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View from above of the centre of Passau, where three rivers meet
©Hajo Dietz

Studying in Passau

Passau offers you 5 degree programmes in English at 1 higher education institution.

A high number of students, a lovely old town with walkable distances and very close to the Bavarian Forest and Austria: studying in the three-river city of Passau is characterised by a high quality of life. During the summers, the charming alleys of the old town with its small cafés and the many swimming opportunities along the city’s rivers make you feel like you are on vacation.

Passau is in the southeastern part of Bavaria where the rivers Danube, Ilz and Inn flow together - which is why the city is also called the Three Rivers City. Passau's 54,000 inhabitants enjoy a charming mixture of global flair and idyllic countryside. Big cities such as Munich, Vienna, Prague and Salzburg are easily within reach, and the Bavarian Forest and the Alps with their ski resorts and hiking trails are close by.

The regional economy is one of the most dynamic in Bavaria. In addition to traditional vehicle and mechanical engineering companies, innovation drivers from the fields of pharmaceuticals or sensor technology are also located there. The region benefits greatly from its location close to the borders to Austria and the Czech Republic and from the Danube as an international waterway.

The university shapes city life. It is one of the youngest universities in Germany and, with just under 12,000 students, not particularly large; but that has its advantages! The lecture halls are not overcrowded, the study groups are small and you will quickly meet new people. No matter where you are, you will encounter students almost everywhere. Many of the city's services are tailored to young people. Nevertheless, the housing market is relatively relaxed compared to other cities. In Passau, you can find affordable rooms in shared flats or in one of the many student halls of residence.

Life in Passau

54,000 residents

  • High-speed train connections

    In close vicinity

  • International airport

    Salzburg airport in 94 km distance

  • Coast

    Mediterranean Sea in 310 km distance

  • Mountain range

    Bavarian Forest in 15 km distance

  • Other countries

    Austria in close vicinity

  • Attractions within 100 km

    • Burghausen Castle in 66 km distance

    • Salzburg in 92 km distance

    • St. Stephen's Cathedral in close vicinity

1 higher education institution in Passau

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Subject groups of degree programmes in Passau

There is a wide range of degree programmes in Passau. Here you can see the main subject groups. Currently, degree programmes in Passau are mainly offered in the subject group Teaching Degrees, followed by Economic Sciences, Law and Language and Cultural Studies. Find out more information here about the subject groups and degree programmes offered in Germany.
  • 0

    Agricultural and Forest Sciences

  • 5

    Humanities and Social Sciences

  • 12

    Mathematics, Natural Sciences

  • 2

    Art, Music, Design

  • 16

    Language and Cultural Studies

  • 0

    Medicine, Health Sciences

  • 17

    Economic Sciences, Law

  • 0

    Engineering Sciences

  • 52

    Teaching Degrees

View from the river towards Schaibling Tower and other buildings on the bank
©Universität Passau

Take a stroll along the river: Passau with its three rivers offers you plenty of variety.

St. Stephen's Cathedral houses the largest Catholic church organ in the world.

What is exciting about Passau is that all three rivers with their different colours flow together here and from here on the water continues to show all colors: the green water of the Inn, which originates in the Swiss Alps, the blue-brown Danube water and the black water of the Ilz, which comes from a moorland area. What will strike you most at the confluence is how strongly the green water of the Inn pushes aside the blue-brown water of the Danube.

Passau is characterised by the old town with its Italian architecture and winding alleys. It lies on a peninsula between the Danube and Inn rivers. Here you will find cosy cafés and numerous pubs and restaurants. During a relaxed stroll among the colourful houses, you will also come across many shopping opportunities; you have not only large chains to choose from, but also small and creative shops. The largest baroque church north of the Alps, St. Stephen's Cathedral, is also located here in the old town. The young atmosphere of the city with its many students is particularly striking against the backdrop of the historic buildings.

Virtually everything in Passau is within walking or cycling distance. The bars and clubs are all close to each other, so you can easily visit most of them in one evening. In summer, make yourself comfortable on the “Innwiese” or on one of the other countless meadows along the banks of the river. There are also benches and tables all over the city where you can meet up with your friends.

What you shouldn’t miss are the so-called boat parties. At these parties, you can take a boat along the Danube for up to four hours, listen to music and let the sun set behind you. If you'd rather relax actively on the river, check out the university sports courses. Rowing, canoeing and dragon boating are all on offer. And on land, you can try your hand at rugby or lacrosse.

A young woman walks through the city
A young woman walks through the cityJan von Allwörden / DAAD

You can find more information at study-in-germany.de

For more information on living and studying in Passau, visit the city portraits at study-in-germany.de