In short
Saarbrücken has 7 universities and colleges offering 331 degree courses (131 Bachelor's, 139 Master's), and 26% of them are taught in English or bilingually. A student flat costs about €505 a month (30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €455), MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026). Tuition for non-EU students: €0 — Saarland charges no tuition at public universities for EU or non-EU students; you pay only the semester contribution.
Saarbrücken is the capital of Saarland, a small state with a big French influence — the border is a few kilometres away and the Saarbahn tram runs into France. Saarland University is internationally known for computer science, with Max Planck institutes, DFKI and the CISPA Helmholtz Center on campus, and htw saar covers engineering and business. Rents are comparatively low and the pace is relaxed.
Universities in Saarbrücken
Every university and college in Saarbrücken in our catalogue, biggest first.
- Website of Saarland University (opens in a new tab)
Saarland University
University 201 courses
- Website of Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft des Saarlandes
University of applied sciences 63 courses
- Website of Hochschule für Musik Saar (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule für Musik Saar
Art & music college 27 courses
- Website of Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar (opens in a new tab)
Hochschule der Bildenden Künste Saar
Art & music college 21 courses
- Website of Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement GmbH (opens in a new tab)
Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheitsmanagement GmbH
University of applied sciences 12 courses
- Website of htw saar - University of Applied Sciences (opens in a new tab)
htw saar - University of Applied Sciences
University 4 courses
Berufsakademie für Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen Saarland
Other institution 3 courses
Cost of living
What studying in Saarbrücken costs, from the latest figures we could source.
- Rent for a student flat
- ≈ €505 / month30 m² flat incl. utilities (WG room ≈ €455), 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
- Saarland University's campus is in the forest east of the centre — buses run frequently, but a room in St. Johann or near the campus saves time.
- Learning some French pays off: many Saarlanders speak it and cross-border jobs often require it.
- Shop and eat across the border in Sarreguemines or Metz for a weekend change of scene.
Industries & employers
Big names that hire graduates, and offer internships and working-student jobs, in and around Saarbrücken.
CISPA, DFKI & Max Planck
Research
Cybersecurity, AI and informatics institutes on Saarland University's campus.
ZF
Automotive
One of ZF's largest transmission plants is in Saarbrücken.
Bosch
Automotive
Large plant in Homburg, about 30 km east.
Saarstahl
Steel
Steelmaker based in Völklingen, just west of the city.
Culture & people
Saarlanders are known for their love of food and sociability — 'Hauptsach gudd gess' (the main thing is to eat well). The old town around St. Johanner Markt is full of bars and bistros with a French touch.
The region's coal and steel past is everywhere, from the UNESCO-listed Völklingen Ironworks to old mining towns, while the Saar loop and forests offer easy escapes.
Events & festivals
Max Ophüls Prize Film Festival
January
Germany's leading festival for young filmmakers.
Altstadtfest
Summer
The old town's summer street festival around St. Johanner Markt.
Christkindlmarkt
Late Nov – Dec
Christmas market on St. Johanner Markt.
Places to see
Saarbrücken Castle
Castle
Baroque-and-modern palace above the Saar.
St. Johanner Markt
City
The old town's main square, the centre of nightlife.
Völklingen Ironworks
UNESCO
A preserved ironworks turned cultural venue, 15 minutes away.
Ludwigskirche
Church
One of Germany's finest Protestant Baroque churches.
Getting around
The Saarbahn tram-train and buses cover the city, and the Saarbahn continues to Sarreguemines in France. ICE and TGV trains reach Paris in under two hours and Frankfurt in about two. Saarbrücken has a small airport; Frankfurt and Luxembourg airports are the main international options. Check your semester contribution for the included ticket.
Student experiences
First-hand posts from students in Saarbrücken, read by our team before they appear.
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Studying in Saarbrücken: FAQ
Which universities are in Saarbrücken?
Saarland University, htw saar (University of Applied Sciences), the University of Music Saar and the Saar Academy of Fine Arts, among 7 institutions in our catalogue.
Is Saarbrücken good for computer science?
Yes. Saarland University is one of Europe's leading computer-science locations, with two Max Planck institutes, DFKI and the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security on campus.
Is Saarbrücken cheap for students?
It is one of the more affordable western German cities: a 30 m² student flat costs about €505 a month and a shared-flat room about €455 (MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026).
Can I study in English in Saarbrücken?
Yes. 26% of the courses in our Saarbrücken catalogue are taught in English or bilingually, especially computer-science Master's programmes at Saarland University.
More guides in Saarland
The whole state: Study in Saarland
Sources
- MLP Studentenwohnreport 2026 (IW / MLP) (opens in a new tab)
- Saarland University (opens in a new tab)
- University and course numbers: the Where Is My Uni? catalogue, rebuilt from official university data.
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