…From Single Molecules to Cells…
Fachbereich 14

The International Student Services of the Goethe university provide general information and help for students from outside Germany.

Further information on starting your studies in Frankfurt can be found here.

Other useful information on studying in Germany from the German government can be found here.

The International Student Services of the Goethe university provide information on German courses.

Additionally, the International Study & Language Centre (ISZ) provides German classes as study preparation for foreign applicants.

The Buddy Program provides international first-year students with a buddy who is studying in a higher semester and supports them in their orientation at Goethe University. The accompanying buddies can contribute their experience (and receive a certificate for their voluntary commitment).

The goal of the Buddy Program is to give international students a good start to their studies and to contribute to cultural and linguistic exchange at the university.

Sign up for the Buddy Program here.

Internationaler Studientreff (International Student Meeting" (IST)) is a project that helps international students settle in and connect with both German and fellow international students at Goethe University. It offers a variety of free events, including excursions, museum visits, and other recreational activities. Additionally, informational events are held to provide students with tips on studying, living, and leisure activities in Frankfurt.

Check the event calendar here.

If you are applying from outside Germany/the EU, it is of the utmost importance that you have a valid student Visa well before the start of the semester and that you are on site in Frankfurt/Germany for the “Welcome Event” on the first day!!! It is absolutely not advisable to join the study programme after the start of the semester!!!

It's the applicant's own responsibility to take care of all requirements, such as obtaining a Visa and timely arrival in Germany for the first day of the winter semester. The Goethe University cannot assist with visa issues.

The Master's program in Biochemistry must be completed within 7 semesters, or final failure will be faced. So any delay at the start will reduce the time available to graduate.

Attending the I1 Welcome Event, which takes place on the first two days of the winter semester, right at the start of your studies is crucial and part of the compulsory module I1 Study course overview. This event is crucial as it cover essential details on the program structure, study regulations, learning objectives, course selection options, individual choices, and information resources (Goethe-Campus Portal, QIS/LSF, OLAT). Additionally, students will meet professors, teaching staff, and peers. Missing the Welcome Event will severely compromise the ability to navigate the study programme and could jeopardize graduation at all.

Generally, starting late with your studies means missing critical learning content that will be increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to catch up on. The winter term also includes the fundamental courses that are for example prerequisites for the practical courses in the summer term.

Another major problem with late arrivals are seminars and practical courses. They require personal attendance/active participation (you can check the module description book to see what is necessary for successful passing for each module). In such cases you can miss only up to 20 % of the course dates. If you miss more than this, you will fail. Please also note that most modules are only available in certain semesters (winter semester or summer semester).

Starting in the following summer term is equally ill-advised. There is a close connection between the 1st and 2nd semester in our study programme, e.g. you need to have finished certain modules in the winter term for being allowed to enter modules in the summer term (please see the module description book for details). This results in an overall delay of two semesters - one full year - in the studies. The Master's program in Biochemistry must be completed within 7 semesters, or final failure will be faced. So any delay will reduce the time available to graduate.

In this context, it is extremely important that all students in the Master's program in Biochemistry arrive in Frankfurt on the first day of the winter semester! The arrival in Frankfurt is independent of enrolment status

An official letter regarding “Late Arrival in the Master Program Biochemistry” by the Dean of studies can be optained. Contact Dr. Lill

Yes, of course. You are always welcome to reapply. Please remember to withdraw or de-registrate from the current enrolment (see below).

I. Withdrawal from registration is possible for the winter semester until October 31. In this case, you can apply for a refund if you have already paid semester fees.

II. After the October 31 deadline, only de-registration (exmatriculation) is possible.

In both cases, you will no longer have student status and will have to reapply for the coming winter semester.

For further information please visit here.