Cologne, or Köln to locals, is one of Germany’s largest and oldest cities, instantly recognisable for its towering cathedral and its exuberant carnival season. The Rhineland reputation for open, easygoing friendliness holds up well here, and the city runs one of the country’s biggest universities alongside a strong media and creative sector.

Universities and major institutes

University of Cologne
TH Köln (Cologne University of Applied Sciences)
German Sport University Cologne
Cologne University of Music and Dance

Cost of living

Cologne remains noticeably cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt, which is part of its appeal for students weighing options across Germany. A room in a shared flat typically runs €450 to €750 a month, with Sülz and Lindenthal near the university sitting at the higher end and Kalk or Mülheim across the Rhine offering better value. Groceries generally cost around €190 to €260 a month for someone cooking most meals at home, in line with the national average for mid-sized German cities. Tuition at public universities in North Rhine-Westphalia is free for standard degree programmes, though the Semesterbeitrag, a per-term contribution usually running to a few hundred euros, still applies and typically covers administration and a transport allowance. Deposits of two to three months’ rent are standard when signing a lease.

Getting around

Cologne’s Stadtbahn tram network, paired with local and regional buses, covers the city well, and the compact centre means many students can reach lectures on foot or by bike most days. The Deutschlandticket is widely used for anything beyond walking distance, and it’s often included at a reduced rate through the Semesterbeitrag, so check what your enrolment already covers. Cycling culture here is strong and practical: the city is largely flat, cycle paths run along much of the Rhine, and a bike is often the fastest way to cross town during carnival season when parts of the centre close to traffic.

Weather and lifestyle

Cologne’s climate is mild by German standards, with winters that are grey and damp rather than harshly cold, and summers that bring long, warm evenings along the Rhine. Carnival, running through the weeks before Lent, is the defining event of the local calendar and effectively takes over the city for several days, with costumes, parades, and packed bars from Weiberfastnacht onward. In summer, the riverside promenades and beer gardens fill up quickly whenever the sun appears, and a Kölsch, the local pale beer served in small glasses, is the drink of choice.

Working while you study

Werkstudent roles are readily available given Cologne’s media, broadcasting, and insurance sectors, and students often find part-time work that ties into their field of study. Minijobs are common in the city’s retail and hospitality scene, particularly around the university and the busy Ehrenfeld district. As across Germany, non-EU students face an annual limit on full working days without an extra permit, and since the precise number has shifted before, it’s worth checking the current rule with your university rather than assuming an older figure still holds.

Neighbourhoods for students

Ehrenfeld : creative, multicultural, popular with students.
Sülz / Lindenthal : near the university, leafy.
Belgisches Viertel : trendy and central.
Kalk / Mülheim : more affordable, east of the Rhine.

Studying in Cologne