Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: English Programmes, Fees & Campuses Guide for International Students

Hochschule Fresenius, known in English as Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences in Germany with roots going back to the Fresenius chemistry laboratory founded in 1848. It has campuses in Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Wiesbaden, and it is known for health, business and media, design, and chemistry and biology. This guide covers what Fresenius international students need to know: which programmes are taught in English, the reported fee ranges, the registration fee, campuses, English requirements, living costs, and Germany's job-seeker rules. Because private German universities set their own fees, verify every figure in writing.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences
• Campuses: Cologne, Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Wiesbaden
• International students: about 1,000 across faculties and campuses, according to one source
• English-taught study: a growing number of programmes, particularly at master's level, though many bachelor's programmes are taught in German
• Tuition (third-party): about €470 to €12,400 for undergraduate programmes and €3,540 to €15,000 for graduate programmes in total, and English courses reported at about €800 to €1,250 a month
• Registration fee: €595, with no application fee reported
• English requirement: IELTS or TOEFL is usually required for English-taught programmes
• Status: private and state-recognised, so the fees are not the low public-university rates

Rankings and reputation

Fresenius is well known in Germany for its health, chemistry, and applied programmes, but as a private university of applied sciences it is not usually placed in the global research rankings. Its strengths are practical study, small groups, and employer links. Judge it on programme accreditation, recognition by professional bodies, and graduate outcomes, and ask for evidence that your programme is state-recognised and accredited.

Academics and signature programs

Fresenius teaches in areas such as business and management, media and communication, design, health and social work, psychology, chemistry and biology, and applied sciences, with many programmes combining theory and practice. The number of English-taught programmes is smaller than the total, so check the language of instruction for each specific course, including whether some parts are taught in German and whether you need German for internships.

Admissions and international eligibility

Admission depends on your qualifications, English ability, and sometimes motivation letters, interviews, or portfolios. Non-EU students must have their school or university qualifications recognised for German study, which can require documents to be assessed. Ask for the specific admission requirements for your programme and campus, and start early because recognition and visa steps take time.

English language requirements

• English-taught programmes usually require IELTS or TOEFL, but the exact score varies by programme
• Bachelor's programmes taught in German require German proficiency, so confirm the teaching language
• Some applicants with an English-medium degree may be exempt
• Confirm the requirement for your course and campus before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, a CV, a motivation letter, English results, passport details, and any certificates required for your field. Ask about the registration fee of €595, the enrolment contract, the cancellation terms, and the payment schedule.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Third-party sources give very wide ranges: about €470 to €12,400 for undergraduate programmes and €3,540 to €15,000 for graduate programmes, with English courses reported at around €800 to €1,250 a month and a €595 registration fee. These numbers do not describe one programme, so ask for a written contract that states the monthly fee, the duration, the total cost, and the cancellation and refund terms. Private German universities typically bill monthly and enforce contractual notice periods.

Estimated living costs

• Non-EU visa applicants usually must show funds, often through a blocked account, at an amount set by the German authorities, around €11,900 a year at the last update I know of
• Statutory or approved health insurance is mandatory for students
• Student visa holders can generally work up to 140 full days or 280 half days a year
• Student rooms are scarce in major German cities, so start the housing search early
• Public transport passes are widely available and often discounted for students

Scholarships

I could not confirm published scholarship amounts for international students at Fresenius, so ask the admissions office about merit awards, the German Deutschlandstipendium, and partner or company scholarships, and get any offer in writing. External funders such as the DAAD may help students from some countries, subject to their own rules.

Campus life and student support

Each Fresenius campus has its own character, from Cologne and Munich to Hamburg and Berlin, and students often choose based on the city and the programme. Ask which campus your programme uses, how large the class is, and what support exists for international students, including help with visas, housing, and registration.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Fresenius emphasises practical skills, internships, and industry connections, and its health and business programmes connect to major German employers. International students should build German language skills where possible, since many jobs require it. Ask for graduate outcomes by programme and for international students, and how the careers service supports non-German speakers.

Germany's post-study residence options

After completing a recognised German degree, international graduates can apply to stay for up to 18 months to look for a job that matches their qualification, and can then move to a work permit or the EU Blue Card if they find qualifying employment. Rules and salary thresholds change, so verify the current conditions with the German authorities and confirm that your degree is state-recognised.

Private versus public in Germany

Public German universities are funded by the state and often charge small semester fees, but they can be competitive and largely taught in German. Private universities set their own fees, may offer more English-taught programmes, and often have smaller classes. State recognition matters, because it determines whether your degree is a recognised German qualification.

Signing the study contract

Private German universities usually ask you to sign a study contract that binds you for a period, often with monthly fees and a notice period. Read the cancellation clause, the fee-change clause, and the refund terms, and ask what happens if your visa is refused. Do not pay large amounts before you understand these terms.

Recognition of your qualifications

Your school or bachelor's qualifications must be recognised in Germany, and admissions offices may use assessment databases to decide. Send documents early, prepare certified translations where required, and ask whether a preparatory year is needed if your qualification does not meet entry standards directly.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Students need valid health insurance before enrolment and must register their address after arriving. Budget for the blocked account, visa fee, insurance, and a housing deposit, and start the housing search early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, address registration, and setting up a bank account and insurance. Teaching combines lectures, group projects, and presentations, and students who look for internships early tend to benefit most.

A realistic budget

Suppose an English-taught master's programme costs about €1,000 a month for two years. That is around €24,000 in tuition, plus the €595 registration fee, living costs of about €11,900 or more a year, insurance, and travel, so the total could exceed €50,000. Confirm the contract before you commit.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Is my programme taught entirely in English, and is it state-recognised?
• What is the monthly fee, the total cost, and the notice period for cancelling?
• Which campus will I study in, and what does housing cost there?
• What internships and career support exist for non-German speakers?
• Does my degree qualify me for the 18-month job-seeker permit?
• What scholarships apply to international students?

Who Fresenius suits best

Fresenius suits students who want a practical, applied programme in a German city, small classes, and English-taught options at master's level, and who are comfortable paying private fees. It may suit less well students who want the low fees of German public universities, a research-intensive university, or a fully English bachelor's range.

Fresenius compared with German public universities

German public universities charge little or no tuition for many programmes, while Fresenius charges private fees but offers smaller groups and applied programmes. Compare the total cost, the language of instruction, and the recognition before choosing.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and campus, and confirm it is taught in English.
2. Check the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, CV, motivation letter, and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay the required deposit.
5. Open a blocked account, arrange insurance, and apply for your student visa.
6. Find housing and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified and, where needed, translated transcripts, your English test result, and proof of funds early. German visa appointments can be slow, so keep copies of everything and ask the institution to confirm fees and billing in writing.

Housing and living in a German city

Fresenius has campuses in some of Germany's most expensive housing markets, including Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg, and student rooms are scarce. Start looking as soon as you have an offer, ask the international office whether it offers housing advice or partner residences, and beware of rental scams that ask for money before you view a room.

Frequently asked questions