In short
Konstanz has 4 universities and colleges offering 151 degree courses (63 Bachelor's, 84 Master's), and 40% of them are taught in English or bilingually. A student flat costs about €598 a month (30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €559), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). Tuition for non-EU students: €1,500 — Baden-Württemberg charges non-EU students €1,500 per semester at public universities, including the University of Konstanz and HTWG. EU students pay only the semester contribution.
Konstanz sits on Lake Constance, directly on the Swiss border, and its old town was barely touched by war. The University of Konstanz is a young University of Excellence on a hill above the lake, strong in biology, psychology, politics and economics, while HTWG Konstanz covers engineering, business and design. In summer, students swim in the lake between lectures.
Universities in Konstanz
Every university and college in Konstanz in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of University of Konstanz (opens in a new tab)
University of Konstanz
University 105 courses
- Website of Hochschule Konstanz Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule Konstanz Technik, Wirtschaft und Gestaltung
University of applied sciences 38 courses
- Website of Allensbach Hochschule Konstanz, staatlich anerkannte Hochschule der European Education Group GmbH (opens in a new tab)
Allensbach Hochschule Konstanz, staatlich anerkannte Hochschule der European Education Group GmbH
University of applied sciences 6 courses
- Website of HTWG Konstanz - University of Applied Sciences (opens in a new tab)
HTWG Konstanz - University of Applied Sciences
University 2 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Konstanz costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- ≈ €598 / month30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €559), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026
- Tuition for non-EU students
- €1,500 / semesterPlus the semester contribution every student pays. The rules are summed up in In short.
- Proof of funds for a visa
- €992 / monthThe proof of funds German missions currently ask of student-visa applicants (€11,904 a year) — confirm with the German embassy or consulate handling your application.
Good to know
- Housing is tight because the lake and the border limit space — apply to Seezeit (the local Studierendenwerk) halls early.
- Shopping is cheaper on the German side; Swiss neighbours cross the border to shop in Konstanz, so Saturdays are busy.
- Get a bike: the ride from the old town up to the university campus takes about 15 minutes.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Konstanz.
Siemens Logistics
Logistics technology
Postal, parcel and airport logistics systems, with a major site in Konstanz.
Swiss employers
Cross-border
Kreuzlingen is across the street and Zurich about an hour away — check Swiss work-permit rules first.
Tourism & health
Services
The lake region's hotels, clinics and island attractions are big employers.
Culture & people
Konstanz feels like a holiday town all year: a medieval old town, a harbour with the rotating Imperia statue, and lake beaches where students meet after class. The Council of Constance (1414–1418) is still the city's proudest historical moment.
Swabian-Alemannic Fasnacht takes over the streets in winter, and the Swiss border runs right through the neighbourhood of Kreuzlingen, so crossing countries is part of daily life.
Events & festivals
Seenachtfest
August
A lakeside summer festival with music and fireworks over the harbour.
Fasnacht
Jan – Feb
Swabian-Alemannic carnival with masked parades.
Christmas market on the lake
Late Nov – Dec
Stalls along the harbour and on a moored ship.
Places to see
Mainau
Island
The 'flower island' with gardens, a palace and a butterfly house.
Reichenau Island
UNESCO
Monastic island with early medieval churches, a World Heritage Site.
Imperia
Landmark
The rotating statue at the harbour entrance.
Rhine Falls
Day trip
Europe's most powerful waterfall at Schaffhausen, about 45 minutes away.
Getting around
Buses connect the old town, the university and HTWG, and ferries cross the lake to Meersburg and Friedrichshafen. Regional trains run along the Lake Constance shore and towards Singen, Offenburg and Stuttgart. Zurich Airport is about an hour away by train. Check whether your semester contribution includes a semester ticket; the Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month but does not cover Swiss trains.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Konstanz, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Konstanz: FAQ
Is Konstanz a good place to study?
Yes — the University of Konstanz is a University of Excellence on Lake Constance, and the town offers a relaxed, outdoors lifestyle. The main drawback is a tight housing market.
Can I study in English in Konstanz?
Yes. 40% of the courses in our Konstanz catalogue are taught in English or bilingually, including many Master's programmes at the University of Konstanz.
Is Konstanz expensive for students?
A 30 m² student flat costs about €598 a month and a shared-flat room about €559 (MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). Supply is limited, so start looking early.
Can I work in Switzerland while studying in Konstanz?
It is possible but not automatic: non-EU students need a Swiss cross-border work permit in addition to German residence rules, so check with the Swiss authorities and your university first.
More guides in Baden-Württemberg
The whole state: Study in Baden-Württemberg
Other university cities
Sources
- MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 (IW / MLP) (opens in a new tab)
- University of Tübingen — tuition fees for international students (Baden-Württemberg) (opens in a new tab)
- Bodensee — Konstanz Seenachtfest (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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