Weimar to Heidelberg: The best German university towns for foreign students

Though many international students are attracted to the bright lights and buzzing atmosphere of Germany's major cities, there are plenty of reasons to opt for a smaller town.

The cost of living tends to be much more affordable, students can enjoy a more peaceful setting with access to the great outdoors, and those who choose to stay will face far less competition for job opportunities.

Of course, there are downsides, such as the fact that getting by without German may be a lot trickier in more provincial environments. That said, practicing your language skills daily is bound to be an advantage later on - and during your studies, you'll still have a community of international students to connect with.

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If that sounds appealing, it's likely that opting for a smaller university town is the right choice for you. But which are the best towns for students - and how do you choose between them?

In a recent comparative study, student information portal Studying in Germany revealed the top five small and medium-sized university towns for international students.

Here's what you need to know about each of them.  

Heidelberg

Situated along the banks of the Neckar river in southwestern Germany, Heidelberg is home to the oldest - and arguably most prestigious - university in Germany.

It was founded in 1386 in the days of the Holy Roman Empire and has maintained a reputation for academic excellence to this day, with dozens of nobel laureates having passed through its doors. 

Students who study there today can bask in an atmosphere steeped in history, from the charming medieval streets of the Old Town to the fairytale castle nestled high up in the rolling hills.

On study breaks, a stroll along the famous Philosopher's Walk can inspire you as you trace the footsteps of centuries of great German thinkers, not to mention the renowned American author Mark Twain. 

With a population of around 160,000, Heidelberg feels halfway between a small town and a big city, and with students making up 25 percent of the population, you won't have to compromise on an active social life.

Though this bustling student scene and romantic atmosphere are certainly big pros, there are some downsides to Heidelberg. Due to Baden-Württemberg's unique tuition fee rules, students from non-EEA and non-EU countries have to pay €1,500 per semester, equating to €3,000 per year. 

Equally, the history and beauty of the town make it a major draw for tourists, so you may have to wade through a sea of tour groups while heading to the library each day. 

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Tübingen

Though definitely on the small side, the southwestern town of Tübingen is a place with a big personality - and an equally packed social calendar.

That may be down to the fact that, of around 91,000 residents, a whopping 28,000 of them are students, making Tübingen a true university town.

Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, the town itself is easy to get around by bicycle, bus and on foot, and residents say they love its lively atmosphere and the pristinely pretty town centre. 

Much like at Cambridge and Oxford University in the UK, students in Tübingen also have a unique boating culture. On a sunny day, you can see groups of young people drifting along the Neckar in Stocherkähne: traditional wooden punts that are typical in the region.  

Tübingen's Eberhard Karls University was founded in 1477 is counted among the oldest in Europe, giving the town a strong academic tradition that dates back centuries.

However, there are some downsides to factor in when it comes to this student paradise - not least the cost of living. Compared to other similarly sized towns, Tübingen is an expensive place to live, so you may struggle to make ends meet on savings or a grant alone. 

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Equally, job opportunities are quite scarce in the city, so if you want to stay after graduation, a commute to nearby Stuttgart may well be on the cards. 

Freiburg

Nestled on the outskirts of the Black Forest and surrounded by rolling hills and majestic mountains, Freiburg is a haven for those who love the great outdoors. 

With its eco-friendly reputation, cosy pubs and cafes and blissfully sunny climate, this small Baden-Württemberg city punches well above its weight in terms of of popularity, so its no wonder that thousands of international students choose to study there each year. 

That said, Freiburg's Albert Ludwig University is a draw in and of itself, consistently ranking among the top universities in the country. 

With around 24,520 students - a fifth of whom are from abroad - the university offers a welcoming atmosphere for internationals. But for anyone needing more of a cosmopolitan feel, Switzerland and France are each less than an hour away by train. 

Unfortunately, international students from non-EU and non-EEA countries are required to pay tuition fees of €1,500 per semester in Freiburg, making it a far less budget-friendly choice than other German universities.

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Marburg

Located in the central German state of Hesse, Marburg is in many ways a quintessential German town with a rich academic tradition.

Its winding streets and medieval architecture create a charming backdrop for student life, making it a popular destination for those seeking a traditional experience and a sense of immersion in German life. 

One of the main advantages of studying in Marburg is how convenient the city is. The town is small enough that almost everything is within walking distance or a quick bus or bike ride away, making it easy for students to navigate and explore. 

If you do start to get itchy feet, however, you'll be reassured to know that bustling Frankfurt am Main is just an hour away by train, so you can access the culture, nightlife and cuisine of a major city at any time.

Marburg's Philipps University was founded way back in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest institutions in the country, and these days more than a fifth of the student population are international students. 

However, for those who don't speak German, it can be incredibly hard to find a job in Marburg, with language barriers making it a difficult town for foreigners to settle in. 

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Weimar

With a population of just 65,000 people, Weimar is the smallest university town on this list, but this tiny Thuringian city is an indisputable cultural giant.

Back in the 18th century, the renowned writers Johannes Wolfgang Goethe and Friedrich Schiller developed Weimar Classicism movement here, and you can still visit the houses where the two men lived and where some of the greatest works of German literature were composed.

Beyond Goethe and Schiller's houses, the town is home to a further 10 UNESCO World Heritage sites, not to mention more than thirty museums and other cultural sites that will keep even the keenest culture vultures entertained.

Based in the former GDR, Weimar is still a highly affordable place to live, with average living costs for students estimated at just €750 per month, including rent. And for those who want to escape to the city once in a while, trendy Leipzig is just over an hour away by train.

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That said, there are some downsides to Weimar. Though more than a quarter (27 percent) of students at the Bauhaus University are international, former eastern states like Thuringia don't always have a reputation of being welcoming to migrants, and you may struggle to get by without decent German.

Equally, the university's narrow focus on technical and artistic fields may make it harder for students in other areas to find a study programme that's right for them.