Frankfurt is Germany’s financial centre, home to the European Central Bank, the German stock exchange, and one of the busiest airports in Europe. Skyscrapers make it look unlike any other German city, and its compact, international character suits students heading into finance, economics, or law more than those chasing an old-town postcard image.

Universities and major institutes

Goethe University Frankfurt
Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
Städelschule (fine arts)

Cost of living

Frankfurt’s banking economy pushes rents up, though it remains a notch below Munich. A room in a shared flat typically runs €550 to €850 a month, with Westend and the areas nearest Goethe’s main campus sitting at the higher end and Bornheim or the Nordend offering somewhat better value. Groceries for a single student generally cost around €200 to €270 a month if shopping is kept to discount chains rather than the upmarket supermarkets clustered near the financial district. Tuition at Hesse’s public universities is generally free for standard degree programmes, but every student still pays a Semesterbeitrag each term, usually a few hundred euros, which typically bundles in administrative costs and a transport contribution. Given the competitive rental market near the centre, expect landlords to ask for a deposit at or near the legal maximum of three months’ rent.

Getting around

The RMV network covers Frankfurt with U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, and buses, and the city’s small footprint means most student neighbourhoods are a short ride, or even a walk, from the centre. The Deutschlandticket has become the default way to travel regionally, and many Frankfurt universities fold a subsidised version into the Semesterbeitrag, so check your enrolment paperwork before buying a separate pass. Cycling works well too: the city is flat, distances between districts are short, and a growing network of bike lanes makes commuting by bicycle a realistic option for most of the year.

Weather and lifestyle

Frankfurt’s climate is fairly typical for central Germany: grey, damp winters with occasional snow, and warm, sometimes humid summers. What sets the city apart is Ebbelwei culture, the local apple wine served in traditional taverns around Sachsenhausen, which gives student social life a distinctly regional flavour alongside the international banking crowd. Along the Main river, students gather on the banks in summer for picnics and impromptu gatherings once the weather turns, and the riverside museum district hosts open-air events through the warmer months.

Working while you study

Given Frankfurt’s concentration of banks, consultancies, and law firms, Werkstudent roles in finance and professional services are relatively easy to find for students studying relevant subjects, and they often pay better than equivalent roles elsewhere in the country. Minijobs remain common in hospitality and retail around the busy airport and city centre. As elsewhere in Germany, non-EU students face a yearly limit on full working days without an additional permit, and because that figure has been revised before, it is worth confirming the current rule directly with the international office rather than assuming an old number still applies.

Neighbourhoods for students

Bockenheim : the traditional university district.
Westend : central and leafy, near Goethe’s main campus.
Sachsenhausen : south of the river, lively and popular.
Bornheim / Nordend : residential and well-connected.

Studying in Frankfurt