View of the Erlangen Old Town on a sunny day

Studying in Erlangen

Erlangen offers you 31 degree programmes in English at 1 higher education institution.

Erlangen is a perfect example of Baroque city planning with clear lines of view and dead-straight streets. Today, Erlangen is a wonderful student city full of bicycles and people from all over the world, who study or work there. And at Erlangen’s doorstep, you can find the “Fränkische Schweiz”, a paradise for climbers and hikers with an amazing concentration of local breweries.

From the train station to the university, from there to the library and then to the city centre for a little shopping: in Erlangen, everything is easy to reach on foot or by bike. That's one of the advantages of studying in a smaller city. But Erlangen is not that small, after all it has over 100,000 inhabitants.

Erlangen is in Middle Franconia in Bavaria, in the metropolitan agglomeration of the cities of Nuremberg, Fürth and Erlangen. These cities have almost grown into one and together they form an economic centre. Though while Erlangen is the smallest of the three cities, it stands out: for example, one of Germany’s best-known technology companies has its largest location worldwide in the city and numerous supplier and high-tech companies have settled around it.

One of the largest universities in Germany also has its headquarters in Erlangen. Although individual departments are located in Nuremberg, the main administration and the majority of institutes as well as the main library are in Erlangen. The university hospital is also here and contributes to Erlangen's reputation as a medical centre.

The housing market is quite tight in Erlangen and some students therefore find accommodation in the cheaper neighbouring cities of Nuremberg and Fürth. Thanks to the S-Bahn (local train) connections between the cities, however, this is not a problem.

Life in Erlangen

117,000 residents

High-speed train connections
In close vicinity
International airport
Nuremberg airport in 12 km distance
Coast
Mediterranean Sea in 470 km distance
Mountain range
Franconian Jura in 20 km distance
Other countries
Czech Republic in 100 km distance
Attractions within 100 km
- Palace garden in Erlangen in 2 km distance
- Franconian Switzerland in 20 km distance
- Documentation Centre Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg in 19 km distance

Study in Erlangen

1 higher education institution in Erlangen

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Erlangen

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Erlangen. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Erlangen are mainly offered in the subject group Language and Cultural Studies, followed by Teaching Degrees and Mathematics, Natural Sciences. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.

0
Agricultural and Forest Sciences
20
Humanities and Social Sciences
42
Mathematics, Natural Sciences
5
Art, Music, Design
48
Language and Cultural Studies
8
Medicine, Health Sciences
11
Economic Sciences, Law
38
Engineering Sciences
46
Teaching Degrees

Historic building with a green facade at a square in the city's Old Town

Often quiet and idyllic, but also full of life: the Altstädter Kirchplatz

For people with a poor sense of direction, Erlangen is super convenient with its right-angled, perfectly straight streets in the centre.

In Erlangen, you will immediately notice the many bicycles. The bicycle is the main means of transport in the city, so you should absolutely get one. And if something breaks, you can go to the bicycle repair shop at the E-Werk. You have to repair your bike yourself, but you have access to tools and know-how.

You're sure to come across the E-Werk many times in your student life. For over 20 years, the cultural centre has played an important role in the city's night and cultural life with its live concerts, parties, readings and much more. Otherwise, the nightlife is somewhat sedate: of course, there are cafés and student pubs, as well as the odd club. But if you want to party all night, you will probably need to go to Nuremberg.

An exception is the time of the Bergkirchweih, called "Berch" by locals. This takes place on the grounds of Erlangen's Burgberg and is a popular open-air beer festival. Carousels and stalls are also set up. In the past, the university even had a week's holiday during the Berch and still today you may find yourself standing in front of a closed shop because the staff are celebrating at the Berch.

In Erlangen, you will not lack anything when it comes to recreational opportunities in the countryside. In the centre of the city, directly behind the Kollegienhaus of the university, where mainly seminars and lectures take place, lies the Schlossgarten, a green oasis in the middle of the city. And if you are looking for even more nature: a mountainous landscape with striking rock formations that are also suitable for climbing, known as the “Fränkische Schweiz”, is within reach. After exerting yourself in the fresh air, the many local breweries look really inviting to grab a cool drink and a typical Franconian speciality. These include a "Schäuferla" (a roast from the shoulder of a pig, served with Franconian dumplings), "Saure Zipfel" (fried sausages cooked in a vinegary broth, sometimes also called "Blaue Zipfel") or also carp (freshwater fish, either baked or cooked in a vinegary broth). Enjoy your meal!

You can find more information at study-in-germany.de

For more information on living and studying in Erlangen, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de

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