Living in Hamburg
With one of the largest ports in the world, Hamburg is Germany’s „Gateway to the World“ fusing a rich history with a modern, international environment, creating a unique ambiance and culture. Some neighbourhoods like St.Pauli and Sternschanze are trendy and immensely popular among students. This also applies to Eimsbüttel due to its proximity to the University. Appartments and rooms in Altona and Ottensen are in equally high demand as are the expensive districts on the bordering Alster Lake like Neustadt, Rotherbaum and St.Georg. Apartment hunters with limited budgets should explore alternatives outside the city center. It is recommended to start looking for accommodation as soon as you can! Vacant dorm rooms provided by the student services like Studierendenwerk fill up quickly and searching on the free market may take months.
Is it difficult to find a room in Hamburg?
The housing market in Hamburg is quite competitive and it can be difficult to find a cheap room in Hamburg. You should therefore start your search early. Students usually live in shared accommodation, small apartments or student residences. Prices for small rooms start at 250 Euros per month and are mostly above 400 Euros. You should check which bills are already included in the rent (electricity, phone or internet bill are generally excluded).
Does the University offer student residences?
Yes, the University has a limited amount of student residences available. A certain amount is usually kept for international students, but you should definitely apply early since there are always more applications than spaces. You can find more information on the pages of the Studierendwerk Hamburg. http://www.studierendenwerk-hamburg.de/studierendenwerk/en/wohnen/
Does a place in the IAS Master guarantee a space in a student hall of residence?
No, a place in the IAS programme does not automatically include a space in a student hall of residence! You have to apply for a room separately. Please understand that the IAS team can also not give much assistance when searching for a room (especially regarding guarantor agreements, etc). Please contact the student services of the University of Hamburg in case you need help.
