Goettingen
The city of Goettingen (Göttingen) is located southern Lower Saxony in Germany, making it the geographical centre of the country. It is well connected by all means of public transport with popular German cities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Hannover and Hamburg being only a two-hour train ride away.
Of the 134,000 inhabitants, 28,000 are students. Goettingen is a city devoted to research and science. Besides hosting the university, five Max Planck Institutes and other scientific institutions, such as the German Primate Center and the German Aerospace Center can be found in the city. More than forty Nobel Prize winners are linked to having pursued their research career while living in Goettingen.
The city centre is compact and many places are in walking distance to each other. Goettingen was founded in the Middle Ages and many of its houses are reminiscent of that time, leaving a city centre that is compact with numerous places within walking distance of one another. It is well known for its impressive churches and town buildings, the traditional Old Town Hall, its Botanical Garden and, of course “Gänseliesel”, a bronze statue of a girl that receives kisses from freshly graduated doctoral students.
To find out more about Goettingen, go to the University’s city portrait or the official city Goettingen homepage.
UGOE’s International Office also provides information for international students.
Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
The University of Goettingen was founded in 1737 in the Age of Enlightenment and has a strong focus on research-based teaching and learning. Its 13 faculties are committed to research in the field of natural sciences, mathematics, informatics, humanities, law, social sciences and medicine.
It has a high reputation in the world of academia with partnerships and networks in ninety countries worldwide. Of 200 degree programmes, more than 60 Bachelor, Master and PhD programmes are taught in English language. Over 11 per cent of the student body originates from abroad. The University of Goettingen ranks #24 in the QS World University Ranking from 2019 in the subject of “Agriculture and Forestry”.
The University’s campuses are located throughout the city, easy to reach by bicycle or bus depending on where you live.
Get in contact with UGOE’s International Office.
Accommodation
Goettingen offers many types of accommodation, which include private or shared rooms in student dormitories, as well as rooms in a shared apartment (the locally referred to “Wohngemeinschaft – WG”). Private studio apartments are also available only sparingly on the housing market. The University’s International Office can assist students in finding accommodation if informed early enough. Make sure to arrange accommodation well in advance, as like most university cities, there is a shortage of rooms at the start of every winter semester. While the monthly rent in student dormitories ranges from € 170 to € 270, rooms on the private housing market cost between € 250 to € 400. Typically, a student will pay upwards of € 250 / month for a room in a shared flat.
For more information go to the University’s Accommodation Services or download Goettingen’s accommodation guide.
Residence Permit/Visa and Registration
People who plan to stay in Germany for more than three months need to register at the Residents’ Registration Office (Einwohnermeldeamt) within the first two-week of residing within a specific city. You will need to present your passport as well as a confirmation from the landlord/landlady (“Wohnungsgeberbestätigung”) stating that you reside at a specific address. Find out more about registration in Germany here.
Climate
Goettingen has a temperate warm climate with quite a lot of rainfall the whole year round. The average temperature in summer is around 20 °C but can reach up to 30 °C. Winters can be snowy and cold or mild and rainy, with temperatures that may fall below 0 °C.
Transportation
Goettingen’s city centre is a pedestrian only area and acts as the main centre for shopping. Most people make use of the city’s extensive system of bicycle tracks or use the public bus, which is free for students (upon showing your student ID card), to access the city centre and other places of interest. The most common mode of transport for students is a bicycle.
Find out more about transportation in and around Goettingen.
Living expenses
The cost of living in Goettingen is average for European standards with a number of discounts for students, upon receiving your student card and registering with the city. Expect to pay around € 750 per month.
Estimated monthly expenses:
*Price of “transportation tickets” for using the buses and the railpass, see here; the students will get the semester ticket automatically with being enrolled.
Bicycle (used/new: €60-€90/€200) or semester ticket with student card
Last updated: 15.02.2023
