Student Accommodation in Germany: Cheap, Best, Price
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Germany is home to many top universities and attracts thousands of international students each year. When you arrive in Germany, one of the first things you need to arrange is your accommodation. This article presents details on student accommodations in Germany.
Finding suitable places to stay in Germany can be challenging for Indian students - especially in big cities like Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt. The demand for housing is very high in these cities. Indian students must be aware of the best cities in Germany for international students to come to a decision. Student accommodations in Germany cater to different budgets and lifestyles of students coming from abroad. The most common ones are student dormitories, shared apartments and private rentals.
Start looking for an accommodation as soon as you receive confirmation of acceptance from your university. Many dormitories have limited spaces and so they fill up quickly. Rent can vary depending on type of accommodation and its location. Dormitories generally cost €250 to €450 per month while shared apartments cost €300 to €650. Private apartments can cost between €500 and €900 per month.
- Why Renting an Accommodation in Germany is a Challenge for International Students?
- Types of Student Accommodation in Germany
- Costs of Student Accommodations in Germany
- How to find Student Accommodation in Germany?
Why Renting an Accommodation in Germany is a Challenge for International Students?
While education is affordable or even free in Germany, renting a student accommodation is a big challenge. Many students spend nearly 50% of their monthly expenses on rent. The real challenge here is not just finding a place to live but finding an affordable place to live. The more popular the city - the higher the rent. That's why knowing your options and starting early is important.
Also read- Checklist for Indian Students Going to Germany
Types of Student Accommodation in Germany
There are three main types of accommodation in Germany for students-
Student Halls of Residence
A Hall of Residence or a Hostel is usually the most preferred mode of accommodation for first-year international students for many reasons. The fact that they offer the cheapest options also adds to the many advantages of staying in student halls. However, the challenge is finding a room in one. Like many international universities, German Universities do not promise you accommodation and it is available on strictly first come first serve basis. Usually, there is a waiting list and you might be offered a Temporary Residence (read below).
As per costs, they cost on an average around €220 - €240 per month. You can always get in touch with the International Office or the Student Council of the University you have applied to. Another thing to keep in mind is that most of the students start their studies in the Summer Session and the rooms are accordingly taken. So, in case you are planning to start your studies from the Winter Session, we still advise you to start searching for accommodation during the summer session and register a room. You can search for them at the DAAD’s Accommodation Finder.
Shared Accommodation
Every student appreciates the experience of staying in a student hostel and then every student also understands and appreciates the many advantages of staying in private and shared accommodations. While the former offers affordability, prudent search and good company can also make shared accommodations rather fun. And with the shortage of rooms in halls of residence, they are also a more convenient and economical accommodation option.
These apartments usually have 2 – 3 rooms and are shared by different students. The rentals are split and so are the usual utilities like internet, power, etc. On average, shared accommodation costs you around €280 a month. This again would depend on the location you choose. Since they are often free housing market, it is not really regulated and hence is rather high in rentals. There are many websites where you can search for some. Also, some social networks would also give you options. You can also get in touch with the student unions in the city you are planning to go for some assistance. Some helpful links would be www.wg-gesucht.de, www.studenten-wg.de, and www.wg-cast.de.
Apartment
A lot of international students also prefer to stay along and apartments (one, two or three-room accommodations) are also famous. Especially, since a large number of students choose to do their PhD from Germany, the need for an apartment might be higher (considering you might wish to take your family along with you). With many Scholarships in Germany, offering to cover the accommodation of your spouse as well, it is also a rather effective option.
There are many options available for standalone apartments for international students and options at an average of €350 are not too difficult to come by. Usually, these places are advertised in the local newspapers on specific days. You can also search for special websites like www.immobilienscout24.de, www.immowelt.de, and www.immonet.de.
Check- Study German language in Germany for International Students
Costs of Student Accommodations in Germany
Learn about average costs of renting student accommodations in Germany-
| Cost of Student Accommodations in Germany |
|
|---|---|
| Dormitories |
€250-€450/month |
| Shared Flats |
€300-€650/month |
| Private Apartments |
€500-€900/month |
Also read- Living cost in Germany for International Students
How to find Student Accommodation in Germany?
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Start early- Begin looking for a place as soon as you get your university admission letter.
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Use university resources- Check your university’s website for information on various housing options.
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Join student groups- Connect with other students on social media or forums and discuss about their nearby housing options.
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Consider temporary housing- If you reach Germany before finding an accommodation, stay in hostels or alike places while you still search for your preferred one.
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Have your documents ready- Keep have documents of enrollment and identification ready for these will be required at the time signing a contract.
Often a large waiting list necessitates the universities (mostly the big ones) to offer temporary accommodation to international students. These are just makeshift arrangements in the gymnasiums and as the name suggests - these are only a temporary solution until you find a permanent one out of the above ones. If you are truly unable to find a solution, you can get in touch with your universities’ international office.
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So start your search and be prepared. You might still have some months to go before you actually travel to Germany but even as you read - the options are being picked up.
Heidelberg University is among the top choice of international students to continue higher education in Germany. The university is home to over 31,365 students, out of which 6,191 are newly enrolled and around 6,296 are international students. Heidelberg University Germany campus life attracts international students the most.
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Exam preparation
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Student Curriculum Vitae
Schiller International University Germany is among the top choices of international students for pursuing higher education in Germany. Schiller International University Germany offers around 7 programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for international students. Some popular programs at SIU Germany opted by international students are such as International Marketing, Computer Science, MBA, MSc in Data Science, etc. SIU Germany offers various scholarships for its international students. Schiller International University Germany placement rate attracts international students the most. The Schiller International University Germany placement rate stands at 95%, and the graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation.