How much does it cost to live in Bochum as a student?

Bochum has a more affordable cost of living than other German cities. If we take into account accommodation and other expenses, such as living expenses, your monthly budget should be around €800.

What is student life like in Bochum?

It is a university city with a strong student atmosphere. Here you can study at top universities, like the RUB, and go out many nights to drink and dance, since many university parties are celebrated. The municipality also has recreational facilities such as cinemas and soccer stadiums, where you can spend the afternoon with your friends.

Erasmus in Bochum

Information and tips for Erasmus students in Bochum


Private rooms Bochum	30	1603/month
Studios Bochum	6	1042/month
Apartments Bochum	35	1362/month

*:2024-11-08T08:10:04.635Z

Bochum is the ideal destination for Erasmus students who look for an excellent academic experience in a rich cultural environment at a low price. All this is thanks to its renowned universities and the cultural scene made up of museums, festivals and numerous green spaces. Besides, its central location and great public transportation make it super easy to explore the metropolis of the Rin-Ruhr, the metropolitan region of which it’s a part of. If that sounds good, read on to find out how to get the most out of your Erasmus in Bochum!

Cost of living in Bochum, Germany

Bochum offers a high quality of life at cheaper costs than other German cities. However, your expenses can change depending on your lifestyle, so here are some key points to keep in mind:

On the one hand, the prices of accommodation vary depending on factors such as its location or the amenities it offers, but, in general, they are between €600-1000 per month. The favourite option for students is to rent a room in a shared flat or in a student residence. Not only is it cheaper than renting a private apartment, but it's also a very quick way to make new friends!

On the other hand, going out to eat at a restaurant is more expensive than eating in the university canteen or cooking at home. We recommend that you buy food in supermarkets such as Lidl or Edeka, since they usually have many products on sale. Thus, your weekly purchase will not exceed €40.

Finally, Bochum has an excellent public transport network consisting of buses, trams, metros and trains. Almost all students use these means to move around the region. We recommend that you get the semester subscription (called "semesterticket”). This ticket allows students of the University of Bochum (RUB) an unlimited number of trips in the city and its surroundings for an entire semester.

Student life, Erasmus parties and entertainment in Bochum

Thanks to its status as a university city, the town enjoys a great student atmosphere, with many pubs and discos that organize college parties. One of the places of worship among students is Underground Club.

On the other hand, being a fairly populated municipality (almost 400,000 inhabitants), it offers a lot of entertainment to its residents. There are a thousand plans to do with your friends! You can go shopping at the mall Ruhr Park, visit the observatory (Kap Kaminski), stroll through the botanical garden of the university (Botanischer Garten Bochum), hike through the forest Weitmarer Holz…

Culture and gastronomy in Bochum, Germany

Bochum's culture is a mix between its mining heritage and its vibrant modern identity. It has the most important mining technology museum in the world: the German Mining Museum (Deutsches Bergbau-Museum). Other notable monuments of the city are the town hall (Rathaus), the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul (Propsteikirche St. Peter und Paul), the St. Mary's Church (St.-Marien-Kirche) and the planetarium (Zeiss Planetarium). In addition, several cultural festivals are also held throughout the year, such as the RUBissimo, which is a university summer festival, or the ExtraSchicht, in which industrial plants are transformed into stages and galleries.

Regarding traditional food, Bochum offers a varied culinary landscape. The gastronomic place to taste the local cuisine is the area Bermuda3eck, which is overflowing with restaurants. Some of the regional specialities that you must taste are:

“Sauerbraten”: roast beef marinated in vinegar.

“Blindhuhn”: pork stew with vegetables and fruit.

“Graupensuppe”: a stew of barley, beef and vegetables.

“Brotpudding”: a type of flan made with stale bread.

Advantages of doing Erasmus in Bochum

The city hosts top universities, such as the RUB, known for their academic excellence and their research contributions.

Thanks to its green spaces, shopping centres, excellent public transport and clean and safe streets, the town offers a high standard of living.

Thanks to its central location in the region and its excellent public transport, the city has very good access to other large German cities such as Essen or Dusseldorf. You will be able to explore the entire region and soak up its culture to the fullest!

The city is relatively cheap, since it offers a great quality of life at much more affordable costs than other major cities in the country. You don't have to worry much about your budget!

Cheap student housing in Bochum, Germany

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Do you want to find accommodation in Bochum? You are in the perfect place! From Erasmus Play we help you for free and quickly to compare the best flats, rooms and apartments for students of the whole city. Get your ideal accommodation now!

Frequently asked questions about doing Erasmus in Bochum

How much does it cost to live in Bochum as a student?
Bochum has a more affordable cost of living than other German cities. If we take into account accommodation and other expenses, such as living expenses, your monthly budget should be around €800.
What is student life like in Bochum?
It is a university city with a strong student atmosphere. Here you can study at top universities, like the RUB, and go out many nights to drink and dance, since many university parties are celebrated. The municipality also has recreational facilities such as cinemas and soccer stadiums, where you can spend the afternoon with your friends.
How much does student accommodation in Bochum cost?
The price of the accommodation can vary according to the type of housing or its location. Renting a room in a shared flat or a student residence costs approximately €300-600 per month. On the other hand, renting a private apartment can cost you around €900 per month.
How much is the Erasmus scholarship to study in Bochum?
Since the amount you receive depends on several factors, such as the country you come from, we recommend that you consult with the international relations coordinator at your educational institution. In that way you can find out exactly how and how much you can benefit from the scholarship.
What are the best areas to live in Bochum as a student?
A very popular area is Querenburg, south of the city, since it is where the RUB and the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule) are. Another very famous area, but perhaps a bit expensive, is the centre of the city, called Innenstadt. In it, there are numerous parks, museums, boutiques, the planetarium and other cultural and recreational areas.