Student Life in Germany: What to Expect

Dive into this article to find out more details about student life in Germany.

Life on German University Campuses

The campus of your university will probably look a little different from what you know it from American Hollywood movies. Of course, there are also campus universities with a large area where all university facilities are located, but this is a rather rare sight.

Moreover, institutions like sororities and student unions with impressive club buildings, on the other hand, are not something you will often find in Germany.

Campus Facilities and Student Services

Big universities often have different campuses scattered across a city or sometimes even across different towns, with each campus having a different specification.

You are also likely to find specialised university libraries, study halls, a student office, and, hopefully, a cafeteria that offers affordable food. Laboratories and other experimental spaces can often be found on campuses specialised in fields that require them. At the same time, you can also find universities in unique historic locations.

There are universities teaching in old castles (for example, in Mannheim) or in old governmental buildings like the former state council building of the East German government, where ESMT European School of Management and Technology is based.

In most cases, you will find a place at your university that you can use for studying. This can either be in a dedicated study hall, libraries, cafeterias or in some cases, separated rooms with tables and computers. Sometimes you might even be able to book a meeting room at one of your university’s buildings to work on a project or simply study for upcoming exams (be quick with that – meeting rooms tend to get booked up very quickly).

Social Activities and Student Communities

Of course, relaxing and spending some free time with friends and fellow students is also an important part of a student’s life. Many universities have either spacious meadows that can be used for picnics or just sitting together and spending time with each other outside, or common areas where students can spend time.

If you are lucky enough to study at one of the long-established universities, you might even be able to enjoy views of fascinating old buildings that often have a rich historical background.

Popular Student Accommodation Options

An ever-important aspect for students is the topic of accommodations. In this part, you will learn more about the housing situation for students and what you should consider when searching for an apartment in Germany.

Student Dormitories

Student residences have the advantage that they are close to your university, often also on the same campus you are studying at.

Another benefit is that most residents will be around your age, so finding like-minded people should be easy to achieve here.

One disadvantage is that the rooms are, in most cases, rather small and that the active nightlife of your neighbours can sometimes make it difficult to sleep (unless you are a party person as well, in which case this should not be a problem for you).

Shared Flats (WGs)

Shared accommodations, mostly referred to as “WG” in German, are a very popular way of living in many student cities. This way of living allows you to share an apartment with other people, likely to be students around your age.

In most cases, you will get your own room and share the kitchen, bathroom, and living room (in case your flat has one). With this, there are both advantages and disadvantages.

If you get along well with your roommates and if everyone sticks to the agreements made together, it can be a wonderful time.

However, if you catch some troublesome roommates, it can become an annoyance very quickly when you are the only one keeping the apartment in shape or paying the rent on time.

Luckily, there is usually some kind of interview with the potential flatmates before they move in, so that both sides can get a picture of the people they will be living with in the future.

Private Rentals

A personal apartment is a perfect solution for everyone that prefers to live by themselves and does not depend too much on other social contacts.

Of course, living by oneself does not automatically mean that you become a hermit, but you will probably have less social contact close by than the other options.

However, living by oneself can have its benefits, especially when you are the type of person that prefers to study and work in a more quiet and homely environment.

Nevertheless, it must be mentioned that this is probably the most expensive alternative of the three that have been mentioned here, although it strongly depends on the apartment you manage to find.

Academic and Learning Experience

Even though universities usually hold inaugural ceremonies where the basic rules of the university are laid out and provide help through students’ and internationals’ offices, you will have to find your way through daily life by yourself.

Teaching Style and Learning Culture

Please note that the following tools are perceived as popular in general. There is no guarantee that you will encounter them during your educational journey through Germany.

It also strongly depends on the fields of studies you are attending classes for and whether you enrol at a traditional university with many lectures or a university of applied sciences, where you will have more hands-on approaches. However, the likelihood of you being confronted with at least one of them is very high.

Probably the most popular tool that is commonly used in lectures is group work. This can either be for a small task that has to be solved during class or within a couple of hours, or as a full-grown assessment, where the result is graded and part of your final grade.

Presentations are also fairly regular, at least in smaller study groups. You will have to create a presentation, either as part of the lecture or as your final grade and hold it either in front of your classmates or in front of your lecturer and a few selected judges.

Less of a tool and more of a pillar of the German teaching approach is the encouragement of independent thinking. Universities try to provide an open space where everyone can share their own opinion on the topics relevant to their subject and discuss it with other people of the same or even of different fields of expertise.

To further emphasise that, tasks are often asked as open questions that request you to bring a point across in your own words, rather than simply selecting any of the given answers on a sheet. You are encouraged to challenge already existing concepts and beliefs and create your own. As long as you justify your opinion with good arguments, you will score high grades in most areas.

A popular approach at universities of applied sciences is to gather the students in a laboratory and either conduct an experiment that the students have to imitate or set a task based on previously imparted knowledge that the students have to solve themselves. Depending on the size of the task, this can also be done as group work.

Academic Expectations and Standards

In an academic context, you are required to be able to apply the knowledge you have gained in the lecture in an academic paper or written assignment (Hausarbeit), an exam (Klausur) or a presentation (Präsentation).

Especially in written papers and presentations, you must correctly cite the source from which you have taken the information. It is not allowed to claim memorised knowledge as your own contribution.

Whenever you use knowledge or information that is not your own, you must mark it as an outside source at the appropriate places in a written paper and in the appendix of a presentation.

Good grades at German universities are often achieved by working together with other students. It is common to share and compare notes from lectures with fellow students, organise sample exams from previous students or form study groups to prepare for the next exam.

If you are more of a solo learner but do not want to sit around all alone, you can also visit one of the most popular places to study: university libraries.

Please note that university libraries can be very crowded, especially during exam periods. Shortly after the library opens or the last hours before it closes (if it does close) are usually the best times to find a free place.

University-Specific Peculiarities

You probably already know that there are more than 400 higher education institutions in Germany, which come in many different shapes, forms and specialisations. Consequently, this also means that there are many different approaches that institutions use to organise their study programmes.

Please note that sometimes you have the freedom to design your own schedule (to a certain extent). This means that you have a set number of courses that you have to attend, but they are offered at different times, and you can choose which time you want to attend the courses.

In contrast, some other universities have a rigid schedule where you have to show up for lectures when they are scheduled.

Another important point is compulsory attendance. Again, there are universities that do not care about attendance and leave it up to you if you want to show up or not, while others require a certain attendance rate, otherwise, you would have to repeat the course.

Lastly, you should note that it is common that you must register for an exam. So, make sure you have done this in good time.

Everyday Life as a Student in Germany

Another aspect that can make or break your stay in Germany is the simple, everyday life. Factors like food, social interactions, and juggling academics with personal responsibilities are crucial, and being unprepared for these everyday elements may spoil your journey in Germany.

Food and Dining Options

Most larger universities and usually all state universities offer cafeterias (often called “Mensa” in German). Here you can get a small selection of affordable food if you show your student ID or a similar document.

If you do not have your student card with you, you will have to pay the prices that external guests also must pay. Therefore, always carry your student ID with you.

The quality of the food depends a lot on the dish and the day. You will find excellent dishes one day, but you might also be disappointed in other days.

Alternatively, you can look for some good local restaurants that can prepare the food in a reasonable amount of time (the breaks are over faster than you would like). However, this is also a more expensive solution.

The last and probably cheapest option is to prepare the food in advance at home and bring it to the lectures. In most cases, you will also find a microwave in your university, where you can heat the food you have brought with you.

Balancing Study and Free Time

Life as a student in Germany is not just about lectures, assignments, and exams, but it is also about creating a rhythm that leaves space for rest and enjoyment. While German universities expect you to be independent and organised, they also give you enough flexibility to plan your own schedule. This means you can often carve out time during the week to recharge, explore the city, or meet friends.

Many students find it helpful to set aside certain hours each day for study and preparation, then keep evenings or weekends for hobbies, sports, or cultural activities. Joining a university sports club, language tandem, or student society is a great way to socialise while still feeling productive.

Remember that burnout can easily happen if you overcommit academically without breaks. Treat your free time as an important investment, it keeps your mind fresh and your motivation high throughout the semester. Whether it’s a walk through the park, a quick trip to a nearby city, or a quiet evening with friends, balance is the key to making your student years in Germany both successful and memorable.

Frequently Asked Questions About Student Life in Germany

Is student life in Germany expensive?

Student life is more affordable than in many other countries, especially at public universities with no tuition fees. You can expect to spend around €850–€1,100 per month, depending on the city and your lifestyle.

How do students make friends in Germany?

You can make friends as an international student in Germany through classes, shared flats (WGs), student clubs, and events. Joining sports teams or hobby groups is a great way to meet people.

Do German universities have student clubs?

Yes, most offer a wide range of clubs, from sports and music to cultural societies, many of which welcome international students.

What is the daily schedule like for a student in Germany?

Schedules are usually quite flexible, with lectures spread throughout the day and free time for studying, working, or relaxing in between.

How hard is it to adapt to German academic culture?

It can take time to adapt to the German academic culture, as students are expected to be independent and self-organised, but most adjust quickly and enjoy the freedom.