FOM University of Applied Sciences: Courses, Admissions, Fees, & Scholarships

FOM University of Applied Sciences Courses, Admissions,Fees & Living Cost

Essen, North Rhine-WestphaliaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1993established year
Public
8.3/10
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 21, 2026

FOM University of Applied Sciences is a state-recognized private university of applied sciences in Germany, headquartered in Essen with international campuses in Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. Recognized by the Ministry of Science and Research of North Rhine-Westphalia, the university runs over 30 study centres nationwide and enrols more than 45,000 students.

FOM International offers English-taught bachelor’s, master’s and MBA programmes designed for Indian students seeking German qualifications with integrated internship components. Programmes span International Business Management, Computer Science, Engineering and Big Data Analytics, delivered on-campus with total fees fixed for the full study duration. Compare the shortlist against other universities in Germany before deciding.

  • Type: Private University of Applied Sciences, state-recognized
  • Estimated acceptance rate: 50% (estimated)
  • Intakes: Winter (October) primary, Summer (April) secondary
  • PG total tuition: EUR 23,850 (INR 22.4 lakh)
  • Student body: 45,000 across German study centres
  • English requirement: IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 72 minimum

Tuition is locked at enrolment with no annual increases, a rare feature for Indian applicants exploring MS in Germany. Applicants pay a EUR 500 (INR 47,000) enrolment deposit and must complete APS (Akademische Prüfstelle, the Academic Evaluation Centre in New Delhi) verification before the German student visa interview.


Exchange rate used: 1 EUR = INR 94 as of August 2026

Admission Status: Open (Summer 2027 intake). Applications for programmes starting April 2027 are open with a deadline of December 20, 2026, listed per programme. Summer availability varies by programme, so applicants should verify at the FOM International apply portal. The next Winter 2027 cycle, for October 2027 entry, is expected to open January 2027 and close July 15, 2027.

Popular Courses and FOM University Fees 2027

FOM University fees are fixed for the entire study duration with no annual escalation, a distinct advantage over most private European institutions. Bachelor’s programmes run 6 semesters (180 ECTS), master’s programmes 4 semesters (120 ECTS) and MBAs 3 semesters (90 ECTS). Total programme tuition is stated below with the per-semester rate implied by dividing total fee by duration.

FOM University PG Fees 2027

ProgrammeTotal Fee (EUR)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
Big Data & Business Analytics (M.Sc.)EUR 23,85022.4 lakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
Digital Technologies & Management (M.Sc.)EUR 23,85022.4 lakhBachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
Engineering & Management (M.Sc.)EUR 23,85022.4 lakhEngineering bachelor’s, 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
Automotive Systems Engineering & Management (M.Sc.)EUR 23,85022.4 lakhEngineering bachelor’s, 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended)
Business Administration International Management (MBA)EUR 18,75017.6 lakhBachelor’s plus 1 year work experience
Business Administration Artificial Intelligence (MBA)EUR 18,75017.6 lakhBachelor’s plus 1 year work experience

[Source: FOM International]

FOM University UG Fees 2027

ProgrammeTotal Fee (EUR)Total Fee (INR lakh)Entry Requirement
International Business Management (B.Sc.)EUR 27,50025.9 lakhClass 12 with 65% (recommended)
Computer Science & Digital Technologies (B.Sc.)EUR 27,50025.9 lakhClass 12 with 65% (recommended)
Mechanical Engineering & Digital Technologies (B.Eng.)EUR 27,50025.9 lakhClass 12 Science with 65% (recommended)

Insider note: Indian applicants cluster in Big Data & Business Analytics and the two MBA tracks. These programmes accept a wider set of undergraduate backgrounds and map cleanly to post-study jobs in Germany’s data and tech corridors.

Read More: FOM University Fees and Cost of Living Guide


FOM University Admission 2027

FOM admission for Indian students runs on two intakes per year, with the Winter (October) cycle serving as the primary intake for most English-taught programmes.

MilestoneDateNotes for Indian Applicants
Summer 2027 application deadlineDecember 20, 2026Programme availability varies; verify at portal
Winter 2027 application deadlineJuly 15, 2027Primary intake for most English-taught programmes
APS credential verificationStart 12 weeks before deadlineMandatory for Indian nationals via New Delhi centre
Programme start (Winter)October 2027Orientation in the week before start

[Source: FOM International Apply page]

Planning note: Begin APS at least 3 months before your target deadline. The German consulate visa appointment opens only after APS clearance, and Indian applicants who start late often lose their intake and roll to the next cycle.

Read More: FOM University Admissions Guide for Indian Students


FOM University Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027

Indian applicants must clear three checks: academic eligibility, English proficiency and APS credential verification.

Postgraduate applicants:

  • Academic: Bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5/10 (recommended); Engineering programmes require a relevant technical bachelor’s
  • English: IELTS 5.5 / TOEFL iBT 72 / Duolingo 105 / TOEIC 785 / Oxford Online Placement 60; MOI waiver accepted for English-medium bachelor’s
  • APS: Mandatory verification of Indian academic documents via the Academic Evaluation Centre in New Delhi
  • Work experience: MBA tracks require 1 year of documented professional experience

Undergraduate applicants:

  • Academic: Class 12 with 65% (recommended); Engineering requires Science stream
  • English: Same test minimums as PG; MOI accepted for English-medium schooling
  • APS: Required before visa application

Note: FOM accepts a Medium of Instruction letter in place of IELTS, but the German consulate independently reviews English evidence for the visa. Carry both an MOI letter and, ideally, a valid IELTS score to avoid friction at the visa interview.


FOM University Acceptance Rate 2027

FOM University does not publish an official acceptance rate. Third-party analyses of German private universities of applied sciences suggest an admit rate of 50% (estimated) for international applicants who meet the stated academic and English thresholds.

Selection is document-based and applicants who clear APS and meet the English minimum are typically approved within 2 to 4 weeks. The primary rejection reasons for Indian applicants are incomplete APS verification and English scores below B2.

Reality check: The 50% estimate is not a QS-style selectivity metric. FOM operates a rolling review, and applicants with clean documents rarely face selective rejection. Missing paperwork is a larger risk than academic competition.

Read More: FOM University Acceptance Rate


FOM University Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027

Total annual cost for an Indian student at FOM University sits between EUR 17,000 and EUR 21,000 (INR 16.0 to 19.7 lakh), combining fixed tuition and monthly living expenses in campus cities like Essen or Munich.

FOM University Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2027

Total tuition is invoiced across the study duration and does not increase mid-programme.

Programme LevelTotal Fee (EUR)Total Fee (INR lakh)
Bachelor’s (6 semesters)EUR 27,50025.9 lakh
Master’s (4 semesters)EUR 23,85022.4 lakh
MBA (3 semesters)EUR 18,75017.6 lakh
Enrolment depositEUR 5000.47 lakh
Preparation course (8 weeks)EUR 2,7502.59 lakh

[Source: FOM International official tuition schedule]

Monthly Cost of Living in Essen for Indian Students

Essen and other FOM campus cities remain affordable relative to Munich or Frankfurt.

ExpenseMonthly (EUR)Monthly (INR)
Accommodation (shared)EUR 400 to 550INR 37,600 to 51,700
FoodEUR 200 to 250INR 18,800 to 23,500
Transportation (semester ticket)EUR 50 to 60INR 4,700 to 5,640
Books and study materialsEUR 30 to 40INR 2,820 to 3,760
Personal and utilitiesEUR 150 to 200INR 14,100 to 18,800
Total monthlyEUR 830 to 1,100INR 78,000 to 1,03,400
Total annualEUR 9,960 to 13,200INR 9.4 to 12.4 lakh

[Source: DAAD Germany 2026 cost estimate]

Insider note: Essen rent runs 30 to 40% lower than Munich for comparable shared apartments. Indian students on Munich or Frankfurt campuses should budget EUR 700 to 900 for a single room in a shared flat (WG, the German standard student housing arrangement).

Read More: Study in Germany Cost of Living Guide for Indian Students


FOM University Campus, Facilities and Student Life

FOM International runs on-campus programmes in Essen (headquarters, Ruhr region), with additional international campuses in Berlin, Frankfurt am Main and Munich.

  • Location and transport: Essen sits central to the Ruhr metropolitan area, linked by Deutsche Bahn to Cologne (30 min) and Amsterdam (2 hours). Munich and Frankfurt sit on major air corridors used by Indian students
  • Housing: Not university-owned; students self-source through Studentenwerk (the state-run student services agency) or private WG platforms, budgeting EUR 400 to 900 by city
  • Facilities: Modern lecture halls, library access and industry partnerships with Deutsche Bank, RWE, Siemens and Bosch for guest lectures and internships
  • Indian community: Active Indian student circles in Essen and Munich, with informal buddy networks connecting incoming and current students

What Indian students say: Programmes lean applied and industry-close, with practical case work rather than heavy research. Essen’s Indian grocery access is limited compared with Berlin or Munich, and the semester ticket covers regional transport at a low fixed cost.


FOM University Scholarships 2027

FOM International does not publicly list large merit-based scholarships specifically for Indian applicants, so external German government funding remains the main lever.

ScholarshipTypeAward ValueEligibilityDeadline
DAAD Study ScholarshipsExternal, German governmentEUR 992/month (INR 93,250)Master’s applicants with strong academic recordVerify at DAAD India office page
DeutschlandstipendiumMerit-based, externalEUR 300/month (INR 28,200)Enrolled students, merit and social criteriaOpens post-enrolment

[Source: FOM International, DAAD Germany]

Planning note: DAAD funding has a high bar and long lead time. Most Indian FOM students self-finance through education loans and use the 20-hour weekly work allowance to offset living costs. Verify current DAAD windows at the official DAAD India office page before applying.

Read More: FOM University Scholarships Guide


FOM University Rankings 2027

FOM University of Applied Sciences is not featured in the QS World University Rankings 2027, THE World University Rankings 2026 or the US News Best Global Universities 2026-2027 editions, reflecting the wider pattern for German universities of applied sciences.

Ranking BodyLatest EditionStatus
QS World2027Not ranked in QS World 2027
THE World2026Not ranked in THE World 2026
US News Global2026-2027Not ranked in US News 2026-2027
State recognitionNRW Ministry of Science and ResearchRecognized private university of applied sciences

[Source: QS, THE, US News, North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of Science and Research]

FOM’s positioning is domestic rather than research-ranking driven. The university’s accreditation by the German Wissenschaftsrat (the Council of Science and Humanities) is the standard quality benchmark for applied sciences institutions in Germany.

Key insight: German state-recognized degrees carry the same legal weight for the 18-month post-study work visa regardless of world ranking. For Indian students, FOM’s H+ status in the Anabin database is more relevant than QS position, since Anabin recognition drives Indian degree equivalence back home.

Read More: FOM University Rankings Analysis


FOM University Placements and Career Outcomes 2027

FOM does not publish a formal placement rate; career outcomes for international students track the wider German applied sciences graduate market.

  • Post-study work visa: Germany grants an 18-month job-search visa after graduation, one of the longest in Europe
  • Median starting salary: EUR 45,000 to 52,000 per year (INR 42.3 to 48.9 lakh) for master’s graduates in business and tech roles (market median)
  • Industry partners: Deutsche Bank, Bosch, Siemens, RWE, Volkswagen and Ford deliver guest sessions and host internships
  • MBA outcomes: Median post-MBA salary EUR 55,000 to 65,000 (INR 51.7 to 61.1 lakh, market median for German MBA graduates)
  • Career support: FOM International Career Services coaches Indian students on German CV format, LinkedIn optimization and visa-track applications

Insider note: German B1 or B2 conversational proficiency doubles interview reach even for English-taught graduates. Indian alumni who invest in language learning during studies land roles faster than those relying on English-only workplaces.

FOM University vs Peer Universities

Peer comparison sets FOM against other private German universities of applied sciences with English-taught programmes for Indian students.

UniversityQS Rank 2027Avg Annual PG Fee (EUR)Avg Annual PG Fee (INR lakh)Differentiator
FOM University of Applied SciencesNot rankedEUR 11,92511.2 lakhFixed tuition, 4 international campuses
IU International University of Applied SciencesNot rankedEUR 12,00011.3 lakhOnline-heavy flexible delivery
SRH Berlin University of Applied SciencesNot rankedEUR 12,50011.8 lakhCORE project-based curriculum
Munich Business SchoolNot rankedEUR 15,90015.0 lakhBusiness focus, strong DACH recruiter access

[Source: QS, individual university fee pages]

FOM stands out through its 30-plus study centre network and fixed-fee promise, which lets Indian students transfer between international campuses without tuition adjustment. Where SRH and Munich Business School lead on brand and specialist industry access, FOM leads on affordability and geographic flexibility inside Germany.

Key insight: Pick FOM over IU only if a physical campus matters to you; IU is online-heavy, while FOM’s on-campus delivery aligns better with the German student visa rule requiring majority in-person study.

FOM University fits Indian students who want a state-recognized German degree with fixed tuition, English-taught delivery and access to Germany’s 18-month post-study visa for MBA in Germany and MS pathways. Total investment of INR 22.4 lakh for a master’s, against a market-median EUR 48,500 starting salary, produces a payback horizon of about three years for disciplined graduates.

It is not the right pick for research-focused students targeting doctoral tracks or those chasing QS-branded credentials. TUM, RWTH Aachen or LMU Munich offer stronger research anchors, and MBA aspirants targeting global consulting should compare Munich Business School or Mannheim instead.


FOM University of Applied Sciences FAQs

Ques. Which FOM University programmes are taught fully in English?

Ans. FOM International runs three English bachelor’s programmes (International Business Management, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering) and six English postgraduate options including Big Data & Business Analytics, Digital Technologies & Management, Engineering & Management, Automotive Systems Engineering and two MBA tracks in International Management and Artificial Intelligence. All are delivered on-campus with fees fixed for the entire study duration.

Ques. Can Indian students work part-time while studying at FOM?

Ans. Yes, German student visa rules allow 120 full days or 240 half days of work per year, roughly 20 hours per week during semester. Indian students at FOM typically take part-time roles in retail, IT support or research assistance. Working beyond this cap breaches visa conditions, and curriculum-linked internships do not count against the annual limit.

Ques. Does FOM International accept an MOI letter instead of IELTS?

Ans. FOM accepts a Medium of Instruction letter from Indian universities where prior education was English-medium. The German consulate reviews visa English evidence separately and often prefers a formal test. Applicants relying on MOI should also carry a valid IELTS 5.5 or TOEFL iBT 72 score to avoid consulate friction at the visa interview.

Ques. What is the FOM University enrolment deposit and refund policy?

Ans. Indian applicants pay a EUR 500 (INR 47,000) enrolment deposit after receiving an offer to confirm their seat. The deposit is adjustable against first-semester tuition and is refundable if the German student visa is denied, subject to submission of the official rejection letter. There is no separate application fee at the point of submission.

Ques. Which Indian education loan providers recognize FOM University degrees?

Ans. State Bank of India, HDFC Credila, Avanse, ICICI Bank and Prodigy Finance all fund FOM programmes for Indian students. Collateral-free loans up to INR 40 lakh are common for master’s applicants, and NBFC lenders typically release the first tranche after visa approval. Factor a 3 to 4 month loan sanction timeline into APS and visa planning.

Ques. How does the FOM preparation course help Indian applicants?

Ans. The 8-week Preparation Course, priced at EUR 2,750 (INR 2.59 lakh), targets bachelor’s applicants whose English or academic profile needs strengthening before the main programme. It covers academic English, quantitative fundamentals and German study skills. Completion secures conditional admission to the linked bachelor’s programme, useful for candidates just under the IELTS 5.5 threshold.

Ques. What is the difference between FOM main campuses and study centres?

Ans. FOM operates four international main campuses in Essen, Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich where English-taught programmes for international students are delivered on-site. The 30-plus wider study centres across Germany primarily serve German-speaking part-time students. Indian applicants under FOM International should confirm their programme is offered at their chosen international campus before applying.

Ques. How is Indian document verification handled for FOM admission?

Ans. All Indian applicants must complete APS verification through the German embassy centre in New Delhi before the visa interview. APS reviews Class 12, bachelor’s and any postgraduate credentials, issuing a certificate that FOM and the consulate treat as authoritative. The process takes 3 to 5 weeks and costs approximately INR 18,000, so start before submitting the FOM application.

Top Recommended Courses


1 year
On Campus
German
Full Time
Exam Scores: TOEFL4
Entry Requirement: IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 4.0
USD 21,750 /YrEUR 18,750 /Yr

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FOM University of Applied Sciences Ratings

Based on 1 Students Rating

8.3 out of 10
9.0/10Academic
8.0/10Accommodation
8.0/10Faculty
8.0/10Infrastructure
9.0/10Placement
8.0/10Social Life

FOM University of Applied Sciences Reviews


Student StatusNationalityBatch
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1 Reviews Found

S
8.3 /10

Overview

I talked to one of my seniors before getting into it. But, once I saw the course curriculum and what they were offering, it was worth it with the fee and all.

Campus Life

8

In my university, there is a library but, it's not very big. You will find previous research papers and all. There are some conferences and all. There are industrial visits. Because my university is an applied university. So, there are a lot of people from the industry, so there is a lot of interaction with them. My university is for the working people. So, talking about the co-curricular activities, when I came here in the beginning there was a marathon.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 8/10

FOM University of Applied Sciences Scholarships


NameScholarship Per StudentLevel of StudyType
Google's Women Techmakers ProgramScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
Axol Science ScholarshipScholarship per student$2,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeCompany-Sponsored
VueVille Future Technology ScholarshipScholarship per student$1,000Level Of StudyBachelorTypeMerit-Based
MAWISTA ScholarshipScholarship per student$6,691Level Of StudyBachelorTypeEasy-to-Apply
Kurt Hansen Science ScholarshipScholarship per student$10,000Level Of StudyDoctorateTypeNeed-Based
Bharat Petroleum ScholarshipScholarship per studentVariable AmountLevel Of StudyMasterTypeMerit-Based

Do you think the Scholarship is wrong ?  Report Here

Attendance Cost

$21,750

attendance cost

The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees

Tuition fees
Post Graduate Program
$21,750 / Year

Faculty

Total FacultyFull TimePart TimeGraduate Assistants
2000---

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