. While Frankfurt is one of Europe’s transportation hubs and economic centers, with just under 700,000 inhabitants, mayor Petra Roth calls it “the smallest metropolis in the world”.

Although it offers many of the benefits of larger urban centers, getting around Frankfurt is quick and easy by bike or public transportation. TheGoethe Cardthat all students receive offers free local transportation on trains, buses, and trams through much of the southern part of the state of Hessen. Yet without even leaving the city, Frankfurt’s broad array of museums—many of which line the banks of the Main River—and cultural institutions offer students the opportunity to dive into theater or art with steep student discounts.

Located close to Germany’s most picturesque wine-growing region, Frankfurt is a green city with over 120 parks. Nature-lovers can explore the hills and valleys of the nearby Taunus area—or take a boat trip or train ride up the Rhine River. And sports fans will be able to join one of over 450 sports clubs in the city (in addition to thoseoffered at the university), as well take advantage of public pools, golf courses, and boat houses.

Plenty of outdoor markets, cafes, restaurants, and beer gardens are also found among the tree-lined streets in Frankfurt. The local specialties such as Apfelwein (apple cider) and Grüne Soße (a fresh, green herb sauce most often served with eggs and potatoes) are often served in rustic, corner restaurants, some of which have been around for centuries. And with the highest percentage of international residents in Germany, you can easily visit restaurants and buy ingredients from nearly every world cuisine.

Book lovers will also enjoy the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, the world’s largest trade book fair which draws close to 300,000 visitors each October. And for international visitors who are eager to explore the rest of Europe, Frankfurt is an ideal location. With one of the busiest airports in continental Europe and serving as a major train hub, it’s easy to take weekend trips to Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, the Swiss Alps, Vienna, and many, many other destinations.

Public Transportation

The Goethe Cardgives students free use of public transportation in the Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) and the Übergangstarifgebiet zum Verkehrsverbund Rhein Neckar (VRN) through the RMV-AStA semester ticket (valid from 1 October or 1 April, respectively).

The area covers all of southern and central Hessen, and includes free use of all trains, trams and buses with the exception of IC, EC and ICE trains. The RMV website has a “route planner” on every page to help you find the best way to get to your destination, and all signs are in both German and English throughout the city. You can also download an RMV app for your mobile phone (in German).

Cost of Living

Monthly living expenses for a student in Frankfurt typically run from 600 to 700 Euro. This accounts for student housing and German health insurance. Students living in a private, off-campus accommodation may see their expenses exceeding this amount by 100 Euro.

Libraries

The university library system consists of the Johann Christian Senckenberg University Library as the central library, specialised libraries, as well as additional departmental libraries.

The specialised libraries of the university are the Law and Economics Library, the Humanities and Education Library, the Library Centre for the Humanities, the Art Library, the Library Centre for the Natural Sciences, and the Medical Library. Each of the departmental and institute-based librariesserves a respective academic department or research institute.

With its extensive holdings and collections, the University Library Johann Christian Senckenberg is one of the leading research libraries in Germany. It was founded in 2005 when the Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek Frankfurt am Main (StUB) and the Senckenbergische Bibliothek (SeB) merged to become the university’s central library. The histories of both libraries go back centuries. The Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek originated from the Ratsbibliothek of the City of Frankfurt am Main in the 15th century; the Senckenbergische Bibliothek was founded in 1763 by Johann Christian Senckenberg, a Frankfurt medical doctor after whom the library is named today.

The holdings of the University Library, specialised libraries and departmental libraries can be accessed via the Frankfurt Catalogue Portal.

Sports and Fitness

All Goethe University students, faculty, and staff have access to numerous sports facilities and classes through the Zentrum für Hochschulsport (ZfH; Center for University Sports). More than 40 sports are on offer, including badminton, basketball, fencing, gymnastics, judo, karate, riding, rowing, skiing, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. There is also a large fitness center with state-of-the-art facilities, and organized excursions and courses in hiking, climbing, sailing, skiing and many other sports throughout the semester.

Housing

The Studentenwerk currently manages more than half of all dormitories in Frankfurt. Seventeen dorms offer more than 1,850 rooms for students at Goethe University and two other universities in Frankfurt. Residence halls vary greatly in the size and types of accommodations on offer, from single rooms and apartments to rooms in shared apartments.

Housing in dormitories is limited and many students choose to look for private accommodation, Many live in Wohngemeinschaften (also known as “WGs”), shared apartments with other students. As a special service to students in Frankfurt, the Studentenwerk offers free assistance in finding private housing, including offers for rooms and apartments for rent displayed at the ServiceCenter of the Studentenwerk.

The student housing office is located at Bockenheimer Landstraße 133, 3rd floor, rooms 319/320.

Goethe Card

More than just a student identity card, the Goethe Card gives you access to services and attractions that the university and the city of Frankfurt have to offer. The card serves all of these useful functions:

  • Student identity card (including photo)
  • Library card
  • Chip card to use in cafeterias and copy machines (money can be added at machines on campus)
  • Key for lockers on campus
  • Free use of public transportation through the RMV-AStA semester ticket
  • Admission to the Palmengarten (nearby botanical garden)

Please note that upon arrival you have to apply for the Goethe Card (during enrollment), and you will be notified when your card is ready to be picked up at the SSC Student Service Center (in German).

Cafes and Cafeterias

The Studentenwerk, an independent non-profit organization which supports the 55,000 students of the Rhein-Main area in economic, social, health and cultural matters, runs both larger student cafeterias, called Mensen, and numerous smaller cafes and coffee bars on all five campuses. You can find reasonably priced lunches (€4 or less) with various side dishes and always at least one vegetarian meal. The cafes sell snacks and drinks throughout the rest of the day, and all coffee served at the Mensen and cafes are Fair Trade Certified.

The Studentenwerk website provides weekly menus (in German) of what’s on offer at the various locations.

The independent Cafe Sturm und Drang offers a slightly more formal dining environment at the Westend Campus with an impressive view across the campus.

A record number of approximately 46,500 students enrolled at Goethe University for the winter semester 2014/2015. This makes the university not only the largest in Hesse but also one of the three largest in the whole of Germany. The government goal of over 50 percent of school leavers entering university on leaving school, the double final school-leaving years (Years 12 and 13) and the suspension of military service have all resulted in a 40 percent increase in the number of students since 2007. The number of school leavers enrolling in their first study semester has in fact doubled over this period.

The increase presents Goethe University, the Student Union and the city of Frankfurt with a number of challenges, such as providing affordable student accommodation and having a sufficient number of lecture theatres, laboratories and enough space in the dining areas to accommodate all the students. Funding under the Higher Education Pact established by the Federal Government and the state governments has in recent years given the university the means to build a new seminar building and also a seminar pavilion, which was ready for use in 2014. To counteract further deterioration in the lecturer/student ratio, new professorships and academic posts were created under the Professorship Programme.

Goethe University Frankfurt on map:
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