In short
Trier has 2 universities and colleges offering 246 degree courses (122 Bachelor's, 122 Master's), and 18% of them are taught in English or bilingually. A student flat costs about €536 a month (30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €421), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Rhineland-Palatinate charges no tuition at public universities for EU or non-EU students; you pay only the semester contribution, which includes a semester ticket.
Trier is Germany's oldest city, founded by the Romans, and its Porta Nigra, baths and basilica are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Universität Trier is strong in the humanities, psychology, law and economics, and Trier University of Applied Sciences covers engineering, design and environmental topics. With Luxembourg just across the border, many students take part-time jobs or internships there.
Universities in Trier
Every university and college in Trier in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Universität Trier (opens in a new tab)
Universität Trier
University 159 courses
- Website of Hochschule Trier - Trier University of Applied Sciences (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule Trier - Trier University of Applied Sciences
University of applied sciences 87 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Trier costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- ≈ €536 / month30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €421), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026
- 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
- Shared flats are good value here — a WG room costs about €421 on average.
- Public transport inside Luxembourg is free, so a weekend trip across the border is cheap once you get there.
- Learn some German and French: cross-border jobs in Luxembourg often ask for both.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Trier.
Luxembourg's finance & EU sector
Cross-border
Banks, funds, EU institutions and tech firms in Luxembourg City, about 45 minutes away.
JTI
Consumer goods
Japan Tobacco International runs a large factory in Trier.
Volvo Construction Equipment
Machinery
Compact-excavator plant in Konz, just upriver.
Bitburger
Brewing
One of Germany's best-known breweries, in Bitburg, about 30 km north.
Culture & people
Trier is small, relaxed and walkable, with Roman monuments on everyday routes to class. Karl Marx was born here, and his birthplace is now a museum.
The Moselle valley's steep vineyards start at the city's edge, so wine festivals, river cycling and evening walks along the banks are part of student life.
Events & festivals
Altstadtfest
June
The old town's big summer street festival.
Moselle wine festivals
Summer
Wine festivals in Trier's districts and the villages along the river.
Christmas market
Late Nov – Dec
Stalls on the Hauptmarkt and in front of the cathedral.
Places to see
Porta Nigra
UNESCO
The best-preserved Roman city gate north of the Alps.
Imperial Baths
UNESCO
Ruins of a vast 4th-century Roman bath complex.
Constantine Basilica
UNESCO
Emperor Constantine's throne hall, still standing.
Karl Marx House
Museum
The philosopher's birthplace, now a museum.
Getting around
City buses cover Trier and the campuses and are included in the semester ticket. Regional trains reach Luxembourg in about 45 minutes and Koblenz in about 1.5 hours along the Moselle. Luxembourg Airport is the nearest airport; Frankfurt Airport is about 2.5 hours away.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Trier, read by our team before they appear.
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Studying in Trier: FAQ
Which universities are in Trier?
Universität Trier and Trier University of Applied Sciences, with 246 courses in our catalogue.
Is Trier expensive for students?
It is fairly affordable: a 30 m² student flat costs about €536 a month and a shared-flat room about €421 (MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026).
Can I work in Luxembourg while studying in Trier?
Many Trier students do, as Luxembourg City is about 45 minutes away by train. Non-EU students should check Luxembourg's work-permit rules first, since German student work rights do not automatically apply there.
Can I study in English in Trier?
Some programmes, mostly Master's degrees. 18% of the courses in our Trier catalogue are taught in English or bilingually.
More guides in Rhineland-Palatinate
Sources
- MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 (IW / MLP) (opens in a new tab)
- Wochenblatt — semester contributions in Rhineland-Palatinate (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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