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Solingen has around 160,000 residents and is known worldwide as Germany's blade city – the historic centre of cutlery production. CBS International Business School operates a study location here with around 5 business-focused programmes. The private offering is limited, but the location between Düsseldorf (25 minutes) and Cologne (30 minutes) provides strategic advantages.
What does CBS offer in Solingen?
CBS focuses on business programmes with an international profile at its Solingen campus. Around 5 programmes are available, including General Management and International Business. Admission is NC-free through an application interview and motivation letter.
The campus benefits from small study groups and proximity to the Rhineland economic region. Solingen itself has decent infrastructure as a city, but is not a typical university town with vibrant campus life.
What does it cost to live in Solingen?
Solingen is relatively affordable for a city in NRW. The cost of living index is 60 (Numbeo). A shared flat room costs around €350 per month – significantly cheaper than Düsseldorf or Cologne.
- Rent (shared flat): €350
- Health insurance: €110
- Groceries & household: €210
- Transport (Deutschlandticket): €49
- Leisure: €80
- Total: approx. €800 per month (excluding tuition)
What alternatives exist in the region?
The Bergisches Städtedreieck (Solingen, Remscheid, Wuppertal) sits centrally in the Rhineland. Düsseldorf and Cologne offer the widest selection of private universities in NRW. CBS itself has larger campuses in Cologne and other cities with a broader programme range.
Frequently asked questions about studying in Solingen
The Solingen campus is smaller and more intimate. You benefit from closer supervision and lower living costs. However, the range of programmes is more limited than at the larger CBS campus in Cologne.
Solingen offers restaurants, cafés and cultural venues as a city, but lacks a pronounced student scene. Most students head to Düsseldorf or Cologne for nightlife and cultural events.
CBS has an international profile with some English-taught programmes. The proximity to Düsseldorf and Cologne – both major international business hubs – also facilitates internships at multinational companies.
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