Studying in Frankfurt – A Guide for Postgraduate Students

Frankfurt is a buzzing metropolis in central Germany, and a popular destination for international students. Home to the European Central Bank and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, it is the largest financial hub in continental Europe.

This guide contains everything you need to know about studying your Masters or PhD in Frankfurt as an international student, covering top universities, living costs, employment opportunities and more.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s on offer for postgraduate students in Frankfurt:

• A financial hotspot: Frankfurt’s reputation as the financial capital of Germany is well-earned, with over 200 German and international banks based there. Graduates in Business, Finance or a related subject will find no shortage of employment opportunities in lucrative sectors from investment banking to asset management.
• Travel opportunities: Frankfurt’s central location makes it a great springboard for adventures further afield! Its main train station and airport are amongst the largest in Europe. Major European cities such as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam can be reached from Frankfurt by train within a few hours.
• International outlook: Frankfurt has a huge international community, with one in three people on the street owning a foreign passport. It regularly hosts international trade fairs, such as the Frankfurt Book Fair, which takes place every October.

The top-ranked university in Frankfurt for 2025 is the Goethe University of Frankfurt, which features in the Times Higher Education Rankings, QS World Rankings and the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.

By far the city’s largest university, it educates over 48,000 students across four campuses and 16 faculties. Students can choose from over 80 English-taught Masters degrees, several structured doctoral programmes, or the option of applying for a traditional PhD. It has a strong international outlook, hosting students from over 135 countries.

It was first founded in 1914 as a pioneering ‘citizen’s university’, financed by contributions from wealthy citizens in Frankfurt, and today benefits from state funding while still enjoying administrative autonomy and drawing from a private endowment.

There are several other universities offering postgraduate courses in Frankfurt, including the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences.

As you can see, the price of private rented accommodation in Frankfurt is high – but there are cheaper alternatives. Student accommodation in Germany tends to be much cheaper than private housing, costing an average of €210-500 per month.

Many students also choose to live just outside Frankfurt in the wider Rhine-Main area and commute into the city. There are many small towns on the outskirts of Frankfurt, such as Kelsterbach and Hattersheim am Main, that offer lower rent costs.

Read more about finding accommodation in Germany.

Careers in Frankfurt

There are plenty of career opportunities for Masters and PhD graduates in Frankfurt. As Germany’s foremost financial and business hotspot, Frankfurt’s many banks and firms offer no shortage of senior roles in the economic sector.

There are also opportunities available in many other sectors, however, with many pharmaceutical and biotechnological companies based in Frankfurt, as well as a fast-developing creative industry and a number of prominent advertising agencies.

If you want to take advantage of Frankfurt’s diverse job market, you can apply for an 18-month jobseeker’s permit, which will allow you to stay in Germany while you seek employment. If you secure a role during this time, you can apply for permanent residence.

Read more about working in Germany after your studies.