Most students in northern Germany live away from home, study finds

A comprehensive study by the Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung (CHE) in Gütersloh has shed light on the living and commuting habits of students across Germany, with specific data for Schleswig-Holstein. Surveying over 87,000 students across three winter semesters, the research provides a detailed picture of student life.

In Schleswig-Holstein, the traditional "Hotel Mama" appears to be less common among students compared to other regions. Only 16.0% of students reported living with their parents. A significant majority opt for independent living arrangements: 41.2% reside in private rental apartments, and 30.5% share apartments in shared housing (Wohngemeinschaften or WGs). Another 9.3% live in student dormitories.

The study also highlighted student mobility patterns. Notably, 75.2% of students in Schleswig-Holstein live in close proximity to their university town during the semester, the highest percentage recorded nationwide. This suggests a strong local presence among students in the region. Only a small fraction, 6.6%, commute from distances exceeding 50 kilometers.

Regarding daily commutes, cycling emerges as the preferred mode of transport, with 57.4% of students regularly cycling to their university. Public transportation is also widely used, utilized by 47.0% of students. Walking accounts for 22.7% of commutes, while 19.7% use cars or motorcycles. These figures indicate a trend towards sustainable and accessible transportation methods among students in northern Germany.