There are many public gardens and parks in Jena, such as the Botanical Garden, where you can relax with friends.
"Student paradise Jena"
Living and studying in Jena: Information on student life
Drei Studierende blicken vom JenTower ins Saaletal und auf die Stadt Jena.
This page has been machine translated.
Based on the paradisiacal names of the city park and railway station, the term "student paradise" describes pretty well what it's like to live and study in Jena. Jena is a typical university city: almost a fifth of the 110,000 inhabitants are students. The university is not a campus university on the outskirts of the city, but is located right in the centre. This gives the city its student flair.
Lively student life and many leisure activities
Whether it’s sport, culture or nature – in Jena you’ll find countless ways to spend your free time.
With University Sports alone, you can choose from over 500 sports courses! Or you can cheer on the pros as a fan: the city is home to successful teams such as the women’s soccer team and the men’s basketball team. Home games are real highlights!
Alongside your studies, you can get involved in university groups, meet new people or improve your language skills at the University's Language Centre – perfect for your personal and professional future.
If you love music, you’re guaranteed to find your new favourite spot in Jena and the surrounding region. Venues such as the Rosenkeller or the Kassablanca host regular live concerts and club nights. There are also events like the Kulturarena Jena and the Jazzmeile, or – just a short drive from Jena – the SonneMondSterne and the Rudolstadt Festival. A must for festival fans!
There’s always something going on outside of lectures too: student councils regularly organise events such as games nights, barbecues or ‘meet the lecturer’ sessions. This is a great way to make friends quickly and find your place within Jena’s student community.
Need a break from studying and the hustle and bustle of the city? No problem! Jena is situated in the beautiful Saale Valley and is surrounded by impressive shell limestone slopes and plenty of greenery. The many hiking trails offer countless possibilities: from short evening strolls to challenging day hikes. Perfect for taking a breather, unwinding and enjoying the views.
Short distances, more time for life
One of the biggest advantages is that everything is close by in Jena. Whether it’s the university, your shared flat, a café or a park – you can usually get there on foot or by bike in just a few minutes. This saves time and makes your daily life more relaxed.
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Image: Christoph Worsch (University of Jena)
Student ID = semester and culture ticket
By the way: your student ID card also serves as your semester and culture ticket. This is unique in Thuringia!
And here’s what that means in practical terms:
The Deutschlandticket is automatically included. You can use it to travel on public transport throughout Germany for free – including regional trains. Perfect for day trips, visits home or spontaneous outings with friends.
With your Culture Ticket, you get free entry to many of the city’s highlights. These include the Theaterhaus Jena, the Jena Philharmonic, the city’s museums, and the arthouse cinemas Kino am Markt and Kino im Schillerhof. This way, you can easily integrate culture into your everyday life – at no extra cost.
More information on the semester ticketExternal link and culture ticketExternal link
Close network between university, city and companies
Another distinctive feature is the close collaboration between academia, business and the city. In addition to Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, there are numerous renowned research institutions, including institutes belonging to the Max Planck Society, the Leibniz Association and the Fraunhofer Society. Jena is also home to various high-tech companies, particularly in the fields of optics and photonics, precision engineering, health technology and medical technology, environmental technology, and the digital economy.
For you, this means excellent opportunities for exciting internships, practical final-year projects and a successful start to your career right here in the city.
Valentine and Jonas show you the University of Jena
placeholder image — Excerpt from the video "We show you how nice it is to study at the University of Jena."
Screenshot: Universität JenaDiscover the University of Jena!
placeholder image — Discover Jena Video Thumbnail
Graphic: Thomas Franke-Opitz