Good reasons for studying in Thuringia:
Reason One
A first-class education in the Land of Ideas
Germany is an outstanding location for education and research and a German university degree can open up first-rate career prospects in the international labour market.
Excellence in Research
Germany is home to some of the best and most prestigious research institutions in the world such as the highly regarded Max Planck and Leibniz Institutes, and the institutes of the Fraunhofer Society and the Helmholtz Association. Even though they cooperate very closely with German universities, they also work autonomously meaning that their groundbreaking research achievements are set apart from general international university rankings.
The label "Made in Germany" enjoys a high reputation worldwide, not only with regard to industrial goods and cultural offerings, but also with regard to academic degrees and educational certificates.
Raul:
“I decided to come here because Germany is well known for its quality of engineering and for designing not only cars, but machines in general. It's a dream come true to be here.”
Raul is from Honduras. He studies Scientific Instrumentation at the University of Applied Sciences Jena.
Did you know?
With a funding volume of 3.6 billion euros, the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft: DFG) funded more than 31,600 ongoing research projects in Germany in 2021 alone.
Reason two
Impressive
range of study programmes
Thuringian universities offer hundreds of degree programmes, providing a wide range of opportunities that can develop your personal and professional education. More and more degree courses are also now being offered in English.
Yun:
"Compared to other big cities, we have fewer students here. So in a seminar or a tutorial, we can easily ask what we don't understand and the teachers take care of every single one of us.“
Yun is from Malaysia. She studies Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
In Thuringia, you can study anything that interests you and advances your career - from agricultural management and ancient history, renewable energies and mechanical engineering to industrial engineering and dentistry. The Thuringian universities not only shine with a distinctive research atmosphere and state-of-the-art equipment, but also with optimal study conditions.
Did you know?
Depending on the course of study, you can obtain a wide range of degrees at Thuringia’s universities. Whether it be a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or a diploma, state examination or doctorate. Many degree programmes are extremely practice-oriented!
8 Idylic cities
> 500 Courses of study
50:1
Thuringia is the German federal state with the best ratio of professors to students.
Reason Three
Familiar
atmosphere
Managable cities, numerous cultural and leisure activities and an excellent student-to-staff ratio - as part of the 'Campus Family', you are more than just an anonymous student number.
Strangers become friends
Most universities in Thuringia have programmes and initiatives that bring international students into contact with locals. They help you break out of the bubble of your international peers, so you can really experience what this country has to offer.
In Thuringia's university towns, the distances between halls of residence, seminar rooms and student clubs are very short. This makes it very easy to make friends and also to meet them regularly - even if you only move around the city on foot or by bike.
Veronica:
"At cafe international we organise programmes for international students who want to know things about other countries and who are interested in cultural exchange. It’s a lot of fun!"
Veronica is from Ghana. She studies Pharmazie at the University of Jena.
Koorosh:
“Sometimes I attend the university jogging group. We meet every Tuesday and the professors also come!“
Koorosh is from Iran. He studies Renewable Energy Systems at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.
Unite!
Germany is a country of associations and clubs. There are not only countless sports clubs here, but also cultural associations for music, photography and dance. These clubs are an excellent way for international students to make friends quickly.
Reason Four
Affordable
studies
The public universities in Thuringia do not charge tuition fees. In addition, the general cost of living, e.g. for rent and food, is particularly low here. The best conditions for completing your studies without financial worries!
Did you know?
According to the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), students in Germany spend an average of 867 euros per month on rent, food, clothing, leisure activities, etc. In Thuringia, you can get the most out of these expenses, especially as you benefit from great discounts on cultural activities and public transport as a student.
Compared to the German metropolitan regions, Thuringia offers its students a very high quality of living at affordable prices. In no other federal state are so many student residences subsidised by the state.
Karla:
“I think it's super cheap to live in Thuringia, compared to, for example, Berlin or other big cities.”
Karla is from Mexico. She studies Media and Communication Science at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
Koorosh:
“One of the biggest advantages of German universities is that they don't charge tuition fees.”
Koorosh is from Iran. He studies Renewable Energy Systems at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.
Reason Five
Central location
Students in Thuringia benefit from the perfect location in the heart of Germany. Would you like to see the German coast today? Or hike through the mountains of the Alps tomorrow? When you study in Thuringia, none of this is a problem!
Roc:
“I like to travel around Germany. By taking the train in two hours you can almost reach everywhere in Germany.”
Roc is from Spain. He studies Orchestral Conducting at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.
Thuringia is a good starting point for your educational trips in Europe. Even without getting on a plane, from here you can easily visit cosmopolitan cities like Prague or Paris, Vienna or Venice.
Did you know?
Thanks to the semester ticket, students can travel through Thuringia free of charge – and sustainably, by bus, tram and train!
In the middle of it all
With public transport you can travel to Munich in less than 3 hours, to Berlin or Frankfurt in about 2 hours and to Halle or Leipzig in less than 1 hour.
Reason Six
A Secure and Open Society
Modern Germany is proof that security and an open society need not be a contradiction in terms. You can also move freely and feel safe in Thuringia's university cities.
Diversity Network
If you feel discriminated against, you can quickly find professional support from the diversity and equal opportunities officers at your university. Thuringian universities have even set up their own diversity networks.
Germany is not only stable and legally secure, but also diverse. Here you can be and live how you want - regardless of origin and religion, gender and sexual orientation.
Sakshi:
“Thuringia as a place is huge. It has a lot of of diversity because a lot of people are coming from different backgrounds and different countries.”
Sakshi is from India. She studies Public Policy at the University of Erfurt.
Raul:
“It's great that if you come here, you'll find a nice, clean and safe place.”
Raul is from Honduras. He studies Scientific Instrumentation at the University of Applied Sciences Jena.
Yosra:
“I've felt totally safe since I came to Germany. I feel very calm at the moment. My head is clear and life is good.”
Yosra is from Syria. She studies Medical Technology at the Ernst-Abbe-University of Applied Sciences Jena.
Did you know?
In no other German state do as many women study as in Thuringia, namely 54.9 %
One in eight students in Thuringia are international. In some places it’s even one in four.
Reason Seven
Wide range of Recreational Opportunities
Mountains, rivers, lakes and untouched forests - the green landscape of Thuringia is ideal for anyone who wants to recharge their batteries in nature during their studies. There's also a lot to see here for lovers of culture.
UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
There are currently three UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Thuringia: Wartburg Castle, classical Weimar and the Bauhaus. The idyllic, often medieval towns of Thuringia also offer numerous first-class museums and galleries, theaters and concert halls for lovers of the fine arts.
Outdoor enthusiasts get their money's worth in Thuringia. Would you like to go climbing, mountain biking or skiing in the Thuringian Forest? Or would you prefer canoeing or paragliding? For every season, there are numerous opportunities for you to discover the green heart of Germany under your own steam.
Karla:
“You really are surrounded by the Thuringian Forest here. So at least here in Ilmenau you can always go hiking if you want to reflect on your life or just relax. It's really beautiful.”
Karla is from Mexico. She studies Media and Communication Science at Technische Universität Ilmenau.
Roc:
“Germany is the country with the most orchestras and opera houses in the world. Even a small town like Weimar has its own opera house and orchestra. And 20 kilometers away in Jena, there's another orchestra. Also in Erfurt and in Gotha.”
Roc is from Spain. He studies Orchestral Conducting at the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar.
