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View from above of the festively illuminated Nuremberg Christmas Market
©Mapics – stock.adobe.com

Studying in Nürnberg

Nürnberg offers you 19 degree programmes in English at 9 higher education institutions.

Nuremberg is not a typical student city, but the metropolitan heart of the region Franconia which offers multi-cultural flair, world-class museums and, of course, the world-famous “Chistkindlesmarkt” in December. Stroll around, go shopping or visit a pub. In Nuremberg, you can choose to do this in trendy neighbourhoods or in the old city with its narrow streets, half-timbered houses and imperial castle.

Walking through the streets of Nuremberg will make you believe you are in a fairy tale and a modern European city at the same time. While the city of Nuremberg took heavy damage during World War II, it was rebuilt to keep its old character in place. Nuremberg is the second-largest city in the state of Bavaria, with over 500,000 inhabitants. While it doesn’t have a high number of students, Nuremberg offers plenty of events, activities and opportunities.

When exploring the old town, all roads eventually lead to the Kaiserburg. Located at the top of a hill, this fortified castle was an important location for German kings and emperors who traveled throughout the Holy Roman Empire. Walk back down the hill to meet your classmates at the beautiful main square and buy fresh vegetables from the daily market or grab yourself some famous Nuremberg Bratwursts - three of these small sausages come in a “weckla”, or bread roll, a perfect snack on the go! In December, this square is where the famous Christmas market is held. But if you want to avoid the mass crowds, visit it after lecture on a weekday, since on the weekends it is overfilled with tourists.

Life in Nürnberg

523,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    In close vicinity

  • Coast

    Mediterranean Sea in 450 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Franconian Jura in 30 km distance

  • Other countries

    Czech Republic in 110 km distance

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Franconian Switzerland in 30 km distance

    • Cadolzburg Castle in 17 km distance

    • Medieval old town of Bamberg in 51 km distance

    • Medieval old town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber in 66 km distance

Subject groups of degree programmes in Nürnberg

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Nürnberg. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Nürnberg are mainly offered in the subject group Economic Sciences, Law, followed by Teaching Degrees and Art, Music, Design. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 0

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 36

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 31

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 56

    Art, Music, Design

  • 5

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 12

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 79

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 37

    Engineering Sciences

  • 57

    Teaching Degrees

The Maxbrücke bridge over the Pegnitz River, with Nuremberg's historic city centre in the background
©Kavalenkava – stock.adobe.com

Many enchanting and sometimes historic bridges cross the Pegnitz River.

Right next to the city wall, the Handwerkerhof displays traditional Franconian handicrafts.

Ask anyone born in Nuremberg if they are a Bavarian and you might get a strange look. That’s because the city is the unofficial capital in the region known as Franconia and was, for most of its history, an independent area. Nuremberg is the second most important city in Bavaria and will offer many career opportunities after you are done with your studies. Nuremberg is strong in the areas of information and communications technology, market research, energy, printing, power electronics, and logistics.

Numerous festivals are a part of the city’s social life. In June, the largest open-air festival in Germany takes place, Rock im Park. Over 70,000 people gather to hear several rock bands play at the Volkspark Dutzendteich. Other large festivals are the Altstadtfest or the Volksfest, where you can find delicious food and beer tents.

If you need some fresh air after a tough week of studying, then the area of Franconian Switzerland is just a stone’s throw away. Rock climbing and hiking are two of the most prominent activities that visitors enjoy or head deep into the earth by exploring the numerous caves in the area, including the famous Devil’s Cave. Nuremberg itself also offers many parks to enjoy nature where you can go on walks, picnics or enjoy botanical gardens. The city’s zoo is one of the outdoor highlights. It is one of the largest in Europe and has approximately 300 different animals. A perfect distraction from your courses.

Nuremberg offers a big city life with a small-town feel. The fact that it doesn’t have a high number of students means, compared to other big cities, the housing market isn’t as expensive and student housing is more available. If you want to be surrounded by students, you can take the S-Bahn to the nearby student town of Erlangen, which you might need to do anyway if you study at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Students from Erlangen come to Nuremberg as well to get a taste of the big city and find more places to party. Tourists flock to Nuremberg to enjoy its medieval flair and unique character, if you study here, this will be a part of your everyday life.

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 Nürnberg, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de