Karlsruhe: Germany's Internet Capital

You want to study IT? You love baroque architechture? You're a shopping freak? If you answered yes to any of the above questions: Go ahead to Karlsruhe!

Karlsruhe at a glance

 

Karlsruhe, a mid-sized German city with some 285,000 inhabitants, is located near the French-German border in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg. Nicknamed the ''Internet Capital of Germany'', some 3,600 web and telecommunications firms have been founded in and around Karlsruhe. Thus, the area is the third biggest IT centre of Europe. In the field of research, too, Karlsruhe is positioned well: In 2009 the internationally reknown Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) was founded as a merging of the former institutions of the Univresity of Karlsruhe and the Research Centre Karlsruhe. Today the KIT is not only the biggest research institute in Germany and the biggest employer in the city but takes a top position in the field of technology worldwide. Focal points of research of the KIT are in the fields of communication and computer technology, humans and technology, optics and photonics, anthropomatics and robotics. The research landscape of Karlsruhe is not only formed by the KIT but also by three Fraunhofer Institutes, the research centre for computer technology and lots of other research institutions. No wonder, that the unemployment rate in a booming town like this is relatively low. Best chances for young professionals! Apart from research and economics Karlsruhe, too, is an attractive town: The city is popular for its baroque groundplan. Those who are interested in architechture will be impressed by how much the city has preserved its baroque character until today.  

Overview of the Universities

 

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

The KIT is an Institution of higher education with a scientific-technical focus. It was founded as a merger between the former University of Karlsruhe and the Research Institute Karlsruhe. Today the KIT is Germany's largest and most reknown research institute. Around 21,000 students are enrolled here for degree courses such as computer sciences, engeneering but also humanities.

Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences
With 6,500 students, the HS Karlsruhe is the second-largest university in the city. Focusing on mechanics and engineering programs, it offers several English-language bachelor’s and master’s programs.

Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW)
At the DHBW Karlsruhe you can combine academic studies and work experience: you choose one of about 1,400 enterprises cooperating with the DHBW Karlsruhe and conclude a training contract with it. In turns of three months you study and work. Today about 2,300 students are enrolled at the DHBW Karlsruhe. 90 percent of them get a job at the company they worked for while studying. 

Karlshochschule International University
The Karlshochschule is a private university that puts great value on practice-oriented degree courses. and therefore cooperates with a lot of companies. You can enroll for the master's degree course ''leadership'' or one of eight bachelor's degree courses, all in the field of international management. From the third semester on courses are taught exclusively in English.

University of Education Karlsruhe (PH)
Some 3,000 students (80 percent of which are female) attend the PH Karlsruhe to become elementary or middle school teachers. A concept unique to the state of Baden-Württemberg, the PH combines a pedagogical education with hands-on experience at schools.

State Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
A highly respected fine arts school, the academy has educated several famous German artists. Applicants have to go through intense testing before they are accepted. But it’s worth it, as the 300 students can then enjoy one of the best art educations in Germany.

Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design
Founded 14 years ago, the university is one of the most modern media schools in the country, designed to educate its students in all fields of the quickly changing new media world. Daniel Libeskind, the world-famous U.S. architect who designed the Jewish Museum in Berlin, taught architecture classes here. Together with the Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe (ZKM), Germany’s most avant-garde new media art institution, the school combines education and research with exhibitions and events.

University of Music Karlsruhe
Located in a lavish sixteenth century Renaissance castle, the University of Music offers programs for talented singers and musicians to become teachers, conductors, composers, opera singers and music journalists.

Recreation in Karlsruhe

 

Karlsruhe is a paradise for shoppers. The city center offers a wonderful blend of small fashion boutiques and large department stores.
Also, be sure to check out the city’s most stunning building, the Schloss, built in 1715 and still one of Germany’s striking palaces. And the castle’s park is a treat all year round.
While you’re there, take advantage of Karlsruhe’s neat geographical location: Strasbourg, the Alsatian city with its lavish medieval city center featuring a stunning gothic cathedral (in the fifteenth century the tallest building in the world) is worth the 35-minute car ride any day.
Speaking of easy-to-do road trips, Baden-Baden, the city with Roman-era spas and Germany’s largest opera house, can even be reached with public transportation from Karlsruhe’s city center.
The area around Karlsruhe is considered to be one of the best when it comes to cuisine – nowhere in Germany will you find so many five-star gourmet restaurants. That doesn’t mean that tasty rustic dishes aren’t available, quite the contrary: Try a Riesling from nearby Alsace or the Mosel, tasty with some hearty ''Maultaschen'' from next-door Swabia, and for dessert, fork into the ''Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte'', a rich cream cherry pie, made perfect with a shot of kirsch. Karlsruhe has a bustling nightlife and club scene, and many bars and restaurants offer happy hours on food and drinks to attract students. If you want to go dancing try the award-winning Mood Lounge, the Unverschämt or, if you're a fan of rock, the Katakombe. At the end of July, make sure you catch 'Das Fest', one of Germany’s biggest open-air music parties. Up to 200,000 people flock to the three-day event to see numerous top international pop and rock bands – for free. Karlsruhe also offers something for sports fans: The Karlsruher SC, the club where German soccer stars got their start, plays professionally in the Wildpark stadium – Karlsruhe’s soccer temple for some 32,000 fans. And if you want to chase the ball yourself, become involved in the many sports teams the universities have to offer. But watch out, some of them are pretty good: The men’s soccer team of the University of Karlsruhe have already been World Interuniversity Champions.

Interview with Alena from Belarus

 

Alena Nikifarava, a Belarus native, studies IT and business at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

Why did you pick Karlsruhe?
I chose the school because it topped Germany’s national IT program rankings.

Did it meet your expectations?
I havn’t regretted my move – on the contrary. My professors’ expertise and the level of classes have impressed me. But studying in one of Germany’s most prolific IT programs can sometimes be tough. Some of my friends at other schools have less stress. But I see it this way: I study hard to then have an easier time in the working world.

What do you like about the city?
I love the city’s eighteenth and nineteenth century architecture. Karlsruhe is not too big and not too small. It does not have the disadvantages of a large metropolis, but still there are many things to do at night.

What's your favourite spot?
My favourite place in the city – besides my university – is near a pond in the Schlosspark, where strollers and joggers like myself feed the ducks in the wee hours of the morning. The place has such a nice atmosphere.

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