In short
Kassel has 3 universities and colleges offering 117 degree courses (52 Bachelor's, 62 Master's), and 24% of them are taught in English or bilingually. Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Hesse charges no tuition at public universities. Universität Kassel students, EU and non-EU, pay only the semester contribution.
Kassel is northern Hesse's biggest city, best known for documenta, the world exhibition of contemporary art held every five years, and the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe with its Hercules monument. The Universität Kassel combines engineering, sustainability, social sciences and its renowned art academy. Rents are moderate and the ICE station puts Frankfurt, Hanover and Berlin within easy reach.
Universities in Kassel
Every university and college in Kassel in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Universität Kassel (opens in a new tab)
Universität Kassel
University 110 courses
CVJM-Hochschule
University of applied sciences 6 courses
Musikakademie der Stadt Kassel "Louis Spohr
Other institution 1 course
Cost of living
What studying in Kassel 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
- €0 / 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
- documenta 16 runs from 12 June to 19 September 2027 — a great reason to start in Kassel in 2027, and a chance for student jobs at the exhibition.
- Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe station is on the high-speed line, so weekend trips to Frankfurt, Hamburg or Berlin are easy.
- Catch the Bergpark water features on a Wednesday, Sunday or public holiday between May and October.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Kassel.
Volkswagen Plant Kassel
Automotive
VW's largest components plant, in Baunatal, and northern Hesse's biggest employer.
K+S
Mining & chemicals
Potash and salt producer headquartered in Kassel.
B. Braun
Medical technology
Global medical-products company headquartered in Melsungen, about 30 km south.
Culture & people
Kassel was heavily bombed in the war and rebuilt in a modern style, but it is surprisingly green, with the Karlsaue park in the centre and the Bergpark on the western hills. The Brothers Grimm lived here and collected many of their fairy tales in the region.
Every five years documenta turns the whole city into an exhibition space, and some artworks — like Joseph Beuys's 7,000 oaks — stay for good.
Events & festivals
documenta 16
12 June – 19 Sept 2027
The world exhibition of contemporary art, held every five years.
Bergpark water features
May – Oct
Water cascades down from the Hercules monument on set days.
Zissel
August
Kassel's traditional water festival on the Fulda river.
Fairy-tale Christmas market
Late Nov – Dec
Christmas market themed around the Grimm fairy tales.
Places to see
Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe
UNESCO
Europe's largest hillside park, with the Hercules monument and water features.
GRIMMWELT
Museum
Museum about the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales.
Karlsaue
Park
Baroque park on the Fulda river in the city centre.
Fridericianum
Museum
One of Europe's oldest public museums and documenta's main venue.
Getting around
Trams and RegioTrams link the city with the surrounding region. Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe is an ICE stop on the Hanover–Würzburg high-speed line: Frankfurt is about 1.5 hours away, Hanover about an hour. Frankfurt and Hanover airports are the nearest major airports. Check your semester contribution for the included ticket; the Deutschlandticket costs €63 a month.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Kassel, read by our team before they appear.
Loading experiences…
Studying in Kassel: FAQ
Is Kassel a good place to study?
Yes, if you want an affordable, central city. Universität Kassel offers engineering, sustainability, social sciences and art, charges no tuition, and the city has excellent ICE connections.
Can I study in English in Kassel?
Some programmes, mostly Master's degrees in areas like sustainability and agriculture. 24% of Universität Kassel's courses in our catalogue are taught in English or bilingually.
When is the next documenta in Kassel?
documenta 16 runs from 12 June to 19 September 2027.
Which companies hire students in Kassel?
Volkswagen's Baunatal components plant is the region's biggest employer, alongside K+S, B. Braun in nearby Melsungen and many engineering and logistics firms.
More guides in Hesse
Sources
- documenta — documenta 16 dates (opens in a new tab)
- hessenschau — VW plant Baunatal (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
Ready to find your course in Kassel?
Open the map on Kassel: every university, every course, filtered by degree, subject, language and cost — free.