If you are looking for a university city that combines a strong student community with a manageable cost of living, Göttingen could be an excellent choice. With around 127,000 residents and almost 30,000 students, the city has a distinctly international and student-friendly atmosphere.
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What is life like as a student in Göttingen?
Student life in Germany can look very different depending on where you study. Göttingen offers the advantages of a university city without the scale of Germany’s largest metropolitan areas. Around 30,000 students live and study in the city, making student life a visible part of everyday life.
For international students, this means plenty of opportunities to meet people, join activities and explore life beyond the classroom. Göttingen also has a long academic tradition and a wide range of cafés, pubs, sports activities, cultural events and green spaces.
At PFH, students can combine this lively city environment with a practice-oriented university experience. The PFH campus in Göttingen is located close to the city centre, making it easy to combine studying with everyday activities and student life.
Is Göttingen affordable for students?
One of the advantages of Göttingen is its comparatively manageable cost of living. The University of Göttingen currently estimates that students need around €850-€1,100 per month to live comfortably, depending on their individual circumstances.
Accommodation can also be more accessible than in Germany's largest cities. According to the DAAD's 2026 city data, student accommodation supplied by the Studentenwerk costs approximately €188–€590 per month, while Göttingen has more than 4,600 student residence places.
This makes Göttingen worth considering when comparing living costs in Germany. A smaller city can allow students to keep more of their budget available for food, leisure, travel and other aspects of university life.
How easy is it to get around Göttingen?
Göttingen is compact and well connected, with many destinations within walking or cycling distance. The city is a place where many everyday destinations can be reached easily by bike or on foot.
Cycling is particularly common: according to the DAAD's 2026 city data, 73.4% of students use a bicycle, while 46.8% walk and 33.9% use public transport.
For PFH students, the central campus location and available semester and culture ticket options also make it easier to explore Göttingen and the surrounding region.
What cultural and social activities are available in Göttingen?
Student life is not limited to lectures and assignments. Göttingen has cinemas, theatres, museums, sports clubs, cafés, pubs and cultural events, while the surrounding countryside offers opportunities to get outdoors.
The city also hosts events throughout the year, including music, theatre, literature and comedy programmes. Its cultural offering gives international students opportunities to experience both German culture and a diverse student community.
Does Göttingen have a strong student community?
With students making up a significant proportion of the local population, Göttingen has a distinctly student-oriented atmosphere. The DAAD records 29,475 students in the city, equivalent to 23.2% of the population.
PFH also supports international students as they settle into life in Göttingen. Our International Student Services connects incoming international students with current students who can help them get familiar with the city and university environment.
Why should international students consider PFH in Göttingen?
Göttingen combines a strong academic environment with a compact, student-friendly city, while PFH offers an applied approach to higher education. Our programmes include areas such as management, business, UX and technology, with practical learning and connections to companies forming part of the university experience.
If you want to experience student life in Germany while studying in a city where campus, accommodation, culture and everyday amenities are relatively close together, Göttingen offers a compelling environment.
Key statistics
- Göttingen has around 120,000 inhabitants and approximately 30,000 students.
- Göttingen has 29,475 university students according to the DAAD's 2026 city data, which accounts for 23.2% of the city’s population.
- Student accommodation supplied by the Studentenwerk costs around €188–€590 per month.
- 73.4% of students cycle, 46.8% walk and 33.9% use public transport.
Post summary
- Around 30,000 students create a lively and welcoming university-city atmosphere.
- Living costs are comparatively manageable compared with many larger German cities.
- The compact city makes cycling, walking and public transport convenient.
- Students can enjoy a wide range of cultural, social and sporting activities.
- PFH combines practical study programmes with an international student experience in the heart of Göttingen.