New in Kiel?

Kiel is a coastal city and the only federal state capital right by the sea. Kiel lives off the sea and lives with the sea and has done so for nearly 800 years.

Tip

Arriving in Kiel ...

The first few days in a new city, in a new chapter of your life, are exciting. Where do I have to register? What does my timetable look like? Where can I get a good coffee?

Universities offer orientation courses when students start their studies. This is where you find out how your timetable is put together and how your degree programme is organised. Basic information on this can be found in the Flyer published by the Academic Advisors at Kiel University. For some subjects there are preparatory courses that make it easier for students to start their studies.

... and getting started

Let’s get the formalities out of the way first. You must register your residence in Kiel within two weeks of arrival (according to the Federal Act on Registration (Bundesmeldegesetz)). This can be done at Kiel City Hall (the Rathaus) or, in the winter semester, at the Studiale on Westring. When you register at Kiel City Hall, you can either online book an appointment online or turn up during open cobsultation hours. Anyone registering their main residence in Kiel receives €100 as a Welcome payment upon application.

Once that is done, you can get your initial “feelings for Kiel”. For example, you can take the Kiel Fjord steamboat across the fjord and get off at Falkensteiner Strand. Go for a walk along the Kiellinie. Visit the market on Exer(zierplatz) or Blücher(platz).

Kiel has a lot to offer and though the winter is sometimes long, this is made up for by wonderful days to be had during the other half of the year.

Find out more about student life in Kiel in FIETE - the campus magazine for all students in Kiel (in German only).

Even more tips

Eintauchen in die Stadt

The annual Kiel yooweedoo ideas contest and the Waterkant-Festival provide fresh impetus on a regular basis.

Citizen participation is a big thing in Kiel, for example, as part of the Zukunftsdialog Kiel 2042 (dialog about the future in Kiel 2042).

Kiel provides a lot of opportunities for getting involved and trying things out. It has a series of co-working places and a lively creative and cultural scene. And to relax you can return to the sea. Or go to the theatre or opera using 8Night.

Kiel nachhaltig

The City of Kiel is committed to sustainability and won the German Sustainability Award 2021. It is the first German
Zero.Waste.City. And, in any case, it is also a Klimaschutzstadt (climate protection city).

There are many businesses and (student) initiatives that support sustainable living, such as the Kieler Marktschwärmereien (Kiel markets enthusiasts) or the loan shops. The kleine Fiebel des nachhaltigen Konsums (little book for the more sustainable consumer) gives a brief overview of what is available in Kiel.

Studieren & Leben gut

Frisch zugezogen? Freut Euch auf das Leben in Kiel – eine Stadt, die für die Zukunft auf Nachhaltigkeit setzt und viel Raum für neue Ideen bietet.

Die Landeshauptstadt Kiel begrüßt Euch direkt mit einem kleinen Willkommens-Geschenk.