# Study in Kassel, Hesse

> 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.

**Find a course:** https://app.whereismyuni.com/dashboard/map?area=HE&city=Kassel

## Cost of living

- Rent: no figure in the 2026 rent study
- 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.
- 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

- **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.

## 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.

## Sources

- [documenta — documenta 16 dates](https://documenta.de/en/news/documenta-16-findet-vom-12-juni-bis-zum-19-september-2027-statt)
- [hessenschau — VW plant Baunatal](https://www.hessenschau.de/wirtschaft/proteste-bei-vw-in-baunatal-beschaeftigte-bangen-um-jobs-v2,vw-baunatal-aufsichtsrat-100.html)

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Published by [Where Is My Uni?](https://whereismyuni.com) — every German university on one map. Canonical page: https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/hesse/kassel. Last updated November 2026. [How we research](https://whereismyuni.com/study-in/how-we-research).