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Come to study, find your home
Saarland may be one of Germany's smaller regions, but it has a lot to offer. Between its easy access to nature, vibrant food culture and wide range of leisure and recreational activities, Saarland has a lot to offer. The region has a strong sense of community and the people of Saarland are known for being open and friendly. Saarland also has an undeniable international flare. Living in Saarland often means that a visit to France or Luxembourg is only a short bike, bus, tram or train ride away. Saarland's close proximity to its neighbours has also shaped its international outlook and strong academic and research landscape. Come to Saarland to study and you just might find yourself a new home.
Saarbrücken is the state capital of Saarland and the state’s political, economic and cultural centre. With over 180,000 residents and over 30,000 students, Saarbrücken is a lively and diverse university town that boasts a wide range of restaurants and variety of cultural and leisure activities that shape the character of the city and enrich student life.
Living in Saarbrücken
Compared with other large cities, Saarbrücken boasts a relatively low cost of living. According to a German report on the cost of living in student cities, the average cost of a regular apartment in Saarbrücken comes in at €496 – significantly lower than the German average.
Besides the apartments or house shares available on the private market, student residence halls are a particularly good choice for first-year students. A nationwide semester travel ticket is included in the university's modest semester fee, meaning students can travel throughout Germany on regional public transport and do not need to have a car.
Culture and leisure in Saarbrücken
In the heart of Saarbrücken, the Sankt Johanner Markt square is surrounded by restaurants, cafés, bars and nightclubs, making the city centre the perfect place to spend a night with friends. Nearby, the streets of Nauwieser Viertel are lined with cosy bars and cafés that are particularly popular among students. During the summer months, the Nauwieser Festival (Nauwieser Viertel-Fest), the Old Town Fair (Altstadtfest) and the Saarspektakel – a popular event held on the banks of the Saar – attract big crowds from the local region and from neighbouring France. Lovers of culture will also find their place here in Saarbrücken with exciting events such as the Max Ophüls Film Festival – an important festival celebrating up-and-coming talent in German-language film – and the Franco-German Perspectives theatre festival. The Saarland State Theatre also offers an inspiring theatre, music and dance programme throughout the year.
Research and careers
With 14 renowned research institutes located directly on the Saarland University campus, including two Max Planck Institutes, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, world-class research is right at your doorstep. The university's close ties with cutting edge research open up excellent opportunities throughout your studies. You can gain valuable experience as a student assistant, conduct research at an institute as a part of your final thesis and start building important contacts with regional and international employers.
Saarland – small in size, big in ideas
Saarland's unique location in the heart of Europe means your next adventure is never too far away. A short ride on the bus or Saarbrücken's Saarbahn light rail will take you across the border to France. You can even get to Paris in under two hours by high-speed train. Luxembourg, which is only around 100 kilometres from Saarbrücken, doesn't just offer a charming capital city and beautiful landscapes – its buses, trams and trains are free, making it the perfect destination for an excursion. Whether you are taking a short trip to the French city of Metz, venturing to Belgium or taking part in an international project at university, travelling and making connections across borders is a natural part of everyday life in Saarland.
Discover Saarland
Looking for a breath of fresh air after a day of lectures and seminars? In Saarland, nature is right at your doorstep. Enjoy a panoramic view of the Saarschleife (a spectacular meander in the River Saar) from the treetop walkway, explore the primaeval forest just outside Saarbrücken or enjoy some time paddle boarding on Lake Bostalsee. The Saar Polygon, a striking monument commemorating Saarland's coal mining industry, offers visitors breathtaking views of the region. The Bliesgau biosphere reservation to the south-west of Saarbrücken is known for its rich natural diversity. Whether cycling along varied trails, hiking the Saar-Hunsrück-Steig trail or unwinding with friends on the banks of the Saar, the region offers ideal opportunities to take a break from your studies and recharge.
A sense of taste
Saarland is defined by the warmth of its people and its French flair. The region's eventful history has shaped its cosmopolitan identity, its strong community spirit and its open and welcoming culture. The people of Saarland live by the motto 'Hauptsach' gudd gess', meaning all is well if you've eaten well. The saying is not for nothing – Saarland has the highest number of Michelin star chefs per capita in all of Germany. From fine dining and cosy bistros in the old town to barbecues on the banks of the Saar and summer campus festivals, enjoying life and the company of others is at the heart of the Saarland way of life.
Saarbrücken Campus
The main university campus is located in a pleasant woodland setting only a few kilometres from the centre of Saarbrücken. The campus has plenty of cafés and lawns that are ideal for meeting up with friends or relaxing between classes. In addition to the Mensa, which is the university’s main student canteen, the Mensa Café and the Mensa food truck, the campus is also home to other smaller restaurants, such as AC Café, COMAME Campus and the Philo Café. Nearby forests and an open-air animal park ('Wildpark') provide the perfect place for a walk or a jog after class. With over 60 different types of sports and a fully equipped gym, our UNISPORT Centre offers plenty of opportunities to stay active, meet new people, and maintain a healthy study-life balance.
Homburg campus
The medical school and Saarland University Medical Center are located 30 kilometres away (about 19 miles) in the town of Homburg, where around 2,000 students study medicine, dentistry, human and molecular biology and bioinformatics. The Saarland University Medical Center plays a leading role in teaching, research and clinical care and its reputation extends well beyond Saarland's borders. Students at the Homburg campus also enjoy access to UNISPORT Centre facilities in Homburg and the two campuses are connected by a direct shuttle bus that runs multiple times daily.
Studying at Saarland University
Saarland University is defined by its excellent research, practice-oriented teaching and international environment. Saarland University's 16,000 students hail from over 120 different countries and enjoy the university's broad spectrum of innovative degree programmes, a comprehensive range of student support services and a lively campus.
- Diverse degree programmes: From computer science and engineering to medicine, psychology, law, languages and teacher training programmes, Saarland University students can choose from a broad spectrum of degree programmes, with opportunities to combine different subjects and tailor their studies to their individual interests.
- An international environment: Around 24% of our student population comes from outside Germany, creating a campus enriched by many different perspectives.
- Personal Support: Individual counseling and guidance provided by the Central Student Advisory Service, the Welcome Center, and the AStA.