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Göttingen is a student city through and through: around 32,000 students live in a city of 120,000 – one of the highest student-to-population ratios in Germany. In the private higher education sector, PFH Private University of Applied Sciences is the central institution. With over 10 programmes in business, technology, psychology, and health, PFH covers a broad range – in a city that has been shaped by student life for centuries.
Why study at a private university in Göttingen?
Göttingen lives for and with its students. The infrastructure, dining scene, and cultural offerings are all geared towards the university community. Add a Nobel Prize tradition (45 laureates have researched or studied in Göttingen), affordable rents, and short distances – and you have an ideal student city.
PFH: The private university in Göttingen
PFH was founded in 1995 and is the only private university in Göttingen. The programme portfolio includes over 10 degrees: business administration, business psychology, business informatics, composite technology (unique in Germany), orthobionics, and more. PFH emphasises small study groups and close supervision.
Composite technology: A unique selling point
PFH is the only university in Germany offering a bachelor's and master's degree in composite engineering (fibre-reinforced materials). These materials are used in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and wind energy – demand for specialists is high.
Research and scientific tradition
Göttingen hosts several Max Planck Institutes, the German Primate Centre, and the Göttingen Academy of Sciences. The scientific infrastructure is exceptional for a city of this size. For students considering a research career, the environment is ideal.
What does it cost to live in Göttingen as a student?
Göttingen is one of western Germany's most affordable university cities. The cost of living index is 64. Monthly total costs: €720–920.
Rent and housing
A room in a shared flat costs between €300 and €430 per month. The city centre, Ostviertel, and Nordstadt are popular. The Studierendenwerk Göttingen offers dormitory rooms from around €200.
Sample monthly budget
- Rent (shared flat): €370
- Health insurance: €110
- Semester ticket: €25
- Groceries & household: €190
- Leisure & culture: €80
- Total: approx. €775 per month (excluding tuition fees)
Admission, requirements, and financing
PFH is NC-free. Tuition starts from around €500/month for on-campus programmes. PFH also offers distance learning from around €250/month. BAföG is available. PFH awards its own scholarships.
International applicants
If you hold a non-German qualification, verify recognition at anabin.kmk.org. PFH offers selected English-taught modules and supports international students with German language courses. Göttingen's low living costs and compact, walkable city centre make it an attractive base for international students on a budget. The city's research infrastructure also offers opportunities for academic networking.
Frequently asked questions about studying privately in Göttingen
Composite technology (fibre-reinforced materials engineering) deals with high-performance materials used in aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and wind energy. PFH is the only university in Germany offering this as a standalone degree programme.
Very. Around 27% of the population are students. This visibly shapes the city: affordable pubs, student cultural events, cycling infrastructure, and a lively shared-flat culture are part of daily life. The centre is compact and nearly everything is walkable or reachable by bike.
Yes. PFH offers several bachelor's and master's programmes as distance learning – including business administration, business psychology, and business informatics. Tuition for distance learning is lower than for on-campus programmes.
Göttingen has an ICE stop. Hanover is reachable in 30 minutes, Frankfurt in 2 hours, Berlin in 2 hours. Within the city, everything is reachable by bike. The compact size makes a car unnecessary.
Orthobionics is a programme at PFH that combines orthopaedic technology with engineering. You learn to develop and fit prostheses and orthoses – at the intersection of medicine and technology. The programme is unique in Germany and leads to a profession in high demand.
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