Aachen: Student city in the heart of Europe

Aachen: Student City in the heart of Europe

The most western city in Germany attracts visitors with its royal past, a historic city center and a renowned university. The city's nightlife also doesn't fall short of opportunities because every sixth of the 246 000 inhabitants is a student.

Aachen at a glance

Aachen Cathedral, Photo: DAAD/Ebert

Aachen sits right in the middle of the German, Belgian and Dutch border region. Over 2 000 years the Romans were drawn to Aachen because of its hot springs. In the 8th century Karl the Great reigned from Aachen and started building the cathedral. Since the Middle Ages this very cathedral is a very important place of pilgrimage. In 1978 this magnificent piece of architecture was added to the UNESCO's list of world cultural heritage sights. In remembrance of Karl the Great the International Karlspreis is awarded since 1950 to people and institutions, that campaigned for an European union. Ever since the RWTH Aachen University was founded in 1870 Aachen has turned into a hot spot for international students interested in technologies and natural sciences. They do not only appreciate the excellence of the University but also the cheerful mentality of the locals. The "Öcher", as the inhabitants like to call themselves, talk a lot and know who to celebrate not only during the carnival season but throughout the year.
By the way: Two locals from Aachen will always recognize each other abroad pretty quickly just by greeting each other with the "Klenkes": The extended small finger of the right hand.

Universities Overview

RWTH Aachen University

RTWH Main Building, Photo: Peter Winandy

With almost 33 000 students the RWTH Aachen is one of Europe’s biggest and most storied technical universities. Internationally renowned for technological research in science and engineering, the RWTH’s partnerships with many international universities and research centers make it a popular choice for international students. Its status is underlined by the fact that the Institute for Advanced Studies in Computational Engineering Science was awarded additional funding as part of the “Excellenzinitiative” – the government’s push to promote excellence. The 180 Million Euros are used to establish three clusters of excellence and one graduate school as well as put the future concept "RTWH 2020: Meeting Global Challenges" to practice.
As the RWTH is not a campus university, one can feel the student atmosphere permeating all of Aachen. Its buildings are spread out over three locations, concentrated in the northwest of the city between the city center and the Westbahnhof Station.

Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH)
The FH Aachen was founded in 1971 and has more than 9,500 students at present. They can choose between 39 different Bachelors and 17 Masters programmes in Engineering Sciences, Economics and Design. attend one of Germany’s largest universities of applied sciences. It maintains close ties with regional and international companies as well as education and research institutes such as the Research Centre Jülich. 21 percent of all students come from abroad to study at FH Aachen.

Recreation in Aachen

Aachen market place, Photo: DAAD

The core of Aachen can be found in the beautiful city center with its historical town hall and of course its famous cathedral. Right opposite to this Herz von Aachen ist die architektonisch wunderschöne Innenstadt mit dem historischen Rathaus und natürlich dem bekannten Aachener Dom. Gleich gegenüber kannst du echtes Quellwasser aus dem Elisenbrunnen trinken, das zwar etwas unangenehm riecht, aber sehr gesund sein soll.
Rund um den Marktplatz laden zahlreiche Cafés zum Kaffeetrinken ein, unter ihnen das bekannte 120 Jahre alte Kaffeehaus „Van den Daele“, wo du die traditionellen Aachener Printen probieren solltest.
Students preferably like to hang out in the pubs and bars on Pontstraße and in the Starfish-Club. The so called Shuttle Partys at the beginning of each semester are also very popular: Thousands of students indulge in location hopping and take the shuttle busses to dance the night away in different clubs, bars and discos, which cater to different styles of music. From Rock to Reggae, from HipHop to Pop there's something for every taste.
Other highlights of the year are the street carnival in February/March, the World Equestrian Festival "CHIO" in July and of course the famous Christmas market. Every year in December over 1,5 Million people flock to the nicely decorated stands in the city center and admire the festive spirit.
As Aachen sits close to the border to the Netherlands and Belgium, shopping in the neighbouring countries is pretty convenient and worth a try. If you just can't decide which country to choose, trek to the Vaalserquartier in Aachen. There you'll find the Three-Country-Point, where you can feel truely european while standing in three countries at once.

Interview with Can from China

Can from China studies for her Masters in International Computer Sciences at RWTH Aachen.

Can, Photo: private

Why did you choose to study at RWTH Aachen?
I applied at different European universities. When I got admitted to RWTH Aachen, I immidiately said yes because the university has a very good reputation in Computer Sciences. Also, I really liked what I heard back home about Germans habe mich an verschiedenen europäischen Universitäten beworben. I thought it would be funny to life right on the borde of three countries.

So? Did you imaginations turn out to be true?
Yes. I think, Germans are very honest, authentic and responsible. The German students I've worked with so far have always kept their word and took their tasks seriously. Furthermore I'm very thankful for scoring a room in one of the WGs in a dormitory. I share my flat with three Germans and all of them are very nice and helpful. I feel pretty much at home. However, it's not that easy to make friends. I think the Germans are a bit shy.

How do you like Aachen?
Honestly, Aachen is a bit small for my taste, but it's a beautiful city and a typical university town. There are many young people - most of them students - and many possibilities to party. Personally I like the Karaoke night on Tuesdays in Bar Abendrot. The Apollo and B9 are also very popular among students. From an academical point of view Aachen is a really good city to study in. It's quite easy to find a job as a student helper at university if you study Computer Sciences like me. I work in the same section I conduct research in and that teaches me a lot.

You'll finish your Masters pretty soon. What's next?
I'd like to stay in Europe, presumably Germany. I'll apply for jobs but also Ph.D. programmes. Before I came to Germany, I never thought about doctoral studies but now I think it's a good idea. That's because of the environment and the Ph.D students I'm working together with. Somehow there's a very strong academic spirit here in Aachen.