You only choose the university at the spot "so that you have more time to study". That's the smart explanation for the parents. No student counsellor knows where you can waste the least amount of time and get something to do on the water and at night.
There's no doubt about it: metropolises such as Leipzig, Berlin, Munich and Hamburg are among the most popular places to study in Germany. However, if you have caught the surfing bug and the sport is much more than just a hobby for you, you should consider the possibility of studying right by the sea.
You can also have both in Germany: You can study dry material for university when there's a lull in the wind and clear your head of exam stress and Master's theses on good windy days. There is hardly any other stage of life where you can organise your time as flexibly as during your studies. Presumably very few employers believe that a good wind forecast excuses absence from work. Lectures, on the other hand, can be easily caught up on at home - provided you have the necessary self-discipline, of course.
We have selected our top 10 best study locations for windsurfers in Germany precisely for this work-windsurf balance. With a decent range of study programmes, sufficient quality of life, but above all at least one good spot just around the corner.
Although popular cities such as Leipzig or Hamburg also have their city spots to offer, those of us who are really uncompromising when it comes to windsurfing will probably not be completely happy with the annual wind yield. A wave session on the coast takes a whole day.
It can be a bit difficult to get out on the water between lectures. But if you would swap the excitement of city life for surf spots near the university without hesitation, you should search for your degree programme in the following ten study locations. Because if the number of hours you spend on the water at the end of the year is still in double figures, it's really your own fault.
10th place: Emden/Leer
You can study in East Frisia at Emden/Leer University of Applied Sciences. As both cities are just 30 kilometres apart and the spots are the same, it is irrelevant for the ranking in which city you study. The departments of social work, engineering and economics are located in Emden, while seafaring and maritime sciences are in Leer. Neither city is particularly large and the leisure activities on offer for young people depend heavily on the commitment of the respective student bodies.
There are three options for surfing from Emden and Leer. The shortest journey is to the Dollart. Ditzum and Knock are the spots here. The Dollart is tide-dependent and choppy, but can be reached in 20 minutes. The second option is Norddeich. Here, too, you are dependent on the tide to have enough water under your fin. Unfortunately, like everywhere else in the Wadden Sea, you won't find any real waves. However, bump & jump fans and freeriders will get their money's worth. For those without a car, the possibility of travelling here by train is particularly interesting. The third alternative in East Frisia is the Great Sea. A shallow lake covering around 290 hectares. Perfect for beginners and intermediates, but also suitable for heating or freestyling.
Studying & surfing in Emden/Leer
A total of 26 degree programmes are offered at the University of Applied Sciences, spread over two locations.
The party and leisure programme is heavily dependent on the students' own initiative. There are beautiful spots in both cities in summer.
Most of the spots are rather choppy. The waveboard is used here for bump & jump, as there are no real waves. If you're lucky, you'll find perfect flat water in one of the tideways near Norddeich.
You always have to accept a half-hour journey. It is possible to travel to Norddeich by train, which is certainly convenient for students without a car.
9th place: Bremerhaven
At Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences, students can study in the fields of energy and marine technology, life sciences, logistics and information systems as well as tourism and management. The student accommodation hotspot is the "Alte Bürger". There are entire blocks of flats here where only shared flats can be found. There are only a few cafés and pubs, which is why most student parties take place in private. Sports enthusiasts meet up at the ice hockey or basketball matches of Bremerhaven's professional teams. In summer, it's off to the dyke or Lake Spaden with a disposable barbecue and cool drinks.
"Studying at the university by the sea" is the somewhat misleading slogan of Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences. After all, the harbour city is not located directly on the North Sea, but on the Weser - and windsurfing is prohibited on the river. Nevertheless, you can reach a wide range of spots within 30 minutes of Bremerhaven. To the east of the Weser are the spots in the Elbe-Weser triangle from Wremen to the Kugelbake in Cuxhaven. Spot information and contact with the locals is best sought at the Wesermünde Windsurfing Club or the Cuxhaven Surf School. West of the Weser on the Butjadingen peninsula, freestylers in particular get their money's worth. Provided you can find one of the hidden tideways. In addition to the necessary spirit of discovery and Google Maps, a visit to the Oldenburg surf shop "WSM Funsport" may help to obtain further spot information.
Studying & surfing in Bremerhaven
Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences offers a total of 23 degree programmes.
On calm summer days, the Weser or the lake are great places to spend time. In winter, you can enjoy an exciting game of ice hockey or basketball.
Real surf waves? No such thing in the Wadden Sea! If you know where to look, you'll find laboratory conditions for freestyling or speed record hunting in the tidal creeks at low tide.
Whether you head towards Cuxhaven or on the opposite side of the Weser in Butjadingen, you always have to accept a half-hour drive to the spot.
8th place: Wilhelmshaven
Wilhelmshaven is located on the north-west coast of the Jade Bay. You can study here at the Jade University of Applied Sciences, which has two further locations in Oldenburg and Elsfleth (approx. 40 km each as the crow flies). The Wilhelmshaven site is home to the faculties of engineering, economics and management, information and technology. After lectures, students meet at the Südstrand beach for a barbecue or to chat in the Freiblock student café. Parties are organised weekly by the AStA in various pubs in the city.
You can hit the water directly on the south beach. Bump & jump is usually the order of the day here. At low tide, the tideways are exposed. The big advantage of the south beach is its proximity to the city centre. If you live in "Bant" or the city centre, you can cycle to the spot. Beginners can let off steam on the Banter See. The local windsurfing club Jade is the best way to get to know the locals. The most popular spot is Hooksiel, around 20 kilometres north of Wilhelmshaven. If the wind direction and tide are right, you can even find a small but clean wave here. The best freestyle conditions can be found in Neuharlingersiel. Those who have ended up in Elsfleth or Oldenburg due to the study programme have at least 45 minutes more to travel, but also have the spots on the east coast of the Jade Bay to choose from. Eckwarderhörne and Fedderwadersiel are the places to go here.
Studying & surfing in Wilhelmshaven
17 degree programmes are offered at the university in Wilhelmshaven. Alternatively, it is worth taking a look at Oldenburg with its university of applied sciences and university.
The AStA regularly organises student parties and the university sports programme is also impressive. The best time of year is summer, when you can go straight from the lecture theatre to the south beach.
At short distances, there are only two spots to choose from: Südstrand and Hooksiel. Although the freestyle conditions in Neuharlingersiel are extremely good, the tide and wind direction as well as the 45 minutes per course have to fit into the timetable.
The south beach can be reached in ten minutes by bike. It could hardly be better! Hooksiel is also only 20 minutes away by car. If you're not looking for mirror-smooth water, both spots have all wind directions covered.
Place 7: Heath
Studying in Heide sounds like studying in the arse end of the world! With just over 20,000 inhabitants, Heide is the smallest student town in this ranking. A non-surfer would probably answer the question "Where is that?" with: "In Schleswig-Holstein, very close to Wacken, where the famous festival takes place every year." For a windsurfer, on the other hand, the simple answer: "It's between Büsum and Meldorf, near St. Peter-Ording" is enough to recognise the enormous potential of the town. These spots can all be reached in just over half an hour. Although Sylt is also just around the corner, regular trips on the Sylt shuttle are probably beyond the student budget.
You can study at the West Coast University of Applied Sciences in the fields of business and technology. After lectures, you can cycle to the beach in summer or meet up for a coffee in the city. Nightlife usually takes place in the "Schuhmacherort". There are various pubs on this street. The AStA throws the best parties on Thursdays in the student hall of residence. The windsurfing scene in Heide is very small and most of the surfers on campus have come to kitesurf. Of course, you can still meet other windsurfers at the spots.
Studying & surfing in Heide
University of Applied Sciences with a total of 15 degree programmes.
It could hardly be further away from the big city. Nevertheless, there is no shortage of leisure and party activities. In summer, you can pass the time on the beach even when it's calm.
Even if there aren't many spots to choose from, you have almost everything your heart desires in the immediate vicinity with waves and flat water. It gets difficult with waves in easterly winds.
It takes just 20 minutes to get from the campus to Meldorf Bay. This means you can even squeeze in a session after university in winter. St. Peter-Ording can also be reached in under an hour.
Place 6: Wismar
Engineering, business and design are the three faculties at Wismar University of Applied Sciences. The city is known for its historic old town, which, together with Stralsund, has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. So it's no wonder that many students in Wismar live right in the old town centre. Student life here reaches its peak at the Campus Open Air at the start of the winter semester. The university's sports and leisure facilities are plentiful and well attended. Otherwise, in summer you can meet up for a coffee in the old town or at the harbour. The "Block 17", the student-run dance pub, is the place to party.
The surfing scene in Wismar is rather small. The centrepiece is the surf shop in the old town. If you're new to the city, you should pop in and have a chat with the owner. The selection of spots around Wismar offers everything from Baltic Sea waves to flat water slopes in the standing area. The spots in Flessenow and Retgendorf on Lake Schwerin are recommended for freeriding. The Salzhaff near Pepelow, on the other hand, is not only suitable for relaxed cruising, but also makes the hearts of ambitious freestylers beat faster. If the forecast is favourable, you can go waving in Kägsdorf or from the island of Poel directly onto the Baltic Sea.
Studying & Surfing in Wismar
University of Applied Sciences with a total of 29 degree programmes.
The old town centre invites you to stroll and relax. The Campus Open Air is the highlight every year!
Waves and flat water slopes - everything is available around Wismar.
You are always half an hour away by car.
Place 5: Lübeck
In the Hanseatic city of Lübeck, you can study at the University of Technology or the University of Music in addition to the university. The university specialises in the field of medicine. The cityscape is characterised by water, green spaces and extensive forests. Perfect for relaxing after lectures or getting on a SUP board in the city. There are plenty of places to party in Clemensstraße in Lübeck's city centre and, of course, the "Strandsalon", the year-round beach club with a view of the old town. For culture lovers, Lübeck offers numerous sights such as the seven towers or the Buddenbrookhaus. If you don't want to miss out on the big city entirely, you can be in Hamburg in an hour by train - free with the semester ticket.
There are numerous good spots from Lübeck. In easterly winds, good conditions can be found in Pelzerhaken and Kellenhusen on the Bay of Lübeck. If the wind is blowing from the west, you can head to Heiligenhafen or Weissenhaus. Alternatively, Fehmarn can also be reached in about an hour. There is a good spot here for every wind direction. To get in touch with the locals and find out more about the spots, newcomers to Lübeck should pay a visit to the "Boardrider" surf shop in the city centre and the "Surf-Center Lübeck".
Studying & surfing in Lübeck
University with a total of 29 degree programmes, University of Applied Sciences with a total of 27 degree programmes, University of Music with a total of four degree programmes.
Big city with small-town flair or big small town - Lübeck can't quite keep up with the hip life in Hamburg, but it has its very own advantages.
The Bay of Lübeck offers a wide selection of spots.
Especially in westerly winds, you have to allow for quite a bit of travelling time.
4th place: Rostock
In addition to the University of Rostock, you can also study at the University of Music and Theatre. The university alone has a total of ten faculties and more than 100 degree programmes. The most popular neighbourhoods among students are Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt and Hansaviertel. The student union halls of residence, on the other hand, are mostly located in Südstadt, which is also home to the technical faculties, including the library and canteen. Numerous pubs offer students in Rostock an attractive nightlife. On Tuesdays, for example, the "ST-Club" offers free beer until midnight, while on Wednesdays and at weekends the Studierendenkeller is a popular place to go out. In summer, there is a bar and cinema in the backyard of the cellar vault. A summer highlight is certainly the second weekend in August, when Rostock traditionally welcomes over a million visitors to the "Hanse Sail". The gathering of traditional sailing ships is accompanied by lots of hustle and bustle and entertainment.
From Rostock, you will find good wave conditions in Wilhelmshöhe and Kühlungsborn. If the wind is blowing from the south, surfers are best off travelling a few kilometres further east to Ahrenshoop. Freestylers and freeriders can let off steam in Saal or Dierhagen on the Saaler Bodden. The Salzhaff can also be easily reached in half an hour. You can make contact with the locals either directly at the spot or by visiting the Rostock surf shop "Supremesurf".
Studying & Surfing in Rostock
University with a total of 115 degree programmes, music/art college with a total of 26 degree programmes.
The density of venues in Rostock is well above the national average. So the trick is to avoid a party rather than socialising.
Whether it's relaxed freeriding, wild freestyle acrobatics or skilful wave slashing: In Rostock, you're spoilt for choice. Deductions are made for the spot quality, which is better elsewhere. When the wind blows from the east, many of Rostock's surfers travel all the way to Rügen.
You can find a good spot for all disciplines and every wind direction within half an hour's drive from Rostock.
3rd place: Flensburg
Only 15 kilometres from the border with Denmark, Flensburg offers the northernmost opportunity to study in Germany. The European University and the University of Applied Sciences offer a wide range of degree programmes. The fact that both universities share a campus in Flensburg is the best way to meet like-minded people in the city. Student life is currently suffering somewhat from the general decline in clubbing. Nevertheless, there are plenty of flat share parties, pubs and nice cafés! You can certainly make contact with the locals by visiting the "Surfpirates" Flensburg. There is also always someone to talk to at the local spots.
In addition to the short distance to Denmark, Flensburg has a second ace up its sleeve for windsurfers with the Flensburg Fjord. Freestylers and freeriders in particular get their money's worth at spots such as Fahrensodde or Wasserleben. Both spots are less than ten kilometres from the campus and are perfect for a short session between lectures. Otherwise, the Flensburg scene is well connected and those who feel comfortable in the waves can join a carpool to Kegnaes or Rømø. Both islands can be reached in about an hour by car.
Studying & surfing in Flensburg
University with a total of 62 degree programmes, university of applied sciences with a total of 18 degree programmes.
In summer, the fjord offers many beautiful places to study or spend time together. The university offers a wide range of leisure activities and there is even a campus swimming pool.
The Flensburg area has a large selection of spots, with something for almost every discipline. Points are deducted for the fact that there is no wave spot in the immediate vicinity.
The spots on the fjord are close to the campus. The wave spots on Kegnaes and Rømø are 45-60 minutes away.
2nd place: Stralsund
The Hanseatic city of Stralsund is considered the gateway to Rügen. This is exactly what makes the city so attractive for windsurfers. The university offers degree programmes in mechanical engineering, economics, electrical engineering and computer science. As quiet as Stralsund is in winter, it is just as lively in summer. If you live directly in the old town or the Frankenvorstadt, you can be on the island in just a few minutes and can still easily reach the university by bike.
Rügen is the largest German island and one of the sunniest places in the country. But the best thing is the free choice of spots in any wind direction: from the finest laboratory conditions for freestyling and heating on one of the countless Bodden to crashing waves in Neu Mukran and Kreptitz. The quickest way to get in touch with the Stralsund surf scene is via the local "Surfshop Stralsund" or the "Treibholz" skate shop in the old town. Otherwise, there is a surf station at most spots where you can chat to the island locals.
If you can't find what you're looking for at Stralsund University of Applied Sciences, you can take a look at the University of Greifswald. Just under 40 kilometres south-east of Stralsund, the journey to Rügen takes around half an hour longer. However, the Greifswalder Bodden to the east of the city offers another alternative.
Studying & Surfing in Stralsund
University of Applied Sciences with a total of 28 degree programmes.
In summer, outdoor enthusiasts have the perfect playground on their doorstep with Rügen. In winter, Stralsund is a little sleepy, but there are still plenty of opportunities to go out.
We counted over 20 spots on the island of Rügen. The bays are almost all shallow and smooth as glass in the right wind direction. Wave fans will also find good conditions in any wind direction, e.g. in Kreptitz with WSW or Mukran with ONE-NE.
The first top spots for freestyling and freeriding can be reached in 20 minutes from Stralsund. Only the wave spots are a 45-minute drive away.
1st place: Kiel
The range of degree programmes on offer in Germany's windsurfing capital is comparatively huge. There are around 200 degree programmes to choose from in Kiel. Most students live on the west bank of the fjord, as this is also where the university is located. The university of applied sciences, on the other hand, is located on the east bank. A handful of good freestyle spots, such as Laboe, Kitzeberg and Falkensteiner Strand, can be reached in under half an hour from the university. So nothing stands in the way of a session before or after lectures. If you have a little more time, spots such as Büsum or the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn are just over an hour away.
Even for good wave sessions, it takes about an hour to drive to spots such as Weissenhaus, Heiligenhafen and Dahmeshöved. The windsurfing scene in Kiel is very well connected and there are numerous windsurfing and surfing shops. If you walk through the world with your eyes open, you will inevitably come into contact with the locals. If the wind doesn't blow, you shouldn't get bored. Whether dancing, skating or bouldering, there is a suitable programme for almost everything at the university. Thanks to the many student councils, there is no shortage of parties.
Studying & Surfing in Kiel
University with around 170 degree programmes, university of applied sciences with more than 40 degree programmes.
There's always something going on in Kiel! The local scene is big and it's easy to make friends here, especially as a windsurfer. Kiel is not Hamburg or Berlin, but it's close.
You can almost always find the ideal spot within an hour's drive. Shallow water enthusiasts in particular get their money's worth in Kiel.
You can always get to the water quickly from the campus for a freestyle session or relaxed cruising. You only have to sit in the car a little longer for good waves.
