Study in Regensburg, Germany

About Regensburg

Regensburg is a university city in eastern Bavaria where the Danube, Naab and Regen rivers meet. According to the University of Regensburg, the city has 177,123 inhabitants and around 32,000 students. Its old town, with narrow lanes and buildings that are in part more than 1,000 years old, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site for 20 years.

Students choose Regensburg for its size: it is large enough to have a full university and a university of applied sciences, but small enough to cross by bus or bike in a short time. Most teaching is in German, so the city suits students who already speak German or who come to learn it.

Studying in Regensburg

Our directory lists two schools in Regensburg: a university and a language school. The Universität Regensburg (UR), founded in 1962, is a campus university on the southern edge of the city, where all faculties, libraries, cafeterias and sports facilities are on one site. In the summer semester of 2026 it had 18,127 students, 1,430 of them international. Its research areas are grouped under four headings: Dynamics in the Global World, Material Worlds and Sustainability, Digital Transformations, and Integrated Sciences in Life, Health and Disease. The OTH Regensburg, a technical university of applied sciences, shares the campus area.

For German, HORIZONTE is a small language school in the old town that teaches German as a foreign language. Most degree programmes at German universities are taught in German, and most universities require at least level B2; international and English-taught postgraduate programmes are exempt but ask for proof of English. The DSH has to be taken in Germany, while the TestDaF is offered in around 100 countries.

Cost of living for students

The University of Regensburg charges no tuition fees for bachelor's, master's or state examination programmes; only continuing education master's programmes usually have fees. Students pay a semester contribution, which was €181 in the 2024-25 winter semester, including €109 for the semester ticket.

According to the university, a room in a shared flat cost about €444 to €542 a month in the 2025 summer semester (Moses Mendelssohn Institute figures), while the cheapest rooms in student residences cost around €215. The city has 27 student residences run by different providers. The DAAD estimates that students in Germany need between €900 and €1,200 a month, and non-EU students must prove €992 a month for a student visa (DAAD, 2025 figure).

Getting around and daily life

Regensburg is compact, and buses or a bike get students almost anywhere quickly. Students can upgrade their semester ticket to the discounted Deutschlandticket in the RVV regional transport webshop; the regular Deutschlandticket has cost €63 a month since January 2026 and is valid on local and regional transport throughout Germany.

Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland only need an ID card. Students from countries such as the United States, Canada, Brazil or Japan can enter without a visa but must apply for a residence permit if they stay longer than three months; most other students need a national student visa from a German embassy or consulate. A tourist visa cannot be converted into a student visa later.

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay tuition fees at the University of Regensburg?

No, there are no tuition fees for bachelor's, master's or state examination programmes, except continuing education master's programmes. Students pay a semester contribution, which was €181 in the 2024-25 winter semester.

How much does a room in Regensburg cost?

According to the university, a room in a shared flat cost about €444 to €542 a month in the 2025 summer semester; the cheapest student residence rooms cost around €215.

Can I study in English in Regensburg?

Some international and postgraduate programmes are taught in English, but most degree programmes are in German and usually require at least level B2.