Stuttgart - Universities, Living Costs & Things to Do and See (2023)

Stuttgart is located in the South of Germany in the state of Baden-Württemberg, with a population of around 632,743 people. It is one of the most preferred student cities in Europe, offering numerous study programmes and opportunities to advance career-wise. Studying and living in Stuttgart is a truly unique and worthy experience, taking into consideration that Germany is known worldwide for its teaching excellence and highly-regarded living and studying conditions.

One might best know Stuttgart for its automobile history. If you visit Stuttgart, you will find two global companies who have their headquarters here, Porsche and Daimler. This city is also known for its wine. More specifically, Stuttgart’s climate makes the ideal conditions for vines, with the wine tradition going back 1,000 years. But there are numerous other reasons why students simply love Stuttgart, and we’ll go through them below.

Stuttgart Universities

Germany has a rich tradition in education, attracting students from all around the world into its campuses. Stuttgart, in particular, is among the most famous cities when it comes to student life. Three of Stuttgart’s universities were founded in the first half of the 19th century, further proving that their expertise is unquestionable.

Here are some of the best universities in Stuttgart:

The University of Stuttgart

The University of Stuttgart is the largest university in Stuttgart while being a technically-oriented university with a global reach. Its research-based teaching is focused towards high-quality and holism, while the university itself offers a comfortable and diverse environment where students can study and socialize in the best way possible.

The University of Hohenheim

This one is the oldest university in Stuttgart, named after the beautiful Hohenheim Palace. Founded in the year 1818, this university focuses towards agricultural and food sciences, natural sciences, but it offers degree programmes in business, economics, and social sciences as well.

Stuttgart Media University

This university is focused in the field of media, offering degree programmes in levels of qualification such as bachelor and master degrees, in a variety areas of study. This university has an over-a-century expertise in education.

Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences

This university is for those interested in practice-oriented education. However, it is important to note that the majority of their degree programmes require the applicants to know a certain level of the German language. On the upside, the recent years have seen a rise in English-taught programmes at this university.

Why study in Stuttgart?

Stuttgart is known as the center of economic activity. There are a variety of leading companies that can benefit students for the better, by providing insights into business practices as well as opening their doors towards job opportunities and career development.

In addition, you get to pursue your qualification and earn your skills by experts in their professions. You will be situated in a diverse environment where you will get an international perspective on a wide range of areas. Stuttgart universities are known for their teaching excellence, and through their world-class facilities and equipment, students will definitely be exposed to the latest technology.

The cost of studying in Stuttgart is also one of the reasons why studying in this city is a great idea. The cost you will be required to pay to study in one of Stuttgart’s universities is surely much lower than in most countries. And matched with the budget-friendly living costs in Germany, it makes a perfect study destination.

Moreover, if you enjoy traveling, Stuttgart should certainly be your go-to choice! In addition to the high-quality education and cost of studying, this beautiful city is also positioned in a perfect location for travelers. Being in the southwest of Germany, countries like Switzerland, France, or Austria are locations you can easily book for the weekend. Having its own airport and train system is surely a plus for Stuttgart.

Living in Stuttgart

Living in Stuttgart might just be a pretty little adventure! It is a lovely city surrounded by valleys and vineyards, and it has a diverse population coming from all around the world. The city is spread across several hills and The Black Forest, said to have inspired the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, is no more than two hours’ drive from the city.

If you enjoy a glass of wine once in a while, so do Stuttgarters. During the summers, the wine village Stuttgarter Weindorf offers people the chance to taste more than 500 wines from regions of Württemberg and Baden.

Cultural life is also an advantage of living in Stuttgart. You can make use of the State Theatre, State Gallery art museum, and the State Opera. There is also the Summer Festival which attracts numerous people from all around the world to its premises every summer.

Those who are into cars, well you can visit the Mercedes-Benz museum and the Porsche museum once you’re in Stuttgart, where you can see a variety of historic vehicles. But cars are not the only predominant thing in this city. Football fans will most likely know VfB Stuttgart, the most famous football club in Stuttgart.

Although most industrial cities are known to be dirty or polluted, Stuttgart is far from that. While situated near the hills and valley, Stuttgart is a clean and unpolluted city with nice reviews from anyone visiting it.

What’s the cost of living in Stuttgart?

In comparison to other cities in Germany, living in Stuttgart is quite affordable. Taking into consideration that students pay low tuition fees, or not at all, to pursue a degree in German universities, one of the biggest challenges you might face is renting in Germany.

It has been estimated that the monthly costs for a single person in Stuttgart reach the amount of 764.54€, excluding rent.

Where to live in Stuttgart?

While trying to find a place to live in Stuttgart, one of the first terms you’ll come across is halbhöhenlage. This translates to “half-way up the hill”, referring to the hilly location of Stuttgart. In addition, the rent prices have been increasing over the past years. However, it does not mean you won’t be able to find anything affordable in Stuttgart.

While there are not many flats available in the city centre due to the office buildings, universities, and public buildings; there are options you can choose from in the suburbs. Generally, in every city, rental prices are higher in the city centres and much more affordable outside of the centre. Nevertheless, the pricing also depends on the size of the flat or other circumstances relating to furnishing or utilities, so the prices can’t be definite.

The average rent prices of apartments in Stuttgart are:

However, as a student in Stuttgart, you have numerous possibilities to spend less money on rent. Other options besides renting an apartment on your own are getting a shared apartment or living in the dormitories.

There are plenty of dormitories you can choose from in Stuttgart listed in

Studierendenwerk Stuttgart, with prices ranging from:

• Under 250 €
• From 250 € to 300 €
• Over 300 €

Public Transport in Stuttgart

Germany is known for its versatile public transport. Stuttgart, too, has its own share of trains and buses. So, getting around in Stuttgart is pretty simple. And with the comprehensive public transport the country offers, you won’t have to worry about getting lost.

Means of transportation in Stuttgart range as follows:

• U-Bahn in Stuttgart. U-Bahn is also known as Stadtbahn or Straßenbahn, translating to “light rail” or “tram”. You can recognize the U-Bahn due to its yellow color. In order to find the station, simply look for the blue signs with a white “U”. Keep in mind that this type of transport only runs within the city borders and sometimes in the areas surrounding it.
• S-Bahn in Stuttgart. The S-Bahn is Stuttgart’s commuter train which runs longer distances in comparison to the U-Bahn. It uses a red carriage and you can recognize it due to its green “S” on white background. This mode of transportation connects Stuttgart to cities like Esslingen, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Herrenberg, or Filderstadt.
• Buses in Stuttgart. Buses can be prone to traffic since they share the road with other cars. However, they are pretty reliable and mostly on time. Buses are yellow and you can recognize the bus stop through a green and yellow circle showing a green “H” which stands for “Haltestelle” (“Stop”).

Which are the best places to visit in Stuttgart?

Stuttgart is a wonderful destination to visit and getting to spend your student years here will definitely be an outstanding experience. Stuttgart is also known as one of the most appealing cities in Germany for tourists, with its art and car museums, palaces, and markets.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Stuttgart:

The Mercedes-Benz Museum

This museum is a must-visit for automobile lovers. It celebrates more than 130 years of history in over 1500 exhibits covering nine floors. Here, you can find 160 vehicles starting from the first to ever be built and all the way to prototype cars of the future. Among them you can also find the world’s first motorcycle from 1885.

Staatsgalerie Stuttgart

Art lovers unite! Stuttgart’s State Gallery has one of the finest art collections in Europe, while being one of the most visited museums in Germany. This gallery is best known for its collection of 20th century paintings, including works by Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Marc Chagall, and more.

Solitude Palace

Commissioned by the 18th-century Duke of Württemberg, Charles Eugene, this retreat was a peaceful escape from court life. This palace is known for its Rococo and Neoclassical architecture, and it is definitely a worthy and royal destination to be visited.

Markthalle

This is the city’s market hall where you can find specialty foods and exotic treats, among others. It was built in 1914 and it is a daily visit routine for many people in the city. Its Art Nouveau design makes the visit to this place an experience on its own, where you can wander around and simply enjoy everything.