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Goethe University in Simple Language

Welcome to the website of Goethe University Frankfurt. Here you can find information in simple language.

General Information about Goethe University

Information about Goethe University Frankfurt

Goethe University welcomes people and knowledge from around the world.

Here, you can  
•    undertake studies,  
•    work, and  
•    carry out research.

Scientists discover new knowledge.  

This knowledge is important for science and our future.

A professor stands at a lectern in a lecture hall. He looks out at many students seated in rows of desks in the auditorium.

The citizens of Frankfurt founded Goethe University

over a hundred years ago,

in 1914.

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Goethe University has been a university foundation under public law since 2008.

This means:

  • Goethe University is independent and can make many decisions on its own.
  • It belongs to the city of Frankfurt and the people who live there.
  • The university wants
    that many people can participate in its offerings.
A document with the title "Certificate." In the lower right corner of the document, there is a red seal.

Goethe University is named after Johann Wolfgang Goethe.

Goethe was a renowned German poet and writer.

He was born in Frankfurt.

Goethe was also a scientist.

He made significant contributions to science.

The head of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. This head also serves as the logo of Goethe University.

Goethe University is one of the largest universities in Germany.  

More than 40,000 people study there.  

Goethe University is also one of the largest employers in the city of Frankfurt.

At Goethe University, you can study many subjects from various fields.

For example:

  • Humanities, 
  • Social Sciences, 
  • Law, 
  • Medicine, 
  • Natural Sciences, and 
  • Life Sciences.
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Because Goethe University offers such a wide range of subjects and disciplines, 

it is a comprehensive university.

Goethe University conducts excellent research.

When a university engages in excellent research,

it must follow these principles:

  • The university is deeply committed to research.
  • The research topics are significant for the future.
  • And they are beneficial to society.
  • Various academic disciplines collaborate in the research.
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Goethe University collaborates with other universities and research institutions:

  • With the Technical University TU Darmstadt and the University of Mainz as part of the Rhine-Main Universities alliance.
  • With 15 universities in Germany 
    that focus extensively on research and knowledge in the area of medicine.
    This alliance is called German U15.
  • With 15 research institutions in the Rhine-Main region through the scientific network Frankfurt Alliance.
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Research at Goethe University

Since the founding of Goethe University,

many new ideas have emerged.

Through scientific endeavors, new knowledge is discovered.

Together with its partners, Goethe University explores important questions for society.

This enables them to develop solutions to the world's major challenges.

A woman wearing a white lab coat, safety goggles, and a face mask is holding a test tube with a yellow fluid in her right hand and another container with the same fluid in her left hand. She is looking at the test tube. In front of her, there is a microscope on a table. On the table, there are two sheets of notes and a green pen.

Goethe University has six special areas dedicated to research.

These areas bring together various sciences.

This allows researchers to collaborate particularly effectively.

These areas are called Research Profile Areas.

Five people are standing in the center of the image at a table, engaged in conversation. Surrounding this central image is a drawn circle. Five lines extend outward from the circle, each ending in another circle. Inside these circles are individual portraits of the people in the center of the image. Additional lines connect the circles with the portraits. Together, the lines and circles form a network.
  • Profile Area: Science for Health  
    This profile area explores how to better diagnose and treat diseases.
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  • Profile Area: Structure & Dynamics of Life
    Living things consist of many tiny particles. 
    This profile area explores: 
    How do these particles modify over time, and how do they interact with one another?
A woman wearing a white lab coat, safety goggles, and a face mask is holding a test tube with a yellow fluid in her right hand and another container with the same fluid in her left hand. She is looking at the test tube. In front of her, there is a microscope on a table. On the table, there are two sheets of notes and a green pen.
  • Profile Area: Space, Time & Matter
    Here, the fundamentals of natural sciences are explored.  
    For example,
    how the universe is structured.
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  • Profile Area: Sustainability & Biodiversity
    This profile area explores 
    what is significant for life on Earth.
    For example, the climate and weather, 
    or ways to protect nature.
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  • Profile Area: Orders & Transformations  
    This profile area explores society.  
    For example:  
    What rules exist in societies,  
    and why do these rules sometimes change?
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  • Profile Area: Universality & Diversity  
    Research here focuses on these questions:  
    How can people live well together when they have assorted religions, cultures, and languages?  
    And what should a diverse society pay attention to?
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Exchange and Transfer

Goethe University is the first German university

founded by citizens.  

It conducts science for the people in society.

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That's why Goethe University offers opportunities for dialogue and connection. 

Here, citizens can learn a lot about science.

And they can actively contribute to shaping science.

In this way, Goethe University brings science into society and the economy.

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At Goethe University, there are 3 key areas for dialogue:

Apply  

Researchers and students often have new ideas.  

And they invent new things.  

With new ideas and inventions, it’s possible to start new companies, for example.  

These companies can create better products.

 

This way, inventions reach people  

and can help  

to solve problems.

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Communication

Goethe University engages in dialogue with many people and groups.

  • For example, with citizens,
  • individuals working in politics,
  • and companies and enterprises.

Science communication makes research accessible to everyone.

It explains

what science has discovered.

Two men and two women are standing together, chatting.

Advise  

Goethe University brings together people who are active in 

  • science,
  • politics
  • economics,
  • or who are citizens.  

These meetings provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge.

Five people are standing in the center of the image at a table, engaged in conversation. Surrounding this central image is a drawn circle. Five lines extend outward from the circle, each ending in another circle. Inside these circles are individual portraits of the people in the center of the image. Additional lines connect the circles with the portraits. Together, the lines and circles form a network.

They share the results and discussions from research with society.

With this information, society can make better decisions.

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Information for Students and Teachers

Studying

Goethe University offers an important contact point:

The area of study and teaching.

Here, you’ll find support for all topics 

related to learning and teaching.

This contact point is here for you 

if you study or teach at Goethe University.

You can send us an email:  

Mail address: sli@uni-frankfurt.de  

Or give us a call:  

Phone number: 069 798 38 38

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Here you’ll find plenty of information and support:

  • If you want to learn more about a degree program.
  • If you’re applying for a course at university.
  • If you’re enrolling at the university.
  • For planning your studies.
  • If you need psychological counselling.
  • If you’re interested in studying abroad.
  • If you’re looking for a scholarship.
  • If you have exams.
  • Or if you’re planning your future and career.
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Goethe University supports you through various stages of life.

For example:

  • Transitioning from school to your course at university,
  • studying abroad,
  • moving from a bachelor's degree to a master’s degree,
  • and transitioning from your course at university to your profession.
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If you need help or advice, 

Goethe University is here to support you.

For example, with questions like these:

  • How are studies structured?
  • How and where can I have my achievements recognized?
  • Can I study
    if I have a disability?
  • Where can I find help
    if I’m facing personal challenges?
  • What career options do I have after completing my studies?

Goethe University helps you quickly find the right support.

For example, a counseling center or a contact person.

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Teaching

Each faculty at Goethe University develops a plan.

These plans are called teaching profiles.

  • They describe  
    how courses and teaching should be organized within the faculties.
  • The plans reflect  
    how the faculties perceive themselves.
  • They explain  
    how and what the faculties aim to teach,  
    and what they expect from students.
  • The plans are designed to help  
    you study and learn effectively.
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Goethe University provides support to staff and faculties.

to help them improve their courses and academic offerings.  

Goethe university also assists with advertising for degree programs. 

It advises the university leadership on matters related to the further development of courses and teaching.

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International

Diversity is very important to Goethe University.

For Goethe University, diversity means:

Many different people study and work here.

People from other countries and cultures are welcome.

A larger group of people is standing together and smiling. The group is very diverse: the people all look different, have different genders, skin tones, hair colors, and ages, and are wearing colorful clothing. Among them, one person has a white cane and an armband, another person is in a wheelchair, and another person has a walking cane.

Do you live abroad? 

Would you like to study or work at Goethe University? 

Feel free to send us an email: 

incoming@uni-frankfurt.de 

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The university also supports its own students 

when they want to study in another country. 

If you need assistance, 

you can email the Global Office at:  

outgoing@uni-frankfurt.de 

An airplane flying upward.

That's why Goethe University has connections all around the world.  

She has a plan for fostering strong collaboration with universities in other countries.

A woman wearing a headscarf, a man with dark skin, a person perceived as Asian, and a man wearing a turban stand side by side, smiling.

Many people from around the world teach and work at Goethe University.

They can conduct excellent scholarly work and carry out research there.

A professor stands at a lectern in a lecture hall. He looks out at many students seated in rows of desks in the auditorium.

Goethe University offers help and guidance for people 

who are new to Germany.  

There are also special services for individuals 

who have had to flee their home country.

A woman in a wheelchair sits at a table. At the table, a man is working on a computer, typing on the keyboard. Both are smiling and engaging in conversation. In the background, there is a bookshelf filled with binders. On the table, there is a binder and a stamp.

Images: © Lebenshilfe für Menschen mit geistiger Behinderung Bremen e.V., Illustrator Stefan Albers, Atelier Fleetinsel, 2013.

Text: © Büro für Einfache und Leichte Sprache der Lebenshilfe Gießen e.V., Implementation: Anja Sandtner, 2025