Studying in Aachen
A compact city at the corner where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands meet, dominated by RWTH Aachen, one of Europe's leading technical universities. Costs are moderate and the international, STEM-heavy student body is huge.
Aachen at a glance
- Cost tier
- Mid cost
- Room (WG) / month
- €350–520
- All-in / month
- €850–1,150
Aachen is a mid-cost city for international students — plan for roughly €850–1,150 a month all-in (rooms from €350). Below you'll find its real halal-food, desi-grocery and mosque options alongside the cost breakdown, part-time job scene and universities, written for students from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh.
Real numbers
Cost of living in Aachen
Typical monthly student costs. It's cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt but still needs planning.
| Monthly item | Typical range (€) |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared room / WG) | €350–520 |
| Food & groceries | €150–250 |
| Health insurance (public student) | €120–130 |
| Transport (semester ticket / pass) | €30–60 |
| Phone, leisure & other | €80–150 |
| All-in monthly (typical) | €850–1,150 |
Line items are typical monthly ranges; the all-in total is a realistic combined estimate for Aachen, so it won't be a simple sum. Your blocked-account requirement (proof of funds) is separate — a student visa needs about €11,904/year, but a signed Ausbildung contract can cut that. Work out both in the blocked-account & cost calculator.
Living there
Student life in Aachen
Aachen lives and breathes RWTH, so the city is young, international and engineering-focused. It's affordable by western-German standards, walkable, and you can be in Belgium or the Netherlands in minutes. It's a great fit for STEM students who want a serious academic environment.
What other guides skip
Halal food, desi community & worship
The practical, on-the-ground stuff that decides whether Aachen feels like home — not just the rent.
Halal food
Halal food is available around the centre and station: Turkish, Arab and other Middle Eastern eateries and döner shops, plus halal butchers and grocers. The large international student population keeps demand steady.
Desi grocery & community
There's a growing South Asian student community drawn by RWTH's engineering and IT programmes, with some Indian and Pakistani restaurant and grocery options. It's smaller than in the metros but active and easy to plug into via student networks.
Mosques & prayer
Aachen has mosques serving Turkish and Arab communities and prayer facilities connected to the university, with an active Muslim student group given the large international cohort. Friday prayers are well catered for.
For students from Pakistan, India & Bangladesh
There's a growing South Asian student community drawn by RWTH's engineering and IT programmes, with some Indian and Pakistani restaurant and grocery options. It's smaller than in the metros but active and easy to plug into via student networks.
Our honest take: it's cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt but still needs planning. Weigh the cost against the jobs and the size of the community that matters to you — and use the tools below to put real numbers on it.
A year of living costs in Aachen
≈ €850–1,150 × 12 months, in your currency
- PakistanRs3,213,000–Rs4,347,000
- India₹938,400–₹1,269,600
- Bangladesh৳1,305,600–৳1,766,400
Living costs only (excludes the one-off blocked account and fees). Local-currency amounts move with the exchange rate — treat them as planning estimates.
Part-time jobs
Part-time work is available in hospitality and retail and, importantly, as research and student assistants (HiWi) at RWTH and nearby engineering firms, which suit technical students well. The cross-border location adds some options too.
Study & Ausbildung scene
RWTH Aachen (elite for engineering, IT and natural sciences) and FH Aachen (applied sciences) lead the way. For Ausbildung, engineering, IT, automotive-supply and healthcare employers hire across the region.
Why Aachen
- RWTH Aachen, a top European engineering university
- Very international, STEM-focused student body
- Moderate cost; borders Belgium and the Netherlands
- Growing desi student community
Free, no sign-up
Put numbers on your plan
Two tools worth running before you talk to anyone — including us.
Aachen is a mid-cost city. A shared room (WG) runs about €350–520 a month and all-in student costs are roughly €850–1,150 a month including rent, food, insurance and transport. It's cheaper than Munich or Frankfurt but still needs planning.
Yes. Halal food is available around the centre and station: Turkish, Arab and other Middle Eastern eateries and döner shops, plus halal butchers and grocers.
There's a growing South Asian student community drawn by RWTH's engineering and IT programmes, with some Indian and Pakistani restaurant and grocery options.
Yes. International students in Germany can work part-time alongside their studies within the legal limits. Part-time work is available in hospitality and retail and, importantly, as research and student assistants (HiWi) at RWTH and nearby engineering firms, which suit technical students well.
Yes. Aachen has mosques serving Turkish and Arab communities and prayer facilities connected to the university, with an active Muslim student group given the large international cohort.
RWTH Aachen (elite for engineering, IT and natural sciences) and FH Aachen (applied sciences) lead the way.
- Make it in Germany — official government portal — German Federal Government (BMAS / BMWK) (official)
- Study in Germany — DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) (official)
- Studienkolleg (university foundation year) — Studienkollegs in Germany
Figures are checked against these sources and reviewed each application intake. Last verified: 2026-07-20. Always confirm the current rule for your case with the official source before you act.
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