Studying in Hildesheim

Between treetops and half-timbered houses, Hildesheim offers space for students to learn and to socialise. Out of a total population of 100,000 residents there are more than 10,000 students from three different universities – and they characterise the cityscape.

Why study in Hildesheim:

• Thanks to the three universities, you will get to know many students outside your subject area and can really enjoy student life, thanks to canteen parties and the midsummer night festivities, for example.
• The HAWK has an excellent and close network in Hildesheim and beyond: You can already work with the city of Hildesheim during your studies, for example on social projects, monument preservation, architecture or design. There are often also local work placements, internships, part-time jobs and later, opportunities to start your career.
• Luckily, Hildesheim has affordable apartments. There are well-kept apartments in historic buildings where you can find sociable flat shares (WGs).

Regular festivals and events bring culture to life, e.g. on the ramparts, in pubs or cafés; you are always bumping into people you know.

Hildesheim Theater offers theatrical performances, concerts and other artistic events throughout the year. Venues such as the Kulturfabrik or Bischhofsmühle organise concerts, book readings, flea markets and workshops, and regularly turn into discotheques at night.

Hildesheim has recurring, major events that many residents look forward to every year. These include:

Popular events in Hildesheim

• Hildesheimer Wallungen: Music, theatre, literature, media, performance and installations take place over one weekend, outside at the ramparts, churches, lakes and parks.
• Mera Luna: Every year, this gothic scene festival transforms the city into a showcase for extraordinary music and fashion. Around 25,000 people visit the city for the occasion.
• EVI-Lichtungen: In cooperation with regional and international partners and artists, the city is transformed into an extraordinary festival of lights over several days.
• Jazztime: A music festival with a diverse programme that presents local and international jazz artists, and traditionally takes place on the forecourt of the theatre.

In Hildesheim, you’re never far from the nearest forest, park or lake. The Hohnsensee lake, where students like to spend relaxing hours in the sun, is particularly lively.The green spaces, lakes and rivers in and around Hildesheim are ideal for walks, stand-up paddling, disc golf and other outdoor activities.

There is also a bathing lake not far from the HAWK campus and right next to a student hall of residence. Hildesheim also has a large outdoor pool with a small lake beach, where there is a bar and beach chairs in summer.

The Innerste river flows through Hildesheim, offering beautiful cycle and hiking paths along its course. The immediate surroundings of Hildesheim are perfect for long cycling tours. It starts to get hilly towards the Harz Mountains and those who prefer a flat ride or hike should take the roads towards Hannover.

Hildesheim’s rent index was around €6 per square metre in 2022. That is almost €3 less than the average rent index for 2022 for Germany as a whole. Living in Hildesheim is therefore comparatively cheap.

1. City centre
The central location allows easy access to the university’s various locations, making daily commutes easier. The numerous bars, cafés and shops in the immediate vicinity create a lively environment.

Despite its central location, Oststadt is relatively quiet. The proximity to the HAWK makes everyday study life easier – shops for your daily needs are within easy walking distance and cultural activities such as the cinema and theatre are also close by. In Oststadt, you can get to the city centre just as quickly as to the forest.

3. Nordstadt
In Hildesheim’s Nordstadt district, students will not only find affordable apartments, but also particularly practical transport connections, thanks to its proximity to the railway station. The surrounding green spaces offer opportunities for recreation and leisure activities.

4. Marienburger Höhe
Marienburger Höhe offers affordable rents and a pleasant living environment, complemented by neighbouring woodlands and lakes. It is mostly quiet here. The city centre is easily accessible by bike or bus and the University of Hildesheim is located in this district.

Map of Hildesheim:

Attractive paths along the “Innerste” river, through parks, over a rampart or through historic streets with half-timbered houses mean you can do many things “on foot”. Many residents also use bicycles, which can take them from one end of the city to the other within 40 minutes.

Public transport within the city is provided by the bus service which is included in the semester ticket, as well as e-scooters.

Accessibility to other cities

Another strength of mobility in Hildesheim is its proximity to neighbouring cities such as Hannover, Göttingen, Braunschweig and Bad Harzburg in the Harz Mountains. As there is also an ICE train stop in Hildesheim, you can also get to Berlin in a good two hours.