Study in Kempten (Allgäu), Bavaria (2026): Universities, Rent, Jobs & Student Life

In short

Kempten (Allgäu) is a district-free city in Bavaria with 67,645 people (Destatis, 31 Dec 2024). It has one university: Kempten University of Applied Sciences (Kempten (Allgäu)). Summers average 16.8 °C and winters -0.2 °C, with about 1,223 mm of rain a year (DWD, 1991–2020).

Kempten (Allgäu) in numbers

Population

67,645Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Area

63.28 km²Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

People per km²

1,069Destatis 2024 (opens in a new tab)

Universities in the district

1Where Is My Uni? catalogue (opens in a new tab)

Kempten University of Applied Sciences

Typical student rent

€332–442 per monthSource (opens in a new tab)

Total monthly rent for a furnished single apartment at Reichlinstraße 12, as listed on the operator’s undated page, checked November 2026. Internet is currently included. This is a residence price range, not a citywide average.

Average temperature

8.2 °C a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Rain

1,223 mm a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Sunshine

1,802 hours a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

Frost days

116 a yearDWD 1991–2020 (opens in a new tab)

About Kempten (Allgäu)

Kempten is an independent city in Bavaria’s Allgäu region, on the River Iller near the northern edge of the Alps. It serves as a regional centre for education, shopping and services (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).

Its historic centre reflects two neighbouring communities: the imperial city and the settlement around the prince-abbots’ monastery. Today, Roman archaeology, the Residenz and the old town offer different ways to understand that history (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Neighbourhoods

Innenstadt / Altstadt
The old town includes student accommodation in Mittelgasse and Brennergasse, close to the pedestrian shopping streets (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)).
Campus area / Zugspitzstraße
The Zugspitzstraße student residence adjoins the university campus and is a short walk from the main railway station (Sozialbau (opens in a new tab)).
St. Mang
This neighbourhood contains the LUDWG student residence on Ludwigstraße, with a nearby bus stop and access to campus by bicycle or public transport (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)).

Universities here

Universities in Kempten (Allgäu), biggest first.

Kempten University of Applied Sciences is the local university. Living near campus can make everyday study practical: Sozialbau’s Zugspitzstraße residence is directly beside it (Sozialbau (opens in a new tab)). The local semester ticket covers public buses in Kempten and the surrounding specified Allgäu districts, which helps students living farther away (mona (opens in a new tab)). Kempten is worth considering if you want a smaller university city and enjoy outdoor time; the Iller cycle route runs through the city (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Kempten University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences · Kempten (Allgäu) · 42 courses
Website (opens in a new tab)

Find a course in Kempten (Allgäu)

Housing

Start early, particularly for affordable accommodation: the university says subsidised rooms are limited and in high demand (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)). Studierendenwerk Augsburg lists a waiting time of one to two semesters for its Reichlinstraße residence; this is a residence-specific indication, not a measure of the whole private market (Studierendenwerk Augsburg (opens in a new tab)).

The typical student rent we found, and what that figure covers, is in the key facts.

How to find a place

Use the university’s accommodation directory and apply to several operators directly; the university does not itself arrange ordinary private rentals (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)).
Apply to Sozialbau’s Zugspitzstraße residence if proximity to campus is your priority; its official page links to the application form (Sozialbau (opens in a new tab)).
Ask Studierendenwerk Augsburg about its private-room referral service for Kempten; the university lists English-speaking contacts (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)).
Exchange and programme students should ask the International Office about reserved rooms in Zugspitzstraße and Reichlinstraße (Exchange-student information (opens in a new tab)).

Student residences

Wohnanlage Reichlinstraße (opens in a new tab)
Studierendenwerk Augsburg
Furnished single apartments at Reichlinstraße 12, with bus access to campus (Official residence page (opens in a new tab)).
Studentenwohnheim Zugspitzstraße 12–18 (opens in a new tab)
Sozialbau Kempten
Furnished apartments and rooms in shared flats directly beside the university (Official residence page (opens in a new tab)).
Studentenwohnheim Prälat-Götz-Straße 6 (opens in a new tab)
Sozialbau Kempten
Furnished apartments and shared-flat rooms near the centre; the operator gives a campus walk of approximately 15–20 minutes (Official residence page (opens in a new tab)).

Cost of living

The university’s published budgeting guide estimates food at €280–330 per month; treat this as planning guidance rather than a guaranteed personal budget (University cost guide (opens in a new tab)). From summer semester 2026, the standard semester contribution is €115, including €30 for the local semester ticket. An additional €500 per semester applies to non-EU students newly enrolled from winter semester 2025/26 in Corporate Sustainability & Sustainable Finance, Electrical Engineering, Global Business Development or International Engineering, subject to exemptions (University fee rules (opens in a new tab)). The optional discounted Deutschlandticket is listed at €38 per month for Kempten students after crediting the semester-ticket contribution, checked November 2026 (Studierendenwerk Augsburg (opens in a new tab)). For inexpensive leisure, admission to the Kempten-Museum is free (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Jobs & employers

Useful sectors to investigate include logistics, engineering and automation software. DACHSER has its head office in Kempten, Liebherr recruits students at its local gear-technology operation, and CODESYS offers working-student positions, internships and thesis opportunities. These are credible starting points for applications, rather than a promise of an available job (DACHSER (opens in a new tab), Liebherr (opens in a new tab), CODESYS (opens in a new tab)).

Typical student jobs

Working-student roles in automation software, plus related internships and thesis projects at CODESYS (Student opportunities (opens in a new tab)).
Logistics internships involving operational processes and project work; filter DACHSER’s listings for Kempten (DACHSER internships (opens in a new tab)).
Technical student opportunities in gear technology and automation at Liebherr’s Kempten operation (Liebherr careers (opens in a new tab)).

Major employers

DACHSER SE (opens in a new tab)
Logistics
The company’s head office is on Thomas-Dachser-Straße in Kempten (DACHSER (opens in a new tab)).
Liebherr-Verzahntechnik GmbH (opens in a new tab)
Gear technology and automation
Its Kempten careers page covers student opportunities, apprenticeships and dual study in gear technology and automation (Liebherr (opens in a new tab)).
CODESYS Group (opens in a new tab)
Industrial automation software
Recruits in Kempten for its automation-software business and offers routes for students from internships to master’s theses (CODESYS (opens in a new tab)).

Getting around

Kempten Hauptbahnhof lies south of the centre, with city buses connecting it to the central area; walking to the pedestrian zone takes approximately 30 minutes (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)). The university semester ticket covers public buses in Kempten, Kaufbeuren, Oberallgäu and Ostallgäu, plus specified local on-demand taxis; it is not a nationwide rail ticket (mona (opens in a new tab)). A Deutschlandticket covers participating local buses and regional trains, generally excluding IC, EC and ICE services (Deutsche Bahn (opens in a new tab)). DB lists a fastest Kempten–Munich journey of about 1 hour 25 minutes and also offers direct connections; check your actual departure because journey times and changes vary (DB route guide (opens in a new tab)).

Main stations

Kempten (Allgäu) Hauptbahnhof — the main station for rail connections towards Munich, Augsburg and Ulm (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Nearest airport

Memmingen Airport / Allgäu Airport

Approximately 45 km from Kempten. The airport shuttle connects with Memmingen railway station, where you can continue by train to Kempten (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Weather & seasons

Long-term averages from the German Weather Service station Kempten (3 km from the district centre), 1991–2020.

Winter

-0.2 °C

81 mm rain a month

2.9 h sun a day

Spring

7.9 °C

95 mm rain a month

5.5 h sun a day

Summer

16.8 °C

143 mm rain a month

7 h sun a day

Autumn

8.3 °C

88 mm rain a month

4.1 h sun a day

Expect cold winters with frequent frost, a gradual spring warm-up and generally mild summers. Summer is also the wettest season, so waterproof clothing remains useful even during the brighter months. Autumn brings cooler conditions again. For student life, plan for warm layers on the morning journey to campus and keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming summer means reliably dry weather.

Culture, language & food

Kempten’s identity combines its Allgäu setting with the history of a Catholic abbey settlement and a Protestant imperial city. The Kempten-Museum explains this former ‘double city’ through its exhibitions (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)). The Hildegardplatz market is a regular part of local life on Wednesdays and Saturdays (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

There are bars, pubs and clubs, so evenings need not revolve entirely around campus. Expect a smaller-city setting, and check the late-bus timetable before choosing where to live or planning a night out (Kempten nightlife guide (opens in a new tab)).

English-taught programmes provide a route into studying in Kempten, but check the exact programme requirements: some also require German, and German-taught degrees have programme-specific language thresholds (University language requirements (opens in a new tab)). For everyday independence, aiming for conversational German is sensible; English should not be assumed for every housing or workplace interaction. The university offers German-as-a-foreign-language classes (International Office FAQ (opens in a new tab)). Local speech has a strong Swabian influence despite the city’s Allgäu identity (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)).

Local food

Allgäuer Kässpatzen
Soft egg noodles combined with cheese and onions, a regional staple featured by the local tourism board (Allgäuer Alpen recipe (opens in a new tab)).
Kemptener Krautkrapfen
Rolled dough filled with sauerkraut; the tourism board’s local recipe also includes bacon, so ask before assuming it is vegetarian (Kempten Tourism recipe (opens in a new tab)).
Allgäuer Bergkäse and Allgäuer Emmentaler
Regional cheeses highlighted in Kempten’s culinary guide, useful choices for a simple bread-and-cheese meal (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Places & events

Places to see

Archäologischer Park Cambodunum
Archaeology
Explore Kempten’s Roman past through an open-air archaeological site and reconstructed buildings (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Kempten-Museum im Zumsteinhaus
Museum
A city-history museum opposite the Residenz, with free general admission (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Basilika St. Lorenz and Hildegardplatz
Historic landmark
The basilica, surrounding square and adjoining Residenz form a useful starting point for exploring the former abbey town (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Prunkräume der Residenz
Palace
The ceremonial rooms introduce the world of Kempten’s prince-abbots (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).
Iller-Radweg
Nature
The long-distance cycle route between Ulm and Oberstdorf passes through Kempten, offering a starting point for rides along the river (Kempten Tourism (opens in a new tab)).

Events

Kemptener Jazzfrühling (opens in a new tab)
Spring; the 2026 opening was scheduled for 25 April.
An annual jazz event with performances in public spaces and indoor venues (Background (opens in a new tab)). The city-centre calendar confirms its 2026 opening date (Citymanagement Kempten (opens in a new tab)).
Stadtfest Kempten (opens in a new tab)
Summer; 3–5 July in the 2026 calendar.
Kempten’s recurring city festival is listed in the local annual events calendar (Citymanagement Kempten (opens in a new tab)).
Allgäuer Festwoche (opens in a new tab)
August; 8–16 August in the 2026 calendar.
An annual regional fair combining business exhibitions with cultural and sporting activities (Background (opens in a new tab)). Its August dates are confirmed in the 2026 local calendar (Citymanagement Kempten (opens in a new tab)).

Kempten town hall and Rathausplatz
The Cambodunum archaeological park in Kempten

Student experiences

First-hand posts from students in Kempten (Allgäu), read by our team before they appear.

Loading experiences…

Studying in Kempten (Allgäu): FAQ

Is Kempten a good place to live as a student?

Kempten is worth considering if you want a smaller city with accommodation close to campus: the Zugspitzstraße residence directly adjoins the university (Sozialbau (opens in a new tab)). Affordable rooms are in demand, so start your housing search early (University housing guide (opens in a new tab)).

Is there a university in Kempten?

Yes. Kempten University of Applied Sciences is based in the city and offers both German-taught and selected English-taught programmes; language requirements depend on the degree (University language requirements (opens in a new tab)).

How expensive is student accommodation in Kempten?

Studierendenwerk Augsburg lists furnished single apartments at Reichlinstraße for €332–442 total monthly rent, checked November 2026. That is one residence’s price range, not an average for private rooms across Kempten (Studierendenwerk Augsburg (opens in a new tab)).

Can students get around Kempten without a car?

The local semester ticket covers public buses in Kempten and specified surrounding areas, making public transport a practical option. It also includes the on-demand taxi service within the Kempten and northern Oberallgäu tariff area, subject to booking rules (mona (opens in a new tab)).

How long does the train from Kempten to Munich take?

Deutsche Bahn lists a fastest journey of approximately 1 hour 25 minutes and also advertises direct trains. Check the specific departure, as some journeys involve a change and take longer (Deutsche Bahn (opens in a new tab)).

Where can students look for technical work in Kempten?

CODESYS offers working-student roles, internships and thesis projects in its automation-software business (CODESYS (opens in a new tab)). Liebherr’s Kempten careers page is another starting point for engineering-related student opportunities (Liebherr (opens in a new tab)).

More guides

Study in Bavaria

Sources & photo credits

Last updated November 2026. Population and area: Destatis. Weather: Deutscher Wetterdienst. Universities and courses: our catalogue. Everything else was researched from the sources below and checked — how we research these guides.

Sources

Photo credits

Panoramic view of Hildegardplatz and Residenzplatz with St. Lorenz Basilica and the Residenz — Neitram (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0
Kempten town hall and Rathausplatz — TH.Korr (opens in a new tab), CC BY 3.0
The Cambodunum archaeological park in Kempten — Kritzolina (opens in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0

Study in Kempten (Allgäu)