View of Ilmenau city centre from above, with green nature in the background

Studying in Ilmenau

Ilmenau offers you 4 degree programmes in English at 1 higher education institution.

Ilmenau is situated charmingly in the Ilm River valley, on the edge of the Thuringia Forest. Even Goethe visited Ilmenau regularly and dedicated a poem to it. Today, the town is characterised by the Technical University, which offers you all the benefits of a classic campus university: walking distances between living, studying and partying and an open atmosphere in which you can make friends easily.

With a population of just under 40,000, Ilmenau is a small yet colourful town. Each street in the large pedestrian zone is individually designed, and there are many details to discover on the facades of the old buildings. Small shops invite you inside to look around and in the many cafés and pubs you can recharge your batteries between classes.

Thanks to convenient distances, you can quickly get from the picturesque old town to the modern campus on foot or by bike. Lecture rooms are large and bright, you’ll find high-quality equipment and experience practice-oriented teaching. Almost 5,000 students research and study here in the fields of engineering, information technology, mathematics and natural sciences, as well as business and media. In addition to the now common Bachelor's and Master's degrees, you can also earn the title Diplom-Ingenieur here. In the past, this degree was often seen as a seal of quality for German engineering and is equivalent to a Master's degree. Double degree programmes with international partner universities are also offered.

Internationality is very important here: Approximately 40% of the students come from other countries. The university promotes cultural exchange through various events and programmes. This makes it easier for students to make new friends and learn from each other.

Life in Ilmenau

39,000 residents

High-speed train connections
Erfurt train station in 34 km distance
International airport
Leipzig/Halle airport in 123 km distance
Coast
Baltic Sea in 360 km distance
Mountain range
Thuringian Forest in close vicinity
Other countries
Czech Republic in 100 km distance
Attractions within 100 km
- Adlersberg mountain in 15 km distance
- Ausgebrannter Stein cave passage in 10 km distance
- Lütschestausee reservoir in 13 km distance
- Karst spring in Plaue in 11 km distance

Study in Ilmenau

1 higher education institution in Ilmenau

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Ilmenau

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Ilmenau. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Ilmenau are mainly offered in the subject group Engineering Sciences, followed by Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Economic Sciences, Law. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.

0
Agricultural and Forest Sciences
0
Humanities and Social Sciences
21
Mathematics, Natural Sciences
0
Art, Music, Design
2
Language and Cultural Studies
0
Medicine, Health Sciences
7
Economic Sciences, Law
29
Engineering Sciences
2
Teaching Degrees

View over snow-covered conifers to the Kickelhahn tower

The Kickelhahn towers high above the city: you have a perfect view from here.

It’s tradition to climb the tower on the Kickelhahn at least once for successful studies!

Welcome to the nature paradise of Ilmenau: with the Thuringian Forest next door, you are right in the green heart of Thuringia. Start your discovery tour from Ilmenau and set off on one of many hiking or cycling tours. Breathtaking views, interesting mountain formations and resting places at freshwater springs await you on the trails. By the way, the Goethe hiking trail is particularly popular: here you will traverse landscapes and sites that once influenced Goethe, probably Germany's most famous poet. Who knows, maybe the local nature will inspire you too?

But hiking and cycling trails are just the beginning of your options to stay active! Did you know, for example, that Ilmenau has become internationally famous for bobsleigh and tobogganing? You can try out the toboggan runs on the numerous hills in the area in winter as well as in summer. In addition, the Summer Luge Cup takes place every year on the Lindenberg - here you can even pick up some tips and tricks from the professionals.

The university sports centre also offers a wide range of sports such as outdoor climbing, horseback riding, archery and beach volleyball. And if you prefer to relax after your lectures, the nature reserve “Ilmenauer Teiche” is located next to the campus. You can take a pedal boat or rowing boat out onto the lake and enjoy the peace and quiet. Observant eyes can even discover rare animal and plant species here.

If you're wondering if cultural events take place: Yes, they do - and you will be surprised by how much is going on in this small town! In addition to the Jazz Days, the Old Town Festival or the ISWI (International Student Week Ilmenau), events such as the Impuls Festival or the FilmLebenFestival also take place here. With varied live music, local cuisine and warm-hearted people, you can enjoy the day to the fullest - true to Goethe's motto: "Nothing is to be valued more highly than the value of the day".

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

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

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