In short
Erlangen has 2 universities and colleges offering 297 degree courses (75 Bachelor's, 125 Master's), and 24% of them are taught in English or bilingually. Tuition for non-EU students: FAU from 2027 — From summer semester 2027, FAU charges new non-EU students €1,000–3,000 per semester for Bachelor's and €2,000–6,000 for Master's (State Examination and doctoral programmes excluded). Students enrolled before then are not affected.
Erlangen is a small, green university town where Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) — one of Germany's largest universities — sets the rhythm. Medical technology and engineering dominate: Siemens Healthineers has its headquarters here and the MP3 format was developed at Fraunhofer IIS. Everything is reachable by bike, and Nuremberg is a 20-minute train ride away.
Universities in Erlangen
Every university and college in Erlangen in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg (opens in a new tab)
FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
University 296 courses
Institut für Fremdsprachen und Auslandsstudien bei der Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Other institution 1 course
Cost of living
What studying in Erlangen costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- No figure yetNot covered by the MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 — check the local Studierendenwerk.
- Tuition for non-EU students
- FAU from 2027Plus 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
- Get a bike in your first week — Erlangen is one of Germany's most cycle-friendly cities and buses are slower.
- Look for rooms in Nuremberg or Fürth too: many FAU students commute by S-Bahn, and some faculties are in Nuremberg anyway.
- Plan ahead for the Bergkirchweih at Whitsun — the whole city goes up 'the Berg' for twelve days.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Erlangen.
Siemens Healthineers
Medical technology
Global headquarters in Erlangen.
Siemens
Engineering & tech
Large Siemens campus in Erlangen's south.
Fraunhofer IIS
Research
Applied research institute where the MP3 audio format was developed.
adidas, Puma & Schaeffler
Sportswear & automotive
All headquartered in Herzogenaurach, about 10 km away.
Culture & people
Erlangen's Baroque centre was rebuilt for Huguenot refugees in the 1680s, which gives it unusually straight streets and open squares. Today it is a city of researchers, engineers and students, with a calm, practical feel.
Franconian beer culture is strong: the Bergkirchweih is held in the beer cellars dug into a hill north of the centre, and summer evenings are spent in cellar beer gardens.
Events & festivals
Bergkirchweih
Whitsun (12 days)
One of Germany's oldest beer festivals, under the trees of the beer cellars on the Burgberg.
Poetenfest
Late August
A free literature festival in the palace garden.
International Comic-Salon
Every 2 years (late spring)
The German-speaking world's biggest comic festival, held in even-numbered years.
Places to see
Schlossgarten & Schloss
City
The Margrave's palace — now FAU's main building — and its garden, the students' living room.
Botanical Garden
Garden
FAU's garden right behind the palace.
Franconian Switzerland
Nature
Limestone valleys, caves and climbing crags about 30 minutes away.
Nuremberg
Day trip
Castle, old town and nightlife, 20 minutes by train.
Getting around
Erlangen has no tram — buses and bikes do the job. S-Bahn and regional trains reach Nuremberg in about 20 minutes, and ICE trains on the Munich–Berlin line stop in Erlangen. Nuremberg Airport is about 20–30 minutes away. Bavarian students can buy the discounted student Deutschlandticket (€43 a month in 2026).
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Erlangen, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Erlangen: FAQ
Which universities are in Erlangen?
Erlangen is the main seat of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), one of Germany's largest universities, with faculties in both Erlangen and Nuremberg.
Can I study in English in Erlangen?
Yes. 24% of FAU's courses in our catalogue are taught in English or bilingually, especially Master's programmes in engineering, data science and medical technology.
Does FAU charge tuition fees?
From summer semester 2027, FAU charges new non-EU students €1,000–6,000 per semester depending on the programme. EU students and anyone enrolled before then pay only the semester contribution.
Is Erlangen a good place to study?
Yes, especially for engineering, medicine and medical technology. It is small, safe and cycle-friendly, with Siemens Healthineers and the Herzogenaurach companies close by for internships.
More guides in Bavaria
The whole state: Study in Bavaria
Other university cities
Sources
- FAU — tuition fees for students from non-EU states (opens in a new tab)
- Studierendenwerk München Oberbayern — Bavarian student Deutschlandticket (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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