Constance

Historic city blends student vibrancy with a tranquil lake setting

As Germany’s most southerly city, Constance (Konstanz) sits close to Switzerland's border and enjoys a unique culture that is heavily influenced by both its student population and Swiss neighbors. Inhabited since Roman times, its rich history can be experienced everywhere, most notably on the cobbled alleyways of the Medieval Old Town. The lake offers a wealth of activity and is a major part of Constance's identity.

More about Constance

This small city has a population of 85,000, some 20% of which (15,000) are enrolled at one of the two universities. The city is divided into 15 districts.

Studying and Working in Constance

The city is home to two public universities. The biggest, the University of Konstanz, is one of Germany’s most prestigious universities, known for its humanities, sciences and economics programs as well as its vast library. The second, Hochschule Konstanz, is a university of applied sciences, specializing in architecture and engineering. 

With a vast student population, the city has a vibrant cultural, arts and music scene. Social organizations at both universities embrace the natural surroundings, with a range of activities on Lake Constance as well as easy access to the Swiss Alps.

Most of the local economy relies on tourism and many graduates find jobs in the leisure and recreational industry. Fast and frequent rail services connect Constance with Zurich, where many jobs are available in the financial sector.