How to Apply

Note: Applicants must submit their application via FAU’s Online Application Portal (see link below) starting Mid-April, 2025. Applications will be processed as they come in. The DEIS Admission Committee will review processed applications starting May 1, 2025 at the latest. The application deadline is May 31, 2025. We encourage especially international applicants to apply as early as possible as foreign qualifications sometimes need to be evaluated by the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) in Bonn. Applying early also ensures that there is enough time left to apply for your visa (if needed) and to find accommodation (see here, please note that the main courses are taught in Erlangen). The application must be complete to be eligible for evaluation.

Entry requirements

• Qualified degree (Bachelors, Diploma or equivalent) in Economics or a related field. Applicants should have 70 ECTS in economics / business administration including at least basic knowledge of (a minimum of 5 ECTS each in) microeconomics, macroeconomics, and statistics/econometrics.
  Note: It is possible to complete up to 20 ECTS of the qualification requirements during the MA DEIS program. Students admitted to the program will need to earn the missing ECTS during their first year of studies. Missing courses can be completed at FAU. If you have earned less than 70 ECTS in economics/business administration, please provide information in your letter of application about the courses you have taken and the total ECTS you have earned so far.
• It is noteworthy that the program takes an economics-centered approach and builds on the quantitative background (from Bachelors) relating to econometrics and as such, candidates who are keen on advancing their quantitative knowledge are encouraged to apply.
• Grade point average of 2.5 or better (in the German marking system) in the undergraduate program.
• Sound knowledge of English (CEFR: C1) with TOEFL or IELTS test scores (or equivalents), ideally not older than 2 years. If due to COVID-19, you are unable to submit one of these tests at the moment, we may also consider the online version of the test such as the TOEFL Special Home Edition. As we cannot guarantee to accept the alternative test at this point, we strongly advise you to take the original version whenever possible.
• Note that students have to provide proof of their competence in the German language (level A1 or higher) within their first year of studies.
• Candidates might be invited to an interview. If this is the case, you will be personally informed.
• A selection admission committee decides upon admissions.
• For additional information on the admission rules, check the Examination Regulations of the program.

Required documents

• Curriculum vitae: table form
• University entrance qualification: school certificate (e.g., Abitur, Bachillerato)
• University degree and average grade: include Bachelor diploma and transcript of records
• In the case of qualifications obtained in countries other than Germany, officially certified copies/ the original certificate are required for the qualifications and the translation thereof. A translation in English is preferred, German and French are accepted as well.
• Candidates who have not completed their Bachelor’s studies at the time of application must provide an official transcript of all exams passed to date and GPA. A minimum of 140 ECTS (i.e., 75% of the required credits for completion) is required.
• A letter of application in English
  • A letter of application in English, no more than two pages in length, in which you explain why you are qualified for admission to the degree program.
    Note: If you have earned less than 70 ECTS in economics/business administration, please provide information in your letter of application about the courses you have taken and the total ECTS you have earned so far.

• Applicants who completed their first degree in China, Vietnam, or India also require an APS certificate.
• Evidence of sufficient English skills of at least C1 level of the CEFR:

• For all candidates, a certificate equivalent to at least the C1 level of the CEFR
  (except for Bachelor’s degree holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).
• Here you can find an equivalence table on internationally recognized English language tests.

Additional documents (optional)

Application deadline

The application deadline for the program starting in the respective winter term is May 31 of the same year.