What are Berlin's student advantages compared to NRW?
✓ Answered
·
2 min read
·
117 views
Berlin and NRW (Nordrhein-Westfalen) are two of Germany's most popular regions for international students. Their advantages differ:
Berlin's Advantages
- Single mega-city: A single infrastructure, coordinated rent/student life.
- Largest Turkish community: Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Wedding — Turkish life is possible.
- International: English everywhere, extensive social support for asylum/work permits.
- Rent not cheaper than NRW but similar: WG in Berlin 480-650 €, in Köln 480-650 €.
- University diversity: HU, TU, FU, Charité, ESMT, Hertie School.
- Culture/art scene: Europe's #1 club + music + art city.
- Single Bundesland visa process: Anmeldung, residence permit in one place.
NRW's Advantages
- 17 million inhabitants, 14 large university cities: Köln, Düsseldorf, Bonn, Essen, Dortmund, Bochum, Münster, Aachen, Duisburg, Wuppertal, Bielefeld, Paderborn, Siegen, Hagen.
- Largest job market: Germany's industrial heart (Bayer, Henkel, Thyssen-Krupp, Bertelsmann).
- Inter-city mobility: Köln-Düsseldorf-Bonn triangle connected within 30 min; study in one city, intern in another.
- Large + dispersed Turkish community: Köln, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund — over a million Turkish inhabitants.
- Rent similar to Berlin but very low in smaller cities: Bochum/Wuppertal WG 350-500 €.
- AlmanyaUni content is NRW dominant: Engineering (RWTH Aachen), medicine (Bonn), business (WHU, Düsseldorf) are very strong.
Which Profile for Which Region?
| Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Creative arts/media | Berlin |
| Engineering (especially mechanical, automotive) | NRW (RWTH Aachen, TU Dortmund) |
| Medicine | NRW (Bonn, Köln) > Berlin (Charité) |
| Business / Finance | NRW (WHU, Mannheim Business) > Berlin |
| Social sciences/culture | Berlin |
| Turkish community important | NRW > Berlin (total population) |
| Single mega-city life | Berlin |
Cost Comparison
| Monthly (student) | Berlin | Köln | Bochum (NRW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (WG) | 520 € | 510 € | 380 € |
| Food | 220 € | 220 € | 180 € |
| Transport | 65 € | 60 € (D-Ticket) | 60 € |
| Insurance | 130 € | 130 € | 130 € |
| Total | ~1,050 € | ~1,030 € | ~830 € |
Related: Cheapest cities.
Was this answer helpful?
Let us know what was missing via the feedback widget at the bottom right, and we will update quickly.
Related Questions in City & Life
How can I adapt to German culture faster?
✓ AnsweredDo you need to renew or change your electricity contract every year in Germany?
✓ AnsweredWhat are some tips for adjusting to German culture and lifestyle?
✓ AnsweredWhat are the rules for waste separation in Germany?
✓ AnsweredWhat is the Rundfunkbeitrag (public broadcasting fee) in Germany, and how do I pay it?
✓ Answered