FAQs

FOM offers internationally recognised bachelor's and master's programmes in English, designed to equip students with specialist and personal skills for global careers.
 

FOM provides affordable degree programmes, a global network of partnerships, and strong academic support before, during, and after the programme.
 

FOM's main Campus is in Essen, Germany, but it also operates in major cities like Munich and Berlin. Additionally, FOM has partnerships with universities in Europe, Asia, and beyond, offering a global network for international students.
 

The International Office supports international students before, during and after their studies at FOM. This includes assistance with visa matters, accommodation and preparation before arrival, such as pre-departure webinars. At the start of the semester, students are welcomed through orientation days and a buddy programme. Throughout their studies, the International Office offers individual guidance, intercultural competence courses, workshops on study-related topics, academic and personal support, as well as services from the Career Center. After graduation, alumni support and continued contact are also provided.
 

FOM degree programmes are open to students from all over the world. Admission requires only that you meet the specific entry requirements of your chosen programme (details on these requirements can be found on the respective programme page on our website).
 

FOM has over 10,000 collaborations with companies and connects you with top companies from various industries on events like “Master/Bachelor career Day” and company tours, where companies introduce themselves. Furthermore, we offer CV checks to support you with your application, guest lectures, workshops and seminars about the German job market or practical projects in our career Center.
 

Yes. The FOM University of Applied Sciences has been officially recognised by the Ministry of Science and Research of North Rhine-Westphalia since 1993. Since then, the official recognition has been continuously extended, most recently in July 2020 for a further ten years.
 

Yes, all degree programmes offered by FOM are accredited and bear the seal of the Accreditation Council. They are regularly assessed by external experts from science and professional practice with regard to their scientific quality and professional relevance.

In addition, the internationally oriented accreditation agency FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation), authorised by the Accreditation Council, system-accredited FOM in 2012 as the first private university in Germany. System accreditation enables FOM to set up and run new degree programmes independently.
 

If you would like to apply for a specific programme, please forward us the filled application form (found on each programme website) together with all required documents (mention in the application form) to incomings@fom.de

Kindly ensure paying attention to the following 3 points when filling out the registration form:

• Please ensure to fill out all sections of the form diligently. Of particular importance is Page 3, where you will find a list of required documents for your application. We kindly ask you to provide copies of the required documents and submit them along with your completed registration form.
• Additionally, please note that it is mandatory to sign the registration form by hand, including the date.
• In order to facilitate the processing of your application, it is essential that you indicate the semester you are applying for.

Once we have received all necessary documents, we will promptly begin processing your application. Should any documents be missing, we will notify you and kindly request that you provide them your earliest convenience.

In Germany is a high demand for international graduates in companies to boost economy and competitive advantage because of the demographic change and shortage of skilled workers. So, after your graduation you will have good employment opportunities.

Furthermore, study abroad gives you opportunities to deepen academic skills & expertise and to improve your intercultural competencies.
 

If possible, you should register at least 6 to 8 weeks before the start of the semester.
 

Yes, everybody without a TestAS can take part in the preparation course for the entrance examination. After passing the university’s entrance examination, applicants who would otherwise need to attend a Studienkolleg become eligible to study a Fulltime Bachelor degree programme at FOM.

Students can apply for a so-called Studienkolleg visa. After successfully completing the entrance examination at FOM and obtaining the admission qualification, the International Office will assist with converting the visa to a full student visa for Bachelor programmes.
 

The summer semester will start in April and the winter semester will start in October.  
 

To apply for a Visa you need the following documents:

• Bonafide certificate (of FOM)
• Admission letter (of FOM)
• 1 year visa support letter (of FOM)
• Visa application form
• Transcript graduation
• Photograph
• Passport photocopy
• Travel Health Insurance
• Passport
• Blocked account
• Declarations to visa application
   

Students must apply for visa a head of time. We recommend at least 2-3 months before the semester starts!
 

To start your study journey in Germany, the following things are required:

• Blocked Account (Students should open a blocked account only with providers that are accepted by the embassy as well as the immigration office)
• Travel Health Insurance
• Public Health Insurance
• Local bank account
   

It’s not always easy to find a place to stay. Even before your arrival, our international support team will help you with any questions about finding the right accommodation. It is important that you start the search as early as possible. In addition to internet portals, personal contacts are also often helpful: We provide contacts with current students as well as FOM alumni who are already in the area and my have an available room in a flat to share. Our support also covers checking rental contracts before you sign them.
 

Students can apply for a jobseeker visa after graduation.

The jobseeker visa is valid for 18 months. During this time, students can look for jobs. They are allowed to do internships or work parttime without any restrictions, too. Students need to proof financial resources.

Please note that the jobseeker visa is only available for students of the full-time programmes in Germany. This visa can only be applied for from Germany.
 

FOM will provide the necessary supporting documents to assist you with your student visa application. We will issue the documents required so that you can proceed with your student visa application.

We typically process applications within 24 hours on working days (Monday to Friday).
 

Regardless of which campus you study at, we are happy to assist with your city registration. For students residing in Essen, the International Office at Campus Essen will even take care of the registration for you, so you don’t need to visit the city office.

To register at FOM University, please send the completed and signed application form along with all required documents by e-mail to incomings@fom.de.

Once your application is processed (usually within 24 hours on working days), you will receive:

1. An admission letter confirming your acceptance onto the programme, provided that your documents have been reviewed and you are eligible for admission.
2. An invoice with a request to pay the deposit fee (1st instalment) to secure your study place.

After the deposit is paid, you will need to pay the 2nd instalment to meet the visa requirements. Once both payments are confirmed, you will receive your certificate of enrolment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung).

With this certificate, you can book an appointment with the visa authorities. The International Office will provide you with all necessary documents for your student visa application, including confirmation of your tuition payments.
 

Yes, you need to provide proof of sufficient English language skills, corresponding to CEFR level B2. Accepted certificates include:

• TOEIC: 785 points
• TOEFL iBT: at least 72 points
• TOEFL PBT: at least 543 points
• IELTS: at least 5.5
• Oxford Test: at least 60
• or an equivalent certificate

We also accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter, confirming that your previous studies were conducted in English.

Since embassies often only accept an IELTS score of 6.0 or higher during the visa application process, we recommend that you be able to provide such a test certificate.
 

To meet the admission requirements, applicants must achieve either of the following:

• A standard score of at least 95 points
  or
• A minimum of 75 points in both the Core Test and the Subject-Specific Module

Please note that these are alternative criteria – you only need to meet one of the two options.
 

Yes, you will receive feedback within 24 hours on working days (Monday to Friday) after submitting your registration documents.

Yes, absolutely! As long as you meet the admission requirements, you are welcome to apply and study in one of our study programmes, even if there is a gap between your Bachelor’s graduation and the start of your Master’s studies.
 

FOM does not have an age restriction for admission to its Bachelor’s or Master’s programmes. As long as you meet the academic and language requirements for your chosen programme, you are eligible to apply regardless of your age.