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The Göttingen market square with the Old City Hall in the middle of the Old Town
©Göttingen Tourismus & Marketing, Bildautor: Lars Gerhardts

Studying in Göttingen

Göttingen offers you 29 degree programmes in English at 3 higher education institutions.

Since every fourth city resident is a student, Göttingen is shaped by students and academic life more than any other German city. Besides a rich intellectual life, Göttingen also has plenty to offer culturally: several theatres, a symphony orchestra and well-preserved half-timbered houses in the historic quarter. Situated in the geographical centre of Germany and Europe, Göttingen has great travel connections.

Do you love student flair and a dynamic, young cityscape? Then Göttingen is the place for you. Göttingen is "the city that generates knowledge" – at least that's how the city describes itself. Around 120,000 people live here, about 31,000 of whom are students. A substantial number, although not surprising, since Göttingen offers the best environment for studying. Even the city's landmark, the Gänseliesel, supports the students by being considered a good luck charm: that's why there is a custom that doctoral students give the bronze figure a kiss on the cheek as a thank you after their final exam.

The higher education institutions in Göttingen are located in the city centre and are easy to reach from everywhere. The fastest and best way to get around Göttingen is by bike. Most destinations can be reached within 15 minutes. You can also enjoy the advantages of short distances when looking for a flat. You don't have to live directly in the city centre, but you can still get everywhere relatively quickly. Compared to other student cities, the housing market here is more relaxed and rents are affordable.

Life in Göttingen

119,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    Hanover airport in 105 km distance

  • Coast

    North Sea in 240 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Harz in 50 km distance

  • Other countries

    The Netherlands in 260 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Lake Seeburg in 17 km distance

    • Bismarckturm tower in 3 km distance

    • Plesse Fortress in 8 km distance

Study in Göttingen

3 higher education institutions in Göttingen

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Göttingen

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Göttingen. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Göttingen are mainly offered in the subject group Language and Cultural Studies, followed by Economic Sciences, Law and Teaching Degrees. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 20

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 38

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 42

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 5

    Art, Music, Design

  • 68

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 14

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 54

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 17

    Engineering Sciences

  • 43

    Teaching Degrees

View over a lake towards the church of St. Johannis and St. Jacobi
©Göttingen Tourismus und Marketing, Bildautor: Christoph Mischke

Your oasis in the middle of the city: recharge your batteries at the Kiessee lake.

Göttinger Strake is a local delicacy, a sausage with a peppery, spicy flavour. Give it a try!

Göttingen is a city with many facets and fascinating details. In the city centre, you will find numerous cafés and shopping opportunities where you can meet your friends for a stroll and a chat in a relaxed atmosphere. And while you wander through the streets, there are many things to discover, from carvings or sculptures to street art.

Göttingen is also the city of culture par excellence: the local semester ticket does not only cover public transport but includes a culture ticket. This gives you reduced or even free admission to various cultural institutions. This way you can enjoy the various museums and events to the fullest. By the way, if you're short of money at the end of the month but still want to experience something, some cultural or musical events are even completely free, even without a culture ticket. Just keep your eyes and ears open!

As befits any student city, Göttingen also hosts numerous festivals – whether film, music, art or sports, there is something for every taste! And for the times between the festivals, the many student pubs and bars, as well as the lively nightlife, invite you to spend an unforgettable time with friends.

In addition to everyday student life and events, however, relaxation should not be neglected – Göttingen also has something for that. A short walk in the countryside to the Stadtwall, the former city fortification, is a good way to recharge your batteries and get some exercise.

A particularly popular recreation area in the city is Lake Kiessee. Here you can rent a small boat from the rental shop or at the sailing and paddling clubs and relax on the lake. If it's cold enough in winter, you can even go ice skating on the Kiessee. You'd rather be in the thick of the forest? That's no problem either because Göttingen's city forest is another recreational area very close by.

A young woman walks through the city
A young woman walks through the cityJan von Allwörden / DAAD

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

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

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