About Frankfurt
Frankfurt is an interesting city known for its skyscrapers, situated in the banking centre of Germany, and it has exceptional educational opportunities. While it looks like a modern city with prestigious skyscrapers, Frankfurt also has its traditional old charm with cobbled streets, museums on the River Main, and traditional cafés. Frankfurt is home to some of the country's best universities, including Goethe University. The city has a great lifestyle for students, consisting of excellent public transport, with multiple parks and green spaces to relax. It also has major companies and a booming job market providing tons of internships and job opportunities for students.
Best Student Accommodation in Frankfurt
When it comes to affordable student housing in Frankfurt, you’ll find a lot of options. You can find student dorms, student halls, fully furnished private studios, and everything in between, all in safe, easily accessible places near the universities. While you can search for accommodations on your own, here are some amazing student housing in Frankfurt options to check out:
Why Choose Frankfurt for Higher Education
The education offered by Frankfurt is globally known, especially in Finance, Engineering, and Business Management. As Germany’s financial capital, it combines academic excellence with real-world opportunities. With a diverse student population, excellent public transport, and rich cultural life, the city is a smart choice for international students. Frankfurt provides several opportunities to thrive on your academic journey with a cozy lifestyle.
Best Areas for Frankfurt accommodation
When it comes to student housing in Frankfurt, these neighborhoods top the list:
- Bockenheim: Only a hop, skip, and jump from Goethe University’s main campus, Bockenheim is a student favorite. The neighborhood is full of bookstores, cafes, street vending stands, and nightlife.
- Nordend: This is a leafy and trendy neighborhood with a relaxed vibe. Students who appreciate quiet but still want to be in a neighborhood with stores, cafés, restaurants, bakeries, and access to public transportation will not be disappointed.
- Sachsenhausen: A student neighborhood known for its riverside views and apple wine taverns. If students are looking for a neighborhood in Frankfurt that provides an active social lifestyle, Sachsenhausen is ideal.
- Gallus & Gutleutviertel: These promising, less-glamorous neighborhoods are the most affordable accommodation options in Frankfurt, Germany, making them the only practical alternative for budget-conscious students
- Westend: If you would prefer a more upscale environment, Westend is your best option. It is also close to several universities and is home to beautiful architecture and parks.
- City Centre: Great for students who want to live downtown, where shopping, nightlife, and cafes are all within walking distance! While it might be the most expensive area to live in, you can find premium accommodation options in Frankfurt for students that are new and well-furnished.
Different Types of Frankfurt Accommodation for Students
- Private Student Accommodation (PBSAs): Purpose-built student housing in Frankfurt is becoming more popular. These are private student studios in Frankfurt which feature modern student rooms in Frankfurt, en-suite rooms, self-contained studios or shared flats, and typically include all your bills. Facilities such as shared study areas or private study rooms, gyms, and social lounges make these options perfect for students who want to have a little bit of everything in their lives. If you are looking for stylish and secure accommodation in Frankfurt for international students, PBSAs are a great option.
- University-Managed Halls: These halls are always located near major universities, like Goethe University, which are provided by universities, so you can be close to campus life.
- Shared Student Houses and Apartments: shared student apartments in Frankfurt allow students to share flats or houses with other students. This can be the most economical way to live in Frankfurt. These types of student accommodation in Frankfurt will almost always be in student-friendly neighborhoods like Bockenheim and Nordend.
Cost of Living in Frankfurt
The cost of living in Frankfurt for students is comparatively affordable. Here is a quick breakdown:
- Rent: Around €1,150 per month
- Utilities (if not included): Expect to pay between €60 to €115 per month. Most PBSAs include utilities.
- Food & Groceries: Budget around €175-€290 per month. Shopping at local markets and discount supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi can help you save money.
- Transport: you’ll likely spend about €45 per month.
- Leisure & Lifestyle: set aside €115-€230 monthly for eating out, cinema, events, gym, or short trips.
Transportation in Frankfurt
Frankfurt has an efficient and student-friendly transport network:
- Walking and Cycling: Frankfurt is a compact, bike-friendly city. Many students' accommodation in Frankfurt options are within walking or cycling distance of major universities.
- Buses and Trams with Student Discount: Students who live in student accommodation in Frankfurt receive a semester ticket that gives them unlimited public transport to travel across the region for a specified time at a great value.
- Trains: Frankfurt is also a large rail hub. Direct trains run to and from many major cities nationally, including Berlin, Munich, and Cologne. Railcards can also help reduce train fares.
- Frankfurt Airport: Frankfurt Airport is one of the busiest in Europe and is easily accessible from Frankfurt accommodation by S-Bahn (15–20 minutes from the city center). Whether you're flying home or on holiday, it's very accessible from most accommodations in Frankfurt, Germany.
Student Life in Frankfurt
Frankfurt blends learning and lifestyle like no other city:
- Restaurants & Cafés: Grab a veggie döner in Bockenheim or study over coffee at a cozy café in Sachsenhausen.
- Student Clubs & Events: Join student societies at Goethe University or attend international student meetups across the city.
- Markets & Malls: Explore the Kleinmarkthalle for fresh produce and local food, or shop at MyZeil Mall on the Zeil shopping street.
- Weekend Getaways: Hop on a train to Heidelberg, Mainz, or even Paris for a quick change of scenery.
- Libraries & Study Spots: Study in peace at the Stadtbücherei Frankfurt or find your focus in a relaxed café near Westend.
- Live Music & Art: Enjoy jazz nights, indie concerts, and exhibitions at spots like Mousonturm or the Frankfurt Art Association.
Universities in Frankfurt
- Goethe University Frankfurt: Goethe University is one of the most respected public research universities in Germany. The university is recognized for its academic disciplines in the fields of Business, Economics, Law, Natural Sciences, and Humanities, and attracts students from around the world. With modern campuses, strong collaborations with industry, and over 40,000 students, students are offered international research-based education in the heart of Europe.
- Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences (Frankfurt UAS): This is a practice-oriented university and offers a lot of bachelor’s and master’s programs with an employability and innovation-oriented purpose. Frankfurt UAS is ideal for international students seeking career-oriented programs in fields such as Engineering, Business, Computer Science, Social Work, and Architecture.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- University Scholarships: Goethe University Frankfurt and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences offer merit-based scholarships, tuition support, and funding for outstanding international students.
- DAAD Scholarships: One of the most trusted funding sources for international students in Germany, covering bachelor's, master's, and PhD programmes.
- GCC Scholarships: Students from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other Gulf countries can apply through their home country’s Ministry of Education or cultural missions.
- Private & External Grants: Look into Erasmus+, Heinrich Böll Foundation, and Konrad Adenauer Foundation scholarships for additional funding options.
Tips for International Students
- Make sure you apply for your German student visa ahead of time. Ensure that you have met all the entry requirements, including proof of funds and health insurance.
- Once you arrive in Frankfurt, make sure to register your address, open a German bank account, and purchase a local SIM card.
- Search for a part-time job. In Germany, students can work a total of 20 hours each week as a student during semester periods. You can find part-time employment in cafés, shops, or even working for departments within your university.
- Join student clubs or societies at your university. Joining clubs is an excellent way to meet people and adjust to life in Frankfurt.
- Make sure to keep track of your spending and make use of student discounts for transportation costs, entry into museums, and groceries.
- If you need any help, make sure to get in touch with your university's international office. They can support you with aspects of your housing and also your academic studies.
Health & Safety Tips & Student Well-Being Resources
- Frankfurt is a generally safe and student-friendly city, but like any city, it's a good idea to remain careful, particularly at night or when walking in quieter areas.
- Be sure to register with a local doctor soon after your arrival so you can access health services in case you need them.
- Universities in Frankfurt usually even offer free mental health counselling, well-being workshops, and peer support services.
- It is a really good idea to save emergency contacts such as 112 (emergency services), your embassy, or the campus security phone number on your mobile.
- And while things can always be challenging in new situations, do not hesitate to reach out. There are people and an office within your university's international office and/or student services to help you with any situation.
